Sewing Machines - a different sort of egghead.
 

Tose of you that have seen my Singer sewing machine know that it is 30 years old, pretty basic and in need of a good tune up. Out of curiosity, I started looking at new machines. After getting beyond the sticker shock, I immediately got confused about options. So, I thought I'd pick the brains of the sewing=knowledgeable on this board.

First of all, brands. I have a Singer. My Mom had a Singer, my ancient black portable is a Singer - I know of no other brands. Janome keeps coming up as a good choice, but I have never heard f them. Then, there's always the Kenmores or the Brothers of the world. Any brand loyalty among all of you?


Secondly, I am a pretty basic sewer and I doubt that I will ever do much beyond decor and basic clothing. I would like options, and an opportunity to grow and learn, but I don't need bells and whistles. I am liking the ease and precision of a computerized machine but they seem to have a lot more features and I might not need that. Also, price becomes prohibitive after a certain point.

Any recommendations? What would you buy if you had, oh, say $300 to spend on a new machine? Is that price way below the mark? Am I out of my mind?

Get the tuneup. I got my wife a sewing machine tuneup for her birthday a few years ago on a machine older than yours. It was about $80 or so. (Yes, she asked for it.) As the Car Talk guys say, never buy new if you can fix.

If you buy a fancy new machine, you'll probably end up spending more on classes to learn how to use it right.

If your budget is 300, do not buy a new machine. New machines in that price range are made with plastic innards that won't stand up the way the older machines with their metal workings do. Many people who do serious sewing comb second hand stores for machines like yours. And it's pretty easy to fry the electronic brain of computerized machines, as I know from experience.

Go get the tune-up.

If your budget is $300 get the tune up

Find the local Singer shop.

I'm using my mom's old Singer (she bought it in 1970, and she replaced it with some fancy pricey electronic thing a while ago). The only thing I can't do is buttonholes--the options are all there, but they're not working properly. I suppose I should find the local Singer shop, too, eh?

Add another vote for the tune up here....best money you'll ever spend towards a sewing machine.

Yup, another vote for the tune up. Could never afford my Mom's Ulna (Elna?) machine, 150 saved it from the dumpster and my sister now has it, 35 years later

Elna. That's what my mom got. Once she's got the settings right, she pushes one button and the buttonholes just take care of themselves. It's magic, I tell you.

my mom has some fancy electronic thing. I think it has a modem. Very fancy and cost more than my computer. But she can push a button and button holes are made and she can push another button and it will embroider super complicated patterns.,

Susan likes her new machine that she got a Costco for about $200. And she does a LOT of sewing.

Mrs. DPR has a Bernina that she is very happy with, but I think it was slightly more than the $300 budget.

Sorry to chime in so late (the move and all). Heather's advice on the subject:

A well-made new machine will cost more than your new computer. It's true that the less expensive models today are mostly made of plastic, have cheap wiring and aren't made to last. If you have one of the older Singers, chances are it wasn't made in China and it's absolutely worth getting the "tune-up". I still have my great-grandmother's Singer and it still works (yes, I also have a Husqvarna - but those are major commitments price-wise).

This reminds me that when I relocate next, I should try to get my grandmother's old machine from my parents' attic. It weighs a ton. It's ancient. There are no special stitches. It doesn't even do reverse. It's probably indestructible.

Lisa,
I've seen your machine, and I have seen what you sew.

Your machine is a workhorse, no question.

I have brand loyalty to Bernina, but I know that singers, esp the old metal ones, are worth their weight in gold.
Kevy, what did Susan get at costco? I havent looked there recently.

If someone will give your old singer a good cleaning, oiling, and make all the parts shiny cool.. go for it.
It does what you need it to do.
You dont need all the fancy bells and whistles, and if you do, you have myself, Gus Gus, Morri, and DP (and anyone I forgot) to bring our machines over in a bind.

You love that machine, and it loves you.

I got one at Costco a couple of years ago - think it's a singer. Honestly I learned on my Mom's basic black Singer and I would have rather had that. Basic forwards and backwards is what I use the most. Maddy was all into learning to sew so I figured I could use all my 4H skills for something finally.

My mom also has a Husqvarna that she got somewhere in the mid 70's I think that does some fancier stitches.

Swanie got one of the more upscale models (a Brother I think) but since she's never really sewn before it was quite a learning curve to even do basic things on it.

