Thread: Sewing Machine...

I'm starting to contemplate a sewing machine - any recommendations on a good basic model that wouldn't overwhelm the clueless? Maybe something I could find on the used market?

I am not a seamstress by ANY means, but I do hem things, make some simple circle skirts, tunics and things like that.

The best thing I ever did was buy my basic model White. It doesn't have a ton of bells and whistles, but it does the basics REALLY well. Also, it's easy to keep in repair. Much better than the cheap model I had prior to that which kept breaking down.

White is made by the Husqvarna/Viking company, and they are a very good quality machine. You should be able to find something on eBay or in the paper. JoAnn's sometimes has a good sale on them as well. (That's where I got mine.)

Happy Sewing!
Babs

I'm a fan of old (all metal parts) singers and whites. if you find an older model that only does straight stitch and zig-zag, it's probably all metal inside.

paragraph of warning: I find that I bleed at least 1 drop while working on any given sewing project (start to finish). The project is a royal pain until I do, then much easier after...like the sewing gods have been appeased. :)

Yes, all metal parts, which means just ask if the bobbin and bobbin case are metal or plastic. Don't get the plastic, even if it's a Singer.

You should be able to find a decent machine for under $200. Sewing machine repair places sell reconditioned ones.

Yea, my Mom used to have an old American Beauty that had various (plastic) cams you could insert for different stitches. She traded it off for a new one from Montgomery Wards that she didn't like half as well.

I'm just getting tired of having to find someone to do "basic" sewing - I lent my Isis wings out to a dance sister and they came back with the neckband partially detached - and I suspect it was NOT her fault. If I had a machine and a clue on how to run it I could fix/reinforce things like this.

What about a serger foot? Are these available for just any old machine or does it take a fancy new one?

You should be able to find an attachment...but you'll need a machine that can do fancier stiches than a zig-zag to get a good serged edge.

The key to the foot attachment is if the shank of the machine is slanted or straight up, and how long it is from the machine housing to the foot plate. I had a newer "educational" model Singer that had a slanted shank and bought a serger foot to go with it.

All the foot does is trim the excess fabric away from the fancy stitch. I could do that myself with a pair of scissors! I gave it to my Mom who will only sew curtains or minor repairs, the gears were all plastic and wouldn't stand up to my needs.

You may find a rolled hem foot a better choice, but I've never used one...

I have an ancient Singer that my mom bought in the 1960's. It has an attachment that does a beautiful rolled hem. For really nice silk, I like a hand-rolled edge, but my ol' Singer can handle any other veil hemming.

I love the simplicity of this old machine. I can easily keep it cleaned and oiled, and it's very dependable. Of course, if I need something complicated, I call upon my student the seamstress with the serger! ..l;,

I sew for a living & the Bernina machines are the best in the world.
They are used in UK schools to teach students how to sew.
They are so easy to use & don’t break down easy.

The company has been around for years & you can buy spare parts for the machines.
The prices vary & there is a good market for used Bernina machines.

Look on E-Bay for used machines. Don’t be put off by machines that are years old because they are built to last.

I have also a Bernina over locker – great for rolled hems on veils & skirts.

If you can get one at a good price buy it, you want regret it!

I started with a smaller White (made by Viking/Husqvarna, like someone mentioned earlier) model. Now that I've been sewing for years, I've stuck with Viking/Husqvarna but got a MUCH bigger model. Now mine does 30-some functions......but I need those. Intimidating for a starter, I suppose.

My biggest suggestion is to look at the manual before you buy the machine. If it's a used machine and it doesn't have a manual available (you might be able to buy one separately), I wouldn't buy it.

If you don't sew already, I strongly suggest you look around for classes (if you buy from a dealer, they probably have classes) or check with your local Joann Fabrics (or Hancock Fabrics, if they haven't closed), or your local independent fabric store. One thing about sewing is that 90% of the time when I'm doing it, I'm working solo, so if I have questions, it's just me, the fabric and the machine.

I have three machines - An ancient singer which does one stitch 100 different ways, a newer but still ancient singer which has the fancy schmantsy cams which Zorba mentioned and a Kenmore which I believe was made by Viking which I HATE.

The one I use the most is the oldest one. Mainly because most of what I do is very basic and I have jsut discovered over the years that the more stuff you put on the sewing machine the harder it is to adjust. And if I am simply sewing the waistband on a circle skirt, I don't want to spend an hour adjusting every knob in order to find the right balance so that the seams don't keep dropping stitches.

{{{HUGS}}}

Originally Posted by Masouma

If you don't sew already, I strongly suggest you look around for classes (if you buy from a dealer, they probably have classes) or check with your local Joann Fabrics (or Hancock Fabrics, if they haven't closed),

OOoo! Good point! When I got my newest Viking, they gave me a certificate for classes (they even sign and stamp it for you when you complete the course..ooooo...heehee). I'm not cashing mine in though. This was at JoAnn Fabrics.

