Sewing Sewing Machine Questions, Reviews, Recommendations, Opinions

Depends what you want to use the sewing machine for. Some people buy their machines geared towards embroidery work and those cost anywhere from $500 to several thousands ( for a home sewing types). Others like myself are happy with a machine that is reliable enough to perform simple sewing.

I have yet to see a 'compact' sewing machine that's worth the money they sell it for. Those are usually labeled by: 'as seen on tv'
What you want to aim for, is a machine that caters to your sewing needs.

I for one have a Singer Merritt (now Singer sells it under different 'label'). Comes with 22 different stitches, from straight stitch to variety of embroidery types. I've had the machine for about 12 years. Purchased it for about $199.The outside is not made by this newly cheap plastic, rather sturdier material.
Aside from occasional tune ups, it works great! Sews everything from chiffons to denims! Course you adapt different needles to sew the material you're using. It also has a built in buttonhole function.

For more professional sewing I also have an overlock machine to finish raw seam edges. This machine and my Merritt work interchangeably together, when am sewing. Most times I cannot sew without using them both.

Here's Singer Sewing machine link: http://www.singerco.com/products/
Check out what they got.

There's no escaping lugging around your sewing machine. That's just the way it is!

 

If you can go Bernina...new or used. Parts for all models are available and they have support groups too! Great service and support and they hold their value.

 

I will never own another sewing machine that is NOT a Janome (New Home). They are light enough to carry around (from the car to the house or class) without strain, and are powerful enough to sew through several layers of fabric and even leather! And yeah, my machine is a few years old, but it's never once given me a problem that wasn't 100% my own fault.

I have a Bernina serger, but I never use it anymore (well, I lost the foot pedal, but I've never felt the need to replace it) because I love my Janome so much (it has a stitch that is simmilar to the overlock stitch). I've had 2 Janome's so far (my brother broke the old one...) and my mom has one too. All of them have been and still are incredible machines.

Oh, they are also VERY reasonably priced. Check ebay for older (but still new) models and you will get a great deal (it's how my mom get hers - a ~700.00 machine for ~350.00!!!!)

 

all of the above mentioned brands are excellent as i just bought a new machine and did a lot of research on it. i had a singer for 30 years and the motor started going on it. i wound up buying a viking husquavarna only because it is sold inside joann fabrics and the women there know the machines inside and out and sell tons of parts and cool attachments for them . one of the reasons you don't want a light machine is that it will move around on you while you're sewing. mine is heavy and even has suction cup feet. i sew civil war corsets with many layers and steel bones and i need a strong machine. i paid about $400 for mine. i could have gotten a stronger one but they had a lot of embroidery functions that i would never use. you just need a variety of presser feet to do the small work required on doll clothes... also you have to follow one barbie pattern or some other doll clothes instructions once because doll clothes are not assembled in the same order as people clothing as you probably already know. i would buy a machine that is for sale close to where you live and has good service so you can have someone answer your questions. i almost got a janome but it was for sale at my local vacuum store and the guy was NOT a sewer and couldn't answer some of my questions about how the machine performs under certain conditions... that's another reason i bought a viking... because all the saleswomen were sewers...

good luck!

 

My main machine is a 1951 cast-iron Singer. I've owned it for more than 20 years, & it has given my good service throughout.
Forwards & backwards through anything.
Small throat plate hole so cloth does not get dragged down into the workings as easily.
However, it's 50 pounds or so.

So, I went looking for a similar Singer that I could lift & came across the Featherweight. It's of cast aluminum rather than iron, about 12 pounds, runs $4-500 dollars. Again, forwards & backwards through only most things, but I've built corsets on my Featherweight.

There are also reproduction machines being made, but a quick Google search did not turn them up; they are not being made by the modern Singer manufacturing company, which is a good thing--most recent Singers are not to my taste at all.

Try a sew & vac place that has old sewing machines in the back and a certain amount of dust held down by grease, run usually by an old guy who does the repairing on the small appliances, too. That's where I've had the best luck.

