| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| crafter |
Posted - Jan 22 2009 : 11:39:43 AM
I have been using my daughters BROTHER for the past 4 yrs and I have almost used up the miles on it- it has been a VERY GOOD machine for 80.00. I bought a JANOME machine and it gave me nothing but trouble and haven't used it for years. I need to get some ideas on what others are using- the good, bady and ugly. thanks for your help!
Lori
Have a Country Day |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| quiltingfarmergirl |
Posted - Jan 30 2009 : 5:45:56 PM
Perfect timing for this topic! Can anyone recommend a sewing machine for heavy duty sewing? I have been making bags and totes recently and sometimes have difficulty sewing through the thickness on pockets and straps when using fusible fleece as some patterns call for. I have a Riccar that is 6 years old and a Singer that is 10 years old. Both sew fine for most projects, but have a tough time on the thicker pieces. I would appreciate any suggestions you might have.
Barb |
| katmom |
Posted - Jan 29 2009 : 2:58:53 PM
Lori, I have 17(at last count) machines, all but 3 of them currently work....this also includes a mini serger and a Bernina Embroidery machine. I have used my American Grandmothers Treadle machine(Thank Gosh & Grayhound for electricity!) and I have sewn on all of them...how ever I have 4 sewing stations up at all times, 1 is a Riccar, 1 Kenmore and 2 Brother machine, I also have my mini Serger & Bernina up and ready at a moments notice.
I love all my machines and trying to pick a favorite is like trying to pick a favoroite child, I just can't do it! lol!.
Like I said, I have never met a sewing machine I didn't like!
apron hugz,
>^..^<
(p.s....Kpaints-R.U.happy? lol!)inside joke!
>^..^< Happiness is being a katmom.
"I've never met a sewing machine I didn't like!"
mjf#72
Sisters on the Fly#472
www.katmom4.blogspot.com
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| homemom |
Posted - Jan 28 2009 : 1:24:32 PM
http://www.brother-usa.com/HomeSewing/ModelDetail.aspx?ProductID=SE350
This is my sewing machine. It's a Brother and I hubby bought it for me this summer. I am still learning how to use it. It has so many stitches and embroidery I haven't figured out yet.
Ruth
Living the farm life in my heart.
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Ruth
http://farmgirlinmyheart.blogspot.com/ |
| Bonne |
Posted - Jan 28 2009 : 12:26:09 PM
I wanna make a pilgrimage to your house, Judith. ;)
 http://bonne1313.blogspot.com/ BLOG
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| kpaints |
Posted - Jan 28 2009 : 11:44:03 AM
I have had two machines in my life time, a Singer Touch and Go (1968), and a Bernina(early 80's) (before computers). I still have both. I love my Bernina, it does have the fancy stitches and I have used most of them but not that much. I am a basic sewer. I had the Singer for a week and tried to sew a wool cuff on a jacket and could not get it under the foot, so I was really upset with the machine. I guess I never was super happy with it again. It always worked fine but it let me down. I bought it for the heavy duty work I needed and .... I have kept it all these years for my daughter who really isn't all that interested in sewing.
Find your joy and live it. http://cheneybaglady.blogspot.com/http://www.kpaints.etsy.com |
| StitchinWitch |
Posted - Jan 28 2009 : 10:28:40 AM
I have many sewing machines -- some people collect stamps; I collect sewing machines. The old black all-metal machines are the best and will last another hundred years or so as long as you clean and oil them now and then. The downside is no fancy stitches.... but honestly, how often are fancy stitches needed? I have two machines with fancy stitch capability and very seldom use them. Most sewing is just regular straight stitch and my favorites for sewing are treadles and handcranks; much more relaxing somehow.
Judith
Happiness is Homemade |
| barnagainkristin |
Posted - Jan 27 2009 : 8:24:09 PM
I have a cheap model Brother and was so upset at Christmas time when it started having all kinds of problems. It has been a good machine up until then and I have had it for several years. Today I decided to get out the manual and see if I could fix it. I tightened screws, cleaned it all out and oiled it up. It needed some adjustments that were all described in the manaul and it runs like a new machine. I was so happy to have done it myself. It was a reminder to me that just like I need to check the oil in my car and maintain it my other machines need routine care too. I noticed another person posted that her brother machine was noisy and so was mine but today it purrs quiet as could be. Whatever you all sew with don't be like me and forget to use a little oil and make some adjustments every once in a while.
barnagainkristin
"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves." John Muir |
| AuntPammy |
Posted - Jan 27 2009 : 09:54:13 AM
I have a White sewing machine that started giving me problems last year and so my husband bought me a Singer Futura for Christmas. I love it but I was raised sewing on one (a Singer) so I guess I could be a little biased!!
