In honor of Sew, Mama, Sew! Sewing Machine month, here is my sewing machine self-interview meme:

What brand and model do you have?

I have a Janome Sewist 625E.

How long have you had it?

I'm pretty sure I got it about a year and a half ago? Right around 18 months I think.

How much does that machine cost (approximately)?

I can't remember exactly but I think I paid about $400 at the local dealer.

What types of things do you sew (i.e. quilting, clothing, handbags, home dec projects, etc.)?

Well I sew clothing, bags, home-dec projects and cloth menstrual pads, of course! I'm just starting to get into quilting a little bit, but I much prefer to sew small things and clothes.

How much do you sew? How much wear and tear does the machine get?

I probably use it every-other day. My serger actually gets more use -- but that may change as I become more and more enamored with sewing hats and quilts!

Do you like/love/hate your machine? Are you ambivalent? Passionate? Does she have a name?

I suppose I think my machine does exactly what I need it to do. I'm not passionate about it, nor am I ambivalent.My machine is very sturdy and solid -- which is why I bought it over some cheaper models with more fancy stitches! I love that it doesn't wobble around when I'm sewing.

What features does your machine have that work well for you?

The features I most love are:

• ease of use (simplicity)
• up-down needle button
• drop-in bobbin
• adjustable foot pressure
• free arm
• one-step buttonhole
• automatic needle threader

If my needle threader broke or the up/down needle button stopped working, I'd have to get a new machine! That's how much I love those features!

Is there anything that drives you nuts about your machine?

I honestly haven't had any problems with this machine since I've had it! It has a nice hardcover case too and it's small enough to fit in one of those rolling bags if I want to take it somewhere. The only thing that drives me nuts is getting to the dealer before she closes when I need to buy bobbins! I do kind of wish I could use generic bobbins, but only because I'm lazy.

Would you recommend the machine to others? Why?

I would definitely recommend my sewing machine to others. Especially new sewers. When I started sewing a few years back, I had a cheapo machine from a department store and within a few months I started to feel very frustrated with the quality of the machine and all the problems I had with it. If sewing is going to be a serious hobby, a good entry level machine is important -- otherwise you'll end up just hating your machine as soon as you realize all it's limitations. I think that the Janome Sewist 625E has just enough features for basic garment/home dec/quilting projects that anyone could use it with satisfactory results. There aren't a lot of bells and whistles on this machine, but like I said, it's sturdy, solid and super easy to use! (I totally sound like a commercial)!

What factors do you think are important to consider when looking for a new machine?

Knowing what you want to do is important. When I started sewing I had no idea what kinds of things I wanted to make -- so having an all-purpose machine was important. I also think it's pretty impossible to buy a sewing machine blind off the internet. If you're going to invest the kind of money in a hobby that can be as expensive as sewing, it's important to form a good relationship with a dealer that can help you when you have problems. I think it's handy to go to a dealer that can do small repairs on-site too.

There is a Janome dealer and a Husqvarna/Viking dealer in the town I live in. I happened to get a Janome machine because on the day I went looking, I got better customer service from the Janome dealer -- but I've since formed a great relationship with the Husqvarna/Viking shop too -- and that's where I ended up buying my serger. If I were going to upgrade my machine, I'm honestly not sure who I'd go through! I bought a Janome Serger to start out with too and it was sort of crappy compared to my new Huskylock. I'm not sure how the higher-end machines stack up. I just took a beginners quilt class at the Husqvarna/Viking shop and I go in there more often because they have better fabric. It would be a tough choice because I do love my Janome sewing machine.

Do you have a dream machine?

I don't know if I have a dream machine. I did some sewing on the computerized Husqvarna quilting machines at the class on Saturday and I liked the thread intake thing and the bobbin winder a lot. I think it would be nice to have some more stitches (my machine has 24) -- but I have no idea what I'd use them for! If I got a new machine I'd want it to be sturdy and hard-working and I would need it to specialize in garment construction or quilting. I'm not big into embroidery, so nothing like those crazy embroidery machines.

Maybe one of those adorable vintage/retro machines would be nice. Or a Hello Kitty sewing machine. Yeah. I'd like that!