What kind of sewing machine?

Re: What kind of sewing machine?

• mrr15

  August 2011

  I would start out with a cheaper machine from Wal-Mart or Sears and learn on that.  Singer and Kenmore make good machines that start around $100 that will get you through the projects you have in mind.  If you are wanting to sew everyday and bigger projects, a more expensive machine would be a good investment.  I would start out small and work your way up. 

  Try garage sales and cl.  After I moved up to my Bernina, I ended up giving my Kenmore away to a friend for free.  Love recycling. 

  

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• littleanomaly member

  August 2011

  Since you don't want to make anything really hard core, I agree with the pp about a cheaper machine. Mine is a Brother from Walmart and it's held up through my cursing at it for the last 5 years. I make pants, pillows, curtains, small bags but it's good enough that my mom could quilt on it if she wanted. I think it was ~150. I won't need a new machine for a long time.

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• bmstee03 member

  August 2011

  Ditto the garage sales and cl. I found a vintage 1950's Dressmaker sewing machine (solid steel) with the handbook, extra light bulb, bobbins, needles, and button foot at a garage sale. It still works and just needed a little cleaning up. I paid $5.

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• lostaspen

  August 2011

  I grew up sewing with my mom too and love it still!  When I was 12 or so she bought a basic Janome and 15 years later that's what I used to make my first quilt (and several other quilts and sewing projects on).  I finally decided to buy my own and got a nicer, larger Janome.  Still love it.  The simpler machine was easy to use and when I had issues I could figure it out on my own.  Also they known as very hard working, reliable machines.  If you're able to get a machine from a local dealer and get "free" classes on it, I highly recommend it!

  

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• milwjean

  August 2011

  lostaspen:

  I grew up sewing with my mom too and love it still!  When I was 12 or so she bought a basic Janome and 15 years later that's what I used to make my first quilt (and several other quilts and sewing projects on).  I finally decided to buy my own and got a nicer, larger Janome.  Still love it.  The simpler machine was easy to use and when I had issues I could figure it out on my own.  Also they known as very hard working, reliable machines.  If you're able to get a machine from a local dealer and get "free" classes on it, I highly recommend it!

   

  I second the idea of really looking around.  By me--ones at Target, JoAnn's were about $100.  I got mine at a specialty sewing store for about $150--but lasts much much longer, and included a tune-up and free classes. It's a bernina and I love it. And I feel so much more comfortable after the classes.  

  FYI--Don't know if there is a Hancock Fabrics by you, or if their classes are the same everywhere.  After I took the one "intro" class at the specialty store, I took a 4 week sewing class at Hancock for $40.  We got to pick our own pattern, fabric, etc. and I learned a lot.  I liked it much better than the generic ones at JoAnns.  
  

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