Hi All,
Almost a month back, I bought a new automatic sewing machine. I loved to own a automatic machine for a long time. I had the basic Tailor model Singer Merritt machine for around 2-3 years. I got the machine as second hand from a tailor where I learnt sewing. The machine was good, but I was not regular, so it often cracked and I had to repair.
Overall, it was good, but in the back of my mind, I wanted to buy a new machine.
To be honest, it was not the affordability, it was my commitment to sewing which bothered me and took long time in decision making. I don’t sew my dresses, though I learnt the basics, somehow my measurements are not perfect and with the limited time, I was not able to sew patiently. Did I tell time here?
Ok, this post is becoming a rant, so please bear with me.
I love to sit & sew in the machine, but my daughter does not like that, so she comes & grabs everything that is their in the machine’s table which are unfortunately sharp & harmful ( scissors & seam rippers, even the tape, she puts around her neck !! )
So I could sew when she sleep right, but again I have a job & so I will be away at that time. Our entire home sleeps by 10:30 , so sewing after 10:30 will make noise & wake up my daughter.
So with all these limitations, I postponed my wish of owning a sewing machine.
But at the beginning of this year, I felt a great urge, it is Now or Never.
So I browsed a lot abt sewing machine reviews, service centers etc.
There is a Sewing Machine review by Suma which was very detailed & nice. But unfortunately, I did not go for Bernette as there was no nearby dealer (near my location HAL) & also I wanted to exchange my old machine, so it will require 2-3 visits to the chikpet market.
Singer I heard has technical issues so settled with Usha Janome Brand Sewing Machine.
Next was deciding the model, I was contemplating between Stitch Magic and Allure. Stitch Magic has advanced & user friendly features than Allure.
I compared the features of Allure & stitch Magic and found all my requirements being satisfied with Allure. So finally zeroed on the Make & Product, So it is Usha Janome Allure.(Not very Basic nor very Advanced.)
Pic Courtesy : Usha Janome Allure
I bought it from SKB Enterprises in Marthahalli & exchanged my old sewing machine. The entire buying was very smooth & the shop keeper was helpful & patient.
I got a quick demo from the shop keeper on the various stitches.
Later almost after a month, I got demo from the Usha Service Center.
He spoke only Kannada & I tried to understand as much as I can.
The Machine is very easy to use & needs a sturdy table else it vibrates.
The machine came with standard foot( Normal foot,zipper foot, Buttonhole and also a plate(small) for embroidery. They have provided a Accessories Catalog which lists the other feet available for this machine.
So if you require a Pin Tuck foot or a Ruffler foot(and many more I wished for these 2 & so it remained in my memory), pls check your nearby dealer, he may be able to source it for you. I’m planning to buy both of them by the end of this year.
Now I got a new machine, I’m waiting to sew so many things which I ogle endlessly in the web.
Thanks,
Sangheetha.
Welcome to My Blog 
Hi Sangheetha,
I loved your blog. I like the angry bird you have made. I too have a sewing machine. Its SINGER fashion maker and it is more than a friend to me. I use it alter my clothes(which my tailors often spoil) , to sew lining to some of my crochet projects. I will be moving out in a few months time and I cant believe that I cannot carry it with me š¦ This just makes my heart weep š¦ I don’t know how I’ll work without my machine. I’m not a gr8 sewer, but I do manage to do a decent job when it comes to alterations and lining. I felt like sharing it with your after seeing your new sewing machine. Congrats on it.
Please do visit my blog and have look at my small crochet world!
Thanks!
Hugs,
Ranjitha
Hello, can you please provide feedback on Usha Allure, for others for their buying decision
Hi Ritz,
So far Allure has been good. It is good sturdy machine with basic + little extra stitches.
Maintenancewise, it is almost zero maintenance, except for needle changing, I have not touched the insides for anything.
Oiling once in a week, will keep the machine good.
It is a good buy according to me š
Thanks,
Sangheetha.
Hi I am Priya
I bought Usha allure 8 moths ago online
I got cd which is not working
I really don’t know about all stitches ( how to do , how to use all foot )
I only know about basic so makes purse but neddle breaks every time while stitching jeans or any cotton fabric with lining.
I want to know about neddle,Which neddle we should use for jeans fabric or any 2 leyer fabric ?
Hey! Love your blog and have been following for awhile. I picked up Usha Janome Allure, but unfortunately my toddler son passed the Demo cd to my dog who indeed scratched it. I was wondering if you could share the demo video online . Thank You!