Yes, we do have a JoAnn local to us, I buy plenty of stuff from them even now as a non-sewer.

A dance sister of mine has a Bernina, a VERY high end model that she paid like $2,500 for and it hooks up to her computer and does EVERYTHING! I don't need that (yet)...

I've already spent enough in having veils hemmed to have bought a simple machine though!

Some kind of class would be a VERY good idea - what little I know about sewing is what little I remember of watching my mother make my clothes when I was little. That was a LONG time ago - it was my job to feed our pet T-Rex...

An update: My instructor recommended a sewing machine store - so I went there and came home with an older White, just as all you gals recommended! Paid $75 for it, it looks like it was taken very good care of - probably only used by a little old lady on Sundays to sew Choir robes. ..l;, The lady showed me what all the dials and geegaws on it do - I think this is gonna be a LOT of fun actually!

The only bad news is that I had enough time to bring it home, and run off to dance class. Tomorrow I'm coming home and packing, and Friday AM I'm off on vacation for a couple of weeks - so no time to play with the new toy. I'm already eyeballing "Sewing for Dummies" on Amazon...

Zorba,

I've had many machines over the year and I love my current machine the best of all. It is a White Heavy Duty. Purchased at Joanns when they had a half off sale on machines (which they do a couple of times a year). Has a lovely rolled hem attachment that makes hemming veils and light fabrics a real breeze. The machine is METAL and not plastic, has a drop in bobbin with clear cover so you can see how low your bobbin thread is getting and a self-threader.

My other machines include an el cheapo Brother, a Singer Touch and Sew that I received as a wedding gift from my mom many many moons ago, and a 1880s treadle machine that still works. But I do love the White best of all!

Souzan

Originally Posted by zorba

I'm starting to contemplate a sewing machine - any recommendations on a good basic model that wouldn't overwhelm the clueless? Maybe something I could find on the used market?

Zorba, get a Bernina 1006 mechanical if you can - they are about $650 and run about $500 used on E-Bay auctions. It's a very simple machine that can handle ANY fabric and has a very *tight* and well-made stitching mechanism. Avoid at all costs anything computerized! All the machines now have at least 20 or 40 zig-zag stitches which I never use, but what I like about the Bernina is the ease and smoothness of operation and that fact that the stitching mechanism is so good.

Without going into a whole history here, it's true that the sewing machine industry has gone through lots of changes in past couple of decades. The problem with cheap machines $100 to $300 is the factory adjustments that have a very high error ratio causing jams when stitching that can permanently damage stitching mechanism. And the adjustment error ratio is so much higher nowadays than before. Actually, a 100 year old Singer is more reliable than the modern cheapie ones out there. Since I couldn't get my hands on an old Singer, I took advice of two sewing masters, Lora of L.Rose and friend Linda who has a sewing school business and knows her machines and I got the Bernina 1006 mechanical. And, purchasing from an authorized dealer is also a better idea than ordering on-line because the dealer will stand behind their machines and repair or replace it.

Just so you won't think I'm some sewing marvel, all I do is sew seams on things - nothing fancy! But it is wonderful to have a machine that I can walk up to, sit down and without a bunch of hassles, sew something up quick! You don't want to know what I did with the $225 cheapie Brother machine that jammed, despite adjustments, every 10 minutes...........but tossing was involved, crying and a lot of muttered curses...............,f:: ,m:: ..cr.: .w.:

Best $10 I ever spent!!
Brand: Bernina Age: 30+ yrs from a garage sale

I bought a used (1960/70's model) basic machine that can do 12 different stitch patterns. It has a metal housing. I took it to a dealer for a 'tune up' and was told it was a great machine, ordered the manual for it and have been using it with pleasure ever since.

Mine is a Singer Just had it tuned up for $60.
Built to last.

Another Bernina fan here - and like those above - the 1006 and other older models are the way to go for basic sewing. Bernina, like everyone else, also manufacturers models in Taiwan (or somewhere). You don't want a Bernina that isn't made in Europe! The difference - plastic parts.

I also have a Viking and it's not great though I use it - I absolutely hate the fact that when you put the presser foot down it doesn't "thunk" down into a "jaws of death" hold on the fabric. plastic parts.

Looks like Zorba already bought his machine though & did good. Hey Zorba - I'll give you my famous sewing machine tip (aka my broken record speech): Invest in an even feed foot. Joann's has them. It will save you much frustration.

Originally Posted by Zsuzsanna

Best $10 I ever spent!!
Brand: Bernina Age: 30+ yrs from a garage sale

I bought a used (1960/70's model) basic machine that can do 12 different stitch patterns. It has a metal housing. I took it to a dealer for a 'tune up' and was told it was a great machine, ordered the manual for it and have been using it with pleasure ever since.