| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Kit |
Posted - Oct 04 2005 : 06:15:27 AM
Anyone have ideas on where I can acquire an inexpensive sewing machine? One that a novice can understand? :P I see all these fancy machines with squiggles and zigs and ... well, they don't make much sense to me. :P We've got a local discount type store that I go to regularly, but they never seem to have sewing machines. It's the kind of place that gets wierd shipments in of excess and/or damaged stuff ~ great prices, but the stock is never consistant.
Also, I'm way disappointed. Work informed me (I'm an INBOUND telemarketer) that I am not allowed to do my cross-stitching between calls. Why? Because the needle can be "used as a weapon".  A butter knife hurts worse than a cross-stitch needle. The only thing we're allowed to do between calls is read (which I like to do), but only things they don't find "disturbing" to others. Naturally, I'm pushing that envelope.  I'm such a rebel sometimes ... |
| 9 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Lazycreek |
Posted - Oct 07 2005 : 10:50:46 AM
Go on Ebay and you will find several older singer machines for not much. There is an older singer right now with the cabinet and stool with no bids for $25 plus another $25 for shipping. Belonged to an aunt of someone. The newer machines are mostly plastic and they just don't hold up like the old all metal ones.
Charlee
Believe in the power of your dreams |
| therusticcottage |
Posted - Oct 07 2005 : 07:32:45 AM
An old Singer is definitely the way to go. Any older machine that has a metal case is the best -- they will last for years. I was recently given an old Morse which I am going to take in to get refurbished. It is belt driven which is the best for heavier sewing like slipcovers, etc. I have a new Singer that I go about 4 years ago. It does ok but is all plastic. Whatever you get just keep it dusted out, oiled and take it in once a year for a professional tuneup and it will last a long, long time.
I'm still hot...it just comes in flashes. |
| hapyhrt |
Posted - Oct 07 2005 : 04:08:18 AM
Good Luck, Kit! I have a Singer sewing machine that hubby bought me after we were married 25 years ago and that machine is still working beautifully!!! I sewed many quilts, curtains, clothing items and everything possible and still use it today for the many fabric crafts I enjoy making.
Last winter, I had the chance to purchase a new machine with all the bells and whistles but once I got it home and tried to sew with the darn thing it was easy to see the stitching wasn't as good as on my old machine and I found it to be very frustrating trying to deal with so many options and gizmos! Sure wasn't long and I had that fancy new machine packed up and returned to the store ASAP! LOL
I love my ol' Singer machine and in all these years of use it's only been in the shop once for a general maintance/tune up. I follow instructions in the owners manual and oil the parts myself as well as keeping the bobbin area clean of lint and threads. Now days, the newer machines being made of mostly plastic parts and "inners" just don't hold up as well as the older ones. Maybe check garage sales and estate auctions in your area and see if a good quality machine isn't waiting to be found!
Happy Sewing! :)
"Think happy thoughts...any others aren't worth your time!" Ü |
| thehouseminder |
Posted - Oct 05 2005 : 5:32:30 PM
Hi Kit,
I like Omaha well enough but envy that you live in Maine . I recently went to rug braiding retreat just outside of Augusta. It was heaven. Mom, Dad, and I took the train as far as Boston. We wanted to do "slow travel" (kind of like the "slow food" movement in Europe). We took the bus from Boston so that we could enjoy the foliage. Heaven !
Well, it's like we are virtual neighbors anyway. If you were here, I'd take you shopping for this machine. Let me know how your quest turns out.
Lucinda
Who loves a garden still his Eden keeps, Perennial pleasures plants, and wholesome harvest reaps. ---Bronson Alcott
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| quiltedess |
Posted - Oct 05 2005 : 4:44:02 PM
I would definately buy an old, used, sewing machine. They are built to last, don't have a lot of fancy stitches and most people can learn to fix them themselves. By far my favorite one would be an old Singer Featherweight. Just goes forwards and backwards and very simple to use. A full-size Singer 201, 301 or 401. Or a Pfaff 130 etc. I once found a Singer 15-91 for around $12.00 at an antique store. There was nothing wrong with it. Be careful of the machines you see at Walmart or Costco and such . . . they are cheap. I've heard them called "throw aways" because if anything goes wrong it can cost more to fix than it cost to buy it in the first place and they just don't sew as well as the "oldie but goodies" I own several sewing machines. I went through a terrible bout of the eBay sickness a few years ago :-) But, I do love my Viking Designer 1 too. It does everything but the dishes and for the price, it SHOULD!