Hi Vidya,
I will surely try to do it.
But not sure how to upload the entire video here.
Let me check out and get back..
Meanwhile, i can always send the CD to you for ur reference.
Mailing you š
Can you please let me know if you have uploaded the demo video? I too do not have it š¦
Hi ,
I could not upload the video here.
But found some videos available in the internet.
Thanks very much for the links to the video Sangeetha. š
How much it will cost
I exchanged my old machine with the dealer and got this one a year back. Pls check with the dealer, he can give you the current rate.
I got new allure too, I always thought of buying one with no previous experience in this field. But i have lot of interest in it, Now the problem is i followed the instructions given in manual, while threading needle i found that there is no take up lever as per the diagram given in the manual book. While browsing for images in google for Usha Allure, In some pictures thread take up lever is clearly visible and some pictures it is not there(even in your blog usha allure machine picture, thread take up lever is not visible).
i want to know whether take up lever is with outside appearance of the machine or kept inside in the machine.
if the take up lever is missing in my machine kindly give some guidance, what shall i do.
i bought it from online store Homeshop18.For returning the product and replacing new with Homeshop18 is very difficult process.
thanks
Hi Nandhu, The thread take up lever is hidden in Allure but not unreachable. when you thread the needle, from the thread holder, you do a ‘W’ and when you peep in you can see the thread being caught in the thread take up lever.
The take up lever is not a closed circle in allure, instead it is an open big C. so when you do the “W” motion with the thread, the thread is caught in the thread take up lever.
Incase you have more doubts, call up Usha Customer care and ask for demo. They are supposed to do 1-2 free demo’s for every purchase of their machine. Irrespective of from where you get it. So do not worry, call them up. Incase you are not getting any response and not getting demo, just walk in to nearby sewing machine dealer and ask them to show how to thread the machine specifically Usha Janome Allure. They will help.
I’ll also try to take a pic .
Thanks, Sangheetha.
which sewing machine is better between usha janome allure and usha janome stitch magic ?
Hmm š Stitch Magic is better than Allure bcoz of its extra features and stitches.
If you are comparing the quality, then Basic machine wise both are same. Both are from Usha Janome.
Thanx Sangeeta š
I have a Stitch Magic, and am also interested in additional presser feet – Ruffler or Gathering, Pin Tuck, Even Feed, as well as ball point needles especially twin needles. I have been searching for these online. Tried the Singer Company in Delhi but got no help from them. Was able to get a darning/embroidery foot from the Singer showroom in Madgaon, Goa. If you are able to procure the feet you require, can you PLEASE inform me. I do a lot of sewing and enjoy it too.
Hi,
I have sewn only with the basic foot so far. When I bought the machine, the dealer gave a brochure for additional feets and said these are not readily available but he can get if I place the order.
Can you pls try once with the nearby dealer for Usha Janome Sewing machine?
Thanks.
Did you have any luck Grace? I have been trying to locate accessories for the Allure too, with not much luck. Please let me know if you find anything online. Thanks.
Yes, Kim, I’ve had plenty of luck! A couple of months ago, I acquired a Ruffling foot, an Even Feed (walking) foot, a pintucking foot, a binding foot which makes and attaches bias binding in one go, a three-way cording foot, an overedging foot, all online from ebay india. Then, on Saturday, I found and purchased a gathering foot and a ribbon/sequin foot from the local (Dehradun) Usha dealer. Have spent nearly 7000/- on these. I also took advantage of the Diwali deals and purchased a Janome Dream Maker 120 for Rs.26,099 (the marked price is anything between Rs.32,000-35,000) and this came with 8 more presser feet, so am feeling very rich indeed! My hearing impaired daughter and I do a lot of stitching/tailoring.
The name of the supplier at Ebay is Usha Sales Corporation or Usha Machine and Electricals and their contact details are :
Phone No: +919503503444
Email : care@ushamachines.com
Or you can go to ebay india, google sewing machines and accessories. Let me know how it goes. All the best!
I think almost all these presser feet will be compatible with your Allure, but no harm in contacting the supplier and making sure. Of the two feet I bought last, the gathering foot says it’s compatible with Oscillating Hook Models (your Allure and my Stitch Magic – front loading), and the ribbon/sequin foot with Horizontal Rotary Hook Models (my Dream Maker – top loading). As I have both types now, the feet will fit at least one of them. But if the foot is not compatible with your machine, then it will be a waste, and the parts are rather expensive. I have no idea why they are not universal/standard. I will try out the ribbon/sequin foot on my Stitch Magic though, to see if it works there!
