topic Re: Sewing machine in Home

Sewing machine

ShopperL — Mon, 04 Feb 2019 20:46:57 GMT

I'm looking to buy a sewing machine. My mother bought me one 35 years ago when I got married. I made all of the curtains/drapes for my first new house. It has long since broken down and I donated it. I want to get back into sewing and I'm looking for a machine. What are good brands? What should I look for? WHere did you get your machine? Any tips would be appreciated. TIA.

Re: Sewing machine

Witchy Woman — Mon, 04 Feb 2019 22:08:43 GMT

Hi @ShopperL

I recently bought a Janome to replace a misbehaving Brother sewing machine.

This is not a high end machine, but it does what I needed it to do.

Most of my sewing is on fleece making blankets for Project Linus and local animal rescues. It has really done well on that thicker fabric.

A friend of mine who is an expert sewer bought a Bernina top of the line machine many years ago and still has it.

The women in my blanket group also buy VERY high end Berninas and Janome's and use the quilting feature. One very nice lady spent over $10,000 for her Bernina machine and lots of extra features! I nearly choked when she told me that. But she sews/quilts EVERY day and loves her machine. Said it was well worth it.

A local shop will be there for you if you need service, but I did buy mine on line.

Again, it was very basic, but I'm happy with it. One thing I avoided was the automatic threading feature. Many people had negative views of that.

Most of the machines now are much lighterweight than the older ones. That seems to be a major complaint as well.

I adore sewing and never happier when I hear the machine humming along!

Let us know what kind you decide on.

Re: Sewing machine

Kachina624 — Mon, 04 Feb 2019 20:57:16 GMT

@ShopperL. I got my Singer in 1964; for years it had really heavy use. I made all of my work wardrobe, things for the house including heavy draperies, and even a canopy for a boat. I don't sew much anymore, but the machine is still going strong, good as new

Re: Sewing machine

phoenixbrd — Mon, 04 Feb 2019 21:03:37 GMT

Love this

@Witchy Woman wrote:

Most of my sewing is on fleece making blankets for Project Linus and local animal rescues. It has really done well on that thicker fabric.

Re: Sewing machine

Ane1Care — Mon, 04 Feb 2019 21:09:58 GMT

If you watch YouTube videos, there’s a lady on there from Florida whom owns a sewing class. She does tutorials, and demos on her YouTube. She shows all different types of machines, her thoughts on them, and whom she thinks it would be best for. Her name is Vanessa The Cafty Gemini Here is her demo videos for machines Demos. I have a Janome 2212 she speaks of in one of the videos, and a Brother SE625. Brother has a channel that demos it here, SE625

Re: Sewing machine

Witchy Woman — Mon, 04 Feb 2019 22:11:57 GMT

@Ane1Care

Very helpful information. I will check out some of those videos for my next purchase.

@phoenixbrd

Thanks. I love doing both...since I don't have the emotional strength to foster the critters or work with children, this at least gives me an opportunity to help them.

Re: Sewing machine

OKPrincess — Mon, 04 Feb 2019 23:54:26 GMT

@ShopperL

Happy sewing machine shopping. My 1972 high school graduation gift from my parents was a portable Singer sewing machine. I made outfits through the years.

Re: Sewing machine

BirkiLady — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 00:12:56 GMT

@Kachina624 @OKPrincess My Singer sewing machine is about a 1965. Not a gift, but I was sewing many of my own clothing on mom's old, old machine she bought when she was first married in 1946! Think she felt sorry for me (or else she wanted a new machine, too). Anyway, we picked out a new machine and when I married in 1969 it went to live with me. Mom remarried a couple of years later and seldom had time to sew again (on her original Singer). She could make the old machine hum!

Re: Sewing machine

Kachina624 — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 00:43:39 GMT

@BirkiLady. I even have my aunt's old Feather Weight Singer which, I figured by researching the serial number, was made in early '50s. It's in mint condition. This lady had no children and wasn't into crafts or things like sewing. I imagine she rarely used it. I think I need to think about selling it as I'll never use it.

Re: Sewing machine

GingerPeach — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 01:34:03 GMT

@Witchy Woman wrote:
@Ane1Care

Very helpful information. I will check out some of those videos for my next purchase.

@phoenixbrd

Thanks. I love doing both...since I don't have the emotional strength to foster the critters or work with children, this at least gives me an opportunity to help them.

I just got an image of pieces of your heart going into each item you create, @Witchy Woman - and coming back to you over and over as each item is used and loved.

