Courtesy of Kenmore

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Beginners: Kenmore Electronic Sewing Machine with LCD display ($350)

If you don't always know which presser foot to use, the Kenmore Electronic sewing machine is a great choice — it will tell you which foot you need based on the stitch you select. The interface is easy to use, and the buttonhole setup is quick. But since the tension takes a while to adjust to produce correct stitches, this machine isn't recommended for someone who plans to switch types of fabric frequently. Available at sears.com.

Pros:

• Produces high quality stitches through multiple layers
• Easy buttonhole set up
• Easy to thread the machine and wind the bobbin
• Easy to change presser foot
• Easy-to-use automatic needle threader
• Screen interface pretty intuitive
• Very easy to use automatic needle threader

Cons:

• Had to adjust tension a lot for different fabrics — needed to guess and test a lot to get the right tension

Standard Accessories:

• Bobbin
• Spool pin felt
• Screwdriver
• Lint brush
• Buttonhole opener
• Needle set
• Quilter
• Large spool holder
• Small spool holder
• Spool stand
• Spare spool pin
• Overcasting foot (C)
• Zipper foot (E)
• Satin stitch foot (F)
• Blind hem stitch foot (G)
• Sliding BH foot (R)
• Walking foot
• Foot controller

THE Dream Machine.. or an Expensive Nightmare? A Look at Brother's Press Release

Here is the press release for the new Brother "THE Dream Machine" better known as the Innovi-s XV8500D

DOLLARD-DES-ORMEAUX, QC, Aug. 5, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - Brother Canada today announced the unveiling of THE Dream Machine, a top-of-the-line combo machine with 30 patents and patent pending innovations. This, Brother's most powerful, technologically-advanced sewing, embroidery, quilting and crafting machine to date, was unveiled at the Back-to-Business authorized Brother dealer meeting in Nashville that is currently taking place fromAugust 5 to 7, 2014. Advanced sewers, embroiders and quilters who couldn't attend the Nashville event will now be able to contact a Canadian dealer to be put on the list to be among the first to see the THE Dream Machine Innov-is XV8500D firsthand. The machine will be available in early September 2014.

Brother's most powerful machine has 56 square inches of workspace and an 11.25" needle arm that is large enough for a rolled king-sized quilt. The industry's largest built-in high definition LCD display runs the machine's expansive library of built-in tutorials, provides sewers up to a 400% zoom view of their creations and allows them to view their designs in preview mode. The LCD is 23% larger than previous models and can even be used to watch videos or listen to music.

The machine has Brother's INNOVEYE^® technology which is like a built-in camera and scanner that gives users a live and up close view of the needle area and the ability to scan the entire embroidery area. This gives enthusiasts virtually endless creative options and ensures that their projects are set up perfectly. Another ground-breaking feature is the VIRTUAL STITCH PREVIEW & WIDTH ADJUSTMENT that allows desired stitches to be superimposed onto projects. This gives users the possibility to adjust their stitch width or placement. THE Dream Machine also brings to market SCANIMATION scanning frame which is the industry's first scanning frame that works directly on the machine. It allows sewers to scan drawing and printed clip art directly into "My Design Centre". Hobbyists can draw directly on the LCD display to see their designs or handwriting instantly print to life. No tablet is required. Just about anything can be turned into embroidery data without even needing a PC or software.

"We're really excited about this new machine which provides creative sewing, embroidery, quilting and crafting enthusiasts with unlimited creativity options. For more than a century, Brother has won recognition as a brand synonymous with providing a great customer experience through product innovation and customer satisfaction. With THE Dream Machine, Brother has effectively delivered some of the hottest technology and automation, as well as given Canada's most advanced sewers a few surprises," stated Dwayne Filipchuk, Senior Director, Product Planning and Business Development at Brother Canada. "We're thrilled to be able to contribute as a creative catalyst thanks to THE Dream Machine's incredible industry-first features."

