Sewing machines...Help! (Full Version)

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CarrieO -> Sewing machines...Help! (12/26/2009 8:51:39 AM)

I've decided to gift myself with a new sewing machine.  Sounds great except I know very little about what to look for in a basic model.  Much like a car, the more bells and whistles something has the easier it is for me to break it.  So, I'm asking for advice, options, suggestions and opinions on what I should look for in a basic machine.
Here's one I found... Singer_120_Stitch_Function_  

I really don't want to go over $225 total.  Any help would be appreciated, thanks.



Termyn8or -> RE: Sewing machines...Help! (12/26/2009 9:09:46 AM)

As with anything now, if you don't want bells and whistles look to the second hand market. Decades ago Mom bought a Riccar. It had some bells and whistles but they were al operated mechanically, by camshafts and such. There is no part in that machine that I can't make in the basement almost. For certain parts I might have to buy a tools, and I would have to get it in here by osmosis somehow, but I simply don't think a sewing machine should have a circuit board in it.

I have a sewing machine in the other room and I am pissed. It's only 100 years old and already it needs a belt. Dern thang just broke one day. Now you worka tha treadle ana she don't turn the shafta. I want my money back. On second thought, never mind, it's worth alot more now.

With a new sewing machine in two years, right after you learn all the features, it will probably break down and you will need a $200 circuit board.

Take your pick.

T



Aneirin -> RE: Sewing machines...Help! (12/26/2009 9:27:09 AM)

I am also looking to purchase a sewing machine and have my eyes set on an old Singer from the 60's, secondhand, they go for about £20. My mother had an old sixties Singer, and I actually learned to use as a kid, so am hoping to find something similar to use and hope the memories will come back and help.

Why the hell do I want a sewing machine, well firstly the clothing I like I can't get, so making it is my option and secondly, a sewing machine is a fascinating mechanism I wish to explore.

But regards sewing machines, if you are a noob like me, go for old, well built and basic, so the second hand market is the place to look, and quite often sewing machine service centres do reconditioned oldies with warranty, a way I would choose over any plastic fantastic electronic junk.



flcouple2009 -> RE: Sewing machines...Help! (12/26/2009 9:28:09 AM)

The quality of the Singer's has really been hit or miss for awhile.  Actually they've probably been more miss than hit.  The last  couple of years the quality does seem to be improving again. 

If there is one of the Large Joanne's around you go in and take a look.  They have a pretty decent selection and a couple of the manual Husqvarna's in the $200 to $300 range.



Missokyst -> RE: Sewing machines...Help! (12/26/2009 9:47:49 AM)

the problem with most new ones is that they are pretty much disposable. The old singers were run by various belts and cam shafts and could be cleaned and oiled thoroughly. The newer models are designed so that the inner workings can never be oiled because the casing is solid and not screwed tight to close. Concievably this would mean that no dust, fabric fibers or thread will gum up the works, but after having to throw out 3 sewing machines in 7 yrs I can tell you that stuff still gets in. Our local repairman will not touch new machines because they cannot be opened. Old singers or brothers are a good bet. If I were in need of a new one right now I would buy cheap, expectly it to be replaced in 2 yrs.



CarrieO -> RE: Sewing machines...Help! (12/26/2009 10:18:20 AM)

~FR~

Thanks everyone for the advic and information. 

*Termyn8or...I learned to sew on something like THIS so I guess when I said not too many bells and whistles I should have clarified. [;)]

*Aneirin...Your reason is the same as my reason for wanting to purchase a machine.  The clothes available in my size (yeah, I'm a phat chick) are so generic and poorly made, imo.  I like things a bit more "interesting".  The idea of a second-hand shop is good, ironically I found one near me online after posting this question.

*flcouple2009...Thanks for the Singer vs Husqvarna info.  I guess I first thought of Singer simply because its what I grew up using and the only other brand I know of is Brother.

*Missokyst...I've heard of this problem with maintance in regards to new/er machines.  I think my best bet will be to look for a reconditioned model and find someone who can service it.

Thanks, again, folks.



Lockit -> RE: Sewing machines...Help! (12/26/2009 10:29:32 AM)

CarrieO... I have an old one just like that... the previous owner said it worked still, but I haven't used it. It was given to me when I moved to Mo. If you were closer I would give it to you. I don't think I will ever use it for anything I couldn't do by hand.



windchymes -> RE: Sewing machines...Help! (12/26/2009 10:30:03 AM)

I'm joining the thread late, but would like to give my two cents worth, since I've been using sewing machines for almost 40 years now.....including an old Singer treddle machine that you pumped with your foot, which is what I learned on. [:)]

My grandma bought me a Brother sewing machine back in around 1972 that I loved.  Apparently, I wore it out, because somehow, some metal part on the inside actually broke off sometime in the mid-90's and couldn't be repaired, and I've been heartbroken ever since.  I bought a basic Singer after that, and still have it, and it's okay, but if I ever bought a new one, I'd buy a Brother again.

