Category Archives: Tools

Why I Sold My Juki and Bought a Bernina

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This post is one I’ve been working on in my head for a year and a half. I have had reservations of how to word things, how to post about it, how to not make it seem like you need to sell your sewing machine if you like it, etc etc etc.

I jumped on the Juki bandwagon after being ready to upgrade from my beginner-level Husqvarna Viking sewing machine. I couldn’t get a decent 1/4″ seam, things pulled to the left when I sewed long seams, I didn’t have a walking foot. These were all growing concerns as I participated in bees and things that required a consistent seam. I like to quilt a lot of my quilts on my home machine and it was not possible without a walking foot.

At that point in time, I believe 2016, Juki was all the rage among home sewists. They were relatively inexpensive, seemingly indestructible, and fast. They were rumored to be a workhorse with very little issues beyond needing to maintain them by oiling frequently.

I purchased one and I remember it arrived on Easter Sunday. I got it out of the box and worked on figuring out how to thread it. It was a doozie. Eventually I mastered that and was on my way sewing.

A few months later was when I had my first issue with tension. It was always a guessing game. I’d go through the same checklist and sometimes the problem fixed itself, sometimes it didn’t. I could never understand why the issue righted itself and why sometimes it persisted. New needle, new bobbin, re-threaded, cleaned and oiled it, turned it off and on again. It grew to be incredibly frustrating.

I took my Juki in to be serviced at a Juki dealer and 1 day after their 30-day guarantee, it broke. I spent a few hours on the phone with Juki headquarters and they told me to mail it to them and their guy would fix it. He did and it worked well for a few months. Then the tension issues creeped back in.

Sensing my ever-growing frustration, my husband suggested that I look into a new sewing machine. His grandma had a Bernina that his sister still used. Was it too good to be true? I went in to my local Bernina dealer and tested out the Bernina B 475QE. It felt smooth like buttah. I compare sewing on the Juki like a pick-up truck. It has its job and it does its job well, until it doesnt. A Bernina is like a luxury car. It is a JOY to sew with and a really amazing machine.

I have now had my Bernina for almost 2 years and I have never had even 1 tension issue. My stitches are perfect every single time I turn it on. I do miss the large throat space that I had on the Juki, but I miss literally nothing else. I gladly trade that for a machine that does exactly what I ask it to do every. single. time.

I love that I can purchase feet for a specific job (like making piping for my vintage chair reupholstery). I love that I can buy a straight stitch plate to help me not need leaders/enders. I love that I can use a blanket stitch around applique on the rare occasion I applique. I love the beautiful stitches I get even without the Bernina Stitch Regulator upgrade. I love that I have a built-in zigzag stitch for making frankenbatting. I love everything about my Bernina and I know that will continue as I use it more.

Janome Walking Foot for Juki

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One of the things I like the least about my Juki 2000 is the walking foot. It is loud, does not stitch evenly, and is just not the best. I had heard that there was a Janome walking foot that worked wonderfully for the Juki. Once Brynn @brynnsews bought one and told me that it was indeed a great fit and sews wonderfully, I took the plunge. I am happy to report that after quilting a few quilts with it, I am soooo glad I spent the $60 on this walking foot. It comes with guides, which the Juki does NOT have and I missed desperately. Here’s the link to purchase it on Amazon if you’re in the same boat. It is an affiliate link, which means I get like 2 cents from you buying it, but in the spirit of full disclosure, there it is.

Binding Tool Essentials

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I get lots of questions about quilt binding and I wanted to make a post highlighting some of my favorite tools that make the job SO much faster and easier. Just like with any home improvement job, the right tools really do make the job easier. If you need some stocking stuffers for yourself, here are some suggestions. wink wink.

  1. Clover Leather Thimble – I discovered this after I literally sewed a hole in two of my fingers from binding so many quilts. I tried poke a dots and a few other things, but they just didn’t feel natural to me. This literally starts to form to your finger after you use it and it has changed my life. I can bind SO much faster now and save my fingers. I wear it on my middle finger. I bought a size medium, but it definitely has expanded and I’ll buy a size small when it needs to be replaced. I’ve bound probably 20 quilts with my current one and it’s still going strong.
  2. Clover Clips – in case you don’t already have these, I highly recommend them. I bought mine when my now 18 month old was born and I didn’t want pins poking out of my binding poking him. I only use 4-5 at a time, so a pack of 10 is plenty for binding.
  3. Fons and Porter Binding Needles – These are relatively inexpensive, but I love them. Their length is perfect for binding. The right needle does make a difference.
  4. Machinger’s Gloves – I use these as I’m initially attaching my binding to my quilt by machine (in preparation for hand binding). I just use one on my left hand, Michael Jackson style, and it really helps me get the grip I need to control my quilt. I also use these when I free motion quilt, but even if I never were to FMQ, I would still want these for attaching binding.
  5. Gutermann thread – I prefer using polyester thread for binding. I know some say it “cuts” through the fabric, but cotton thread breaks down more easily. There are pros and cons to everything. I mainly prefer polyester because it does not knot up as easily. It makes for smooth sailing and much less frustration.

I’ll update this post if I think of anything else, or find something new I like using. Happy binding and may we all finish our Holiday to-do’s before Christmas eve, though not likely. 🙂