Purchasing a Sewing Machine « Junk Revolution Community - Rescue / Reuse / Reimagine / Inspire

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Topic: Purchasing a Sewing Machine

(34 posts)

Started 3 years ago by The Farmers Wife
Latest reply from copperhead

The Farmers Wife
Member

Does anyone have any thoughts/opinions about a good sewing machine to buy?

I currently have a Singer that does not work the best. At school in my classroom we have Vikings and I do like them.

I mostly sew for crafts -- handbags from vintage fabrics, quilt pillows, etc. I mend my husbands jeans, and sometimes make clothes for my niece. No MAJOR stuff - like quilting or embroidery, BUT I do like the option of decorative stitches.

I have looked on ebay -- anyone ever buy a sewing machine on ebay? I am an ebay junkie and have always had really good luck with everything that I bought, but this would be a pretty big purchase...so it makes me a little nervous.

ANY help would be appreciated!

Posted 3 years ago #
huggybear38
Member

I would check Criagslist for one sometimes husbands buy wife a sewing machine and she does not even know how to sew and does not want to ...but he thinks if she has a sewing machine she will so.. wrong.. so sometimes they have them on Craigs list.. Singer I think is a good one.. Pfaff is also a good one.. I have singer and Brother If you are going to buy one a new one make sure it has decorative stitches you can use them a lot for crafts etc. I would make sure it has a self threading needle.. too.. light weight and a carry case.. would be nice to get a surger if you are going to do a lot of crafts but that is a whole nother story.. so check out craigs list.. I got my surger of craigs list for $75.00 lady got it from her mil and she did not know how or what to learn how to use it.. also I got my brother from an auction for $100.00 and it does pretty good.. my older one is a Singer and it still runs good.. not as many decorative stitches on it.. if you see one on craigslist ask for pics and also make and model and how old then look it up on google and see what they are asking for them new.
just some thoughts..
Huggy

Posted 3 years ago #
Leveta
Member

When I did have one(two)I didn't know how to sew, but I did patch DH'S jeans and hemed things(crooked). I had a Singer and a brother...

Posted 3 years ago #
gigi
Member

i paid about $90 new/on sale for my brother...lol
(that sounds funny, huh?? lol..most sisters are trying to sell not buy them!!)

anyhow...i am not a sewer, don't follow patterns, do all freehand, know just the minmal amount there is to get it functioning. it's economical and held up great!

ooops, i actually found it at walmart!!

Posted 3 years ago #
redneckChic
Member

Okay - I have a singer commercial machine that I bought off of ebay...and oh, I hate it!!! It is TOTALLY plastic and dances all over the place, even with cotton fabric running through it! My suggestion, steer clear of a Singer CG590!

I run between two 1950/60 somethin' Montgomery Ward machines and wouldn't trade EITHER of them for the WORLD! I love them! And I don't even know what kind they are because Montgomery Ward had whoever was the most affordable making their name brand machines!!!

Okay, I'm off my sewing box. HA!

My suggestion to you is buy used...an older machine (SEW much easier to fix!!!)and as much steel in it as possible!!! New machines (as I found in a costly mistake!) are really pretty useless for everyday sewing and NOISY because of the plastic!

Really, I'm off my sewing box for real now. heehee

Keep us updated on what you find!!!

Posted 3 years ago #
Marge
Member

Huggy, you made me laugh out loud when you said, "I got my brother at an auction for $100." The first thing I thought of was that I got my brother from the stork. At least that's what I thought when I was little.

I have a Viking that is about 25 years old and I still love it like I did on day one. I has never been repaired. I love that I can slow it down and sew through really thick stuff like seams on denim jeans when I make purses put of them. It was the first model Viking that was programmable and it cost a fortune. I promised my husband all kinds of things I can't disclose <blush> if he would buy me that machine. Let's just say he was a verrry happy man for a lonnnng time.

