Comments | collamalleen: Sewing Machine Advice Needed

collamalleen

Sewing Machine Advice Needed

Jan 22, 2008 17:49

I'm looking to buy a sewing machine. I was pretty sure that what I wanted was a used mechanical Bernina circa 1980. But, it sounds like used Bernina's are impossible to come by. I had been very sure that I wanted a mechanical machine, but I've had two dealers say that I should go electronic (partly because some of the electronic machines are ( Read more... )

Comments 13

wendyhouse January 22 2008, 23:37:50 UTC

what sort of sewing do you want to be doing with it? Many of the new electronics are surprisingly good for the price. I have a Bernina mechanical, which I love. I grew up on Singers and Berninas. But my new fancyass embroidery sewing machine is a Brother, and I have been very happy with it.

On my recommendation both Hovey and gmtarkin bought the Brother BC1000 from Target, and I built most of Forum on gmtarkin's. I was quite content with it.

So, what's your price range, what do you want to sew, what features are important to you? I'd be happy to kibbitz about this!

collamalleen January 23 2008, 00:37:55 UTC

Yeah! Well, I'm not sure what I want to do with it, probably very basic sewing projects mostly using lightweight cotton and mending. I haven't done any sewing in years, but have a couple of small projects I want to try and I'd like to finally knit the pajama pants for my sister that I got the flannel for years ago (it's flannel Chinese take out print ( ... )

wendyhouse January 23 2008, 00:50:42 UTC

okay, first off, even the electronics still let you do things manually if you want to. You can still turn the wheel to move the needle, and all that. (If the machine you're looking at *doesn't* have that, don't get it.) And you're a very bright person, and will have little difficulty doing all your basic sewing with very little manual-reference time.

Even your basic electronics these days have some fancy buttonholes and other nifty features. And let me tell you, as someone who used to plan outfits around avoiding buttonholes, those new one-step buttonholes with the huge plastic buttonhole foot may be the Best Thing Ever.

You could try reading through the reviews and articles here: http://sewing.patternreview.com/
Then maybe pick out a couple of contenders, and have us weigh in on those? There are so many out there now that it's kinda hard to make a recommendation out of the void. :)

collamalleen January 25 2008, 00:11:25 UTC

So, I think I need to go to a Bernina dealer and try out some Bernettes and maybe the 1008 Bernina. Then, depending on how that goes based on your recommendations and what I've seen I'll look more into the Brother. Are there Brother dealers that you can go to and try out machines? I just can't picture Target with a decent demo area.

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anonymous January 23 2008, 22:38:44 UTC

Or mine. Because fuck that's all she does.

Then again my mom doesn't know you so the conversation would be like

"who is this? Travis who? I have a son!?"

collamalleen January 23 2008, 22:44:25 UTC

Travis!!!!!

How are you? I hear you're in NM. At least, that's what I heard last.

What does your Mom use for a sewing machine?

anonymous January 24 2008, 22:24:40 UTC

I'm in Texas but the Southwest is one giant festering sore on the face of the Earth, regardless of state boundaries.

I'm not sure. She has like, 8. As someone mentioned already it really depends on what you want to do with it.

Also I have been better but I am alive. How are you?

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