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recommendations for modestly priced sewing machine

It is my hope to purchase a sewing machine for my wife as a birthday present and I have no clue (typical clueless hubby--if she wanted a table saw, then...) She is experienced on an old Singer mechanical machine and a basic machine is all that she desires--she will have no use for embroidry or many fancy stitching--just basic, stretch, button holes, etc. Stopping by Costco, Sams, Wally World, etc. and spending hours on the Internet looking at specs for Singer, Brother, etc. has left me more confused than ever. Although I would like a Viking since I trust that brand, she would not want to spend that kind of money. With the understanding that she would only periodically use it for sewing buttons, making repairs, adding a zipper, etc.--perhaps using it for 30 minutes a week, which Brother or others might you recommend with a retail limit of $500 for a mechanical or computer sewing machine?? Any help would be very much appreciated. TIA

Michael S.

Reply to
Michael S.
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Why? A good machine is worth the money, and basic mechanical machines aren't *that* expensive.

A retail limit of $500 is pretty good. My White 979 had an MSRP of $400 in 2000, and it does everything I want (actually does some things better than the Viking #1 my MIL gave me).

She may start sewing more if she's got a good machine, too, so don't limit her with a cheap one. Inexpensive is fine. Cheap is not.

By preference, don't buy from a mass marketer (Wally world, Kmart, Target, Joann/Hancock). Buy from a local dealer. Ask about trade-up/trade-in policies. It's the end of a model year, so you might be able to get a floor model for less than you expect.

Check with your local dealers. You should be able to find a basic Viking for about $500 new. Also check Pfaff and Bernina and Janome/New Home. I stay away from Brother and Singer and the cheap Whites (some of them are OK, but many are not).

If you're willing to go with a dealer warranteed used machine, you can get a really nice machine for that amount of money.

Whatever you do, *don't* surprise her with a machine. Take her out to lunch and then go shopping for a machine. (scope out the dealers first, so you know where they are and what they have.) Bring along samples of the kind of fabric she'll be working on, and have a list of the kinds of sewing she'll be using it for.

jenn

-- Jenn Ridley snipped-for-privacy@chartermi.net

Reply to
Jenn Ridley

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At that price you'd be looking at a low-to-mid market new machine or a good second-hand one. You'd be looking at a good, though not top-end, second-hand Viking. Viking do indeed make good sewing machines. While you're not going to get a "computer" machine in the sense of one that hooks up to a PC, you will get an electronic machine rather than a straightforward mechanical one. The main difference in using them is that an electronic machine will always stop with the needle completely up (or down, if that's selected) and it will have the same power driving the needle at all speeds. An non-electronic machine stops with the needle anywhere in its cycle and has less "punching power" at low speeds.

Go round sewing machine dealers and see what they have. This is a good time of year because people who have got new machines for Christmas may have used their old machines as trade-ins. See what they've got and then present your wife with a short-list and the offer of your time spent taking her to test the machines. Sewing machines are like cars: the features you love may be the ones your wife hates and she really needs to choose her own.

If you buy from a dealer you should look for a reconditioned machine with a guarantee and lessons in how to use the bells and whistles.

See also the excellent What Machine Should I Buy FAQ put together by our very own Penny at

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HTH

Reply to
Sally Holmes

Hear Hear! I can not agree more. About 5 months ago, I got my first ever brand new to me, chosen by me sewing machine, and it is a *good* machine. I have never enjoyed my hobby more tahn I have since I've got it.

A good second hand machine (more bang for your buck, and possibly a higher spec model than you'd planned on - lots of 'lightly' used machines out there if you can find them), or a good new machine, will meam your wife enjoys her sewing more.

Sarah

Reply to
Sarah Dale

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