Posted 3 years ago #
huggybear38
Member

I have never had a Viking but I have heard good things about them.. but you see I did not have to promise anyone anything for my brother..LOL

Posted 3 years ago #
VanessaKae
Member

Bernina's are also good machines. Mine is probably 30 years old and still going strong. They can be pricey (even the old ones), but if you find a good deal on one I would recommend you snatch it up.

Posted 3 years ago #
primstop
Member

I love my Bernina. Mine is 20 years old and still going strong.
Laurie :)

Posted 3 years ago #
Leveta
Member

A close friend of ours that can sew anything has a Bernina and loves it...

Posted 3 years ago #
cowpalace
Member

I bought a new machine last year. Wanted a Bernina, but the price scared me to death, so I bought a Baby Lock. (sp?) It's okay, but I was disappointed that it doesn't do everything the Bernina does...and the salesman told me it would. I didn't buy the high end Baby Lock...bought the mid-range. It was still like buying a car!!!

Posted 3 years ago #
jillruth
Member

I have a huskvarna (not spelled right and I don't want to run downstairs to look!) LOVE it. My thoughts are decorative stitches are a tease. I really don't know anyone whoever really uses them. I agree that an old machine can do a great job for you. My thing that I like to do the best is free motion embroidery. Actually I like to do it the most--I'm not the best AT ALL. If you can lower the feed dogs(dawgs?) then you can do that with a free motion attachment. Just a thought about a feature you might want to look at.

Posted 3 years ago #
Maggie
Member

You're right Jillruth, about the embroidery. I have one of those expensive machines & I seldom ever use the emb.! Just had to have it! It's a Janome & I like it, but I'm partial to Singer machines.

Posted 3 years ago #
huggybear38
Member
My Brother sewing machine has the decorative stitches and I use them when I make a receiving blanket from fleece.. I use the cutting wheel with a decorative blade in it.. like a curve or wave blace and then I use a decorative stitch all around the edge of the blanket about 1" up from the cut edge.. it make a just plain simple receiving blanket look extra nice.. and you can use contrasting colors and you can use several different stitches on the same blanket.. So I do enjoy my decortative stitching.. other than that I do not use most of the other stuff. Here is one of the little blankets without the stitching but with the wavy blade used for cutting the blanket.. I thought I had one of the pictures on this computer, but since I am at work I don't but thought I would show you the cutting blade and little blanket anyway..
Attachments
1. rsz_wavypercent20pinkedpercent20jpg.jpg (6 KB, 2 downloads) 3 years old
Posted 3 years ago #
The Farmers Wife
Member

THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!! I know what all of you mean about the old machines! My mom had one for 30 years and then got a new one and she likes it, but it is not the same! They just don't make things like they used to!

Now, I just have to decide....and maybe do some more research! AND, maybe talk my husband into getting it for me for my birthday and Christmas....

I will keep you posted!!

Posted 3 years ago #
gigi
Member

a thought just popped into my head and i can't quit laughing to myself.

i had my machine out one night, simply hemming up new pants for girls. was finagling around with them and when ready, started sliding them on and all of a sudden it took off on its own going a hundred miles an hour just missing my finger

about then i look under the table at the foot pedal to find my 16 pound tweenie-weenie sitting on it!!!!! lolol ;} guess he thought he was helping his mommy out?? lol

Posted 3 years ago #
huggybear38
Member

Gigi, that is so funny, I know when I sew my german shepard is under the table right next to me.. until I start the machine and once it starts running he takes off upstairs to hide. I have sewn many a finger.... one time I was sewing potatoe baker bags trying to get them done for a craft show.. when all of a sudden something snaged in my machine.. and swish.. under the needle my finger went with a loud clunk... and my son was in the living room and heard the noise and jumped up and came running said Mom that did not sould good what happened.. and when he saw the needle broken off in my finger.. he almost past out.. I hurt , but looked a lot worse then it was.. finger was sure sore for a while.. but the worse part was replacing the needle and getting things done..LOL

Posted 3 years ago #
The Farmers Wife
Member

I have had two female student put the sewing machine need ALL THE WAY THROUGH their pointer fingers!!!! Needless to say, I about passed out!!! The one girl did not evne realize what had happened and just pulled her finger away from the machine, breaking the needl off in her finger!!!!!!!!!!!