Unless you're planning on doing a lot of decorative stitching, all you really need, and should be able to get for $200 or less, is a basic one that goes forward, backward, zigzag's and does buttonholes.  The less bells and whistles, the less that can go wrong, IMO.



CarrieO -> RE: Sewing machines...Help! (12/26/2009 10:37:36 AM)

Thanks for the thought, Lockit. 

Funny thing, the old machine I linked to was my granny's and then my mom's and she just got rid of it 2 or 3 years ago because she couldn't find anyone close to her to service it.  I have to laugh when I go to the "fancy" antique shops here and see them for sale as decoration! 




CarrieO -> RE: Sewing machines...Help! (12/26/2009 10:40:08 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: windchymes

Unless you're planning on doing a lot of decorative stitching, all you really need, and should be able to get for $200 or less, is a basic one that goes forward, backward, zigzag's and does buttonholes.  The less bells and whistles, the less that can go wrong, IMO.


Bingo!  Just what I meant by fewer bells and whistles. 

windchymes,
Do you have any particular models you recommend? 



windchymes -> RE: Sewing machines...Help! (12/26/2009 10:44:24 AM)

Carrie, I found this site that has a ton of customer reviews about the various machines.  To be honest, I don't sew enough anymore to recommend any specific models, and even if I tried, they probably don't make it anymore, lol.  Anyway, maybe the reviews can be helpful to you?

http://wize.com/sewing-machines/brand/brother



sirsholly -> RE: Sewing machines...Help! (12/26/2009 10:48:10 AM)

quote:

Here's one I found... Singer_120_Stitch_Function_


with a few differences, this is the same model i have (mine is about ten years old). I love it. There has not been any sort of problem with it at all. Accessories can be purchased in any sewing dept for a few dollars.



Rule -> RE: Sewing machines...Help! (12/26/2009 10:53:26 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: windchymes
including an old Singer treddle machine that you pumped with your foot

My mom has got one; maybe ages old. I hate to think what will happen to it when she dies...

We do not have the bascule weighing machine of her father any more either.



windchymes -> RE: Sewing machines...Help! (12/26/2009 11:26:04 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Rule

quote:

ORIGINAL: windchymes
including an old Singer treddle machine that you pumped with your foot

My mom has got one; maybe ages old. I hate to think what will happen to it when she dies...

We do not have the bascule weighing machine of her father any more either.



Rule, is hers encased in a big, wooden cabinet with an L-shaped door that swings open, and has a little compartment on the inside?   That's what my mom had, and it was her grandmother's or maybe even great-grandmother's.  I think mom and dad auctioned it off when they downsized homes, and I wasn't old enough to have any say in what they got rid of, lol.



kiwisub12 -> RE: Sewing machines...Help! (12/26/2009 3:21:13 PM)

I sew a lot, and have done for years.

My Mum swore by her Singer, but for me for sheer reliability, I would go for a husqvana or a bernina - the more basic the better. I wouldn't get a computerized anything - way more stuff than anyone is going to use , and more chances for things to break.
I have used both of these machines, and would get either - just depends on wheither there is a registered repair shop in the area. And when you do get one, get it serviced once every year or so.[:)]



Rule -> RE: Sewing machines...Help! (12/26/2009 3:30:45 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: windchymes
Rule, is hers encased in a big, wooden cabinet with an L-shaped door that swings open, and has a little compartment on the inside?

My mom's is very much like this one. I think that the machine when not used is buried in the table.



DomMeinCT -> RE: Sewing machines...Help! (12/26/2009 9:32:39 PM)

Most sewing machine stores have secondhand machines for sale as well.  You might find a nice, basic model that's been cleaned and adjusted at a good price.  People trade up to more complex machines, so there is a market for what you seek.



CarrieO -> RE: Sewing machines...Help! (12/27/2009 1:58:11 AM)

~FR~

Thanks everyone for giving opinions, options and advice. 

*windchymes...thanks for the review website link, lots of good info.




windchymes -> RE: Sewing machines...Help! (12/27/2009 2:16:32 PM)

You're welcome! 

I have some mending for you when you get it......[:D]



sophia37 -> RE: Sewing machines...Help! (12/27/2009 5:26:42 PM)

I use two machines. A 50 year old singer with a zig zag altho I mostly do straight stitch. And an over lock machine for edges. I had a singer overlock for years until it became too expensive to fix. I now have a cheap and new Brother. Which I learned pretty fast is indeed cheap, ie cheaply built. Already as a four thread, only three work. 

Anyway, two machines allow for more flexibility and less chance you'll have both be down at the same time. And like others said, the older singers can be maintained by yourself. Cleaning, oiling some basic parts. They are amazing work horses and they stay still and dont vibrate when you sew. I've seen the older ones for sale here and there. Good luck



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