Ann in CT

 

I'm a little late to this party, but this subject is somewhat near to my heart, since I was looking at replacement machines for my current machine recently. I also wrote a long email to a friend of mine who was looking for a starter machine, but of course I can't find that essay now :-(.

There is no one best machine. There are machines that will do what you want and machines that won't, but first you have to decide what you want to do! The bare minimum requirements are straight stitch forward, backwards, and zig zag. That will cover about 97% of all sewing out there - you can make doll clothes, window curtains, human clothing, pillows, quilts, and cat beds with those stitches alone. Sure, there are other stitches and features that will make some things easier, but you don't NEED them.

Fortunately, all but the very, very, VERY cheapest machines can do all those things.

So how to choose? First, my advice is to run very far away from low end ($50) and very low end ($25) machines. Like most things, you get what you pay for, and with very few exceptions - exceptions I can count on one hand with fingers left over - everyone I know who has ever had one has HATED it. Once, when I was in the local Joann's, a gentleman was inquiring about the $50 machines they had, and if they'd be a good idea. The salesclerk replied that she was not permitted to say anything was bad, but they'd had 12 of them, sold 10, and had 10 returned. That was good enough for him, and me.

The low end of the machines that I'd consider start at around $100. Most of the major makers have an entry level machine at that price point, most are reasonably made, and most have dealer support. This is more important than most beginning sewers realize, since they're your first line for problem resolution if something goes wrong. They also offer classes on how to get the most out of your machine, how to sew, and they're usually included with the price of a machine.

Of course, you can spend more (lots more!) than that, and generally, the more you spend, the more you get in the way of stitches, feet, bells, and whistles. But they're not a good buy if you're not going to use them!

The other thing to consider with dealers is a used machine. For people who are upgrading their machines, they often offer a "trade in" for their old machines (just like a car dealer). These used machines are cleaned, adjusted, and then offered for sale at a reduced price. There are some real bargains to be had back there, and you can often bargain on the price, too.

When you're at the dealer, test the machine on fabric that you bring - stuff that you plan to sew with the machine. All the dealers have nice starched cotton that even the cheap machines will do nice work on. But if you're sewing on silk or denim, bring it along. If they dealer won't show how the machine handles it, find another dealer. This is YOUR machine and it needs to work on what YOU are going to sew.

The main reason I won't recommend any specific brand is that just because a brand name is on a machine DOES NOT mean that that company made the machine. Janome make Kenmore. I have a Singer that was made by Juki. So one machine in a company's line may be marvelous, and another may be crap in a hat. The internet is a great tool to do research on specific models.

Finally, when you're deciding on a machine, find one that feels right to you. I've test driven most of the major brands in the last two months, and there are two brands that I rejected because they just felt wrong and awkward to me. They didn't fit how I sew, the flow of work when I'm making a garment. It doesn't matter how good the machine is, if it's not a match for me, it's not good for me.

As for carrying machines - they're all heavy, some heavier than others. They have to be, to have enough power to be useful. If you plan to take your machine many places, they make wheeled cases for them now.

There's probably more, but that's probably more than anyone wanted to read :-).

Marcia.

 

Sears (Kenmore) machines are really good, easy to learn/use, and have affordable prices. =)

 

I would just like to further reinforce the Singer Featherweight.
I have worked almost exclusively with Singer Featherweights my entire life. My mother has three that she picked up over the years fairly cheaply (maybe around $60) at yardsales. I don't think you have much of a chance at being that lucky though! The featherweights are, as the name suggests, very lightweight but also very durable. The machines my mother has are pretty old but have very simple mechanics. With a little training I'm sure you'll be able to fix pretty much any problem yourself. The machines have a simple forwards and backwards stitch, and you can adjust tension and stitch size, etc. You can also change feet to make things like buttonholes. They are very sturdy with no computer or plastic parts.

I have also worked with a Bernina model. This one my father bought after my parents split up so us kids could sew at his house. The Bernina was fairly expensive even on sale but it is also a nice machine. It has a lot of different stitches and I think it is more complicated then the Singer. For instance, you press a button to reverse instead of flipping a lever. I don't think I would be able to fix the Bernina if it broke however so far I have had no problems with it.