I have been an FCS (home ec) teacher for ten years -- no fires in the kitchen, but 2 injuries in the sewing room!!!!!!!

Posted 3 years ago #
Blossom Lane
Member

Gold vintage, young Farmer, go vintage!

I was curious as to Robelyn (Redneck's) opinion. She uses her machine on very heavy fabrics...like the couch she tore the upholstery off for her purse-fashioning. hee hee

I (sorry Red) have a very old (30+), very heavy, and very wonderful high-end Singer with electronic panel. It was a thousand dollar machine in its day. I bought it 16 years ago for $100. In sixteen years of owning it, I have only had it repaired twice...the chord NOT the machine!

Many sewing machine repair stores carries older machines. A good repairman can do wonders with old machines.

Quick, funny story. Last Christmas, I kept procrastinating with my faulty chord repair...needed rewired. So, my MIL bought me a new machine.

It was very thoughtful of her, but to be totally honest, she has never sewn. It was not only a low-end Brother brand--it had already been "reconditioned" and was purchased at....BIG LOTS.

It was one of those moments when all eyes are upon you to gauge your reaction. I tried so hard to appear pleased. Not sure how I came across. (It is still in its box in my closet.) This year, MIL says she is giving all of us money. Yucky, phooey, and bah humbug! I guess I'll never win an Oscar!

Go old.

Posted 3 years ago #
huggybear38
Member

Blossom I know what you mean about an older sewing machine.. my older one is a singer and I bought it in 1987 at a sewing machine repair and sales place for $50.00... I used that for ever and still do.. but got in the mood to have some fancy stiches so I bidded on the Brother I now have on an online auction and it cost me $100.00 it is a good machine.. just not the same as my old one.. seems parts on it are made a little cheaper not as tough.. now my surger is a Singer and it fine.. but I have to have the needle put back in and I can not do it.. so It needs to go to the repaire shop anyway and get a good cleaning and a tune up.. oil changed , etc.. oops sorry that is my Explorer that needs the oil changed.. I just need the surger oiled good.. but I have found that the older machines are made better and will last longer.. but now days things are not made to really last.. not like years ago.. before plastic. etc. I used my singer to make all kinds of crafts and the first year I had it .. It paid for itself over and over.. and the brother machine also has paid for its self over and over.. I used my older one to make my time out dolls and they surely paid for it over and over. But you know Blossom I gave my grandson's mother a new Singer sewing machine for Xmas one year.. she did not sew but had mentioned that she would like to learn.. I do not think that machine has ever been out of the box. what a shame, she has not made any effort to learn how to use it. I told grandson to tell her to sell the darn thing and let someone get some use out of it.. not sure if she ever did.. did not bring up the subject again..

Posted 3 years ago #
jillruth
Member

Huggy I've never seen a cutting blade on a machine except a surger and then I've never seen a curve cut. That's neat. That was on your sewing machine right?

Posted 3 years ago #
huggybear38
Member

jillruth.. no this is a cutting blade you use for cutting on a mat when doing quilts etc.. you see them in Hancocks, JoAnn's etc.. I use them for cutting the fringe for Fleece Tie Blankets. and for just cutting things that I want to have a neat fancy edge.. they are great for useing when you cut out strips to make a rag Fleece squares blanket.. they have the pinking, curved, wave and a few other edges.. you just buy the one cutting blade and then if you wnat a different edge you can just buy extra edge and remove one for the other.. the different edges come in their own little plastic case to keep them from getting chipped or lost.. I use mine with the regular edge to cut out my potatoe baker bags.. it makes for quick and fast cutting when you are going to make a lot of one thing..

