| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Sage |
Posted - Mar 03 2008 : 09:33:42 AM
What sewing machine would you buy to do repairs, sew basic garments, and to do quits and some embroidery. I am using a borrowed Brother machine and I want to buy a new or good used machine. Right now I'm not sure what my budget will be. Thanks Sage
Farmgirl sister #140
www.heritagedesigns.etsy.com |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Bonne |
Posted - Mar 26 2008 : 09:39:56 AM
LOL! You can come see my sewing machine "museum".
 http://bonne1313.blogspot.com/ BLOG
http://www.bonne1313.homestead.com/soap.html SOAP |
| Sage |
Posted - Mar 24 2008 : 3:02:23 PM
The information from everyone is great - I'm still looking.
Bonne, Thank you for the generous offer. The closest I get to Colorado is Laramie. A frantic trip every 2 to 3 months to help my parents. If I ever get down to Denver I'll definitely let you know before I come. It would be fun to meet even if I didn't get a sewing machine. Sage :)
Farmgirl sister #140
www.heritagedesigns.etsy.com |
| smoothiejuice |
Posted - Mar 21 2008 : 7:32:42 PM
hi teddie...how are ya!
#56 |
| theoanne |
Posted - Mar 21 2008 : 7:01:20 PM
Pfaff is my favorite! It has a dual feed system that is great. I have sewn from chiffon to leather and this system does not let the fabric bunch or slide it's great! I have had a Pfaff embroidery machine in the past,but I do not like to program it. I'd rather do embroidery,by hand. So when the lightning got it I got a new one. My Pfaff now does everything except embroidery. I also still keep my 32 year old Kenmore running and sometimes use it too.
TEDDIE
Too blessed to be stressed! |
| Maryjane Lee |
Posted - Mar 20 2008 : 5:15:00 PM
I have a Viking and a Bernina. Love them both! Oh and I have my Grandmother's Singer treadle sewing machine that I am going to learn how to use!
Hugs, Maryjane Lee
Farmgirl Sister #44
http://thebeehivecottage.blogspot.com
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| Bonne |
Posted - Mar 20 2008 : 3:35:29 PM
Pam, do you ever get down to Colorado?
Craigs List in Denver/N. Colorado has tons of sewing machines listed.
Many reasonable treadles available. Road Trip! I can scout 'em out for you too.
http://bonne1313.blogspot.com/ BLOG
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| bboopster |
Posted - Mar 20 2008 : 3:32:44 PM
I had a Brother 30 years ago and traded it for my Bernina Record 930, 26 years ago. I choose it over the computerized ones and today would make the same choice. It is a workhorse. Has survived 5 children, 4 houses, multiple small sewing businesses and still works like a charm. Sews through leather, denim, tent canvas, and silk, chiffon, what ever you throw at it. Only took it twice to have a tune up once after 15 years. Then again 6 years ago but that was after my 13 year old decided that one sewing class was enough to be come a seamstress. WRONG!!!! It went back into storage. I had it store for about 6 years and just opened a few weeks ago and after reading the directions sewed a sample seam and I was truly amazed at it sewing ability. It does not have the fancy cam stitches that some do but I love it and my girlfriend has a new computerized one that I can use anytime I want. Good luck with your hunt. Hope you find the one you like. 
http://www.bboopster.blogspot.com
3 Blue Star Mother and Proud of it!
Pray for our troops to come home safe and soon.
Enjoying the road to the simple life :>) |
| Sage |
Posted - Mar 20 2008 : 1:06:51 PM
Jessica; I hadn't heard any good remarks about the "cheap plastic" machines until now. I hope I didn't offend anyone - we use what works and what we have right. :) I'll have to check them out and the Singers on ebay. Thanks. Sage :)
Farmgirl sister #140
www.heritagedesigns.etsy.com |
| smoothiejuice |
Posted - Mar 19 2008 : 10:16:59 PM
if you want a machine that will sew through anything...and i mean anything, and is easy to service yourself...get a treadle...i have 7 and they never let me down. Now I also have a "cheap plastic" singer that i got for like $100 and it has been a work horse. I have done the majority of my sewing on it for 6 years and it has never failed me in any circumstance..I use it everyday and abuse the heck out of it. I also have a 1950's brother and a 1950's Morse and they are pretty mush able to do anything. The Brother is a 1956 pacesetter that Bonne convinced me I needed..and I love it..sews well and has so many fun stitches..amazing little workhorse. Check ebay if you want a featherweight..I see em on there all the time.