"Keep your face to the sunshine and you will never see the shadow." Helen Keller
www.auntpsalmostheaven.blogspot.com |
| crafter |
Posted - Jan 27 2009 : 09:42:17 AM
I love that idea of my daughters chatting and crafting away. My 12yr old and I do that now, but not my 17 and 22 yr old- they are waaay toooo cooool to be crafting with mom- I pray one day we will all craft together. I have hope!
Lori
Have a Country Day |
| Ingrid |
Posted - Jan 27 2009 : 09:27:57 AM
I have two singer machines. One I bought new 17 years ago and a couple of years ago I had it refurbished, not sure if that's what it's called, and gave it to my daughters and bought another newer model. My girls are into crafting as well so makes it easier, plus the bonus is one or the other venture into my workroom and we have great chats as we work away. |
| lacisne88 |
Posted - Jan 26 2009 : 6:06:15 PM
I use a Singer, but I forget what model it is...
Chelsey
Farmgirl Sister #283
http://farmgirlpleasures.blogspot.com/
http://aminiatureworld.blogspot.com/ |
| Tammy Claxton |
Posted - Jan 25 2009 : 7:12:51 PM
I use an old 1958 Singer 403A Slant O Matic. I love that machine. I also have a Brother thta my hubby bought me a few years ago. It works ok too. I like the old Singer better!
Crafty Bay Farmgirl Chapter
"What doesn't kill you will only make you stronger"
Farmgirl #152
http://countryintheburbs.blogspot.com/
http://bigdogmom130.etsy.com |
| Lanna |
Posted - Jan 24 2009 : 10:00:32 PM
I'm very much a beginner, and got a Brother on sale from Costco last month. I was supposed to inherit my mom's 30yo Bernina, but won't (it's a long story including the factory in Germany either flooding or burning down). My Brother goes, and that's all I needed for now. The bobbin on the Brother is sure easier to put in/thread than I remember on my mom's machine though...
*****************
Lanna, mama to three little monkeys |
| rabbithorns |
Posted - Jan 24 2009 : 9:45:46 PM
I have a cheap White portable and it works great. I don't do difficult work on it and don't know if it could handle it anyway. But I prefer to handsew so I'm about to give it away or barter.
Used to have a repro Singer cast iron portable and it was not bad. Needed oiling and service more often than most though.
The best one was the one I grew up with that my mother still has. A cast iron Singer in a cabinet, once was a treadle and was converted to electric in the 40s. It was probably no older than the 30s. Still going strong.
http://www.rabbithorns.etsy.com & www.wayofthewife.blogspot.com |
| Buffalomary |
Posted - Jan 24 2009 : 9:31:59 PM
I bought my Singer brand-new at the PX in Fort Bragg back in 1974 for $75. I have been using it ever since. Taught my daughter how to sew on. It's nothing fancy, just straight stitch and zigzag, but I have definitely put the miles on it. I wished I could have gotten my grandma's old treadle machine, but I was stationed in Hawaii when she got rid of it. She didn't know I wanted it and no one said anything to me. I must of cried for two months after I found out. Oh well, I would still like to get a treadle. I had so much fun sewing on that machine. Ah, the memories... 
Buffalomary
Farmgirl Sister #293
You can take the farmer's daughter off the farm but you can't take the farm out of the farmer's daughter!!
Please visit me at my blog: http://buffalomaryscorner.blogspot.com |
| 5 acre Farmgirl |
Posted - Jan 24 2009 : 6:36:21 PM
My OLD Kenmore like the ones talked about above, hums right along also, and has more extra stitches than my mothers Bernina...I like the was my Kenmore sews wayyy better than my mothers Kenmore....
Farmgirl Sister #368
http://froccsfrillsfurbiloesandmore.blogspot.com
http://thecontentedwoman.blogspot.com
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| crafter |
Posted - Jan 23 2009 : 06:42:51 AM
Great Info- Thank you for sharing. I was so disappointed in my Janome- the dealer is right across the street from where I live and I just couldn't get it to work. The money I spent on it was a waste and the dealer gave me no service for it! I will start making a list of other dealers in surrounding areas and see what I can come up with. Thanks again for the wonderful information! I knew I could come here for honest suggestions!
Lori
Have a Country Day |
| pinkroses |
Posted - Jan 23 2009 : 06:00:35 AM
I have a Janome 9500, embroidery/ sewing machine computer. love it
and a basic computer Elna. love it too.