One more thing, if you do find a great old machine, depending on the age, it may be a good idea to take it to a repair shop and have the wiring checked. In rare cases the wiring could come loose and ZAP you. If you have any more questions, be sure to ask.
Nancy |
| Kit |
Posted - Oct 05 2005 : 08:24:37 AM
Katie-ell, it sounds like you got a great deal! :D
Lucinda, you're in Omaha? Way cool. I used to live there for many years.
Bramble, I'm new to Maine, so I'm not too sure where Mexico is. ;) I think it's withen an hour of me. I'm closer to Lewiston-Auburn "metro".
I think there is a sewing store in town, I'll go check them out. I try to avoid wally world like the plague. I'm always leary of going to yard sales, but maybe I should hit those too? |
| katie-ell |
Posted - Oct 04 2005 : 08:15:47 AM
Oh, I was a lucky girl yesterday -- purchased a Singer sewing machine, with cabinet, for $40. It is a dream! In 1978 I purchased a piece of junk sewing machine and paid way too much for it (young and inexperienced -- the store did the classic bait-and-switch sales job on me). That machine is tempermental and mean. Now I have me a Singer (singing heard)!! So my advice: check out the resale stores, etc., in your area; leave your name and number if you want so they might call you if something comes in. I got mine at Salvation Army. Also, let your friends know of your wants. They may be in possession of a machine that is unused/unwanted. I like the other suggestions as well, re: retail outlets reselling used machines. I know a sewing machine will 'come' to you -- I was actually pricing new machines a week ago, and now I have this Singer (singing heard)!! |
| bramble |
Posted - Oct 04 2005 : 06:59:04 AM
Kit-- Sometimes fabric stores also sell sewing machines and give lessons if you want them.Ours sells all different levels of machines and varied prices as well. Another place to look for pretty basic machines is Sears. I had a portable from there that lasted over 10 years and for me that's saying something! ( I sew ...ALOT!)Even the dreaded "W" place sells them in the fabric department.
It's nice to have you on the forum... Welcome! Is Mechanics Falls up north near Mexico? That name sounds familiar to me...I think we broke down near you once!
with a happy heart |
| thehouseminder |
Posted - Oct 04 2005 : 06:51:01 AM
Don't feel bad Kit. Before the airlines came up with a somewhat standardized list of things you could not carry on an airplane, I had my tweezers taken away. I spent the whole flight wondering how on earth you pluck someone to death!?!?!?!
And about "disturbing reading," isn't that a little subjective? What are they worried about, "Vivisection in Five Easy Lessons" or "So, You Want to Worship Trees"?  Are the works of Edward Gorey allowed? I don't think I could get by without the occassional does of "The Doubtful Guest" or "The Gashlycrumb Tinies."
I'm not sure what your budget is but rather that looking for "cheap" I'd look for used and here is why. A vast majority, if not all, of the low end machines have plastic engine parts. These parts are not as efficient and can do all sorts of horrible things like splitting and cracking. The can more easily develop burrs which will cause thread jamming, etc. You can not expect those machines to last more than a handful of years. If anything, this is harder on a novice than it is for a seasoned sewer. Serious frustration!
The Bernina stores here in Omaha always have lots of lovely used machines because sewers trade up when they are ready to graduate to the next machine. I have been sewing since I was seven but couldn't spend much on my first machine as an adult. I got a used Bernina Model 910, which only has a straight stitch and a zigzag - really all you need - for very little money and it came with Free Lessons on using it. I believe that the trade in policy and the free lessons are standard for all Bernina Dealers. Hasquvarna, Viking, and Pfaff may have similar programs.
I'd shop around but go to sewing machine stores. Don't be shy about letting them know you are just starting out, you want something simple, and you have a budget. Staff at these stores are usually very nice. They are just like you and me and are supporting their sewing habit by working there. I WOULD NOT buy from a department store or the sewing machine department in the fabric store. You are asking for heartache if you do. I know that my friend Susan has been know to take her machine into the Bernina store if she does not know how to do something (hers is very complicated) and they will just, pour her a cup of coffee, sit right down with her, and show her how to use that function. That won't happen at a department store.
Happy Stitching!
Lucinda
Who loves a garden still his Eden keeps, Perennial pleasures plants, and wholesome harvest reaps. ---Bronson Alcott
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