Re: Sewing machine

pattypeep — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 02:16:42 GMT

@Kachina624 Same here. I got my Singer Golden Touch and Sew about 1969 or 1970. Did all the sewing you mentioned and it is still a beauty. I recently had to purchase a new dog feed and I went ahead and had it cleaned, etc. for the first time. I had always maintained it myself. I love that machine and think I may be buried with it. LOL

Re: Sewing machine

Kachina624 — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 03:27:53 GMT

@pattypeep. Mine is a portable but it's all very heavy metal. The only fancy thing is does is zigzag, and that's all I ever needed. I have one of those old fashioned buttonhole makers with the dies, that makes very nice buttonholes.

Re: Sewing machine

Ifeelwicked — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 05:10:11 GMT

@Witchy Woman wrote:
@Ane1Care

Very helpful information. I will check out some of those videos for my next purchase.

@phoenixbrd

Thanks. I love doing both...since I don't have the emotional strength to foster the critters or work with children, this at least gives me an opportunity to help them.

Can’t think of many others that tug on my heart strings like kiddos and animals❣️ I wish I had the emotional strength to donate tons of time to both, but here’s how it would go, “Hi Honey. Look what I found!” EVERY DAY!❤️

Re: Sewing machine

Harpa — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 12:07:06 GMT

A couple years ago I did an extensive research when I was in the market for a good machine. I had a basic Singer years ago, which was a workhorse, except for working on fine, silky fabrics.

For the money and all the features I wanted, I got another Singer, this time a Stylist 7258, for the auto buttonholer, 100 decorative stitches, etc., but also it had great reviews for reliability and durability. I couldn't be happier!

I've made curtain sheers, backpacks & bags, but mostly dresses for my granddaughters, sometimes for myself. Does fine fabrics beautifully!

Happy sewing!

And if you are ever in a sewing conundrum, there are great youtube tutorials!

Re: Sewing machine

CelticCrafter — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 12:14:35 GMT

It really depends on what type of sewing you want to get back into.

Occasional outfits, alterations and repairs would only need a basic machine.

I can't offer any suggestions as to what to buy.

I have been sewing and quilting for 50+ years and have only ever used and owned Kenmores. Sears stopped selling/making them many years ago. I hope the one I own now lasts as long as the one before because I have no idea what I would buy.

Re: Sewing machine

brandiwine — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 14:54:42 GMT

I've been sewing since I was 12 (now 65) and Janome is far and away the best brand for everyday use. I've even replaced zippers in jeans. Get a mid range model. They are the easiest to thread and they last forever. I finally had to replace mine after almost 40 years of hard sewing. I made my work clothes and western shirts for my husband, son, and FIL. Home items as well. I got another Janome and last year I added a Janome embroidery machine. LOVE IT! Now I can put fun things on shirts for me and my grandkids. I would stay far away from Singer and Brother's seem to have lots of problems with tension settings. Many times there are sewing and crafting expos and local shops have good deals on machines or Amazon, Costco and other online retailers have much better prices. Depends on what services you want. Retail stores offer free classes to get the most from your machine.

Re: Sewing machine

brandiwine — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 14:57:11 GMT

@CelticCrafterFYI Janome made those old Kenmores. I didn't know that until I was talking to a Janome rep at a sewing expo.

Re: Sewing machine

ginirn — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 16:48:18 GMT

My first machine was a Kenmore in high school. After 30 years or so I replaced it with a Singer. Was surprised and disappointed that every time I used it something broke because all the parts were plastic. Not at all like the older models which last forever. I threw it in the dump. Before I retired I bought a Janome because I was /am heavily into quilting. For simple sewing like you do dont buy a high end machine. Janomes are good and they also make the lower end models for Bernina. I bought a BabyLock serger a couple years ago and pain way too much for the name. Dont make the same mistake. I you are on a tight budget buy a used machine. The local Sew and Vacs sell them all tuned up.

Re: Sewing machine

Fressa — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 18:05:07 GMT

Here's what I do: first, decide on your budget. Decide on what features you want: basic sewing/mending or more elaborate stitches.

I think Brother and Singer are good brands. I know there ae others. I purchased my last one at JoAnn's. I also have a sewing machine repair shop in my area and they sell refurbished machines. There are some great buys in these places. If you have a local paper check the adds there. Our little township paper always have listings.

My most important concerns were ease of use and threading the machine and bobbin. Nothing can make a fast fix take an hour if this task is a "pain". Take your time and see the vareity that is available. These machines last a long time (usually) and can be repaired so get the model that works for you.

Re: Sewing machine

shoesnbags — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 02:07:45 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
@ShopperL. I got my Singer in 1964; for years it had really heavy use. I made all of my work wardrobe, things for the house including heavy draperies, and even a canopy for a boat. I don't sew much anymore, but the machine is still going strong, good as new

Oh @Kachina624, I know where you're coming from. My Kenmore machine is 30 years old and I hope to have it for many more years. it sews like a champ and we know each other well after all this time. I've started sewing again after quite a few years and it feels as if I'm back with an old friend.