Sewing machines?

Posted: Mon, Oct 05 2009, 12:34 pm Post subject: sewing machines?

Reading all those threads about the sewing projects mamesh makes me want my own sewing machines! Does anyone have recommendations for an "entry-level" sewing machines/tips for what kind of features etc?

Since I don't have much space, I need something compact. I probably won't need anything too heavy-duty, most of all mending clothes/hemming etc rather than too many plotske projects.

Posted: Mon, Oct 05 2009, 12:37 pm Post subject: re: sewing machines?

if you're looking for something compact but good quality, don't bother getting one. the mini sewing machines are seriously junk. rather than look for an entry level sewing machine, decide what your price range is. once we have that, we can help you better.

Posted: Mon, Oct 05 2009, 12:46 pm Post subject: re: sewing machines?

can probably afford �200/$300 max.

Gold Member Joined: Mar 14 2006 Posts: 1879

Years ago, my father got inspired that one of my sisters liked sewing, and bought a sewing machine from Argos, I think for about �80.
No, none of us ever sewed our own clothes, but the machine has more than paid for itself. Even taking up a pair of trousers cost at least �10, hemming costs �8-10, sewing up a slit, buying cloth and edging it yourself to make a pashmina, making little cases for matza from pillow cases...we have more than made our money back from the machine. It's simple, but does the necessities, including zigzag stitch, different tightness of stitches, button holes, etc.

Posted: Mon, Oct 05 2009, 8:35 pm Post subject: re: sewing machines?

so the question is what do you really plan to sew. a good beginner machine can cost you less than $100. as a teen I had a nice singer machine, but it broke after many years of use, and at some point I was no longer able to fix it. fast forward a few years, my husband bought me a brother machine for about $80. it's not as nice as the singer in that the thread tension takes an expert to adjust. I'm getting used to it. now that I've figured out the thread tension, I really like my machine. I recently made upholstery cushions for some wooden benches that are built in to my wall (I'll post those on the sewing projects thread) and the machine was great. it really does everything a more expensive non-professional machine would do. buttonholes, etc. and it's not that big. I have an old singer sewing machine table I keep it in, so it's usually out of sight. (don't buy one of those tables unless you get a singer. the bolts are configured for singer sewing machines, so unless you just plan to store the machine there, it's not a good purchase.)

with any machine, make sure you have the patience to learn how to use it. every machine has its ups and downs. whatever you do, don't lose the instruction manual. I have fixed my old singer so many times just based on the diagrams.

I'm pretty sure this is the one I have:

http://www.amazon.com/Brother-.....amp;sr=1-3