Grace
Thanks Grace. The info will be useful to many.
Nice to know you š
Hi Sangeetha, on November 10, 2014, I had sent a response to Kimberly’s query regarding presser feet. I don’t see my response here, and was wondering if she got all the information which I sent.
That is great information Grace. Thanks very much š I will check it out.
Which is better Usha allure or Usha wonderstitch?
I found stitch magic is around 75-80% more than allure and wonderstitch is 10-15% more than allure. Any idea about what is good in wonderstitch other than auto threading?
Thanks
T.Lakshmi
Hi sangeetha I want to know if I can get auto threading fixed in my Allure as my eye sight is not so good
I don’t think you can attach an auto threading mechanism to a sewing machine that doesn’t have it. However, you can conveniently use a good needle threader (I think PONY sells them for just Rs.5/- each). Hold the diamond shape of the wire with the thumb and forefinger of one hand, so that only a little bit of the wire V is protruding; then slide your thumb and forefinger down the BACK of the needle where you expect the eye to be (most machines nowadays thread from front to back whereas in our old machines it had to be threaded from right to left) As the pointed V reaches the eye, the threader will slip into the hole. Push it right through and then you can pass the thread through the huge wire “hole” using your other hand. After you have used this needle threader a few times, you will be able to find the eye of the needle by feel (and not by eyesight) and insert the needle threader into it. I am 66 years old, and use the Rs.5 needle threader quite often even though 2 out of my 3 machines have the auto threading option. To use the auto threader installed in high end machines properly, the position of the needle has to be just right for the fine hook to pass through the eye. If not, you can easily damage the hook and ruin the whole mechanism for which you would have paid a couple of thousand rupees! Also, it won’t work if you are using “twin needles”, which I do quite often.
Hi all,
I want the details of no. of stitches and what are they. Please any one post this.
By
Anitha Sivasankarakumar.
Hi,
Pls find the details about the machine in Usha Janome website or visit a nearby dealer.
http://www.ushainternational.com/Products/sewing-machines#!/subcat10/prodid21
Thanks,
Sangheetha.
please tell me can we stitch our salwar kameez like our singer merritt machine in usha allure I want to purchase usha allure
All that you do in Singer Merritt machine can be done in Usha Allure also.
Pls visit the nearby dealer to know more about the stitches and the machine.
Responding to Vani’s query: I am quite a veteran seamstress. I’m not very sure what additional features you have in Allure (I have a Stitch Magic), but I think that whereas your Singer Merritt will do just the basic sewing, with your Allure you can : (!) Use the decorative stitches to do the bottom of the salwar, (2) Use the zigzag or “ladder stitch” to do the overlocking of both the salwar and the kameez so that they don’t fray, and (3) use the decorative stitches to beautify your kameez by just making rows of the stitches in one or more colours! Your Allure with give you much more joy, creativity and enjoyment than the humble Merritt!
Thanks Grace for the details..
hi i have bought usha genome but my problem is im unable to stitch two clothes together ,imean attaching two clothes etc..please give an idea of using patern selector .i read the manual its not working .is there any problem with my machine or with needle.the minute i stich two clothes,thread goes away frm needle.
Hi,
Sometimes even I have faced the issue that the thread is getting cut often when the fabric is thick(like when I have folded both the clothes to stitch on while top stitching).
1. Check the bobbin tension
2. Re-thread just in case if there is any miss
3. Adjust the top thread tension slightly and check whether it is less.
If you still feel that the thread is getting cut often, pls chk with the dealer on this issue.
Hi sangheetha… Loved reading your blog.. I saw ur blog while googling abt usha janome sewing machine. And when i started reading this post.. O my! so much of similarities between us. I went for a stitching class in blore and later bought a secong hand Singer Merritt from the institute itself. I was happy with it so far. Used to stitch a few for myself and household needs. Later i couldn’t be regular with it after my son’s birth. And now he is a toddler and even i am concerned abt the sharp sewing materials we use. So totally avoided stitching. Now that my Merritt in a very bad condition so i was thinking about exchanging it and getting a table top machine. So googled and thus reached your blog. Very happy to read ur blog. Thanks for the informations given.
By the way do u stay near HAL – Marathahalli. I stay in yemlur, near HAL.
Regards,
Maria.
