Sewing machines

gailc

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I too have a Husqvarna(Viking) that I bought years ago and its great. A basic machine never any problems!
Some of the local Jo-Ann fabric stores have sewing machine sales and you can get some good advice.
Also check out sewing maching stores for used ones if you want to save some money.
I saw some of the Singer's that they sell at discount stores and just cringed!! When I learned how to sew in the early 70's they were great but IMO not so much anymore.
 

mrblanche

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I went in the local pawnshop just to be sure there weren't any unbearable bargains, especially on guitars, today. Dottie came across a pretty nice sewing machine and bought it. So we now have 4 sewing machines (one of which is a collector's item, and doesn't have to work!).
 

lyrajean

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You need to spend about $300-400 for a good basic new machine that does about a dozen basic stitches.

I second the recommendations for Janome. I have a Japanese sold Janome that cost me the equivalent of $400 that works very well and has not broken down in the 2 1/2 years I've had it.

Huskavarna/Viking and White are two other brands that I would recommend. Berninas are lovely but expensive and probably do more than you say you need.

New Singers and Brothers may be cheap but they do not last and break often. The singer brand went bankrupt a while back and was sold off to a Chinese company and is not the same as it was in your mother's day.

If you want to try a used machine old singers made of metal before 1970 are very reliable as long as you keep them oiled and tuned. They can be had for about $75 USD. They will only do straight and zig-zag stiches. You do need to know a good sewing machine repair person to do the tune ups or be self-proficient at maintaining machines.
 

mrblanche

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Dottie has an old Sears Kenmore machine that I would bet is a Singer. Yes, it's made of metal, and built into a cabinet! But it does need a thorough tune-up. I have downloaded the manual, and I may give it a try. It does just a few stitches, but it does them very well. Of course, the problem is getting it to a shop in the cabinet.

The new machine is a Euro-Pro, which is made in China. It does a lot of different stitches, and has a number of attachments.

The oldest machine is a Singer Featherweight 222K. Look it up; they are big bucks, now. Easily $1000 for a machine in good condition. They were made in England, imported into Canada where the motors were installed, then imported into the U.S. This particular one is the machine Dottie learned to sew on, but it went through a fire at her folks house. It only had smoke and water damage. I've gotten it to move. It will work, when I reinstall the motor.

The machine we previously bought at the pawn shop for $30 is a JC Penny's machine, which I would suspect was made by Singer, also. It works just fine, just not as versatile as the newest one.

If I ever found a computer-controlled embroidery machine, I'd be tempted to buy it. I would like to be able to do hats, jackets, etc., for our car club.
 

momofmany

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Hey Mike - I've got an embroidery machine! Many will not do hats, so if you find one, know what you are buying before you spend the money. And you won't find those cheap. So Dottie has her 4th machine, eh? I still have her beat with 7.
My husband questioned me once on why so many machines. I asked him why he has 4 guitars. Puzzle solved.
 

mrblanche

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Yeah, I've bought 3 guitars just in the last week or so. I have...let's see...12 or 13.

Dottie looked at the machine and hesitated. I told her it was less than one of my cheapest guitars, so she went for it.

But I don't think she'd mind getting rid of the next-to-most-recent one, which is why I was checking with Marinewife.
 

libby74

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When I was in high school I learned to sew on a Singer treadle; made most of my clothes all thru my teens.
I bought my first machine, a basic Kenmore, in 1974. I still have it, but it's not in use at the moment. DH got me a Crofton (?) machine at Aldi's several years ago and that's what I use now.
 

mrblanche

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I remember my grandmother's treadle machine. In fact, it's the first machine I remember my mother using, too. It's funny when you study how people resisted the change to electric machines. They were sure they were "dangerous."
 

sharky

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A friend took me to buy a machine and serger ... came home with a brother machine and a white serger both were half off
... I am learning to use the machine it seems great ... I use to hand sew but for a business I needed a machine.
 

margecat

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I've sewn a LOT all of my life, and currently make historical reenacting clothing, etc.

1. Singers are not very good anymore--the past 10-15 years or so. Would not reccomend them.

2. Once had a Singer fancy, computerized piece of junk. The motherboard kept frying, etc. Hardly ever used it, yet is was in the shop 4 times in 2 years. Finally trashed it the last time it acted up. Also, I sewed every day--making a wide variety of items, yet rarely used the fancy features. Keep yours simple. Don't be suckered into buying a fancier one than you need. You basically need a straight stitch, zig-zag stitch, and buttonhole stitch.

3. Brothers are good; I currently have one. Was about $75-125 (can't remember--but I know it was cheap--got it at WalMart.)

4. Do get a name brand--even a cheaper name brand model: the off-brands work ok, but getting parts is doomed to failure--even a replacement presser foot or light bulb. I had this happen before. The things that break are not always standard size.

5. Not to dampen your enthusiam, but once you decide to sew, you may think you need a lot of stuff you really don't need--don't go gung ho on buying fabric, patterns, etc. Finish your first project, THEN branch out. Take it from me...


6. Get a good pair of shears, and keep them sharpened. Don't EVER buy cheap thread--awful stuff.

7. WalMart sells name brand machines, but a bit cheaper (or used to).

8. Your local fabric store may offer sewing classes--try them.

9. I use photo boxed to store my lace, trims, elastic, etc. in. Crafts stores often have sales--sometimes $1.99 each. They come with those nifty brass label windows, so you can organize better!
 

pookie-poo

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I bought a Riccar about 20 years ago. It's nothing fancy, as I tend to make quilts, some light upholstering, and some mending and clothing alteration....I used to sew clothing more than I do now. I really like the fact that it has NO plastic parts...all gears are metal, so they don't wear out with high use (and I've used it A LOT in the last 20 years...wish it had an odometer!) Unfortunately, it doesn't appear that Riccar makes sewing machines any more. I suppose if it ever gives up the ghost (not anytime soon....it's still going strong!), I'll go with the Viking/Husqvarna brand.
 
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