Sewing Machine Recs?

Smallllmin

I'm pretty good at sewing things by hand, and as a SAHM, lately I have a lot of extra time to devote to crafting. I have been sewing a lot lately, and I was thinking about trying to make some diaper covers. I think I'm ready to buy a sewing machine. I have a little experience using my mother's really old machine, so I'm not completely clueless of how to use them. That being said, I don't really know what kind of sewing machine to look for.

Anyone out there have a (fairly easy to use) sewing machine that they love and would recommend?
TIA!

Brandiewine11

If you have a local sewing machine shop I would start there. I got an awesome used machine at ours. It is a Viking. I love it. But I wouldn't be able to afford it new.

nanabanana06

For a beginner machine get a Brother. You can pick up a few nice cheap ones on Amazon. You only really need a couple stitches and maybe a butthole. I started on cheap machines and now have a moderate computerized Singer that I love. If I ever start sewing big time again I'm going to invest in a nicer brand like Viking of Pfaff, but I'm not forking out the cash for something I use 5 times a year. :P Goodluck!

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Into+the+Kitty

mamalamb10 said:

For a beginner machine get a Brother. You can pick up a few nice cheap ones on Amazon. You only really need a couple stitches and maybe a butthole. I started on cheap machines and now have a moderate computerized Singer that I love. If I ever start sewing big time again I'm going to invest in a nicer brand like Viking of Pfaff, but I'm not forking out the cash for something I use 5 times a year. :P Goodluck!

I've never had a machine that would sew a butthole!

You just haven't tried hard enough.

Smallllmin

theultimatesak said:

...and as a SAHM, lately I have a lot of extra time to devote to crafting.

This statement is baffling to me.

Baby naps, mom crafts

unaveragejane

Into+the+Kitty said:

mamalamb10 said:

nanabanana06 said:

For a beginner machine get a Brother. You can pick up a few nice cheap ones on Amazon. You only really need a couple stitches and maybe a butthole. I started on cheap machines and now have a moderate computerized Singer that I love. If I ever start sewing big time again I'm going to invest in a nicer brand like Viking of Pfaff, but I'm not forking out the cash for something I use 5 times a year. :P Goodluck!

I've never had a machine that would sew a butthole!

You just haven't tried hard enough.

This reminds me of an anecdote on the Graham Norton show when Sharon Osborne talked about having her hoohah tightened.

unaveragejane

Oh, but yeah, sewing machines... I bought my Brother at a local place, and I love it. They offered a free sewing class with the purchase, and if I ever upgrade, they will let me trade in my old machine for a newer model.

One feature that my mom's machine has and mine lacks is a removable tray. I'm not sure what it's called exactly, but she can slide this tray/plate thing off the bottom (next to the feed dogs) so that the base is smaller. It comes in handy when you're sewing a smallish tube, like sleeves or bloomer leg casings. It's not a deal breaker to not have it, though.

scaggsed

Love my brother - got it on sale last winter at Costco. Somewhat computerized, drop in bobbin (always hated the cages), multiple buttonhole settings, speed controls, large snap-on tray, super easy to use.

freezorburn

I had a meh experience with a Brother that I bought from Costco some years ago. Couldn't get the thread tension properly adjusted for my project. But, it's also possible that I may have been out of my depth trying to sew a weatherproof cover for my bike.

I'm really happy with the Janome Sewist 521 that I bought this year. Does all the basics and has a few extras, so I have some room to grow/play. I just made a wool cover last month using the overedge stitch. It's probably not as good as having a serger, which I don't have space or budget for, but it serves just fine for my purposes. I'm actually very pleased with it.