Overall, I suppose the main thing you want to avoid is buying a modern cheap machine. I hear they aren't made like they're used to! I would reccomend either buying an old featherweight (they haven't been made new for a while) or a higher end modern machine. Maybe also try consumer reports.

Good luck!

 

husquavarna viking , VERY good for quilting and heavy duity sewing
White models, good strong machine, got a new one for my b-day.

some singers, grandma and mum have one, but theirs are older modles.

 

Bernina! Goddess of sewing machines.

Well thats what I call my bernina after I inherited her x.x;
I turn the machine on and it lights up like it should have an AI

Bernina's are incredible sewing machines ifyou can swing them... but they DO tend to be pricey, but I LOVE my bernina.

 

I have a Kenmore, which is to say that I have a Janome machine, as Kenmore sewing machines are made by Janome. I'm still learning to use mine, but it's pretty neat. It's got 27 stitches and a lo/high speed setting which I've found extremely handy. I say a Kenmore should do you just fine. Even if you get a wacky high-end machine, the output's only going to be as good as you are, you know? This is how I was logicked down to an electric machine instead of a computerized one. The stuff I make as a beginner is going to be beginner-grade stuff no matter how I choose to make it.

 

This can vary, as the Kenmore label can go on any machine--they aren't all Janome, depending on the year the machine was made.
Sears tends to get reasonable to good machines from the various manufaturers, but you can't count on which manufacturer it will be from.

re: another part of this thread
I never use zig-zag, though I now have a machine that will zig-zag.

My buttonholes are made by hand & so will my eyelet holes be (I'm working on some fifteenth century outfits that will be laced & handmade eyelets are the way to go).


Customer support is important in buying a new machine, and a shop that offers sewing lessons with the price of the sewing machine is a gem & should be supported.

Ann in CT

 

Personally, I like Singers and Berninas and Vikings. My favorite sewing machine is my Viking 4300, and it's probably older than me. Even though i have a newer bernina, the old viking from the 1970's is my favorite. If you're just starting out, you could consider a used machine. Many of them are simple to use and more sturdy. Just make sure that if you're buying a used one you test it first. Also, look for a sewing machine that feels heavy if you pick it up. This often means that it's inside components are made with metal instead of plastic.

~Erin

 

I own a Brother XL-5130 that I got at Walmart for about $125, and though it's not as serious as alot of the other sewing machines that have been mentioned, it does what it needs to do and I'm quite happy with it. I'm having some problems with my thread bunching, but I think that's only because I might have messed up the thread tension and now I don't know where I had it at before, so it's my own fault ops: .

For someone who's wanting to save some money which they may not have much of, definately check out what they have at Walmart. There were plenty of sewing machines that cost more then mine(and two that cost less), and though, I've seen my sewing machine at Walmart now for about $76, it still does well and I'm happy with it.

I expect alot of my doll clothing is going to be sewn by hand anyway.

 

something you might want to consider is how much you are going to use it. i have a "newer" kenmore machine (read as only about 30 years old) that has metal gears and a decent amount of bells and whistles, but it also needs more trips to the repair shop. i also have a pair of older machines (40-50 years old) that only do forward and back (no zigzag or anything like that), but they are a pair of work horses. :grin: one of them was given to me, the other was picked up at an auction for $1! the one from the auction is the type built into a table so it's not very mobile, but any repairs it has needed, i was able to do myself at home. my mother has a newer kenmore which is mostly plastic and has been to the repair shop more than all 3 of mine combined.

i guess my suggestion is that if you plan to do a lot of sewing, you're going to want a metal geared machine. they weigh a lot, but they were meant to take a beating. the new plastic contruction ones, in my opion, are made more for folk who sew some, but aren't on the machine that much. back before i was sick, i was using the metal machines 6-8 hours a day and they begged for more. :wink:

either way, you're going to want to get a needle plate that has just the pinhole opening (you can't use this plate for zig-zag etc). you can sew much finer hems (1/8 inch) without worrying about the fabric being shoved down the hole. i'm pretty sure i saw that someone else said the same thing, but it's worth repeating. :grin:

rebecca

 

I use my mom's Husqvarna, which has never broken down.
I find that Singer's tend to crap out a lot.
I don't think there really is a best type of sewing machine for doing doll clothes. It really depends how much you're willing to spend on a machine.
I believe my mom's Husqvarna cost about $3000 when it was new, and that was before I was born (over 15 years ago).
So... Yeah.