Thanks Maria for the compliments. I so much echo your feelings. I’m not using my machine much but atleast it is there when I want to do some mending :-).
I live near HAL , L B Shastry Nagar. I know Yemlur area, I have crossed via those roads while commuting.
Nice to know you.
Happy Stitching.
Hi sangheetha…. Thank you for your blog. From last 2 yrs. I am thinking to buy an automatic machine… I can stitch anarkalli suits and design saree s with border very well. I am staying @ kolkata. So is it worthy to buy a machine for single use only?
I dont stitch regualarly , but whenever I need to, I do it and it saves lot of time and effort instead of taking the piece to the tailor and getting it done.
It depends on your usages, normal salwar stitching and lots of garments,can be stitched in the usual tailor model machine. Automatic machine is for the extra stitches and features. Pls visit the dealer and have a good look of everything they have and decide on the machine. It helps.
Hi sangheetha… Can you please share some design s made by you?
Regards’
Krushnapriya
Hi sangeetha..Can i stich jeans cloth with usha janome allure machine???
may i know which one is best among allure or fashion??
Yes you can stitch Jeans cloth with Allure.
Sorry,I dont have details on which one is better between Allure and Fashion. Pls check with the dealer. He can show demo and also the variety of stitches it has.
usha jenome allure is very good zero maintance.
thanks…ur review helped me to fix with usha. I was tossing between singer and usha. Cheaper than singer i thought about usha. But about the model again came confusion. allure and dream stitch. now i got the answer.
Thanks Indu.Glad to have helped you.
which number needle is used in usha janome allure
I donno fariha. I use the normal sewing machine needle available. Also the machine comes with a needle set.
To nsangheetha for Fariha: In all sewing machines, a whole range of needles can be used. The appropriate one depends on the type of material you are stitching. For ‘normal’ i.e. everyday stitching – cottons and some synthetics, no: 14 is usually used. If the fabric is thick, use a number 16. For curtains, I use number 18. For delicate material use number 11. If your sewing machine does zigzag stitching, you can even use “twin needles” to make interesting designs. For knitted material (hosiery etc. a ‘ball-point” needle should be used.
Thanks Grace. š
hi sangeetha,
thanks for your sharing.
what is the price of the usha allure in skb enterprises?
what is the difference between the allure model and wonder stitch/
what are Accessories give with the allure machine?
because i also want to buy from skb enterprises, marathahalli
Hi Grace,
I too have been searching for additional presser feet online, but it just gets too confusing. Have you had any luck locating any? Also, do you need the darning foot to do machine embroidery? What does it look like?
Sorry, I have not purchased any additional presser foot online. But I heard that additional foot are available in ebay. I have not tried any machine embroidery also.
Can you hop over to http://artisticfingers.blogspot.com/ and ask the question there. She does machine embroidery and might be able to help.
Hope this helps.
Take care
Bye
Sangeetha, have you posted the demo cd online? If so, I would love to have the link as I did not receive any such cd š¦
Thanks.
Hi Sangeetha,
I am going to buy Allure. But want to know will this have facility to do picot and zip fixing?
Piyali.
Yes, the Allure will do picot and zip fixing, but you will have to buy the hemmer/picot foot and zipper foot (you can get them from ebay.in), as I don’t think these are included in the accessories that are provided with the machine.
Hi sangheetha I have usha janome allure. I have tried stitching cotton hosiery material on it but the stitches do not come on the fabric. I bought a foot for quilting which the technician said would help to stitch hosiery material as well but it doesn’t work. Also you said in your previous blog you mentioned about ball point needle what is it and where can I procure it pls help
Thanks .
Sreeja
I’m sorry Sreeja, I have no experience in stitching hosiery fabric. I have never done and also I donno about ball point needle.
Sorry I could not help.
For Sreeja: You were given a pack of needles along with your machine. The blue tipped needle is the ball point needle which you must use for any kind of stretch material (which includes hosiery). Try it out, it will work wonders. Unfortunately, ball point needles are not freely available in India. PONY Industries does manufacture special sewing machine needles, including ball point/jersey needles, but they are willing to sell a minimum of 100 needles only. I even asked for a quote for 100 needles of each kind of several different types of needles, but have not had any reply from them. As you live closer to where the PONY company is situated (I live in North India) you may try to procure them directly from the manufacturers. Until then, use the blue tipped needle you have been supplied, and see the difference! It will save you from loads of frustration of encountering skipped stitches!
Grace
Thanks Grace š
That was really informative.