THE Dream Machine's features include (my comments are in red):

• Expansive 11.25" needle to arm (56 square inches of workspace) for large projects, including a rolled king-sized quilt I have to admit, this is great
• 10.1" high definition LCD display, the largest in its class, with expandable library of over 40 built-in HD tutorial videos Unbelievable - this sounds larger than my 9 inch iPad!
• InnovEye^®2 camera-like technology now with up to 2x the scanning speed and up to 3x the resolution I'm not a huge embroiderer but you might be drooling over this right now, if you are.
• My Design Centre which integrates InnovEye^® 2 Technology with design techniques like line art scanning, illustration scanning and the ability to create stippling and free-motion-like stitching without the use of a PC, software or stitch regulation.  This is nice for PC-free scanning and stitching.  But I kinda like my PC.  
• ScanImation^TM Scanning Frame allows you to scan drawings or printed clip art using InnovEye^® 2 Technology and use the auto punch feature to create stitch data.  Again, great for embroiderers.
• Virtual Stitch Preview^TM lets you see your desired stitch superimposed on your project using InnovEye^® 2 Technology and the HD LCD display, allowing you to modify stitch length and width, and see the results before actually stitching
• Largest 9.5" x 14" embroidery area illuminated with our brightest lighting system
• AccuTrac^TM Embroidery System provides better under arm support, reduces bounce, provides better stitch quality for the smoothest frame control to date.  This is very needed on these machines of this size.
• V-Sonic^TM Pen Pal for Sewing & Embroidery allows you to control several functions on fabric simply by touching the fabric with the pen.  This sounds awesome, in theory.  I've seen it work in videos and want to try it for myself.
• Droplight^TM LED Embroidery Positioning Marker allows for precise needle placement.  See below.
• Sew Straight^TM 2 Laser Vision Guide with brighter guide and wider range.  This is what has me swooning right now!
• Muvit^TM Digital Dual Feed System so you can powerfully feed fabric from the top and bottom, and sew precise, uniform stitches on a range of fabrics from silk to denim. Also needed on these machines.  Other brands have done this better for a while now.
• New Couching Technique and Muvit^TM Digital Dual Feed System allows you to add consistent decorative cording to your projects
• Colour Shuffling^TM 2 Function lets you choose your colour palette while creating or modifying embroidery designs, letting you become the colourist you've always wanted to be
• InnovaChrome^TM LED Thread Colouring & Monitoring System is a revolutionary visual status system that indicates when a thread colour change is needed, what the next colour is, as well as thread breakages and alerts.  Does is also come with a disco ball?  Not sure on this.
• 939 built-in embroidery designs including 166 designs featuring Disney characters, 140 frame pattern combinations, and 22 embroidery lettering fonts
• 726 built-in stitches, including 15 styles of one-step auto-size buttonholes, one style of four-step buttonholes and five sewing lettering fonts

Accuquilt Go Big

There are rumors swelling that a new Accuquilt Go! is in our midst.  Actually, it's more than a rumor as I have seen the device and it's displayed prominently on the company's website.  I think it's due for a review, don't you?  Is it the ultimate cutting machine we've all been dreaming of?  Hopefully I can find out for you soon.

Speaking of, the Brother "Dream Machine" is also due for a reviewing.  Really?  Does it make my dreams come true, or is that a tie-in with Disney?  I also don't associate Disney with professional sewing, but what do I know?  More updates soon on both fronts, after I contact the companies.

Why This Blog Was Created

Have you ever needed unbiased reviews and ratings of sewing machines, embroidery machines, scissors, cutting mats, furniture, and other tools?

What about techniques?  Do you want to learn exactly the best way to ease in fabric make a suit jacket?

I think you've come to the right place!  I am pretty much a beginning sewist and quilter.  Some of you could blow me away with your longarm techniques or your ability to make perfectly un-puckered sleeves.  Sometimes I get in the zone and crank out something fairly awesome - and then sometimes it just doesn't happen.

I have also found it difficult to get accurate reviews on machines, tools, and techniques from certain websites who were either sponsored by companies or were really aiming to sell you a product.  So, I invite you to read and watch along with me as I stumble through learning all the wonderful intricacies of sewing, quilting, embroidery, and all the rest.  Let my mistakes help prevent yours!

(It helps that I am a little goofy and have a decent sense of humor.  Starting any new adventure, I think, requires knowing when not to stress about something.  Sewing is not life and death).

Sidebar: It's amazing to me how many times people think something is written to inform them when its really written to persuade them.  Luckily, I have a Master's degree in Rhetoric so I should be able to see through all of that subterfuge and give you some real advice!  Thus, in an act of total desperation, I have decided to create this blog for the following reasons:

• Try out real machines in the comfort of my own home without a pushy (desperate?) dealer leaning over my shoulder;
• See if furniture really fits into a normal-sized room, not just a showroom floor.  And is it tall enough? (I am a 6'2" tall guy);
• Explore the meaning of life (maybe...)
• Find out which companies truly advocate for their customers, not just try to force a product upon them;
• Let you watch me screw stuff up so you don't have to.