I've also seen some at JoAnn's for like, $6000 a peice, so unless you're incredibly -serious- about sewing doll clothes, I wouldn't spring for an expensive one.
Possibly go for one within the $100-300 range?

 

Well, there's Singers & there're Singers.

When we speak about 'old' Singers that are wonderful-wonderful-hearts-&-flowers, we tend to mean those Singer sewing machines made before c.1970.
My own sewing machines are:
1911 White treadle;
1940-something Featherweight needs work;
1951 Singer cast-iron ;
1963 Featherweight--more 's & I can lift it.
and mid-1960's Janome New Home--zig-zags.

They are also much better if you know how to clean out the machine, especially of lint, and oil it.

I tend to fall for sewing machines (blush)
Rather as I have been falling in love with dolls--probably a charecter flaw.
But I do have lovely machines & wonderful dolls.

Ann in CT

 

n/a

 

I've been researching Berninas for a few months in anticipation of my old girl giving up the ghost and am wondering if anyone on board has either the 730 or 830 models? And if you do, what do you think of it/them?

I've not met one in person to judge on my own...all the stores here in Indy seem to have "moved on" to computerized machines I have no interest in, even if they are Berninas.

(I'm loving all the comments on Singer Featherweights...I learned to sew on an old Featherweight many years ago, GREAT machine!)

 

I was wondering how many of you have a Bernina? If you do, how many of you have the one that has the programs for the embroidery? Do you have trouble with having to get it fixed much?

I have an "old" Bernina and I was wondering if I messed up giving it away for the more complex model....I love the saying, "Keep it simple stupid," and I wonder if that applied to sewing machines.

Any answers would be great....^^
--Pam

 

I have an old 840 that I will never give up. I have used the electronic models but nothing beats that dependable mechanical machine.

 

I hope someone could help me. Do you know of any good sewing machine that is not over $600+ but has a rolled hem stiched or you can only get a rolled hem stitch from a serger and if so, which serger is the best and easy to thread.

Thank you for any help.

Dee

 

In my experience it seems that sewing machines are one of those things that are "you get what you pay for" items. It's terrible, but the cheaper machines are just crappier. I've always used an Elna, having the incredible fortune of having a mother who is insane about buying expensive sewing machines. She gave me her old machine when she bought a new one, so I now have an incredible Elna Diva that must be the best sewing machine on the planet. To tell you the truth, I don't know if it does rolled hems. I don't know how much it's worth, either, but Elna is a great brand.

I've tried to use sergers and never liked them. They always seemed more trouble than they're worth, although some of them can do really beautiful edges on cloth.

 

I agree w/ you on a serger, it is very hard to use and threading it is difficult too. Or maybe cuz I have this cheap tiny serger. I really don't know the term but I'm looking for a machine that does the edge you find in the sheer evening dresses and sometimes if you use it in stretched fabric it causes the edges to roll up sort of like scallop edges. I found this picture that looks similar to what I want, please see pic of the edges of this dress. This is what I'm looking for, a machine that does these kind of edges, but let me adjust the width and length so that I can make it in doll size outfits because the regular serger I have does these big serge edges and I can't adjust to make it small.
http://ainai.com/eng/index.htm?menu=product_view&num=497

Thank you.
Dee

 

Pam, you don't have the 830, do you? That's the one I plan on purchasing in a few weeks...if I can find one, lol!

I prefer the older non-computerized machines, but I suppose it depends on what you want to do with it. If you like embroidery, the new machines are awful handy.