Posted 3 years ago #
gigi
Member

huggy, i would like to see pics of your potato baker bags....can't say i've ever seen any? (hmm...or maybe i have and didn't know it, huh?!) :)

Posted 3 years ago #
huggybear38
Member
Here is a picture of the potatoe baker bag.. you wash your potatoe dry it and wrap in a paper towel (DO NOT PIERCE IT) and put in the baker bag and put in micro wave.. makes the best baked potatoe you ever had.. sweet potatoe too, and bagels, biscuits.. etc. does not dry out the items.. and the potaoes are fluffy and moist.
Attachments
1. rsz_1potato_bag.jpg (1.3 KB, 11 downloads) 3 years old
Posted 3 years ago #
huggybear38
Member

Jill they are rotery cutters.. and you use different blades in them.. I knew it was called something other than cutting blade but my mind went blank.. hummm.. could be age.. naww.... !!!!

Posted 3 years ago #
huggybear38
Member

I am going to try and post pic of the baby receiving blankets that I make using 1 yard of fleece and you can make three blankets.. I use the rotery cutting blade. with the curve edge.. and decorative stitch from my sewing machine.

Posted 3 years ago #
jillruth
Member

Huggy, now I know what you are talking about! I use a rotary cutter all the time but had never seen the curve blades. Thanks for the info!

Posted 3 years ago #
mcnaughton
Member

I like my Bernina. I got the entry level model (still expensive) and it is very solid. I buy many things on Ebay. Sellers count on earning high feedback so very few sellers would think of swindling you because you have the ability to give them poor feedback which will affect their future sales. I'd check Ebay, but do it by checking a geographical radius you would be willing to travel for free pick-up. That way you don't have to pay shipping. You can set Ebay preferences to let you know when certain items are listed. They you are notified by e-mail. I also know that many of the old machines are wonderful. Since they don't sell all that well at garage sales, you can see one at a sale, write down the model number and go home and research online. Good luck!

Posted 3 years ago #
redneckChic
Member

Huggy - that's a great potato bag!!!! My Mom has one and I keep trying to lift it out of her kitchen, but she catches me each and every time! AUGH!

Jill - I use the zig-zag/pinking shear blade on silks and other fabrics that love to fray...it's so much easier than the trusty ole pinking shears!!! You HAVE to play with the different blades - it's SEW much fun! heeeeeehahahahaha

Here's the FUNNY thing I have to share on this post...I picked up a third Montgomery Ward machine this past week-end for $3.00 at a garage sale!!! It works LIKE A CHARM! I'm still hopping around with a huge grin on my face!!! Talk about sewing through cowhide, leather and thick thick fabrics...it gets the job done every time!!!

Posted 3 years ago #
jillruth
Member

I'll end up buying a Montgomery Ward machine now if I see one cheap just because I hear it's a good one and I don't NEED another sewing machine! Just how I roll though. I'll blame you then Robelyn for my clutter. LOL

Posted 3 years ago #
redneckChic
Member

LOL I'll take the blame Jill - without complaint!!! Heck, for that matter I'll help contribute to your clutter conglomeration! I'm telling you...you need a monkey ward machine! My newest one is in the most gosh-awful shade of...i think it's green, but it sure looks like the stuff found in baby diapers! LOLOL

Posted 3 years ago #
Maggie
Member

ROFLMBO @ Redneck!!

Posted 3 years ago #
jillruth
Member

Robelyn, I know that color!! (six kids!)

Posted 3 years ago #
copperhead
Member

AH! I love the vintage machines! My favorite is a Singer 403. I found a Singer 401 in the trash last summer. It was rusty and covered with dog dodo. EW And it didn't rotate at all. I could see it might be a fairly good machine so I went on line and found info how to revive the thing. It took 3 months and a lot of trial and error but I got it revived. Since it didn't come with a cord, I went to my local repair shop - the old man looked at it and said, "Now that's the best machine ever built." I knew it instinctively before he confirmed though. The timing is off on it so I just found a repair manual on line. Maybe I can figure that one out yet. Meanwhile, I found a real nice one at GW for $30 and it works great. What I specially like is the fact that the needle is so easy to see - it's right there out front - you don't have to strain to see. It sews about anything so far. The Janome goes on Craig's list

Posted 3 years ago #