I'd at least get an estimate on what it would be to get the old one cleaned/fixed before doing anything about a new one.

Singers are durable and they get the job done. As a kid, I learned on my mom's which she had gotten as a teen in the 1930's. I got my own Singer at age 14 which I kept until two or three years ago - yep, that's decades of heavy use!

Now I have the biggest, baddest Swede on the block - the Husqvarna Viking. If you add a 0 to the price above, you kinda have it. I waited many years for this bad boy. It's like driving a Rolls Royce (not that I ever have but you get the jist).

Ooooh, get the old one serviced first. My buddy Mimi has her grandmother's old one. She serviced it and had the powercord replaced. She loves it. I have a newer cheapy one that gives me bobbin trouble all the time. I had to have my 1990s Singer serviced when I snapped the needle sewing through too much fabric. It works, but not very well. I have had two Singers in the past 15 years. They don't make them like they used to.

As a person who is constantly making costumes I say it depends entirely on the exact model of your Singer whether to pump any $ into it or not. Some Singers were great, others not so. I think $100 for a simple new machine is going to be perfectly adequate for your stated needs. So spending $80 to fix an oldie that may need constant care just makes no sense to me (unless it's one of those awesome REALLY old Singers). And don't spend $300 for the amount of sewing that you say you do. There have been good machines mentioned, but they seem like overkill for what you say you want to do.

Of course spend away if you see one that you just take a shine to...:snap:

I should have known. How very sad. This is like the one I learned on and this is very close to the Singer Futura I had for years and years and years.

I'm so out of it.

That first one looks like the one my mom had, and I learned on, too! Thing was great! I really miss it...

Oooh. Look. A thread about sewing. Who knew? :)

If anyone's interested.

Thanks for posting the pics 3894. Boy, modern era sewing machines may be miraculous wonders, but they sure are not nearly as swanky looking at the old (heavy as hell) machines.

Growing up, our next door neighbor had a machine with a treadle, loved that thing. I'm all thumbs, and flopped in sewing class. Think the Rachel character in The Trouble With Angels, that was me in home economics.

I just realized that I have a 1950's Black Featherweight portable Singer in my garage (similar to this). So, I CAN sew until my "modern" Singer gets fixed.

This is VERY similar to my machine. It's a Touch and Sew" from the late 60's or early 70's.

This is just so perfect, Not Afraid! That machine can probably sew circles around a lot of the new (imported) Singers - and look damn swanky doing it, too. It has really made my day, picturing you with that vintage machine. :snap:

I actually learned to sew on the ancient one. Now, if I can just remember how to thread it and wind the bobbin......

It's like riding a bike, right?

The featherweight is what I learned on as well. Hmm wonder where my mother has it stashed?

oh, and no doubt if we looked we could find the manual.
Assuming you dont have it.

I should go out to the garage and find it - but I'd have to put on pants. :eek:

Bah on the old fangled garages that are detached!!! Bah I say!

Hey NA! I found you a new sewing machine!

I thought that was Ally's (being as it is pink!)

Ally can have one, too. It's only 29.99 at Target.com.

I learned on an old treadle machine, I think it belonged to my grandmother.

I have a Montgomery Ward machine in my closet with an impossibly tangled bobbin. It's been that way for years and I never liked it enough to bother to fix it. But I'm coming across more situations where I'd like to be able to sew. My thought was to get something inexpensive...that is, until I started reading this thread.

You didn't read the tag on that machine, did you, Matterhorn Fan? It's the one that starts out Pursuant to state and federal statutes... and goes on for a paragraph, then ends Said sewing machine may only be used to make pink fun fur throw pillows. Any other use is a violation of state and federal law.

Oh no! Anything but Fun Fur!

How come everyone uses "Fun Fur" ? Doesn't anyone use "Woe Fur" anymore ?

I prefer no fur: a Brazilian

I'm resurrecting this ancient thread for 2 reasons.

1. My machine is starting to falter
2. CostCo has a decent deal on a machine
3. I can't afford the machine of my dreams

So, this is what I'm considering:

For a whopping $119 - Brother Computerized
77-Stitch Function
Sewing Machine

Accessories: Zipper Insertion, Darning, Twin-needle Stitching
and Button Sewing

.................................................. ...............................

