| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| nubidane |
Posted - Dec 18 2008 : 06:20:15 AM
Girls, I need your help!!! My hubby is trying deperately to shop for me for Christmas.. I am VERY thankful that I have such a caring guy, but he just looks SOOO lost that I try to give him little hints here & there. Well, I have been wanting to try to learn to sew & BELIEVE me I am so challenged. I have an old Singer that was my Grandma's, (needs some help) but I want something small & non-fussy that can just do a basic stitch or so. Can you gals give me some ideas.?? My sis has one that cost a fortune that she had to take classes to learn how to use.. Not for me.. I just want something to be able to hem a few things & not have to resort to my sorry hand stitching...
Help Please |
| 12 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Bonne |
Posted - Dec 18 2008 : 8:56:41 PM
Lisa, post the serial # and we can look it up and see what model it is and perhaps get a manual online.
If I don't sew for a while on a particular machine, I have to look up how to thread it too. ;)
 http://bonne1313.blogspot.com/ BLOG
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| nubidane |
Posted - Dec 18 2008 : 6:56:56 PM
Girls
Hubby went shopping today, & if he gets me a new small uncomplicated machine, I will be grateful, but if not, I am grateful also, cause then I can get my farmgal buddies to help me with my old Singer!!! A win win, the way I see it!
Thanks for all the advice. I REALLY need some hands on training though. It seems like every 2 yrs or so, sis comes over to help me thread the older machine, & then I forget as soon as she leaves.
I am stitchingly challenged, that's for sure! |
| deeredawn |
Posted - Dec 18 2008 : 3:52:46 PM
Wow. I had no idea.... I've had this thing for almost 10 years and have stitched jeans, chicken saddles (canvas/duck cloth) and have never had a problem with it. I take care of it (minor maintenance). I guess maybe you should keep the older one!
Dawn #279
MJ's Heirloom Mavens-Mother Hen
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| Bonne |
Posted - Dec 18 2008 : 1:53:50 PM
ROFL!!! Or make a lamp base.
http://bonne1313.blogspot.com/ BLOG
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| Jami |
Posted - Dec 18 2008 : 1:47:41 PM
Bonne, you said it girl. I had a Costco Brother special and it was a huge disappointment. I just purchased "black beauty" in September off of Craigslist for $100 which included the cabinet--of course I purchased a new Viking Sapphire a year ago for 20 times the price and although it's a lovely machine in lots of ways, she just doesn't sew like the Singer and I could have done without the Sapphire easily if I had only known about the quality of these old Singers beforehand. Shucks! I was actually afraid to really sew anything on it for a couple of months and she sat. I gathered up the accessories and bobbins I needed and sat down a few weeks ago and gave her a spin and read my way through the manual on how to wind a bobbin and thread her, etc. She started squeaking when I was stitching heavy thicknesses, so I stopped and did a thorough oiling. Still squeaked! Realized I hadn't turned the page in the manual and had to oil the underside of her too and sure enough, the squeaking stopped. She is like butter. Also, what I figure is someday if I'm out to sea on my yacht (ha ha) I could use her for a boat anchor if I had to.
Jami in WA
Farmgirl Sister #266
http://woolyinwashington.wordpress.com/
http://farmhouseflair.etsy.com |
| Bonne |
Posted - Dec 18 2008 : 11:34:37 AM
I'm jumping on the vintage bandwagon with you gals. Although, Lisa, you can get yourself an inexpensive Singer at Walmart as Dawn suggested and be just fine with it for what you want to do. BUT, it WILL frustrate you when it comes to any serious sewing (ie: jeans/heavy fabrics). That was the kicker for me to go vintage~repairing hubby's jeans was impossible on my Brother from Walmart. After sewing on treadles and my 40's-60's machines (Craigslist), I realized I didn't want to have anymore to do with throwaway sewing machines. The vintage oldies have something about them, a spirit if you will, and as Jami said, the attachments are all over Ebay. Someone mentioned naming your machine~excellent! Form a bond.
You can spend a lot of $$ on a good quality new machine. You can spend a little on a standard one that will get you familiar with sewing. You can find a vintage one on Ebay or Craigslist and expect to do a little basic maintenance(which is a good learning experience~cleaning, oiling, lightbulbs, belts), or, you can get granny's machine serviced professionally which won't come cheap, but would be a worthy investment. Up to you and what you can tackle. Over a year ago I knew just about nothing about fixing a vintage machine~since then I've picked up several machines cheaply and gotten most of them stitching. Trial and error and lots of internet searching and reading. I can't fix motors and won't even attempt that, but most vintage machines I've come across needed only very minor adjustments~cleaning, fiddling with tensions, or just a new needle!
http://bonne1313.blogspot.com/ BLOG
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| Jami |
Posted - Dec 18 2008 : 10:48:54 AM
Mine is a 1954 Singer 15-91 and I just got it for heavy-duty sewing and boy...it's all that and then some. I love this machine. I purchased a bunch of accessories (vintage of course) off of the internet (cheap) and now I can even make buttonholes..yes with a straight stitch machine! It has a ruffler attachment, etc. Joy joy joy.
Jami in WA
Farmgirl Sister #266
http://woolyinwashington.wordpress.com/
http://farmhouseflair.etsy.com |
| graciegreeneyes |
Posted - Dec 18 2008 : 10:10:50 AM
Yeah - me too. Mine is a 1949 Singer, it was my mom's. It is still my favorite, although I have supplemented it with a new Singer this year so I can do zippers and buttonholes. It just needs some attention periodically
Amy Grace
Farmgirl #224
"use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without" |
| oldfashioned girl |
Posted - Dec 18 2008 : 09:03:07 AM
Lisa, I am with Jami! I have a 1955 Singer that I just love! It never fails! Maybe you can take the machine in and just see what it needs! Some places will do it for free! I would maybe just tell him what you would like!
Monica
farmgirls rule!
www.justducky48.etsy.com
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| Jami |
Posted - Dec 18 2008 : 08:14:34 AM
Not sure what that old Singer is like, but if it's one of the "greats" I would ask DH to have it serviced for me for Christmas. You won't find a better machine for basic straight stitch than an old Singer. You can get attachments and manuals online for them if you know the model number (gold plate usually on the right front). Bonne could be more help on this than me but I'm wondering if you have the machine of your wishes right in front of you and it just needs a spa treatment?
Jami in WA
Farmgirl Sister #266
http://woolyinwashington.wordpress.com/
http://farmhouseflair.etsy.com |
| FebruaryViolet |
Posted - Dec 18 2008 : 06:41:55 AM
Lisa...why don't you email Wilma? |
| deeredawn |
Posted - Dec 18 2008 : 06:37:05 AM
Hey girl, a couple of years ago, my hubby got me a cheap Singer from Walmart. Its pretty basic, a straight stitch, zig zag and a button holer. I've never used the button holer!!! I think it costs around $50 (maybe cheaper). Now that I'm a little bit better at sewing (and more comfortable), I am experimenting withthe zig zag and other things.....always reading my manual. BTW: the wally world up here is doing away with the sewing section (fabric & accessories).... you might be able to get a really good deal on a better one than mine!! Congrats and good luck!....
Dawn #279
MJ's Heirloom Mavens-Mother Hen
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