| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| rosebud74a |
Posted - Jan 10 2006 : 06:32:30 AM
I am so disappointed. I bought my 8 year old niece a sewing machine, hoping to share the joy's of sewing with her. It turned out to be a real dud. i was able to return it, but know I can't find anything to replace it with. I bought a small singer sewing machine, more like a toy than an actual sewiing machine. I would rather buy something inexpensive for her as I don't know how interseted she will be in sewing, but the inexpensive machines seem to be junk. I am alomst ready to give up on the whole idea..... any one have any ideas? I learned on my mom's machine. What did everyone else learn on? Peace,
Stacy
How vain it is to sit down to write when you have not stood up to live.
Henry David Thoreau
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| 10 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Tatiana |
Posted - Jan 16 2006 : 4:38:43 PM
I really love the old featherweight Singer 221 sewing machines for teaching my girls to sew. It has a great straight stitch and can sew through practically everything. Plus, they have a lever for reversing the stitching which helps with little girls so that they don't have to push down a button while trying to guide the fabric. They are rather spendy as they are vintage, but you should be able to find one with the case for around 350-450 on Ebay depending on the shape it's in. Just make sure it has the original bobbin case in it. They get stolen alot and the new replacements just don't work too well. You can also look for them at estate sales, and antique shops. You just may not be able to part with it 
Tania in Boise |
| therusticcottage |
Posted - Jan 13 2006 : 07:38:44 AM
I bought my daughter one of the small machines this year too and it is horrible! I think it is a Little Tailor. Luckily I only paid $25 for it because I've had it for so long before Christmas that I can't return it. I think I'll list it on eBay and see what I can get for it. I'm going to get my old JC Penney machine cleaned and serviced for her. I'll not make this mistake ever again!
Gratitude turns what we have into enough.
http://rusticcottage.etsy.com
http://rusticcottage.blogspot.com/ |
| rosebud74a |
Posted - Jan 12 2006 : 10:16:26 PM
I searched the web for Hancock fabric and found one close to my sisiter-in laws house in PA. I also saw the machine that I think you were talking about...called a Janome mini? I plan to save on the shipping and get it in a couple of weeks when I go and visit. Looks exactly like what I was thinking of for her. Thanks for the inforamtion!!! I will let you know how it works. Peace,
stacy
How vain it is to sit down to write when you have not stood up to live.
Henry David Thoreau
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| CabinCreek-Kentucky |
Posted - Jan 10 2006 : 2:04:53 PM
Stacy, while in OHIO .. i was at Hancock Fabrics .. they sell a 'child's' REAL sewing machine and the lady who works there SWORE to me that it is a fantastic one .. she was NOT on commission .. said she couldn't more highly recommend this brand .. of course, i can't think of the name of it right now .. but will ask my daughter to check it out for me and let you know. BUT .. if you have a Hancock's Fabrics near you .. i bet they will have it. (it's a name i've never heard before though).
True Friends, Frannie |
| Fabulous Farm Femmes |
Posted - Jan 10 2006 : 1:09:03 PM
Jo Ann Fabrics had a small "travel" sized machine that sold for around 25 dollars earlier this year..bought one for my flight attendant cousin to use on trips..I will ask her how it works! |
| rosebud74a |
Posted - Jan 10 2006 : 11:09:29 AM
Sorry to hear that everyone else had the same trouble with those little machines. They were really cute and seemed like such a great idea.maybe I will just buy my niece a basic adult sized sewing machine. I may try the looking for one of those smaller tailor machines first..hhmm. My sewing machine is a simple model too...I have trouble enough with it sometimes. I would like to buy something fancier, but i have to start sewing more before I can jusify it. Those turqiouse singers sound great! peace
Stacy
How vain it is to sit down to write when you have not stood up to live.
Henry David Thoreau
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| greyghost |
Posted - Jan 10 2006 : 09:00:30 AM
My mom has an old turqouse Singer from the 60's too! She used to make extra money making evening dresses for people when I was little. That machine and I have had some battles!
I have a Singer too, not expensive, just basic stitches, I get along well with it. |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Jan 10 2006 : 08:10:21 AM
I bought my girls those same kids size Singers for one of their christmas gifts this year too...yuck. I learned on my grandma's extra machine and I am thinking it wouldn't be a bad idea to just save up and buy a $100 machine for my oldest daughter who will turn 12 in Sept for her birthday this year. Meanwhile maybe I can find a garage sale one for them to play with. I just was so dissapointed with the kid one. Dosn't teach them much except to sew straight..the stupid chain stitch and no bobbin was a surprize for me. I am sure glad they were cheap and I didn't waste more money than I did!!!
I don't sew on an expensive machine myself..it is a Singer..but not old and not expensive. I am happy as long as I have forward, reverse and zig zag. I do have my Great Aunt Oleta's old Singer from the 60's too. It is turquoise!! It still works well too, but I only use it for backup. I don't want to have it out all the time. It actually folds into a nice cabinet and I just sit my regular machine (a portable) on top.
Jenny in Utah
It's astonishing how short a time it takes for very wonderful things to happen...Frances Burnette
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ |
| greyghost |
Posted - Jan 10 2006 : 07:04:23 AM
What about one of those little tailor sewing machines? They're just meant for small projects, but I borrowed one for a few weeks in college while working on my wedding dress, and it did pretty good. |
| cajungal |
Posted - Jan 10 2006 : 06:52:21 AM
Good Morning Stacy!
Like you, I learned on my mom's machine....a Singer...she still has it....it's over 30 years old...has the old "cam" system for different stitches....still works great!
I also bought one of those small children's machines of Singer's before.....you're right....a total dud! Problem was, I bought it at a garage sale and couldn't return it. Hhmmmm, garage sale, that should've told me something.
Don't give up! Check out Wal-Mart. They have a few right at or under $100. My daughter received a Brother LS-2125 from Grammy for Christmas....works great...basic stitches with zig zag and button hole. I think she got it at Wal-Mart for around $80....but that may have been the sale price. I know $100 is still a bit steep for a child's gift, but if the machine is better than that other one then it's worth it.
Hope you find one!!
Blessings
Catherine
One of the best compliments from one of my daughters: "Moma, you smell good...like dirt." |