But I did not get any blue tipped needle when I bought the machine. I got one set of needles but all the same ones.
Sangheetha and Sreeja: After reading your post, I looked up the list of accessories that you got with your Allure and was quite dismayed to see that you got a pack of just 3 needles (I got a pack of 5 with both my Usha Janome machines, including a ball point (blue tipped) and a twin needle, and a pack of 5 with my old Singer which had 2 ball point needles in different sizes). Since then, I have been furiously hunting online for special needles – ball point, embroidery, and quilting, but have had no luck. The ones that ARE available are way too expensive – Schmetz (German) needles are over Rs.1000 for a pack of 5 needles and they will sell only in bulk! Today, I tried a regular sewing needle size 11 with hosiery and it worked reasonably well. Just try it out (I’m pretty sure you have one of these), and if it works for you, I would advise you to keep a stock of them. Singer needles would cost about Rs.20 for 10 needles and Organ (Made in Japan – I read some reviews about them that vouch that they are better than Singer and German needles) are readily available in India for about Rs.40 for 10 needles. IF you are able to get size 9, buy a couple of packets as this size would be even better for hosiery and light weight material, but they are not easily available in India – I happen to have 3 of them – I have no idea where I got them from, but am keeping them for when they will really be required! Hope this will be of some help!
Thanks Grace for the info. It will be really useful š
I’ve heard that the machines like allure that have more than one stitch and picot cannot be used to sew all kinds of material such as nets, lycra and hosiery. In addition, if you use the embroidery functions often, the machine gets spoilt. All tailors advice to go in for a regular full shuttle machine to sew clothes.
hmm.. I dont have much experience, so far the machine is working out well and I use it considerably. yes but not daily.
One tailor known to me adviced to go for industry model second hand machine š
Hi everyone, ,,,
I need to buy a new fashion maker
Anyone of you please suggest.
Hi liya,
Please visit the nearby dealer to see the various models and the features each ones has.
Thanks,
Sangheetha.
What table do you use to place the machine on? I am planning to buy a portable one like tablemate or something similar..any advice or experience you can share around it?
Hi…
Please do not buy any plastic/computer tables for placing sewing machine.
Sewing machine needs a very sturdy table. Proper wooden table.
The reason is I bought a computer table kind of table for keeping sewing machine and it vibrated a lot.
it is a great disturbance to see the entire table shaking and also lot of noise.
A proper dining table kind of table is required for sewing machine.
Hope it help.s
Cheers,
Sangheetha.
Is There a Facility of interlocking, as i m planning to gift one to my mom
You can do the zigzag stitch. It does not do the interlocking stitch which the separate machine does. But the zigzag stitch can be used for interlocking.
thanx a lot ladies for all the info. i was really confused what machine to buy, now i know i’ll go for allure
I got my new janome allure machine but the first time when I used take back lever went inside and it’s not coming out….wat is solution for it
Please take it to the dealer and check. The thread lever is hidden in Allure. But if you make the W motion, the thread gets caught. Please check with dealer, he will be able to demo and help you more.
can u plz telll vch me hine s good nd cost too usha allure usha excella
plz send me dealer info .. because im plannning to buy…… nd confused between uzha allur nd usha excella
Try this one.
S K B Enterprises
Tailoring Items
Address: Shop No 1, Guru Complex, Marathahalli Main Road, Near-Old Bus Stop, Marathahalli, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560037, India
Phone:+91 80 2540 1625
Please go to the dealer(any dealer), see the features. Ask him to show demo and then buy. Feel free to ask all sorts of questions to dealer. After all we should be clear on what we buy.
Ma’am my mother wants a machine having interlocking feature with Piko facility which machine can I buy for her in Usha.
Vaibhav, any sewing machine with zigzag stitch will do as far as picot is concerned. A special picot foot will be required – it is inexpensive, and every lady who owns a sewing machine should have this. For overlocking, you can use the same zigzag stitch, but there are other suitable stitches too, like E, F, G in the Allure Model (you can look for the same symbols on other machines also to see if they are available). For the Instruction Manual of Allure model, google allure_excella.pdf. The stitch symbols are shown on the last page. For overlocking too, I would strongly recommend an overcasting foot. This costs under Rs.300, but is optional. It is very useful for keeping the overcast edge flat, so that it doesn’t curl inwards. Both feet are available at Ebay.in. Mind you, the overlocking will not look like the overlocking done by a special overlocking machine used by tailors. However, it will solve the purpose of interlocking, which is to give the garment a neat finish and keep it from fraying. HTH.