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AggieMom0809

I suggest a brother too as a beginner machine. They are pretty easy to pick up on. The Singers used to be amazing machines decades ago, but the new ones SUCK!!! They don't hold up like the old ones do. Most machines now days can do automatic button holes. I suggest looking at what feet come with the machine. You want at least an open toe foot and preferably a narrow/rolled hem, free motion, and maybe a non-slip foot. The others may be useful down the line, but not necessary for a beginner. 

unaveragejane

Just FYI, you can order specialty feet for your machine if it doesn't come with what you want. I had only ever used the regular zig-zag foot, zipper foot, and button-hole foot with mine until last summer when I bought a walking foot to do some quilting.

freezorburn

Also, if there's a specialty sewing machine store in your area, it's worth going in there just to talk to them, and see what you can learn. They might even have some refurbished machines available, if they are the type of store that services machines and/or does repairs on-site. I'm so glad I bought from a specialty store this time around. I feel like I was able to choose the right machine for my skill level and budget, and when I was having trouble threading my bobbin, I was able to go into the store and practice on their floor model, and they could show me what it was that I was doing wrong.

redrockmama

I just noticed that amazon has a bunch of sewing machines on lightening deals and thought I'd share.

AggieMom0809

unaveragejane said:

Just FYI, you can order specialty feet for your machine if it doesn't come with what you want. I had only ever used the regular zig-zag foot, zipper foot, and button-hole foot with mine until last summer when I bought a walking foot to do some quilting.

Yes, but they can be $20 each and up

kwitt22

In the sewing machine at JoAnn's there are often people who are extremely knowledgeable. There is a lady at ours who works for Viking at Joann's and will help you out on projects or to pick out a machine. She also teaches all the classes there. It doesn't hurt to try there too. I have a Singer that I absolutely love. I am a total beginner and its very easy to use. 

Rrrrrachel

There was a great deal on the heavy duty singer earlier on Amazon. It's a great basic machine. I'm a fan of basic for sewing machines unless you really need fancy. They were 95 but even regular price is only like 125 which is pretty good.

Smallllmin

Thanks so much for all the recommendations! My mom found this inexpensive Brother model on a Lightning deal on Amazon. I'm sure it's not the best machine, but it seems to get good reviews, and you all seem to like the Brother machines for the most part.
I really appreciate all the input!

freezorburn

Also, lots of machine reviews here: https://sewing.patternreview.com/cgi-bin/allreviews.pl?tf=m

freezorburn

@piccyami‌ Nah, you can just jump in to the discussion threads. We're not all formal about intros here. But if you want to, by all means...

Smallllmin

piccyami said:

***Lurking, again****

@Smallllmin - It seems to be a simpler version of mine.  You'll love it as long as you're doing fairly simple projects.  Easy to use and clean. You'll need practice if working with knits.

I may need to actually intro here.

No worries, we're all friends here.
Thanks for the info, it sounds like it'll be right up my alley.

I'm definitely going to need practice, whatever I'm doing. I haven't touched a machine in five years or so. My hope is that I'll eventually be able to attempt to make a PUL cover.

Nvywife

I too am in love with my kenmore. It was a wedding present from my mother who is a professional quilter(she has higher standards than me when sewing is involved). I have sewn just about everything on that machine and it never let's me down. Has way more stitches and features than I ever see myself needing but I guess they are there if I need them. I think it was probably a $400 machine back then. Something I definitely couldn't afford. If I had to purchase my own machine it would probably be a cheaper machine. Or second hand. I hope you find a machine. I love being able to pull mine out whenever I want, rather than borrowing.

freezorburn

piccyami said:

@freezorburn & @smallllmin Thanks!  I've been hanging out in TTGP lately, but since my nephew got here, I've been lurking here A LOT.  I've learned so much from you ladies and I guess I should start participating here, even though we don't have kids and I'm not pregnant yet.

Welcome! You should keep an eye out for the Preggie Pact threads. Have fun TTC!

PB&J714

piccyami said:

@freezorburn & @smallllmin Thanks!  I've been hanging out in TTGP lately, but since my nephew got here, I've been lurking here A LOT.  I've learned so much from you ladies and I guess I should start participating here, even though we don't have kids and I'm not pregnant yet.

Samesies! This board is super knowledgeable and they've never cared when I jump into threads here and there. But be warned...the urge to buy all the diapers is real, even just while TTC.