#56 |
| Sage |
Posted - Mar 19 2008 : 3:18:36 PM
Thanks to every one, I've had great suggestions but no machine yet. We don't have a store nearby that sells machines and I really want to try one out before I spend the money. I'm also haunting the thrift stores every where I go just in case I find a great deal. Used would be okay, I just don't want a cheap plastic machine. Sage :)
Farmgirl sister #140
www.heritagedesigns.etsy.com |
| nitere |
Posted - Mar 19 2008 : 12:33:22 PM
i have a bernina and absolutely love it. i bought it used at our local bernina dealer. i had a very cheap brother ($99) before and it doesn't even compare. have you decided what you are going to get?
farmgirl sister #37
http://www.buraellen.blogspot.com |
| Bonne |
Posted - Mar 19 2008 : 12:26:00 PM
I'd love to see your machines, Susan!! I'm loving the vintage ones as well. (Jessica's doing)
http://bonne1313.blogspot.com/ BLOG
http://www.bonne1313.homestead.com/soap.html SOAP |
| shepherdwagen |
Posted - Mar 19 2008 : 12:14:46 PM
I'm a Singer girl all the way. I have several--2 Featherweights, a 301, a 15-91, and a 319W. All except the 319W are straight-stitch. All are a joy to sew with. They're as solid as a rock (nothing like cast aluminum or cast iron) and easy to care for. And if I need more knowledge about them, there are some yahoo groups for help. If you want to do a lot of layers, the 15-91 is the strongest for that, and not too spendy (I've seen them go anywhere from $10-125). I don't personally need a lot of functions, but if I need any fancy stitching, I do it by hand or use the 319W--I picked that one up for $20, including the cabinet.
Good luck in your hunt for your machine!
"I've childproofed my house, but they keep getting in." |
| willowtreecreek |
Posted - Mar 04 2008 : 09:47:49 AM
I have a very basic Elna. No computer or anything. I have had it 14 years and it still works great.
Farmgirl Sister #17
Blog
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Felt and Fabric Crafts
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| CabinCreek-Kentucky |
Posted - Mar 04 2008 : 09:43:36 AM
bernina has been gooooood to me! xo
bernina! bernina! bernina!
i don't think i'd sew if i didn't have a bernina! xo
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| herbquilter |
Posted - Mar 04 2008 : 09:20:41 AM
Bernina hands down, I had mine for 26 years & have sewn thousands, we'll at least hundreds of garments & dozens of quilts on it. Mines a 930.
My mom has a 830 that she got when I was a kids & it too just keeps on trucking down the seams. DD bought a used 830 & has a small sewing business. She too loves it, but of course, it's all in the family!!!
Blessings,
Kristine ~ Mother of Many & Herbalist
www.herbalmomma.com
Farmgirl Sister #97
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| Sage |
Posted - Mar 04 2008 : 09:05:27 AM
I really appreciate all the suggestions. Except for the borrowed machine I'm using, all I've had were hand me down machines that didn't work very well. I'll be checking out all of these brands before I buy one. Thanks.
Alee; Thanks for being my personal shopper! Sage:)
Farmgirl sister #140
www.heritagedesigns.etsy.com |
| Shirley |
Posted - Mar 04 2008 : 12:04:21 AM
I have an old viking which I loved dearly. Now I have 2 Janomes, they are the small carry in a bag ones. Got the Hello Kitty one the other day, the price was so good(got it in case any of the grands want to learn to sew. Its the cutiest thing. But its just like the other one I have and a whole lot cheaper than I paid for the first one.
Its very sturdy and sews really good. That is all Ive used for the last 3 years.
Shirley |
| pinkroses |
Posted - Mar 03 2008 : 5:34:58 PM
I have a Elna basic computer machine
And a Janome new home computer/embrodiery machine
Now days you can get just a basic computer machine; sometimes cheaper than you can buy a non computer one
Sometimes, if you go to a place that sales sewing machines; you might can get the floor model too cheaper.
Good luck at what ever you dieced
I didn't think that I would be able to use a computer sewing machine; but,I had no problems.
I think that they are easier to use than the ones that are not computer.
Good luck pinkroses
www.ohkayteagirl2.blogspot.com |
| Alee |
Posted - Mar 03 2008 : 5:22:17 PM
I will take Nora on a walk tomorrow up to the vacuum place and see what they have!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
| Sage |
Posted - Mar 03 2008 : 4:13:17 PM
I really wish I could find a Singer Featherweight. I'll have to check out the Berninas. Thanks! Sage :)
Farmgirl sister #140
www.heritagedesigns.etsy.com |
| electricdunce |
Posted - Mar 03 2008 : 2:30:24 PM
I have two Berninas, and my favorite is my thirty year old machine, but I think all the Berninas are pretty good. The new ones are horribly expensive, I got my bottom of the line one about five years ago. A lot of the people in my quilting group have
Berninas and love them. I also have my mother old Singer Featherweight, which is a real trooper, but it is definitely a great little machine to have. The really old Singers are very good, I think, I have a couple of old ones I'm rehabbing for back ups...Karin
Farmgirl Sister #153 |
| Sage |
Posted - Mar 03 2008 : 12:09:41 PM
Alee - Yes, please check it out for me. I don't know much about Vikings. I want a sturdy machine that will handle different thickness (like layers of denim or cotton quilt pieces) and I'm looking for some fancy stitches along with a few embroidery options. Thanks!
Farmgirl sister #140
www.heritagedesigns.etsy.com |
| Alee |
Posted - Mar 03 2008 : 11:01:44 AM
Mom- I can see if my local sewing repair shop has a good used machine for you. Last time I was in there I think they had a Viking that I was considering nabbing up for myself! LOL
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
| Sage |
Posted - Mar 03 2008 : 10:52:37 AM
Thanks for the suggestions. Right now the machine will be for personal use but I am thinking seriously about a home based business. Sage
Farmgirl sister #140
www.heritagedesigns.etsy.com |