Can i make H, I, J, K, L,patterns whitch are in Usha Stitch Magic. with purchase seprate pressure foot in my Usha ALLURE, I hve Usha Allure but I want patterns H, I, J, K, what can I do for this ? plz help me…….
Sorry, Priya, that is not possible as those stitches are not programmed in your Allure. However, the Singer I have used for many years has the same limited patterns as your Allure. They too are quite pretty. I have used them in both ordinary mode as well as SS mode for the bottoms of my Salwars and also for decorating. My advice to all the owners of sewing machines is to make a sampler using all the decorative stitches on your machines, as a ready reckoner. They look quite different when actually used on fabric than they look as symbols on the machine! Then you can decide which one(s) you want to use with which project. By the side of each different stitch, you can make a note with a ball point pen, on the fabric itself, regarding the different settings you used (such as stitch width, stitch length, tension etc.).
There is a foot which can use D, E, F, G on your Allure to make small flowers – 1/4″ to 1″ in diameter – 3 sizes per pattern. It is called Flower Stitch Attachment, and is available on Ebay.in for about Rs.1100. You do need to iron on a stabilizer to the wrong side of the fabric. The stabilizer is available at Rs.14 per metre and is available at shops selling tailoring material like buckram, lining, etc. If anyone is really interested to know what the “flowers” look like, please post a comment. I will then send a picture of the sampler I have made, to Sangheetha, and perhaps she can post it on the blog. Or you can check this foot out on Youtube. The flowers look very cute. I am using them to embellish handtowels and hankies.
There are feet available, such as cording feet, which you can use with the stitches available on your machine. Look them up on Youtube. Also, you can purchase double sided satin ribbon (1/2″ wide is the best and costs about Rs.4 per metre – it is thick and does not require stabilizing, you can also wash and iron it, but try out a piece first), and make a row of the decorative stitch of your choice on it, to use for trimming your projects. You can also make rows of decorative stitches on a strip of fabric to attach to the bottom/sleeves or the neckline or button band of kurtas etc.
Hope this helps!
Thank You very much Grace. Lot of this information will be very helpful. I really understand the usefulness of making a sampler with all decorative stitches. It will definitely be useful and ready reckoner when we want to decorate the borders or frills. Thanks Again.
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Is overlocking of fabrics possible over Usha Janome Allure
You can do zigzag stitch which can be substituted for overlock.
Hi sangeetha
can you post a video on how to use the various options available in Janone Allure. I bought mine from amazon and did not get a demo on how to use it.
Can you please check in Usha Janome site. You must have also received a cd. If not, call up Amazon to ask.Because it is part of the product.
Hi Sangeetha. Will Allure produce noise? if so what DB noise it produces?
I have no idea. Can you pls chk in Usha Janome website
hey i even dont know the basics i lost my instruct manual plz help
Allure is best for sewing usha is best in machines I like usha
This is an excellent blog for learners with people like Sangeetha, Grace and Kimberly eager to help. I went through all the comments and found many informative messages from Grace. Thank you for sharing so much.
I am planning to buy Dream Maker 120 from USHA, though Singer’s Curvy is available at a slightly lower price and also has a hundred more stitch selections.
My only concern is, how robust a computerised sewing machine is when compared to a mechanical automatic machines. I would be happy to hear from any experienced users on this.
Many thanks,
Vishwa
Hi Vishwanath, Here is Grace answer to your question.
Hi Vishwa,
I am a proud and happy owner of a Dream Maker 120. Before purchasing it, I never got around to considering a Curvy (I presume you are thinking of Model 8770) or I too would have been in a bit of a dilemma as to which one to chose. I have just checked the Instruction Manual of the Curvy 8770. It certainly has some additional decorative stitches and very attractive ones too, and probably costs less. However, in my case, I would still probably have gone for the DM 120 for the following reasons:
1. I do quilting and my DM has special stitches for quilting as well as an extension table, which provides extra area for larger projects.
2. It has an ON/OFF switch so I don’t need to use the foot control. I have observed with my Stitch Magic that when I am doing decorative stitching, the size of the motif goes out of whack if the speed of the machine changes – faster speed results in smaller motifs, and vice-versa. So on my DM120, I keep the speed at about Medium (closer to Slow), and the machine maintains the speed. I read somewhere on the net that for decorative stitching we should always keep the speed slow as the machine has to do a lot of work making the needle go in different directions to form the motifs.
