topic Re: Looking For Recommentation for a Basic Sewing Machine in Home

Looking For Recommentation for a Basic Sewing Machine

rms1954 — Wed, 17 Aug 2022 18:43:16 GMT

I want something simple and easy to use for basic sewing. Did find a Brother that had embroidery stitches built in and a Singer. Any suggestions?

Re: Looking For Recommentation for a Basic Sewing Machine

brandiwine — Wed, 17 Aug 2022 19:04:29 GMT

I've been sewing for about 55 years. The best brand for an everyday, easy to use and reliable machine is Janome. There are many models available on Amazon or from local sewing shops. I always look for "heavy duty" because I have to hem jeans and sometimes have heavier fabrics I work on. HSN used to carry them and I don't know about the Q. Happy sewing.

Re: Looking For Recommentation for a Basic Sewing Machine

Zhills — Wed, 17 Aug 2022 19:10:24 GMT

I had an expensive Singer and it was "out of sync."

The needle would be into the fabric before the foot moved the fabric forward. Broke more needles........

Wish you were near me, you could have mine! It's a Riccar. Basic, zigzag, hem stitch, button holer, etc.

Re: Looking For Recommentation for a Basic Sewing Machine

Kachina624 — Wed, 17 Aug 2022 19:11:05 GMT

@rms1954 Why don't you advertise on the NextDoor app for a used one? Many people have a portable in a closet that they never use that they'd love to get rid of.

Re: Looking For Recommentation for a Basic Sewing Machine

DrKelli — Wed, 17 Aug 2022 19:12:24 GMT

I have a singer--have had it for probably 40 years? I got it as a Christmas present one year--I remember my dad carrying it on the plane and I offered to carry it (it was wrapped in brown paper and he had McGyver'd a rope carrying handle--which I replicated years later to take him a karaoke machine). It still works. My mom has a Singer that is over 60 years old that still works.

Re: Looking For Recommentation for a Basic Sewing Machine

Kachina624 — Wed, 17 Aug 2022 19:17:08 GMT

@Zhills wrote:
I had an expensive Singer and it was "out of sync."

The needle would be into the fabric before the foot moved the fabric forward. Broke more needles........

Wish you were near me, you could have mine! It's a Riccar. Basic, zigzag, hem stitch, button holer, etc.

@Zhills Did you try to have it repaired? Sounds like our local shop could fix something like that. Riccar makes great vacuum cleaners.

I still use my Singer I bought in 1964. Wouldn't trade it for anything.

Re: Looking For Recommentation for a Basic Sewing Machine

Icegoddess — Wed, 17 Aug 2022 19:29:26 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:

@Zhills wrote:
I had an expensive Singer and it was "out of sync."

The needle would be into the fabric before the foot moved the fabric forward. Broke more needles........

Wish you were near me, you could have mine! It's a Riccar. Basic, zigzag, hem stitch, button holer, etc.
@Zhills Did you try to have it repaired? Sounds like our local shop could fix something like that. Riccar makes great vacuum cleaners.

I still use my Singer I bought in 1964. Wouldn't trade it for anything.

Yes, if you have a repair shop nearby, that just sounds like a timing issue.

I have a couple of Singers, bought them both on HSN. One is a combo sewing/embroidery machine, but it sews beautifully. The other one is a Heavy Duty machine, but it's different than the one you usually see. It's a very basic machine as far as stitches goes, just straignt and ziz-zag, but it is a workhorse. I even sewed a rip in my Jeep soft top with it.

I don't have anything against Janome; I know some swear by them. I have just never used one. Singer is no longer your grandma's Singer. It was bought out by another company years ago. The same company also owns the Husqvarna machines.

Re: Looking For Recommentation for a Basic Sewing Machine

RedTop — Wed, 17 Aug 2022 19:37:39 GMT

I would definitely be on the lookout for a used machine. In my area, pawn shops and small sewing/quilting centers usually have used sewing machines for sale.

The one feature my machine does not have that I really need is the arm that makes hemming pants/jeans much easier.

I learned to sew on a Singer treadle machine, until Mom bought a Brother in the early 1970's. 85% of the clothes I wore in high school were made on that machine. Mom still has it, and I want it someday. My oldest daughter uses my grandmothers Brother sewing machine. We also have my aunts Brother sewing machine!

My sewing machine is a Kenmore, bought about 1976, sews great, I like it, but it's a portable machine whereas Moms is in a cabinet.

Re: Looking For Recommentation for a Basic Sewing Machine

Scooby Doo — Wed, 17 Aug 2022 19:56:12 GMT

It depends on how much you want to spend. The prices run the gamut as you will see when you start searching. Personally, I would not buy a Singer made in today's time. The old ones from yesteryear were solid but not so much now. Too much plastic in the parts. I have 3 machines. The first one is a Brother that I bought from Costco. I use it to take with me to classes. The other 2 are Baby Lock. I would recommend a Baby Lock Jubilant as an entry machine. Janome is good. Juki is very popular. Can't go wrong with any of them.