Here's that other thread: http://www.denofangels.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=5849 though I'm not sure if it'll help your specific Q or not.

 

I too am incredibly lucky and have the use of my mother's Bernina Activa 130, which is computerised. It's very easy to use though. I've not yet tried a lot of the options, but for basic sewing, it's great. I use an Elna Lock overlocker (erm, what you call a serger). It only does one 'size', but it's small enough to work fine for 60cm sized BJD. I use it for all my pants etc now, and love it - yeah, it's a bit hard to thread, but once you know where the threads have to go it's okay. It jams occasionally, but that was more to do witht he fact I was using thread it didn't really like.

 

Hi Genie,

My mother is giving up her machine. I have an old Singer that was made during the middle ages....I have one heck of a time getting feed dogs for it. And I have an older few frills Bernina mechanical machine, and was thinking of giving it up for my mother's machine.

I think I will probably not use the programs all that much, except to check them out....maybe. I just don't want to regret giving up one of my metal monsters.

Thanks for your help. ^^

 

Hi Loki,

Is your mother's machine a surger? Kind of sounds like it might be. I know alot of people love them. My neighbor swears by hers....but the threading looks more like the rigging of a Cutty Sark clipper ship. However, she makes some of the most wonderful things with it. ^^
--Pam

 

Penelope,

You are right about getting a good machine. I just wonder if, there comes a time that there is too much junk on it.
--Pam

 

Hi Anika,

I'm actually planning to sew again. I've just not had my heart in my sewing for a while. My mother is giving up her machine and I'm the one to get it. I'm just not sure if I would really be happy with all the extras. Maybe, I should insist my sister take it....
--Pam

 

I have a Bernina serger and it is relatively easy to thread, i think. It has a nice color coded chart on the actual machine that shows you how to do it, and i figured it out on my own with no problem. I forget the model number...its a mid priced one, nothing too fancy.

My main problem with it is the tension :p I cannot get the tension right on that machine for the life of me! Argh. Oh my kingdom for an air-jet threaded, automatic tension Babylock! If anyone has any tips for this, or any books to recommend, i would be most grateful ops:

But i can't wait to buy a new Bernina sewing machine I have an old singer now, which is twice as old as me but is still a big old olive green work horse! That baby will sew through anything. Unfortunately, it pretty much does a straight stich and nothing else. I'll never get rid of it...but i'm looking forward to doing buttonholes some day hehe

 

As far as I know, sergers do not give you the *rolled baby hem* you're looking for. It's achieved on the sewing machine by ways of using an actual presser foot you snap on, in place of your regular presser foot.

Depending on the brand you have, you can contact your dealership for a *rolled hem presser foot*. OR you can try this:
http://www.nancysnotions.com/Nancys...921D64B38AABB222FCF8F9B13&Gift=False&GiftId=&
I would call them up and see if they have the presser foot you're looking for, if not contact the maker of your sewing machine.

NOTE There is no substitute for overlock (serger) machines for the finishes they achieve, as I've found in my sewing experience. Yes! they can be a nuissance to thread, but here's what I do:

Thread it as you would normally do.
To replace color thread, clip the thread/s at the cones and thread guide hangers. Remove the cones. TIE the new thread color to the exsisting thread/s that is running through the machine with baby ties.

HOLD the chain with left hand and SLOWLY run the machine.
Most likely the 2 threads running through your *single stitch needles* will break at the *baby ties/knots*, those are easily threaded again.

By doing this, you do not have to thread your entire machine every time you use it, you leave the *old* thread running through the machine, to act as a guide to the new color.

 

I just bought a new Janome My Lock 634D serger a couple of weeks ago and it's giving me fits. It's supposed to be easy to thread, but you practically have to stand on your head to do it! I can't get the tension right and it goes so fast when you push on the pedal, it's unbeliveable! It makes it hard to sew small things like doll clothes. It does the rolled hemming supposedly, but I can't get it to work right. I wish that I had just saved my money and bought a nicer sewing machine...like a Bernina or a Baby-lock. Maybe it's not the machine...maybe it's the operator, but I really regret buying it.


