Sewing Sewing Machine Questions, Reviews, Recommendations, Opinions

i was looking to get a new machine and saw a Janome Magnolia for $109/ free shipping. is this a good brand? i havent heard of it before... also what is your sewing machine?

 

I have a Janome I got for about the same price. I like mine. It doesn't do all the fancy stitches or anything, but it works well and I think it's a good machine to start on.

I'm not sure which Janome mine is, but it's a small, simple one.

 

If you are thinking of sewing for your dolls, make sure you can get the 1/4" foot for this machine. The other thing that is important is to see whether you can take narrow seams without the feed dogs eating the fabric. Janome has a decent reputation. It depends on how much fine sewing you are going to do. Are you buying it locally where you can get it serviced? What model number are you looking at? If you know the model and could give a brief description of the type of sewing you think you'll do with it, I can probably give you better advice. Just make sure - whatever the price - that it is a machine you enjoy using.

 

thanks for answering it is a Janome Magnolia 7312 Sewing Machine that they have on sale on sewingmachinesplus.com. there are a few sewing machines for sale locally but they are brother and singer and lately i havent heard too good a thing about those two machines. right now i need something simple to make doll clothing and some mending for the kids clothes. i think since i am just starting out i wont be able to do anything fancy and stuff till i am comfortable with sewing, etc. when it comes to all the bells and whistles i am just lost. i usually just sew by hand but its getting difficult to do that now with my carpel tunnel.

 

Then I think it'd be fine for you. I don't do super-fancy stuff with mine, but I can still sew clothes and do basic things. I say go for it n.n

 

I have a Janome Magnolia (but mines the 7318) that I got about a year ago and I love it! I don't know how my model compares to the one you are looking at, but I think you're better off with a Janome than a Singer, etc. of the same price. I used and loved older Singers for many years, but from everything I hear, the brand is just crap now.

 

I have a singer, a brother, and a janome. They are all good brands. My janome was my starter machine and I have done about 20 adult costumes with it. So yeah, Janome is a good brand.

 

if you want in depth help or advice with sewing machines they have lots of great info over on crasfter. .. bah i sound like a spammer saying that O.o heh i don't know enough myself to give solid advice though.

 

I have also had all three brands, I don't much care for Brother at all, and as for Singer I agree their older machines are much better than the current stuff they sell now. My grandmother has an antique Singer that she's had since the 50s and works wonders. That's actually the machine I learned to sew on so I'm slightly biased towards it. I currently have a Janome Memory Craft 9700 and have worked on many other Janomes in the past, I find they are good machines that last for a good chunk of time. If it is a 2nd hand machine I suggest making sure nothing is wrong with it otherwise you may be out of the money you just spent.

 

My mom has really old Singer sewing machine (the one with foot pedal) for almost like 8~10 years.
It is still in very good condition. My mom still can sew torn pants with it last month.
About the Singer with lastest version, I have no idea about its quality ....^^;

 

Hi! I have a question for all you lovely people with sewing machines. What kind of sewing machine do you use? Do you use those large sewing machines, or the smaller, compact ones? The make and model, and even a picture would help! Price range would be good too. I'm curious to see what everyone uses, it'll help me gauge what I should look for as well.

I'm in the market for a sewing machine. I'm looking at those smaller ones, the ones meant for travel and portability. They're cheaper, and I don't have much space to spare, so something that can store and be brought out easily is super great. Are those things worth the money, or will I be really annoyed with them? All I want to do is make doll clothes.

What other things should I look for when checking out potential sewing machines? The ability to do this and that, or would the basic things do?

Any input would be much appreciated.

PS. If there are similar threads that I overlooked, please close this and redirect me!

 

My sewing machine is the "Simplicity Heavy Duty Performer". Sounds more like a sex toy or a power tool, but I digress xD

I have actually never bought a sewing machine, this one is my grandmothers but she doesnt really use it anymore so its pretty much mine now. Since sewing machines do almost the same thing, you really pay for what you get. Cheaper sewing machines arent going to be as powerful or have as many types of stitches and that sort of thing, while the super expensive ones can pretty much paint your portrait on fabric lol

Do you have a picture or link of the type of sewing machine you're talking about because sometimes its hard to judge by size, since good things come in small packages.

