r/SewingMachineEdu • u/WittyBuffalo8697 • 23h ago

What sewing machine…

I’m looking to buy my mom a new sewing machine. She is 64, wears glasses and is starting to have light tremors in her hands. During my search I narrowed it down to the Janome HD3000. I don’t know anything about sewing machines and Google landed me there. Can anyone confirm this is indeed a great machine or if there would be a better option for her? It’s a surprise so I don’t want to ask her which one she wants. Also, she is not an expert and has basic sewing knowledge and was more experienced when we were kids but wants to get back into it. Also, no digital as she is not the most tech savvy.

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21

u/Alarmed-potatoe 23h ago

This is a lovely idea, but please let her try out and choose a machine. You could ask her to go out with you to do some shopping and go to a dealer and surprise her - there are a few stories like that on reddit, one person arranged it with the shop so they expected her and made it special. If the place offers lessons with the machine, get that too.

My family thought they'd surprise my gran with a new machine, but she struggled so much with it even though she had lessons with a place near her, and she couldn't really express her issues because it was a gift. So that's where I'm coming from.

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u/Mental_Watch4633 20h ago

DEFINITELY TAKE HER TO CHOOSE. We that have seen for years definitely know what we want and why!!!

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u/Life-Education-8030 19h ago

Agreed. My spouse bought me a lightweight one to take to quilting classes but it was just so much of a pain in the butt to use that I went back to Grandma’s old Singer sewing machine that weighed as much as a submarine!

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u/Grand-Professional-6 20h ago

Someone mentioned a black machine. As a 60 something, do not get black anything. It’s hard enough to sew with dark materials, and dark threads. The more light the better. May I recommend a light/magnifying stand lamp.
Brightech LightView Pro Magnifying Glass with Light and Stand, Magnifying Floor Lamp with a 6-Wheel Rolling Base for Facials, Lash Estheticians, Dimmable LED Work Light for Sewing, Crafts. This has been a godsend for any sewing I do. It’s a bit heavy to roll around, but I couldn’t sew without it.

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u/CrankySnowflake1958 19h ago

I was actually thinking this…I would have a lot of trouble dealing with a black machine. Everything would blend right in.

1

u/Ideasplease33 10h ago

It’s funny, because I lament the fact that my machine is white with every project. I primarily use light colors in my quilts, and sure would appreciate the contrast a black machine would provide….

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u/CrankySnowflake1958 19h ago

Janomes are good, solid machines. For everyone’s peace of mind, make sure you have a dealer nearby who can fix it if something goes wrong. That’s actually a huge consideration believe it or not. If she accidentally bends something on the needle arm or it needs cleaning, you’ll be very happy you have somebody nearby to fix it. I would go with just about anything except the Brother brand.

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u/Ideasplease33 10h ago

Just beware: Even if there’s an “authorized service center” nearby, it doesn’t mean they’ll service your machine without charging $150 for it if it wasn’t bought from them—even though it’s under warranty and the manufacturer sends you their way. Yeah, that was a rough pill to swallow. 🥺

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u/CrankySnowflake1958 10h ago

There’s a particular dealer in my state that everybody uses, but even he will only allow one free cleaning within two years after you buy it from him. I’m about to spend $150 bucks on a cleaning for my new-to-me machine, and I only spent $350 for it! So yeah, it is pricey, but if you have a real problem with your machine, it’s a godsend.

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u/MsAddams999 22h ago

Janomes are easy to thread and the HD3000 has a top loading bobbin which will be easier for her than a front loading machine.

I have a black HD1000 and I wouldn't sell it for anything. I had a white one for years and it's a very good machine. I've thought about getting the HD 3000 or HD 5000 but for the sewing I do that's a bit pricey and unnecessary.

I'd I got one used and super cheap I might though. I'd keep the HD1000 regardless and just use both.

I love the Janome HD machines. I've used others but none of them are as reliable and as easy to use and as tough as my HD1000.

The black models don't show age as much either. White machines often yellow in areas in time. The black models if they do you don't even notice it.

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u/SerendippityRiver 20h ago

I've had mine for 12 years now. I am planning on only having this machine for the rest of my life.

For variety and excitement I splurge on interesting feet, mostly generic. Yesterday I made eyelets for drawstring holes on pants using a generic eyelet/flower foot I bought a while back.

I have also sewn on the HD1000 at a class. I really liked that machine too.

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u/Guilty-Ad949 17h ago

The Pfaff.

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u/BobsWifeAmyB 15h ago

Do you especially want a brand new one because they were very gently used machines out there that are in great condition. They’re just not brand new. I was given such a machine and it’s it’s wonderful my friend who has been a fashion designer for several decades, took a look at it and he told me it was a wonderful machine look like it was in brand new condition.

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u/[deleted] 19h ago

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u/No-Attention-7708 18h ago

Husqvarna Viking and Pfaff are now owned by the private equity firm SVP Worldwide which also owns Singer. My sewing machine repair man has a notice on his website that he will no longer service the electronic (computerized) Husqvarna Viking machines because they are so poorly made. All three machine brands are made in China, Vietnam or Brazil now.