Comments | serenalyons: Sewing Machines

serenalyons

Sewing Machines

Aug 07, 2004 11:07

So it has reached that point once more where I begin to think about getting a sewing machine. I really want to do a bunch of embroidery projects and currently all my time is taken up handsewing things. I also need to start making clothes for the family. *sigh* So, I ask for your advice and opinions. I am looking to buy a brand new easy to use ( Read more... )

Comments 11

misscrabtree August 7 2004, 11:41:13 UTC

I have a Janome, believe me I slurged when I purchased it. It is a wonderful machine :) A friend of mine recently entered the market for a new machine, she is on a deep budget and really wants to get her small design business on it way. She really cant afford much, so what we have decided to do is scan the thrift stores on a twice a week basis. The Salvation Army is a good place to start, and to even call your local chruch to see if anyone will donate one of their old sewing machines. The going rate for a thrift machine here in NJ is about 15 to 20 dollars. Ha, what really made me mad was when I called a shop that fixes machins to see if there was an old one hanging around, he wanted to charge us $150 for something we can get for $20.

Good luck, hope this helps.
Elizabeth

hleleanor August 7 2004, 12:09:12 UTC

I would suggest you hold out for the Viking or the Pfaff, if you can! I bought my Pfaff 1222E new more than 25 years ago. I paid what I considered a "fortune" for it then, but it has been worth every single penny. I have never had a moments problem with it...it's only been serviced once...after about 15 years...and I use it at least every week, and many times daily. What a workhorse! Check at your sewing shops...you should be able to pick up a reconditioned used machine for a much better price. My mother bought a Kenmore...paid as much as she would have for a reconditioned Pfaff, and it's totally a piece of crap! Plastic gears and such...and never works well...makes lousy stitches and it's basically a piece of useless junk as so many of the domestic models are. I've got a 60 year old Singer that works better. Obviously just my opinions...and worth just what they cost. :) I just a satisfied Pfaff user. Good luck!! Hope you can get one soon. By the way...I did mine on layaway! You might ask. That could be another way for ( ... )

marymont August 7 2004, 19:15:31 UTC

Old Kenmores are great. New Singers are crap. Any age Vikings are great.

hleleanor August 7 2004, 19:35:03 UTC

Agreed!! -Eleanor

misscrabtree August 7 2004, 12:41:41 UTC

hele....

I was reading in Threads Janome has come out with an affordable Embroidery machine...think it's under $500. Its Embroidery only, no sewing. Oh how I want that machine.

hleleanor August 7 2004, 18:31:21 UTC

Under $500? That's awesome! Can you use photo scans? -El

misscrabtree August 7 2004, 19:57:32 UTC

Hummm I dont know. Do a Google for the Janome and the specs will pop up. Dont confuse this machine with the Janome Sewing and Embroidery machine. The one Im talking about it just the Embroidery machine.

Good Luck :)

noxcat August 7 2004, 12:46:34 UTC

I'm told that the older Singers are better than the newer ones, but never being a Singer girl myself, don't know from experience. My Laurel has an old Singer, and we used it to help someone sew up her canvas pavilion with it.

My machine is an almost 10 year old basic Elna. I love it, but it does need a little "help" with several layers of heavy fabrics. My mother got it for me one Christmas based on her happiness with her Elna. Hers has more fancy stitches than mine does, and I don't miss them. She does almost exclusively modern sewing on it, other than the Faire garb she made for herself and her husband.

I used a high end Viking a couple of times while making my wedding dress. The one thing I really didn't like was the fact that when you stopped sewing, it would automatically pull the needle out of the fabric. I like to have control over that myself!!

myladyswardrobe August 7 2004, 13:38:36 UTC

Bernina Sewing machines are great. They are linked in with Singer now and are brilliant work horses and have some nice basic embroidery stitches.
There is also a range of specific embroidery machines.
Only growl I have with mine is that it is extremely heavy to lift - and I have to keep doing that as I have to put it away every day I use it! Not yet having a sewing room of my very own!

Not cheap though but worth the money. Not sure if they are available in the USA though.