I love computer sewing machines; so easy
I thought I would never learn to sew on them; but actually they are easy .pinkroses
www.ohkayteagirl2.blogspot.com
http;//www.sheilascreativetouches.blogspot.com |
| electricdunce |
Posted - Jan 22 2009 : 7:25:44 PM
I mostly use my 35 year old Bernina, I have one that is about six years old, but they changed the bobbin so that it is very hard to remove or insert the bobbin, so I have that for backup. I also use my mother's Featherweight, especially when I have to lug a machine to a class. Tomorrow I'm going to go look at an old Singer treadle. Someone gave me one when I was around ten but my mother threw it out, but here, 50 years later....that's my rationale for this one.
Karin
Farmgirl Sister #153
"Give me shelter from the storm" - Bob Dylan
http://moodranch.blogspot.com
http://domesticnonsense.etsy.com |
| graciegreeneyes |
Posted - Jan 22 2009 : 7:14:25 PM
I have two singers - a 1949 model and then last year's Confidence model - love them both. I also have a treadle - Free brand, but I'm pretty sure they are out of production:D. Anyway the Singers are fabulous, I love them.
Amy Grace
Farmgirl #224
"use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without" |
| Jana |
Posted - Jan 22 2009 : 2:22:35 PM
Lori,
In sewing machine land, I think you often get what you pay for...somewhat! I have had several brands of machines over the years and each has its good and bad points.
I think one of the MOST important things you can do is think hard about what you use your machine for, this will help a dealer help you pick out the right machine. ALSO, set a budget. Dealers understand not everyone can drop 10k on a newfangled embroider-everything-in-sight machine!
FINALLY, find a good dealer! You may live in an area where you have many dealers or just a few, or you may have to drive for miles. The important part is, and its MORE IMPORTANT than the brand of machine, is the service! If a dealer has every machine from the company he/she is selling for but no accessories, no extra workbooks, and balks at the thought of ordering them for you, LEAVE.
As for me personally, I own a Brother 650q. It has a ton of features and I traded in a rather basic Bernina for it. I still own a very portable Janome dc2007le, which is a nice little machine, but nothing special. I have it up for sale and don't think I'll miss it when its gone.
STAY AWAY from cheapy machines in big box stores. I don't know why big brand sewing machine companies put their names on these things. They don't last long (or work at all) and it makes you wonder if their top of the line dealer machines are going to work either.
As you know, you are only going to get a few years out of an $80 machine at best. This isn't 1970. Your money is only going to get you so much. My machine cost me about $630 with a my trade in and I would consider this a fair price to pay for a midline machine these days. The warranty is excellent. I love my dealers (a husband and wife), and their service is excellent. I will be taking some additional classes on the machine in February and I can go to a sewing club at their shop which has demos and show-and-tell.
Sorry this was SOOOO long, but its my 2 cents worth. Hope you find your dream machine!
Jana |
| K-Falls Farmgirl |
Posted - Jan 22 2009 : 2:10:39 PM
I have a Brother V950 I love it..havehad it for years. Sews like a dream.
http://www.k-fallsfarmgirl.blogspot.com/
Come visit the barn at http://barndoorcreations.blogspot.com/
Cheryl
Farmgirl #309
"If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude." Maya Angelou |
| dkelewae |
Posted - Jan 22 2009 : 2:08:19 PM
I used a Kenmore, which died right before Christmas at the ripe old age of 35 yrs. Hubby got me a brother for Christmas which I've yet to use but can't wait to!
Diana
Farmgirl Sister #272
St. Peters MO
Country Girl trapped in the city!
http://farmgirldreams.blogspot.com/ |
| MuslinBunnies |
Posted - Jan 22 2009 : 2:02:16 PM
I use a little Elna TX that I bought a few years ago used from a local sewing machine place. They called their father in Florida who sent it up here for me. :) Funny thing is, that when my mother bought her Elna way back when I was little, the man that sent me my Elna had a sewing machine place up here in NH. My mother bought her Elna new from the same man way back then!
Tina A.
My Website: http://muslinbunnies.tripod.com/
My Etsy: http://FelineFeathers.etsy.com
My Button Quail Site: http://groups.google.com/group/button-quail-planet |
| gramadinah |
Posted - Jan 22 2009 : 1:07:59 PM
New Home aka Janome two Singers and a Brother make in poland and a Baby lock serger. If I had to get a new one would go with bernina or viking.
Diana
Farmgirl Sister #273 |