Az

 

I just brought home a new Bernina computerized machine that does embroirdery. it's incredible. although expensive, it's lke buying a Honda or Toyota, it has a high resale value if you ever want to upgrade or you lose your passion for sewing.

this machine is waaaay over my head, but I wanted something to grow into. I was using an older, non computerized Elna which did everything very well. I highly recommend them for basic work.

Viking, Pfaff and Bernina are good brands, and when they bring out new machines, you can pick up the older version used or for a lot less.

I think a good dealer is important. someone who offers free classes and has a technician on site.

I love the computer part of my new machine. computer geek/couturiere heaven! :wink:

 

I don't use the 1/4" allowance that seems prevalent for making doll clothes. I use 3/8 and 1/2 seam alowances. Much easier to handle for me. I trim off excess with scissors or finish it off with my overlock machine.

Az allow yourself time to get accustomed to your machine and practice practice
Always have your machine's owner's manual close by and refer to it when needed.

I took a look at your machine online, and seems to have a variety of additional presser feet to use! Looks like a good machine to have. Don't despair yet! Practice practice with scrap fabrics or muslin if you got that.

 

I do what Ebin does, use a different seam allowance than the standard of doll clothes.

My mother's Brother sewing machine is a bit of a pain but is overall fine. But, I do advise to look out for sewing machines that don't have a very good speed control foot pedal and that doesn't pause until you manually use the know. It's annoying but I god used to it.

Really the only way to get good and used to your sewing machine is to actually use it (try it on some scrap fabric and such). I'm still getting used to my mom's but it doesn't bother me before like it once has.

 

Some things are better with LESS computerization.

I have two dinosaur machines, one a 1960 New Home (AKA Kenmore) and one a 1964 Singer.

Neither does anything fancy. Zig zag and buttonholes being their most innovative features. Both these machines are absolute workhorses. Nothing ever goes wrong with them, and I have learned to do anything and everything on them, including rolled hems.

I love the i"idea" of all the stuff newer computerized machines do, but in the long haul I will probably never get one. Simplicity for me, really is best here.

 

Thanks for the encouragement...I'll keep trying. I have a bad habit of thinking that I can do anything on the very first try but I know I should work at it...I thought about taking a class on using a serger, but the local sewing place only offers classes if you bought your machine from them and I didn't! So...I'll hang in there and see what I can do with it...

Az

 

At work we have 830's and then a couple of the electronic models (can't remember the model numbers) They are all seriously abused by students and they just bounce back after all the crap the kids do to them.

I would love to have a computerized embroidery machine as an additional tool, but not if I had to give up my older machine.

 

I don't have to give up any of my machines, but....I feel so piggy with all of them... ops:

But, you're right!
Thanks...

 

I'm sure hanging on to my Elna. the embroidery part of the new machine just does its thing, totally hands off. so, I can be sewing a bodice while the other machine is embroidering fabric for the skirt. now, that's what I call the perfect machine. if only it would vacuum!

 

I never thought of that....you can just walk away from it and it does it's thing. Now I don't feel so bad...I mean it's practical...and I can work on another one. :grin:

 

My little machines, or rather, my mothers:


On our left is the Bernina, my ususal sewer, and on the right, the Elna overlocker. Oriscany, 'overlocker' is what we call sergers here. Or from what I've gathered, anyway. ops:

The first few times threading were horrid, but now it's pretty easy. Once you know where you're going, it's not to bad. Make sure you've got the right sized thread. To thin, and it's difficult to get the tension, and it tangles easy. ^_~

 

I love my old Viking from the 1970's. (sewing machine is older than me. ) I have a a newer model that was made in about 1999 or 2000 but i hardly ever use it. the old one is just so easy to use and fix if there's a problem.

~Erin

 

Loki,

What nice machines you have to work on. ^^

Your Overlocker/surger is almost exactly like the one my neighbor has. I look at the "masts", where the thread goes on, and I think wow...can I remember how do that?

