Would this be considered a good beginner's machine? I know nothing about sewing and have been looking on Ebay and found this. Here is the link and please let me know your thoughts. Also, I have another question below the link I hope you can help me with:
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on Ebay, I was searching Brother machines and saw one that has acassette system where you put the roll of thread in this cassette,insert into machine and it threads automatically. Is this a good orbad thing, and keep in mind, I am a beginner...as beginning as one canget at this point! ;) Fatts
If you are new to sewing, instead of looking at Ebay, find a local sewing machine dealer and see what they have for used machines -- that way you can get hands-on help with your new purchase. But don't let them talk you into buying the cheapie new Yugo-like machines either.
Well, it's like this. Any gimmick can break. And good sewing machines don't have cassettes like that. If you have the auction number, I'd love to look at it, though.
Oh, I've tried those in the sewing machine shop! Typical Brother: very gadget-ridden and tekki, but flimsy as all get out! They do have some lovely ideas, but I wish they'd road-test them for a year with half a dozen high-volume sewists before they sell them to the unsuspecting gadget freaks! You can also only load Brother thread in them, as far as I remember, so no sewing with Gutterman silk when you sew silk, though you can use Brother embroidery thread for you buttonholes... I'm not impressed by the quality of Brother's own brand thread.
The Innovis is a whole range of machines, from straight forward just sewing machines with about 50 stitches to embroidery machines, but while I thought the threading gadget was a neat idea, the execution isn't all that impressive and the over all quality was flimsy. Stitch quality of the cheapest wasn't as good as the little Singer 117 Featherweight II I bought for Mum - and yes, I did try them both as they were sitting side by side in the shop, and you lot know me - if there's a sewing machine within reach, I'll try it/fiddle with it/play with it's bits!
Your best bet in picking out a sewing machine is to go to a dealer where they only sell sewing machine. They have used ones and new ones. Most of the dealers will offer free sewing classes and technical support. When you go to your local dealer see if they fix the machines on site. This a good sign that this business knows what they are doing.
Another thing I just thought of - if you're hemming jeans - make sure the machine has.....shoot! I cannot think if the right words here! Ok - here are some pictures from an eBay auction
See how the arm is small :
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but it has another piece which gives you a decent size work surface:
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? That makes it easy to get the hem up under the needle in circular items like legs.I never found a dealer worth a hoot, so I can't confirm that, but I think that it is highly unlikely you will get a good deal on eBay. The old machines seem to be a great demand. I use mine like it sounds like you'll use yours. I think I paid $10 for my favorite machine, I got one from my neighbor's trash, and my Mom gave me one that is shiny and new and my least favorite. (But it is the only one with an arm I can fit inside pant legs. :)) OH! plus the treadle, which I keep meaning to start tinkering with. Try moving sales, second hand stores, and maybe even posting a "wanted" to the local Freecycle list to see what you get.
If you insist on searching eBay, then at least stick to the "used" machines. I'm afraid I do not know enough about machines and mechanics to point any particular ads out to you though. When I was looking to buy I read the FAQ on machines, went to some yard sales, and bought the first 60's all metal machine I found. Works great for what I use it for, and I'll always be able to sell it for what I paid for it.
Here is one of them. I guess several models now have the feature. Once at the page, scroll down and look at the larger picture to see it in greater detail. Go here:
This is not a bad machine. It is very basic but sturdy. We have several that are used in the guild class room and they are fine. Several are in use daily during the summer as classes for kids are in session. The advice you get here will be from people who have been sewing for decades, not beginners. I do think that the best advice is to visit machine dealers and try the machines rather than purchased off e-bay or other auction sites. While the machines may not be what an expert wants it may be just what you need but you have to try it to know. This model Singer has been around long enough to be well tested and used. It is a $200.00 machine and works well for that price. Whatever you decide to buy Dealer support is important, especially for a novice sewist. You will definitely need that support whether you purchase new or used One bit of advice I often give really green people is to see if your local dealers will rent you a machine and then let you take some classes. Even the purchase of a $200.00 Singer or an older machine will result in a loss if you do not enjoy the process.....and that happens often.
As for the cartridge cassette system it has allowed many people who had given up sewing to again enjoy the hobby. Our Native assistance group placed 8 of them in an education programme for legally blind people who wanted to get back into the sewing venue. We felt this would solve the upper threading problems they were having and it has. The up side is also that many with severe arthritis have again be able to use the machines too with little or no help from the teachers. We have had no problems with the machine, cartridges or Brother dealership. The company has been excellent in giving us lots of projects for the group to do. Because we are so far north there is little or no opportunity for this type of assistance. Before I left on Sunday we had started a group for kids under 12, and they were doing fine with the Innovis machines. In fact they took the course because of the advanced technology of the Brothers. It attracted them to the class more so than an older machine would have and it is holding their interest. We are doing simple picture Memory quilts.
To automatically put down any innovations as gimmicky or tecki reduces and limits our craft. We have not found the cassettes to be flimsy, and Brother does extensively test all their new innovations more so than say VSM who do product testing on the customers and very little before releasing the machine. They are also the least likely to do anything to promote the craft without compensation. We need to remember than when recommending a machine, we have years of sewing behind us, and years of picking and choosing machines that fit our needs. New people to the craft do not, and may be intimidated by our comments enough to not even want to try it.
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