Thread: Sewing machine and serger recommendations

After 8 years of only hand sewing I have finally started learning how to use sewing machines and sergers and I am asking for one of each for holidays/birthday gifts. Since I'm so new to using them I was wondering what you all recommend looking for in terms of capabilities and which brands tend to hold up well. I mostly want to be able to use them for making belt bases, hemming chiffon, and making velvet and lycra skirts. Any advice is appreciated!

Oh, and these are the two I am currently considering:
[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Brother-ES2000-Function-Computerized-Machine/dp/B0007ZHEJ8/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I1RNAM8GJQIG5G&colid =2GKEHL5USA1EY]Amazon.com: Brother ES2000 77 Stitch Function Computerized Free Arm Sewing Machine: Kitchen & Dining[/ame]
[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Brother-1034D-Lay-Thread-Serger/dp/B0000CBK1L/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I2HFJX55DR1EW7&colid =2GKEHL5USA1EY]Amazon.com: Brother 1034D 3/4 Lay-In Thread Serger: Kitchen & Dining[/ame]

For that price range I prefer the Kenmore machines at Sears over Brother. I have the second of the two machines linked below and it done SO much work. I have recommended them to several people who got it and loved it!

Kenmore Drop-In Bobbin Sewing Machine

Kenmore Drop-In Bobbin Sewing Machine - 90 Stitch Functions, Built-in 1-Step Buttonhole

I would also suggest looking at Husqvarna/Viking machines.

I had an old Singer for about 20 years. Then I upgraded to Elna a year ago. I have an Elna 3210 sewing maching and an Elna 654 Serger. I absolutely love the sewing machine. It's easy to use and performs beautifully. I couldn't believe the difference between that and my old machine.

I just got the Serger about two weeks ago as a gift and I'm heading to the sewing store tomorrow to get some lessons. I'm apprehensive about the serger just because I've never owned one or really even used one before. But, I think it will product more professional looking finished garments after I learn to use it.

From what my dance sisters who sew tell me, modern Brothers are "Oh Brother!" i.e. to be avoided. I will echo their advice to me when I was asking the same questions about 3 years ago:

Go to a sewing machine store - and buy a used White, Singer, or Sears Kenmore from the 1970s or earlier that is ALL metal. They're bomb proof, will never wear out, and have enough weight to them that they won't scootch around. Get one that zig-zags, but otherwise don't worry about fancy stitches, etc. You can always upgrade to that fancy $2,500 computerized Bernina that does everything later if you're so inclined.

You want to buy it from a sewing machine store as they will have gone through it, tuned it up and oiled it and will guarantee it.

That's what I did, and although its been an adventure, I couldn't be happier with my 1976 White ($75.00!):



My serger adventure is just starting, I purchased a used Pfaff off Craigslist that is currently in the shop being tuned up - time will tell if I "did good" or not...

It is indeed good to buy from a sewing machine store that offers lessons. Sergers are non-intuitive. You will waste far less time trying to figure out the best way to use them if you take a class, and intro classes are often given free when you buy a machine.

As far as brands go, it's kind of like asking people if they prefer Ford or Chevy... it depends on what they've driven for years and what their bad experiences were. I bought a Simplicity sewing machine from Sears that lasted me a decade and has now gone on to sew for somebody else, and it survived some fiendish materials -- but a friend got rid of a similar Simplicity machine asap due to chronic problems. Now I have a Janome I adore.

I think it's more important to know who can service your machine LOCALLY. Go to the nearest sewing store -- do they service all brands? Have they been around a while? Don't buy a brand that no one local can fix for you.

Zorba and TigerB both have good points about going to a sewing machine store. You can pick up great used machines there and when you're ready, you can usually trade them in for an upgrade. The other thing I would tell you to do is to bring in some scraps of fabric you'd like to sew with so you can see how different machines work with different fabric.

Oh I'm with Zorba on this. I have a 1960's all metal singer that weighs a ton. It was handed down from my grandmother to my mother and then to me. I took it to a sewing machine man with many years of experience to have it cleaned and refurbished. I set it down in front of him and he put his hands in prayer position and said, "OHhhhhhh, this is the BEST machine Singer has ever made!" And it works just great. It came with attachments that will do all sorts of things too. Rolled hems, zigzagging, button holes etc.
Rosette

Rosette, I love your story! I have my mom's 56 Singer, what you have, minus zig zag. Ahhhhh

I not only do costuming for Middle Eastern Dance but also have created costumes for ballet. Although pricely, I do recommend Vikings in both sewing machines and sergers. These are easy and reliable. They will "grow" with you as you gain experience.

PFAFF ONLY Or Janome Maybe a bernina. But Pfaff is the best
Andrea

Thanks for all of the advice! I've been visiting all of the stores I can find in my area, hopefully I'll find something good!

Good luck! I have a White Jeans Machine and I love it. I've had it for 10 years now and so far so good.

Originally Posted by andalee-oriental

Good luck! I have a White Jeans Machine and I love it. I've had it for 10 years now and so far so good.

The White Jeans Machine has quite the rep. I don't know when they were made - did you buy it new?

Yes, my mom bought it new in Dec 1998. Mine is the 1999 model:
American-Sewing.com-Discount -White 1999 Jeans Sewing Machine - White

My stepmom has the 1899 model and she likes hers.

Today's Trivia: Did you know White used to make steam engines?

Originally Posted by andalee-oriental

Yes, my mom bought it new in Dec 1998. Mine is the 1999 model:
American-Sewing.com-Discount -White 1999 Jeans Sewing Machine - White

My stepmom has the 1899 model and she likes hers.

Today's Trivia: Did you know White used to make steam engines?

Clearly the 1899 sewing machine was run on steam. :-D

I second the viking (Husqvarna) for sergers... mine is wonderful. I am not at home right now (so I don't know the model), but the serger I have is about 10years old and still running strong. I love my Bernina and Singer sewing machines as well - both of those have been good for me over long periods of time through tons of use.

I love my Pfaff...i did buy it used. A friend has a Husqvarna and really likes it. It's important that whoever is local to fix sewing machines can repair your brand. I bought my Pfaff because there is a lady who is a whiz at repairing/fixing them and she teaches classes.

Husqvarna machines are very well made. Janomes are awesome but you pay for the name (same with Husqvarna).

Re: Kenmore... I happen to know that Sears subcontracts the production of their machines. Although it says Kenmore on the machine, some years, it is Janome making them, some years it is Singer. Inquire who made the machine that you're planning to buy (if you go with a Kenmore). If made by Janome, go for it, if made by Singer... meh. The reason I say meh is that Singer seems to run more on reputation than anything else these days. Their older machines (all metal) were awesome, but then they started putting plastic gears in them (and plastic bobins.. HATE platic bobins) and the performance suffered.

I have an electronic Kenmore that my mom used to own, made by Janome. I changed the engine 2 years ago (21 years old machine at the time) and it still ticks like a new one. Mind you, mom was doing A LOT of sewing on it.

My serger is a Singer and I hate it, but then again I got it as a gift, so I can't complain.

HTH

PS: unless it's for a little doodad to print labels, stay away from Brother.