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Stitching & Crafting Room:  How to choose a sewing machine?  |
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NancyM
True Blue Farmgirl
113 Posts
Nancy
Fall City
WA
113 Posts |
 Posted - May 21 2008 : 09:51:21 AM
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Hi Ladies-
I'm hoping you can help a complete beginner with some tips on choosing a sewing machine. I don't plan on doing a lot of sewing, just some napkins, placemats, aprons, and hemming, so don't need anything fancy. I see that Costco has some reasonably priced machines (under $200). Does anyone have any experience with any of these? Any advice will be most appreciated!
Nancy
Farmgirl Sister #159 |
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Bonne
True Blue Farmgirl
3003 Posts
Bonne
Littleton
CO
USA
3003 Posts |
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DaisyFarm
True Blue Farmgirl
1646 Posts
Diane
Victoria
BC
Canada
1646 Posts |
Posted - May 21 2008 : 12:46:53 PM
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I agree with Bonne in that a sewing machine is really a matter of personal preference and what you intend to do with it. Honestly, if you can pick up an older used Singer, it will probably be a better machine than some of the new junk on the market today.
I did buy one of the ones from Costco. The ones they had here were Europro and when they marked them down to $69 to clear the inventory out I couldn't resist! I've made three quilts plus done other sewing on it since I bought it last fall and haven't had any problems whatsoever. I also have a Babylok and an old Singer that is a workhorse. I had a Janome which just ticked me off so I sold it. It wouldn't handle anything heavy, even denim and I was constantly fiddling to get it to hold the tension.
So that's my two cents! :)
Di
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JenniferJuniper
True Blue Farmgirl
359 Posts
Jennifer
New Hampshire
USA
359 Posts |
Posted - May 21 2008 : 1:15:16 PM
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It all depends on the brand of machine more than the price. Machines made in Germany (like Pfaff) and Japan tend to be of a higher quality than those made in China (lots of off-brands).
See if you have a local sew-n-vac repair shop nearby. They often sell used machines at a reasonable price. Plus, the owners are a wealth of knowledge on the machines.
If not, try craigslist. I often see ads where someone bought a machine and used it only a few times then decided sewing was not for them.
I have an antique Singer and a stimulus-new Bernina and love them both. |
Edited by - JenniferJuniper on May 21 2008 1:17:46 PM |
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tziporra
True Blue Farmgirl
234 Posts
Robin
Seattle
WA
USA
234 Posts |
Posted - May 21 2008 : 8:32:17 PM
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My advice: an older refurbished machine with no digital doo-dads makes me a lot happier than a brand new "throw-away" machine. It's like a vacuum cleaner, really.
So, a vintage (refurbished) Bernina, Pfaff or Viking would be my first stops. Personally, I love my Janome which has sewn through 12 layers of denim at a time with no issues (although I had a denim needle in it), and I feel has more features than one of the "big brands" at the same price since you don't pay as much for the name, while still having the quality of a private sewing store machine.
Good luck!
Robin
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Stitching & Crafting Room: How to choose a sewing machine? |
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How to choose a sewing machine?