Do you like the surger better than a regular machine? I mean if you had to pick a machine to work on, which do you like the best? (I'd like to see the surger do a button hole.) ^0^

I think you said you use the surger for pants for your guys....
--Pam

 

A serger can only do the 1 task, sew over the edge like the seams in a T-shirt. It cannot do anything else. W/ a regular machine you can do all stitching and if you want to finish the edges so the seams do not ravel, just zig-zag over the raw edge. The serger is faster at thatedge finnishing and on narrow seams the serger can be used to join the seams so you do not need to stitch the seam first on the regular machine.

 

I receive a Brother CS-80 for Christmas and I'd like to know if anyone who has this one if it is really good or not? My brother bought it for me from Costco, so if you have this machine could you please let me know how good it is or is it really worth it? I didn't imagine he would buy me this expensive machine so if it's not worth it, please let me know so I can tell him to return it and get his money back.

Thank you.
Dee-

 

Check the discussion at this link. Sounds like an OK machine for the price if you are not a serious seamstress

http://www.sewingworld.com/cgi-bin/bbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=21&t=000377

 

I have a Bernina Industrial, which I love. I still need to get my Elna serger fixed, the timing is off. Funny that the cheap Singer serger still works! I sew professionally, so I need the industrial machine.

I've heard them called sergers and overlocks, but never overlockers...

 

I have had my Bernina 1130 for 12 years (bought it on the day my nephew was born!!) and will have it forever. The newer models are very nice but they seem to be more plastic-made and I like the enamelled steel of the older models.

I've seen the embroidery machines and they are wonderful, just not something I would use.

I've used the Bernina serger (took a class once) and loved it and it was only about $500 then.

A lot depends on the dealer you buy from--what classes they offer, service in the shop, repairs locally or send-out, etc.

--Cheri Bernina Addict

 

I still have my 807 Bernina.. I received it as a gift from my mum when I was 12 years old... I am now 44. It has sewn and sewn and sewn.. it is an incredible machine. So much so that when I had the opportunity to purchase another of them second hand for a few hundred dollars (same price as they were NEW and about 15 years later).. I jumped at it. I was teaching classes then and another machine was handy for my students - so they didnt have to lug their own with them.
It has sewn everythng from the finest fabric sheers to leather and fur fabric.. and I dont mean occassionally.. i mean for things like 10-14 hours a day.. day after day after day.. and its still going strong.
2 years ago I purchased a brand new Bernina Artista.. I do really like it...VERY much.. BUT my old thing cannot be beaten for plain sewing.. you dont adjust tension.. its auto.. the stitch is perfect.. I have spent NO money on repairs - and have always serviced it myself after being shown how by a Bernina technician. Bernina back in those days had a 30 year warranty on the engine.. that HAS to tell you something! So basically my old thing isnt THAT far out of warranty.. even though its 32 years old.

Persoanlly I cannot talk more highly of the Bernina "experience" i have had.. but others may have experienced different things. I wouldnt buy another brand EVER.

 

I still have my 807 Bernina.. I received it as a gift from my mum when I was 12 years old... I am now 44. It has sewn and sewn and sewn.. it is an incredible machine. So much so that when I had the opportunity to purchase another of them second hand for a few hundred dollars (same price as they were NEW and about 15 years later).. I jumped at it. I was teaching classes then and another machine was handy for my students - so they didnt have to lug their own with them.
It has sewn everythng from the finest fabric sheers to leather and fur fabric.. and I dont mean occassionally.. i mean for things like 10-14 hours a day.. day after day after day.. and its still going strong.
2 years ago I purchased a brand new Bernina Artista.. I do really like it...VERY much.. BUT my old thing cannot be beaten for plain sewing.. you dont adjust tension.. its auto.. the stitch is perfect.. I have spent NO money on repairs - and have always serviced it myself after being shown how by a Bernina technician. Bernina back in those days had a 30 year warranty on the engine.. that HAS to tell you something! So basically my old thing isnt THAT far out of warranty.. even though its 32 years old.

Persoanlly I cannot talk more highly of the Bernina "experience" i have had.. but others may have experienced different things. I wouldnt buy another brand EVER.