Whatever you do though, dont buy one of those "handy stitch" handheld sewing things. Either it was completely fail or I was doing something very wrong xD

 

There are a lot of threads on this already ^^; http://www.denofangels.com/forums/search.php?searchid=1321920
This one sounds like what you're asking: http://www.denofangels.com/forums/showthread.php?232720-What-kind-of-Sewing-Machine-do-you-use

 

Oh, thank you! I had a feeling I missed out on something.

 

Do any of you use those smaller sewing machines, the ones that are meant for portability and travel purposes? I'm looking at a sewing machine like that for myself, since it's cheaper and takes up a lot less space. I don't have space to spare, so being able to hide it away easily when it's not needed is a great advantage. :

I don't wanna buy a dud, but I don't want to spend all that much. Any input as to what I should look for would help greatly.

I saw one called the JML Easy Stitch Max. Something like that. It's an electric sewing machine. Anyone know anything or have that? I'm looking for reviews too, but I'd like to hear what you think.

Oh, and I don't think I'll be using any thick material like denim or anything. Usually cotton, or thin materials like satin or chiffon.

 

Before you even THINK about spending money on one of those "compact" models, you should read this:

http://www.denofangels.com/forums/showthread.php?373531-30-AS-SEEN-ON-TV-sewing-machine-VS-Garage-Find&highlight=Garage+Find

The only exception I have seen to my findings in this thread is that the Hello Kitty! machine from Janome seems to be a very nice and reliable compact machine.

MY favorite is a split between my off-brand 1950s Garage Find (free) and the completely reconditioned and refurbished early 1960s Singer I bought from a sewing machine repair man on ebay.

 

Informative post, thanks! Yep, I definitely don't need a fancy machine. I'll just be making doll clothes for my girls. That's why I'm not all keen on spending a small fortune for something I'm not sure how often I'll use, you know? Kinda in the market of a "for dummies" machine, just to see if I can do the basics with it.

And, well, size is a selling point for me, which is why I considered the compact models in the first place. But there.

 

i have a singer i dont know what modle it is but i LOVE this brand!!!! fallenfae says it all XD

 

I also have a singer portable machine. Can't remember the model though. :S Looking into getting an industrial machine for more heavy duty work (like working on thicker denim and such)

 

I have 3 Husqvarnas - a SE (embroidery and sewing), a Platinum 775, and a Huskstar 215. I also have my mom's old Kenmore and a White Serger.

My 215 will go through several layers of denim - as well my 2 computerized machines, but they make me a little nervous.

 

Well, I've always been a hand seamstress but I recently received a sewing machine from my mom. It's a Singer 5932 and has this weird problem with the thread bunches up where the bobbin is. It's as old as me, but really simple. It's getting fixed and should be back in one week.

 

I recently got a Janome Sewist 500 and I love it

 

I use an Elna I got in the '80's and when I need parts I get them on Ebay!

 

I have a Brother NV 600. I love it. is reliable. is intended to perform the most complex work on quilting. so is my great hobby!

 

I just got a Singer Pixie from Big lots for $30 as a quick fix because my hefty machine is broke.
AND ITS PURPLE! XD I'll have to get used to it...

 

I have a smartek mini sewing machine, 50$. Runs on electric AC/adapter or on AA batteries. It works perfectly fine for basic sewing, however, I don't have a backstitch function, so I usually lift up the foot and turn the cloth around, then sew that way. Manual backstitch, if you will. There's no variation of stitches available to me, but I don't really need fancy stuff. It's by no means a beast or awesome machine, but it gets the simplest jobs done much faster than I can sew by hand. I wouldn't recomment slippery fabrics, but that's with all machines, really.

Hope that helps!

 

Behold my super old Dressmaker - my mom bought it for $40. It's almost whisper quiet- weighs 50lbs though. x_x

 

I have a Janome Memory Craft 9700 that I got for a graduation present 4 years ago. I've had other machines in the past and I love this one. I think the only one I like more is the 1930s Singer my grandmother has.

 

I have a Huskystar 240 and just got a straight stitch plate for it - since it was made with some of the same parts of some Janomes it's easy to figure out what accessories to get once you've figured out which Janome or Kenmore models it corresponds with. Otherwise functionality wise, it can be temperamental with its tension at times but overall it's a solid machine.

 

I have a Brother Innovis-50 (Sewing) and a Bernina 700D (Overlock) and I love both!
But if I have to buy a new sewingmachine I think I will look for an industrial machine with table... We have them in school and I love them!

