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Stitching & Crafting Room:  Choosing a Beginner Sewing Machine?  |
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kitchensqueen
True Blue Farmgirl
521 Posts
521 Posts |
 Posted - May 26 2007 : 7:02:57 PM
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I'm looking to purchase a sewing machine to teach myself, but there are so many options available, and it seems like its a mixed bag in terms of finding a good one. I don't need a lot of bells and whistles, just a basic model that's going to last and is a bargain. I'm not looking to spend more than $200. Recommendations?
http://apartmentfarm.wordpress.com
Now Open!: http://shadetreestudios.etsy.com |
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herbquilter
True Blue Farmgirl
891 Posts
Kristine
Bonney Lake
Wa
USA
891 Posts |
Posted - May 26 2007 : 7:39:06 PM
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I've used a Bernina 930 for over 20 years, we've bought a 1030 for a daughter & another daughter has a 810. If you can find a used Bernina, they are an awesome, workhorse machine.
Good luck in your search!!!
Blessings,
Kristine ~ Mother of Many & Herbalist
www.herbalmomma.com
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BotanicalBath
True Blue Farmgirl
1014 Posts
Elizabeth
Ohio
1014 Posts |
Posted - May 26 2007 : 7:57:16 PM
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I second on buying a good used machine rather than a new cheap one. I have a Janome and I love it. Bernina are good machines I have heard since I have never used one. Old Juki & Pfaff are good too.
E-
BotanicalBath@peoplepc.com
www.Botanical-Bath.com
"I do my housework in the nude. It gives me an incentive to clean the mirrors as quickly as possible." |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - May 26 2007 : 8:51:17 PM
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Try going to a Vacuum and Sewing Machine repair and sales shop. They often have used machines that get abandoned. That is how I picked up mine. I got a sewing machine for $40 and it is awesome. :)
Alee |
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MariaAZ
True Blue Farmgirl
203 Posts
Phoenix
AZ
203 Posts |
Posted - May 26 2007 : 9:11:30 PM
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My first sewing machine is a Viking model that Mom bought for me at a sewing machine repair shop. It was a student machine in a sewing class and isn't very fancy; straight & zigzag stitch and reverse is about all it does. To be quite honest I like it much better than Mom's computerized Pfaff, which was top-of-the-line when she bought it about 20 years ago. It does all kinds of embroidery and fancy stitches, but all I've ever used it for was straight & zigzag stitches (can't beat the classics!)
Visit my blog at www.craftyfool.net |
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kitchensqueen
True Blue Farmgirl
521 Posts
521 Posts |
Posted - May 26 2007 : 9:42:04 PM
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Thanks everyone! I'm going to check out these brands online and see what I can find. I like the suggestion of going to the repair shop. I really don't want to purchase one new anyway, since I'm trying to buy nearly everything second-hand (my personal stand against rampant consumerism :-) )
http://apartmentfarm.wordpress.com
Now Open!: http://shadetreestudios.etsy.com |
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Jana
True Blue Farmgirl
482 Posts
Jana
Eau Claire
Wisconsin
USA
482 Posts |
Posted - May 26 2007 : 11:16:48 PM
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If you want a decent machine for $200 or less, I would get a mechanical (non-computer) machine used. The Singers from the 50s and 60s are excellent, and you can often get a good price on ebay. Just be sure that if you are buying a machine from a private party that they know how to pack a machine properly.
If you can squish out a little more money, a Janome is a good brand.A Really basic one, the 2007LE is awsome. It is computerized and has basic stitches and a few decos for about $350.
Jana |
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Aunt George
True Blue Farmgirl
1476 Posts
Georgann
Midlothian
VA
1476 Posts |
Posted - May 27 2007 : 02:35:55 AM
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I agree with everyone. Get the best you can for your money by going to a machine repair shop and checking out what they have. Most everything I sew, I only use the basic straight stitch and zig zag. I even sew things on my 1936 White Rotary and it only does straight stitch forward and reverse...they turn out pretty nice. The wedding ensemble was done with only straight and zigzag. But having said that. I have a Kenmore made by Janome and I LOVE it. I got it used from Sears. It was their floor model close out and was 299. But the original price was 850. It has all of the bells and whistles and I love it. What ever you buy look for one with a great buttonholer. To me that was the best addition that my Kenmore gave to me. Still haven't learned to use my blindhemmer! LOL...
Name brands you can trust....all the ones mention above: Janome, Pfaff, Husquvarna, Sears IF it was made by Janome, Bernina. I also bought a used Bernette by Bernina serger....it is a solid workhorse too. I found it at a sewing machine repair shop. It is at lest 20 and still going strong. It is ugly but is a rompin stompin machine.
http://auntgeorgeshouse.blogspot.com/index.html
http://auntgeorge.etsy.com
Thanks for checking out my apron and sewing musings! |
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Michelle Marie
True Blue Farmgirl
158 Posts
Michelle
Many
Louisiana
USA
158 Posts |
Posted - May 27 2007 : 12:22:13 PM
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| I am a beginner. I have a Kenmore... got it from Sears of course. I know it was more than $100 under $200. I really like it. Its fairly simple, I have had it for a few years. I had a cheap one from Wal-mart but I got into making purses and my husband told me to go to the only other place in town--Sears-- and pick myself out a more sturdy one. It is not computerized but it has all the stitches on it. I have never attempted button holes or zippers. They scare me. I tried it before on the old machine and it was a disaster. I try to stick to aprons , purses, and simple sun dresses. I haven't tried any other brands, but I would recommend a Kenmore to others. Good luck! |
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BotanicalBath
True Blue Farmgirl
1014 Posts
Elizabeth
Ohio
1014 Posts |
Posted - May 27 2007 : 12:47:53 PM
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I have an old Old Old black singer.... Ya know the one that only makes a straight stitch... that machine is the best for runny stiches for gathers.
E-
BotanicalBath@peoplepc.com
www.Botanical-Bath.com
"I do my housework in the nude. It gives me an incentive to clean the mirrors as quickly as possible." |
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therusticcottage
True Blue Farmgirl
4439 Posts
Kay
Vancouver
WA
USA
4439 Posts |
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Stitching & Crafting Room: Choosing a Beginner Sewing Machine? |
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Choosing a Beginner Sewing Machine?