Or for $169
Brother Computerized
110-Stitch Function
Sewing Machine

Includes: Hard Case and
Quilting Accessories

.................................................. ...........................................

For $399
I can splurge and get this one, but I think I'd rather get serious at this price.
Brother® LB-6770THRD Computerized Sewing and Embroidery Machine

Bonus: 12-pc Thread Pack
Includes: 4" x 4" Embroidery Frame, Needles, Tools
& Bobbin Clips





Thoughts?

Its too bad I don't know anyone who knows about sewing machines ;)


She's at a sewing class as I write this, but I will tell her to log in and throw in her two cents.

I'm not terribly familiar with Brother machines. But unless you embroider, I'd nix the 3rd one.

For my $$, I'd look at this (I do a moderate amount of sewing):


Kenmore 15343.

This is the modern version of the machine I've had for about 25 years. Nothing fancy. Nothing "electronic". A basic, user friendly, low maintenence machine. And right now, you can get $5 off making it $84.99!



I'd love to know which Husqvarna Viking Helen has. Whichever one it is, I envy it...they make awesomely cool sewing machines.

I've realized that there are three very important words when describing a new sewing machine: Built-in Needle Threader

We have a Singer Rocketeer, and a Bernina. Mrs. DPR really likes the Bernina, it costs a little more, but the quality really shows.

Husqvarna! That's what my mother had! I remember that strange name.

They made (make?) motorcycles too!

:p

No, seriously. I remember them from watching motocross races in the 70's. Apparently, they are still doing making them.

I have a Bernina. I like it, but it's a little finicky at times.

I have the $169 machine from Costco, and I love it!

My last Brother machine from there held up for 10 years until it fell 6 feet to a hard floor. :rolleyes: I sewed everything from denim and heavy canvas to chiffon and silk.

But, yeah... the new machine runs fantastic, and it comes with a load of extra feet, like a rolled hem foot (which is a godsend), and the accessories alone are worth more than the cost of the whole package. (Some of the feet sell for $30 each.) It also includes a detachable platform which helps when sewing larger projects.

My only gripe - the "hard case" is more like a hard cover. It has no bottom, but it does help to protect the machine.

I think either door #2 or door #3 there, NA

Oooooh. I see they have my serger for $199. That's a good price, and it's an awesome serger too.

I have a portable that belonged to my grandma. My mom still uses her Singer, it has to be at least 40 years old.

I haven't used a sewing machine since 4th grade, when I was in 4-H and taking home-ec.

I did a TON of research the other day about machines and, after looking at prices, features, my own needs etc., I decided to get the mid-range Brother (the same was Teresa has). I couldn't find one bad review of it and most said it was really a great machine with LOTS of features. While a fancy smancy machine would be nice, I just can't justify buying one with my lack-of-skill level. I think (or hope) the machine I chose will be a good choice. It should arrive in a few days.

Probably a good call, NA

So I decided to look up my machine (partly so I can locate a manual).

Sweet, Singer offers free downloadable pdf of the manual. So much for the jerk who is burning it on CD and selling it on ebay.

Most companies offer this for their machines. Not just sewing machines: I have done this for our office fax machine and for our phone system.

I can't fault the gou who sells them on eBay. He found a service that people are willing to pay for. If people aren't smart enough to figure that they can just DL it themselves, why shouldn't he take advantage of people's laziness. Smart guy!

But nevertheless, glad *I* don't have to pay for it.

Except that the companies involved might take exception to this guy selling copies of their copyrighted material without permission....

Coolness!!

If you need any help getting familiar with it, lemme know. :)

And, I'm betting yours will be personalized with a photo of Thurston as soon as you unpack it. ;)

Well... there is that.

Thanks!

My machine now is so basic that I am going to actually read the manual. I never read manuals.

My machine is on the UPS truck and will be here today! I'm excited! Too bad I'm crazy busy until Sunday.

I bet someone's got a trip to M&L coming up, LOL.

It's here! I got home just as The Brown arrived. Sadly, I have to go back to work in about 10 minutes, so no playtime for me. :( <My fat quarter is sad.


hehe. I made a quilting joke.

Susan is busy that day.

For anybody thinking of getting themselves a "starter" machine, Target has a Singer (#2250) on sale for $65 on page 26 of their Black Friday ad.