Levi

 

I have a Husqvarna Designer (sewing-embroidery) machine which i bought pre owned from a training room and i love it!!
So much better than my old Brother mahine. Makes sewing much more fun takes alot of the swearing out of my sewing projects

Kate

 

Don't. Seriously, DO NO buy any of these except, maybe, the Hello Kitty from Janome. The rest are pieces of crap that will only make you frustrated and profoundly unhappy that you wasted your money. There is a REASON all these pieces of junk are on ebay.

 

Oops~ Wrong post is wrong!

 

I agree, I've had the ones that you can get brand new for under $100 but they generally don't last very long and you can find yourself spending $1000 on sewing machines over 10 years or you could save and either by a more expensive one or even find one that may have been expensive brand new, but is now second hand that will last you a few more years. My grandmother's machine from the 1930s was "the top of the line", she bought it second hand in the lat 50's and she's been using it ever since. She said she has to have it "tuned" up like a car every so often but she's had it for 60 years and it shows no sign of going out anytime soon.

 

I've got a Janome DC2007. The only thing I need now is a straight stitch plate.

 

I have a really old brother machine but it's very reliable, haven't broke it yet! (like I did the last one...)

 

I have two. My nice one, a Kenmore 42... and then I have this little midget thing called a Sew Sew XD It's basically a toy XD

 

I have a Singer CG-500 (named Endymion). Its motor is supposed to be 60% stronger than your average home sewing machine, which is great for me because outside of dolly-land I make corsets and other things that require many, many layers, but apparently some of the parts are still plastic, not metal like "real" commercial-grade machines. Whatev, it only had its first hiccup this year, after 5+ years of loyal service : D

I also have a White brand machine, don't remember the exact model (Serenity, lol I'm a dork). It was super-super cheap, but the timing is off & I'm not paying $95 to fix it since it only cost me $150 to begin with, but it was my first so I really don't want to sell it. Its just a nice, shiny hunk of useless nostalgia now.

 

I have a Janome which is very good, it has a lot of speciality feet too so you can do pin tucks, beading, ruffles etc

 

I have a Janome 7318 Magnolia. http://www.google.com/products/cata...SSDp2oigSnovyLDA&sa=title&ved=0CAcQ8wIwADgA#p

I love it.

 

I have an older sewing machine (like 20 years old). The type is a Brother (but I'm not sure which number). Anyway you can't find it anymore in stores. But I'm always told that Brother produces one of the better sewing machines on the market (I live in Belgium so I'm not quite sure you can get it out of europe), but you also pay for it. I like my sewing machine very much and it sews pretty good! It's not a compact model but to give you some good advice, compact model's mostly aren't as good as the bigger one's -> you have exceptions!

 

My sewing machine is a fancy Bernina complete with an embroidery module. Probably way more than what you're looking for. I love my machine, but it's on the pricey side and I got it as a gift from my mother in law. I quilt and make Victorian clothes so it makes sense for me to have a fancy machine. One thing you might want to consider is going to a shop that sells different types of machines, like a quilting store or a fabric store. They can tell you all about the machines and often you can try the machine out.

 

I have to say something.. I know everyone says that they don't need fancy machines, and I don't really either. But two things that I really want after trying to sew tiny tiny things, one is tear-away stabilizer. That's the cheapest option for helping your machine sew small stuff, but also a straight stitch needle plate. The hole on the needle plate it tiny, making it harder for the machine to drag your fabric down. That has happened with me so many times, not because my machine is bad or anything, but sewing sometimes thin fabric and those tiny armholes and such, it can be a challenge.

Also, investing in a more expensive machine gives you the option of decorative seams, and trust me, that will be missed when you get better at sewing

My machine is husqvarna viking emerald 116, it's old but it does the trick.

