Looking For Recommentation for a Basic Sewing Machine

rms1954 · ‎06-06-2019

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?

brandiwine · ‎03-11-2010

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.

Zhills · ‎11-15-2011

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.

Kachina624 · ‎03-10-2010

@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.

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment

DrKelli · ‎03-10-2010

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.

Kachina624 · ‎03-10-2010

@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.

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment

Icegoddess · ‎03-19-2010

@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.

RedTop · ‎09-01-2010

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.

Scooby Doo · ‎03-14-2010

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.

Q4u · ‎03-17-2010

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!!