Re: Looking For Recommentation for a Basic Sewing Machine

Q4u — Wed, 17 Aug 2022 21:07:27 GMT

I had a Ward's Signature (it still works but needs to be cleaned & oiled). Wonderful machine and I received it in the 70's as a Christmas gift. I used to sew religiously, I still love it. I then decided to get a vintage Singer and decided on the little portable everyone wants for sewing quilts. Mine is from around 1918 and was in beautiful condition when I bought it (on eBay). Took it to the local sew & vac shop and had it carefully gone through and the repair man said he was "thrilled" to work on it! Works great and will stay a tough machine forever.

My "baby" is a Phaff (German) treadle machine from 1860. Once we replaced, oiled and fixed it up, runs great. My favorite by far.....

But for a first machine, I'd say as simple as possible (for now).... Have great fun!!

Re: Looking For Recommentation for a Basic Sewing Machine

Desert Lily — Wed, 17 Aug 2022 23:02:05 GMT

I had 2 sewing machines in my life, both from my grandmother. One was a very old non-electric Singer that worked by pushing the large pedal on the floor. It was wood and scrolled iron. The second one was also a singer but from the 1950's that I powered with a lever at my right knee. These were the only 2 that I learned to thread a bobbin on, and I used the 1950's one for decades until it broke down. I felt that I could control both of those machines. I don't have enough confidence to use a computerized sewing machine, but I'd like to.

Re: Looking For Recommentation for a Basic Sewing Machine

Zhills — Wed, 17 Aug 2022 23:36:33 GMT

I agree, those old Singer's were indestructable!

Mine was purchased new, just a bad model.

I learned to sew on a treadle machine also. Made all my and my kids' clothes for years!

Re: Looking For Recommentation for a Basic Sewing Machine

Patriot3 — Thu, 18 Aug 2022 01:01:00 GMT

I don't know too much about sewing machines........I have one that is mostly just basic. A Husqvarnna. It does what I need because I don't sew like I did in the past.

If you ever watch Nancy Zieman on Create TV, she uses Baby Lock. I was sad when she died.......such sewing talent!

Re: Looking For Recommentation for a Basic Sewing Machine

ECBG — Thu, 18 Aug 2022 01:48:16 GMT

I would see what brands can be serviced in your area.

Re: Looking For Recommentation for a Basic Sewing Machine

Lilysmom1 — Thu, 18 Aug 2022 09:29:46 GMT

@Kachina624 , I have a Singer of the same vintage. I bought it used 27 years ago. I don't do much sewing on the machine. Normally I use it to piece for quilts. Works like a charm. I have never had it serviced. It is metal, not plastic. A workhorse. LM

Re: Looking For Recommentation for a Basic Sewing Machine

coffee drinker — Thu, 18 Aug 2022 12:31:09 GMT

I got an email from Joann dot com who has what looks like a very basic machine. Cost is a bit over $100. Don't know how basic you want, but check out Joann dot com. I believe they have free shipping of purchases over $75.

Re: Looking For Recommentation for a Basic Sewing Machine

Kachina624 — Thu, 18 Aug 2022 19:12:00 GMT

@Lilysmom1 wrote:
@Kachina624 , I have a Singer of the same vintage. I bought it used 27 years ago. I don't do much sewing on the machine. Normally I use it to piece for quilts. Works like a charm. I have never had it serviced. It is metal, not plastic. A workhorse. LM

@Lilysmom1 Sounds just like mine. Very heavy, all metal. The only fancy thing it does is zigzag. A workhorse which I use on multiple layers of denim. I once made a vinyl canopy for our boat on it.

I also have a small Singer Feather Light from the 1950s which belonged to my aunt. She didn't sew or do crafts so I don't know why she had it. It looks brand new. I understand they're highly prized by quilters to take to group activities.

Re: Looking For Recommentation for a Basic Sewing Machine

Lilysmom1 — Fri, 19 Aug 2022 10:03:31 GMT

@Kachina624 ,I considered buying a newer machine but DH said I would probably never get one as reliable. The Singer is still going. I managed to find a booklet on it online. An antique! LM

Re: Looking For Recommentation for a Basic Sewing Machine

Harpa — Fri, 19 Aug 2022 12:56:55 GMT

Eons ago I had a very reliable Singer, just a basic straight stitch and zigzag.

When I updated a few years back, I also chose a Singer - Stylist 7258 - something rugged and because I wanted some fancy stitches. Nothing too expensive, but had the features I wanted. I've been very happy with it.

Re: Looking For Recommentation for a Basic Sewing Machine

wagirl — Sat, 20 Aug 2022 13:49:59 GMT

I've been sewing for 60 of my 68 years--and all I used were Singers--had my first one for more than 20 years and got a new one which I had for that long too. If you need just to do the basics, then no need for a fancy expensive machine. I did everything on a Singer. Figure out what you want to do then buy accordingly.