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Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 7,743
Registered: ‎03-15-2010

Re: Sewing Machine Recommendation please?

@srgtdj 

 

I had an older Singer, replaced with a Brother, now replaced with a Janome.  Most of the brands make a basic model, but I do like my new Janome.  I sew mostly on fleece and it never skips a beat.

 

Truth is, you can spend a fortune, depending on your needs and budget.  One of my fellow sewers in a blanket making group has a Bernina with ALL the bells, whistles, quilting arms, and then some.  It was $10,000!  Yikes.

 

But, she sews exquisite items and uses it ever day.

 

Mine was under $200, works just fine.

 

 

Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,180
Registered: ‎04-10-2012

Re: Sewing Machine Recommendation please?

I have enjoyed the Brother I bought from Walmart many years ago....good basic machine.I do quite a bit of sewing my own clothes, and home decor sewing.

Regular Contributor
Posts: 216
Registered: ‎03-21-2010

Re: Sewing Machine Recommendation please?

OP, I had exactly the same problem.  Hadn’t sewn for 30 years, but really wanted to get back into it.  When I learned to sew, you absolutely had to have a Singer.  When I did a little checking, I found that Singer has sold out and is mostly plastic parts and has very few good reviews.  I went to the local sewing center and they insisted I needed a $14,000.00 top of the line machine, that came with free instructions.  It scared the daylights out of me for many reasons.  I ended up with small Brother 625 machine that had some capabilities for embroidery.  (I have never tried embroidery before).  The cost was about $300 and it is perfect.   Not one of those cheap plastic throw away machines, but hard working on denim and everyday fixes. I am very happy sewing again, and I even did a little embroidery on my jean jacket.

Hope this story helps.

Super Contributor
Posts: 303
Registered: ‎03-20-2010

Re: Sewing Machine Recommendation please?

Thanks so much everyone for the recommendations!  It really helped to hear about your experiences..and I have a good list to check out now.  Oh my!  Some of the expensive sewing machines out there!!

Honored Contributor
Posts: 43,245
Registered: ‎01-08-2011

Re: Sewing Machine Recommendation please?

I would suggest you get what you can have serviced.  Bernina is highly respected.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 11,922
Registered: ‎03-19-2010

Re: Sewing Machine Recommendation please?


@Drlinda wrote:

OP, I had exactly the same problem.  Hadn’t sewn for 30 years, but really wanted to get back into it.  When I learned to sew, you absolutely had to have a Singer.  When I did a little checking, I found that Singer has sold out and is mostly plastic parts and has very few good reviews.  I went to the local sewing center and they insisted I needed a $14,000.00 top of the line machine, that came with free instructions.  It scared the daylights out of me for many reasons.  I ended up with small Brother 625 machine that had some capabilities for embroidery.  (I have never tried embroidery before).  The cost was about $300 and it is perfect.   Not one of those cheap plastic throw away machines, but hard working on denim and everyday fixes. I am very happy sewing again, and I even did a little embroidery on my jean jacket.

Hope this story helps.


I have two Singers and have never had a lick of problem with either one whether it's all plastic parts or not.  One is an electronic sewing/embroidery machine, the other is considered one of their heavy duty (not to be confused with an industrial) machines.  I use it for stuff I would prefer not to use on my electronic machine even though that machine might also be able to handle it.  I have sewn faux leather, layers of pleated upholstery fabric, and even a rip in my Jeep's canvas side curtain.  Nothing fancy, it only does straight or zigzag stitches.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,417
Registered: ‎02-09-2016

Re: Sewing Machine Recommendation please?

HSN has a lot of sewing shows. Look for their line-up.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 2,012
Registered: ‎03-13-2010

Re: Sewing Machine Recommendation please?

 

I have a Janome. I also bought one for my granddaughter. My DIL also owns a Janome. Janome makes excellent, mid-range machines (in terms of cost). They have been around for decades and have a good reputation for reliable sewing machines.

 

There are more expensive machines, that are fine; but for that type of machine, I would wait until you are sure you would be using it enough to justify the cost. No need to spend $1,000 or more, only to find out that you don't sew much. 

 

There are also cheaper machines. But they can have problems: jamming easily, not producing a steady dependable stitch, being prone to repairs.  

 

 

 

 

 

Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,136
Registered: ‎06-25-2018

Re: Sewing Machine Recommendation please?

a good friend that is an excellent seamstress.  she told me not to buy a machinefrom walmart's or any of the discount stores . they all make a line that ischeap and porrly made for the discount stores.  it is to check with a good dealer and see what they can offer in  a goodmachine.  myfriend helped mefin d a good singer that was less then  $100.00(on sale)  it dopesn't have all the bel;ls and such but it isjust a basic machine and that is all that i need

Respected Contributor
Posts: 2,392
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Sewing Machine Recommendation please?

I inherited my Mother`s Elna.  It is up there with Viking and Bernina. I loaned mine to a friend and her husband ruined it. He tried to sew too heavy of fabrics and leather! I cried as she was such a seamstress. Never again! 

 

Luckily, after traveling an hour I got it repaired. at a shop  The man was so strange. He had a junky shop and fixed clocks and sewing machines and even though store hours were posted not there, I called him and and he was about 15 min. away and came in as I waited in the car. He told me it was a good machine. The man retired from Munsingwear in the Twin Cities so knew sewing machines.  Quite a character.

 

I think it depends on how much you want to sew? If it is just mending and shortening items something less expensive will do. It sounds like some good ideas here.