3. The number of decorative stitches may be less in the DM120 than the ones available on the Curvy, but they are still more than I really need. The Curvy would probably be superior to DM 120 as far as monogramming is concerned, but as I have not seen it in action, I cannot say for certain.
4. The rest of the features appear to be the same on both the machines
Regarding your concern as to how robust the machines are, I can’t really vouch for the electronics of either as I have had my DM120 for just a year and I use it mainly for decorative stitching and quilting. For normal stitching I use my Stitch Magic. However, I read on the net that the Curvy has internal parts made of iron which makes the machine sturdier, so maybe you should check this out.
I would also like to add that I bought a showroom ‘soiled’ Singer at half price from a showroom in Delhi. I have used it for 11 years now, stitching clothes, curtains, just about everything, and I do a LOT of stitching – EVERYTHING for myself and my two daughters – nothing went to the tailors, and the machine is still going strong. I think (though I may be wrong) that if something has to go wrong with it, it will happen in the early stages, when it will still be in the guarantee period (of hopefully 2 years).
Before I purchased my DM120, I was toying with the idea of buying a computerised embroidery machine. I consulted the dealer in my city – he sells both Usha and Singer. He advised me to go for the higher version of Usha (it was around Rs.80,000, while the entry level one was about Rs.45000 – and I gave up the idea of an embroidery machine as it was way beyond my budget), saying that the cheaper version had many complaints. As for Singer, he told me never to even consider it.
Just thought the above would help you in making the final decision! Would be interested to know which one you decided to buy. Happy sewing!
Thanks.
Hi
Hi
I purchased usha janome stitch magic last week as a gift for my sis. In. Law, for 15500 with 11 accessories and led buld and isimark, from jayanagar. It looks cool. She is presently using singer merrit and been telling us to get a zigzag machine… She is very happy to get a high quality and high end machine now! By d way i wish to buy dream maker 120 for her if she seriously shows her interest. She is very skilled in stitching…i wishwe had more informative blogs like this. There r hardly any ppl sharing views… Shows how much less info available in india on creative things… I wish u ppl help us with more info on sewing,..
Hi, Vijay, Your sister in law is really a lucky soul! She will surely bless you all her life for giving her such a beautiful and enjoyable gift!
Hi Grace and sangeetha ,
It’s very useful info u people are sharing shanks a lot.
I own allure , please share the demo link as it was gift I dint get any CD nor the demo . kindly share the link of demo if available.
Hi Sangeetha. .. Pl. can you explain how to do embroidery with usha allure . Thanks
Hi Uma,
In Usha Allure, there are embroidery stitches available on the right hand corner. You need to select them, use appropriate foot and use them. You can see them in youtube videos. Search for Usha Janome Allure Embroidery stitches.
Hi Sangeetha & Grace,
I have a USHA Janome StitchMagic. I use this extensively for all kinds of sewing projects. I have recently developed an interest in quilting and in the walking foot. Could you please tell me if I could use a walking foot on my machine. If yes, then from where can I procure one. I live in Hyderabad.
Thanks in advance,
Geeta
Can you pls try here..
https://www.facebook.com/thesquareinch
You can also get it from ebay link which Grace posted I guess or by enquiring sewing machine dealers.
Thanks.
Yes, Geeta. You can use a walking foot with your Stitch Magic and, as Sangheetha has mentioned, you can order it from Ebay. You can just google ebay.in and search for sewing machine parts. It costs around Rs.1200, but once you start using it, you will find it indispensable and very useful.
Grace.
hello everyone..its nice to see such a blog…although ofcourse i visited this page in search of your people only..coz i just got myself allure ordered online…just wanted to know if anyone can teach me how to stitch or….i mean embroid a small 5 letter logo…would be helpful and appreciable till i stitch…am a male and look forward to teach my wife a work from home kinda a thing..
Thanks for visiting the blog.
I have not done much on machine embroidery. Please check on youtube videos. I learn most of the techniques from there. š All the Best
Hi mam i like ur bkog plzz telk me that for embrodery which usha machine is suitable also with sewing functions
For basic machine embroidery, Allure comes with decorative stitches.
You can explore more in
http://www.usha.com/sewing-machines?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=CPC&utm_campaign=Search-Sewing-Machine-BMM&utm_keyword=%2Bsewing%20%2Bmachine&gclid=CK_kzs2FpM0CFUSTvQodQycDEw or visit a nearby dealer.