 

I just bought a Janome Sew Mini back in July and have used it several times on different thicknesses of fabric. I initially purchased it to travel with me and take to shows to finish up last minute projects and to take to classes as well. But now I find myself using it even more than that because its so portable that it's easy to pull it out and do a quick task then stash it. Here's the full review on my Blog in case you're interested:

http://http://qdpatooties.blogspot.com/2010/07/so-what-it-like-to-test-drive-gnome.html

 

I have 2 singers ,one from the early 60's(521),the other at the early 70's (futura II) and also a Babylock serger .I try to sew mostly with my serger and do the finishing with the regular sewing machine

 

I bought a Husqvarna Sapphire 875 Quilt a year ago. It was quite expensive, and I was actually looking at a lesser model, but then there was a big sale and I could get the top-of-the-line model for less than the price of the machine I was actually eyeing. I'd used a basic Pfaff machine that just did straight and zig-zag, plus some stretch stitches, for over twenty years of sewing fancy doll clothes - until the machine died. I'd always dreamed of owning a fancy machine that had all the fancy decorative stitches, so when my Pfaff died and I came into a small inheritance, and was diagnosed with macular degeneration, I realized it was "now or never" so took the plunge. It took me awhile to get used to the new machine's idiosyncrasies; some things were great (like the 'needle-down' feature), other things were downright annoying, and after a whole year I have yet to use one decorative stitch. But to be quite honest, I didn't really start sewing doll clothes again in earnest until about two months ago, and I'm sure I'll be glad I have all those decorative stitches eventually.

 

I have an oooold Kenmore 10 machine, it was my grandmothers. :P It works well,though. ^^

 

Mine's a Toyota. No seriously my sewing machine is a Toyota. I'm not sure of the model number (I'll look it up when I get home) but it's a bigun =D I got it second hand for £70 it's my bargin! It's a good one as it's nice and simple to use (complete newbie on sewing machines if I'm honest, I'm teaching myself as I go along.) I was origonally drawn to the compact machines but the nice man in the shop explained that they're fine and dandy but do tend to break down more frequently than the bigger machines (not saying they always do but that's what he said) and had I thought of getting one of the bigger machines, I said noooo too expensive and he pulled out the one I bought and said actually this one's £40 cheaper ^-^

 

I have a midrange (about $450) Kenmore that was made by Janome.

 

I use about 30 years old sewing machine, don't remember the company or model. But it doesn't work when I'm trying to use it >___<. (I'll have to ask my mom to do my doll clothes, I guess...)

 

I have a Singer 503. It's built like a tank and has a nice hum.
I also have access to my mum's (professional costumier) stuff, she has a 501, 503, Janome coverstitch, a Brother serger, a Sailright, and some other serging machine. Not sure of the models on those, but they're all pretty neat for different things.
I have to say I favor the old singers, they run nicely and can take some punishment.
They can be easy to find on places like craigslist. My 503 was only $50 and it came with the original cabinet table & stool as well as different foots and stitch discs.

 

you are sooo right. A tear away stabilizer is great. Sometimes you can even get away with using a plain piece of paper.

 

I have a Brother(I use it to wind bobbins because I rammed so much cloth through it, the shaft is bent), my grandmother's old machine (1960s), some other brand, and my new heavy-duty/commercial machine will be here in about a week. The majority of stitching, even for human clothes is straight stitches. Any machine will work as long as its balanced. The cheaper/budget machines will fall over after a few stitches. They are best for little girls learning to sew.

 

I have a Singer 99k from the 1950s, its the electric model though, not the hand-crank one thank god. XD

I wish I has something better though, because while it can do a straight stitch pretty well (though it is finicky) it can sorta back stitch and thats about it. If I wanna do any other kind of stitch I have to do it by hand and buttons in particular just kill me. I also don't have any specialized feet (like for zippers for instance, or buttons) so.... its that much harder to do these things.

Over all though it works like a dream. Like others have said above, old singers are really robust, you just gotta make sure to get the right attachments (-_-) and give it some tlc when you use it (like oil it once in a while and things like that).

 

I have a portable Singer for about 10 years, love it!!!

 

I collect sewing machines and have never heard of a Toyota brand one. I'm going to have to go look that one up!

 

I use a Brother CE-5000PRW (which sounds like a lot but it's a pretty ordinary machine.) I got it refurbished off ebay for $100, and it was worth every penny if you ask me. It's been super easy to learn on from only the most rudimentary skill level (I'd used a cheap plastic mini one that was absolute rubbish before- and that was about it...)

 

I have a big sewing machine is brand Remington
--------------
yo tengo una maquina de cocer grande es marca Remington

 

There's a Viking Sewing Center in my city, and they sell refurbished machines. I got a Husqvarna Husky 165. Sews like a dream through five layers of denim (provided I put in a sturdy needle... erm...) and still handles the delicate stuff.