I have a Baby Lock Evolve over locker.. its a sort of auto thread thing.. with air...I barely ever use it. Its very nice and all.... and was very expensive... I wanted it for the "cover" stitch

I dont over lock any seams on doll clothing - ever... I either use a french seam or I fully line the garment - so an overlocker for doll clothing is a waste of time for me.

 

I have a White. its a new one that my mom got me, its a little heavy but it has a handle and it great for moving around. its a realy nice machine, easy to thread too. i think it runs about $175?

 

I had a nice Kenmore that was really my mom's and used it for oodles and oodles of cosplay projects. We'd had it for just under about 20 years and it finally started to just get a little weird on me after not being used for a year while I was abroad. I came back and it went, "I don't like you anymore!" Not sure why. o__o ... but I got a new Kenmore and it's working fabulous. Old one still works but it can gripe at certain fabrics (pvc! ack!) now and screw up the seams if it's being testy. Based on this good track record, I'd recommend the brand. The one we just got was about $170 at Sears.

 

It's the "after not being used for a year"--I'm wondering if it's because the oil has evaporated, as sewing maching oil does.
Bet it would be happier, though still 20 years old, if it was cleaned of any & all lint, and oiled up a treat.

Ann in CT
main sewing machine from 1951, secondary from 1963
fancy sewing stitiches = None

 

hi^_^

I want to start making clothes for my doll, so I really want to buy a sewing machine. But I don't know which type of sewing machine is betterT__T..

I've been browsing through ebay, and this one caught my eye:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Brother-Sewing-...itemZ8209343084QQcategoryZ28165QQcmdZViewItem
or maybe this one:
http://cgi.ebay.ca/Simplicity-SW210...ryZ28166QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

What exactly is stich functions or built in stiches? I don't know if it's good enough, or if it has too many uneccessary functions. I know almost nothing about sewing machines. Would normal machines be able to sew leather or demin fabric?

Any suggestions will be very very appreciated

thanx

 

Generally with sewing machines you get what you pay for.

I have a Kenmore denim quality sewing machine that I got because I need to do heavy duty for corsetry. Generally if you're going to be sewing leather or denim look for denim quality on the information. Home machines can sew leather up to a certain thickness (which I dunno off the top of my head)

If you have a sewing machine shop within driving distance (Jo-Ann and most quilting shops frequently sell them) what a lot of people suggest is going and bringing scraps of the types of fabric you plan to sew and testing the sewing machine there in the store.

I know that I've had bad luck with the current Singers and Brothers, a friend killed her Brother after only a couple months of moderate to heavy use, and I have a Singer that's about a year old that acts up quite a bit and makes Very Unhappy Sounds when I try to sew through 4 layers of light cotton broadcloth.

I also saw someone with a Denim Pro machine at an anime con that looked like a neat little machine and seemed to be working very well.

Generally I've found that the only stitches I use are straight, and zig-zag for stretch, most machines will do those no problem. So unless you know specifically that you'll need the fancy stitches, don't worry with paying extra for them.

 

New singers are generally unreliable, they aren't made the way they were 20 or 30 years ago. (No, i wasnt around then, but i learned to sew on a machine that was). I had an inexpensive brother that i used for about 3 years, it was very cheap, a wal mart machine. I didn't pick it out, it was a present. It was inconsistant, the tension was iffy, and it didn't sew as smoothly as i would have liked. Like a previous poster says: you get what you pay for. Expect to pay around 200-300 for a quality basic machine. I would find a sewing machine shop in your area that will let you try out the machines they sell. They will occasionally have really good sales. Usually they are "sew-vac" shops, that sell sewing machines and vacuum cleaners (they also offer classes and repair both). Brands i recommend trying out (from my experience) are Bernina (tends to be very expensive), Janome (decent pricing) and Pfaff. I currently have a Pfaff, and it sews so smoothly, i love it. Mine is computerized, therefore more expensive, but i was also impressed with the sewing of comparable Pfaff manual machines.