Thanks.
Hi. M new to sewing and very mush interested in buying a sewing machine for beginners. I noticed there is not much comparison / guiding sites for sewing machines(compared to mobiles!). Anyway, I am much intrigued reading your blog and so wanted to ask which basic model would u recommend, given the fact that am a self taught in sewing. Used to watch my mother do it all the time. That knowledge and youtube videos,that it! So do you think I can sew with this limited knowledge and if yes, then help me select a machine – singer start or usha janome dream stitch ? Will usha excella be very difficult to use ,given the fact that m new to this stitching world? Also demo services are pathetic at my place, so which of these machines will I be able to use without a demo.
Thanks
Unless you are buying online, I would recommend you to go to nearby usha janome dealer or any sewing machine dealer and see the machines personally.
http://www.usha.com/sewing-machines/usha-janome/automatic-zig-zag
These are the automatic sewing machines and I guess Dream stitch is the basic model which is suited for beginners.
i have ausha janome sewing machine.machine is working.but it is not stitching.i was stitching suddenly it didn’t work.why is it not working?what happened?what i do?
Hi Yamuna,
First try re-threading and checking bobbin threads.
If you are familiar, try removing the bobbin parts and re-assemble.
Or check for the nearby dealer to repair it.
Good luck
Thanks.
I use same Ushaaaka machine.only I have 3 foots.
i want purchasing janome machine but which is the best machine between allure or wonder stitch
can you kindly tell me which one should I go for usha allure or Usha excella
If u know pls reveal us,what to do if needle is not moving of Allure
Hi, i liked how you clearly explained about your choice of sewing machine. I’m an armature when it comes to sewing, and I mostly use my neighbour’s old fashioned Usha machine or the Singer 8280 sewing machine. Now I want to buy one of my own. I wasn’t a fan of singer as the bobbin kept giving issues and thread bunches up way too often. Not sure if it’s the common problem in all the singer machines, or just the one. I had no issues with Usha, but it’s the classic 25yr old model I had used, so not sure how the latest ones are. So now my options are, Usha Janome allure Or Singer Talent in the electric versions; or the Computerised versions of Singer Brilliance or Usha dream maker 30. What do you suggest? Waiting eagerly for your reply, as I want to get a new machine, where I would not need to upgrade it in the near future.
Hi š
Thanks for writing.
I would suggest Usha Janome Allure. I’m using it and it is going good.
One of my fellow blogger uses Singer and no complaints so far.
If you are not planning to upgrade in near future say 5-6 yrs and would like to have advanced features, you can go for better machines.
At the end, it is all about how much we use it. The machine should be cleaned regularly and oiled whenever we use it. And plan to use atleast once in a week or 2.
There are newer models which are coming in amazon, you can search for machines there as well.
http://www.amazon.in/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Sewing+machines&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3ASewing+machines
And linking to Suma’s Sewing machine purchase post.
http://sumasworld.blogspot.in/2011/06/meet-my-new-sewing-machine.html
Have a great time sewing.
Cheers,
Sangheetha.
Thanks sangeetha
Hi Sangeetha & Grace, I have now narrowed down on Usha Stitch Magic and Usha Dream maker 30. I understand Grace has both these sewing machines, as I had read in another blog of yours. It would really help Grace could let me know her experience with both these machines and as to which she found better in terms of ease of stitching, durability, complexity of parts and troubleshooting. Dream maker is a computerised machine, so I’m worried that in the long run computerised machines may not be durable, meaning, might need frequent repairs like most gadgets. Is it so? Also, Stitch magic has a metal frame, and I don’t think dream maker has it, so would that too affect the machine’s durability in the long run? Please do let me know and Il be eternally grateful.
Also read this review Usha Janome Allure 80-Watt Sewing Machine http://eitems.co.in/usha-janome-allure-80-watt-sewing-machine-white-blue/
hi, I have one usha allure. but it doesnot have any inbuilt picot options. can you suggest how can i do picot with this allure machine?
Hope you got the picot foot. Allure comes with picot foot.
Pls see this video to know how to use the foot.
Does the sewing machine is oiled before buying from a seller?? I purchased Usha excella dlx online and mine seemed to be oiled and the shuttle area seemed to be old as it kinda looks red…I don’t pls help me
Hi Annwesha,
No my machine was not oiled when purchased. I had to buy the machine oil separately and use it. The sewing machine smaller parts came in plastic covers and was assembled by a person.( From usha dealer).