Posted: 6/1/2005 8:18:28 PM EDT
I am looking for a sewing machine. I don't want to spend too much, because I may find that I hate to sew, or that I have no talent for it, and some of those machines look to complicated for someone who is as unexperienced as I am. Do any of you have any suggestions for either a specific machine, or at least what features I should be looking for? Thanks.
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I woudl suggest checking out sewing shops and repair shops, sometimes they have machines that were turned in for repairs, and that were never picked up so they sell them for the repair costs as for features, special stitches and the like are nice, but just make sure it is one you cna eaily adjust tension and feed one..... One that is easily fixed at home is also a good idea (the one my Mother gave my wife is particularly difficult to get apart, took me hours to fix it when the tensioner for the bobbin went to hell) Oh and about Bobbins, they can be and usually are machine specific, and the steel ones are better than plastic I can't hink of anythign else you might want Sewing is fun, I have spent more in the last 4 months on fabric and hwatnot of rmy wife than I have for firearms and ammo combined. She goes on Mat leave in 2 1/2 weeks, so she is planning on sewing alot, I shoudl get her to sign up on th esite and hang out on this board, you could all do a virtual quilting Bee (we have so many quilts now it is almost scary) Edited to apologize for my atrocious spelling, and the fact that I am too lazy to fix it tonight, damnm I need a spell checker |
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Get a Singer. My family praises them above all other brands. Just which machine is up to you. My Grandmother had a foot powered machine. She performed wonders with it. She even taught me to use it. But replacement parts, particularly the needles, were difficult to find. SO when she died in the mid 1960’s, her sewing machine wound up in the garbage. It’s been decades since I last used a sewing machine, electrically powered or not. But I have this feeling I’ve used more thread in sewing machines than many Arfcom Ladies combined. |
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www.berninausa.com/home.jsp Seems to be the choice of the wifes since she has a few of them in her sewing room. |
| Here is my .02. I personally like the older Singer sewing machines. I have a 401A. I can sew anything with it including vinyl.I have had a newer sewing machine and absolutely hated it. When it breaks and it will it will cost you. You can get the older singers on e-bay fairly cheap. 1950's or 60's vintage is good. I will never buy an newer sewing machine again. Stick with the beige colored singers. Any questions or help let me know. Susanne |
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Sew, I have a Singer 301 (don't know how that compares to the 401 that someone else mentioned.....) that does the best straight stitching I've ever seen, and a Pfaff 1472 (about 15 years old) ( I'm dreaming of a Husq. Viking, but more on that next month). I've done sewing for clothes and quilts for the last 20 years. Please be cautious of the "I don't sew much so I don't want to spend much" attitude. You buy a really cheap sewing machine, you'll get a really cheap sewing machine and you'll be very unhappy. Unfortunately, If you want to try out a decent machine, you'll have to shell out 'decent' bucks for it. If sewing is new, try the used machines at a reputable shop. Look for a one year warranty and at least a straight stitch and zig-zag --the minimum you will need for clothes and quilts. All the embroidery stitches are nice for those who do that kind of stitching, but be realistic about what you want to do. There are good machines on the market that have just a few stitches, they can be better than an unknown brand (or, unfortunatley recent Singer's). Check with your sewing friends as far as the best service in your area. All the major brands are good (Berninal, Pfaff, Husquvarna Viking) -- you don't need the fancy embroidery machines unless you're really going to use it. Keep with the basics! Many shops will offer you the chance to upgrade if you find the one you bought is too basic. Happy Shopping! |
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Well, I had a singer given to me from my grandmother. Purchased in 1945. It ran until 1988. Good machine. So I bought another one. Big mistake. It just didn't last. things were always going wrong. So I looked around and bought a used Brother from a store that restores them. For 400 bucks, I got a machine that will sew everything from leather to lace. never had a complaint with it at all. And it has 18 different stitches. Only had it serviced once in 15 years. Adn that was because I broke the tension knob.  Just my two cents. I love 'em. |
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Husqvarna Viking. I have a Designer SE, and I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. I also have a Viking serger, which is wonderful, and I just bought another Viking machine, in the 6000 series. It's 25 years old, and it's a powerhouse. My suggestion: Make your way up to a Viking Gallery and sew on a few of their machines. They'll let you. Then go around to Bernina and Janome and do the same. Then go with whichever you feel most comfy about.
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| The newer Singers are junk,but the older singers are great I have 3 of them. I would never by a newer one. My husband has used it to reupholster car seats in vinyl,he's made car tops,etc. Can't ask for a better machine. I can do anything I want with them as far as sewing and never had a problem. |
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I read about that brother machine sewing leather..... I am buying my wife a new machine pretty quick, was looking at the Brothers but did nto recognize the name so I was not sure if they were good. Any machine I get her I owuld liek it to be able to sew leather so I can make myself soem new gunleather as well, handstitching leather sucks. Will the Brother machines touch thick leather? |
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Depends on the Brother machine you get. The dealer or the place you buy it from will demonstrate for you, if you take in a piece of leather with you. that way you know for sure with no sales tactics. If they refuse to demonstrate with your leather, go elsewhere to buy. Mine does. It is a PS1250. But only thin leather. Nothing harsh. Brother has a website. Check it out.
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