What sewing machine should I buy?

Hi everybody,

I'm about to start doing more sewing, and am in need of a new machine (I'm still using my mothers first Singer she bought in the early 1960s!).

I used to sew and design costumes and clothing in college (28 years ago - gack!), but have only done an occasional project since then, which is why I could get by with the Singer.

My plans are to sew mostly simple garments from natural fabrics, cotton weave, cotton knits, silks, etc. I also want to roll hem silk -- I am a silk painter, and would love to make my own scarves. I don't need to quilt or do fancy embroidery, but I'd love something that is simple to use and produces elegant results (I have hand problems, so easy is important).

I'm willing to spend up to $400 or so. Less would be better, but I don't want to skimp and be sorry later.

What do you wise and helpful people suggest?

Thanks you!

Elizabeth

Reply to
E in MN
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Reliable and durable sewing machines cost more than that these days. So you might wish to consider a quality used machine instead. Of paramount importance are the dealers and the expertise of their technicians whether you are buying a new or used machine regardless of brand. This is a great topic of discussion these days as there are many horror stories about unqualified techs. You should definitely ask local people who sew and who have their machines serviced regularly (yes, that is also a must.... the annual checkup and oiling). I can personally vouch for the older, metal Berninas--- 930, 1130, 1230--- all a good bet, though even the 20-25 year old ones often fetch over $500.

Others here can recommend reliable older models in other brands.

Phae

Reply to
Phaedrine

SOmeone put a FAQ together for that very question:

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-Irene

-------------- You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.=20

--Mae West=20

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Reply to
IMS

What model Singer do you have? Some of the old all-metal gear machines are so much sturdier than a lot of new machines. And if it does all that you need it to do, why get a new one? Take it and get it serviced. Those old machines can purr with very little upkeep...

I learned on a 1929 model 15 (I think that's the number... either that or a

99) but my favorite machine is a 1923 201 that I can use in a treadle or as an electric. Nice big throat for quilting, does nice button holes... real work horse...

So new isn't always "better..." grin

Cappy

Reply to
Cappy

Reply to
Taria

The same thing, Cappy, with my 1961 Singer Slant Needle, except I can not use it as a pedal, wish I could. It uses cams to make beautiful decorative stitches, and there are so many different presser feet available today that weren't when I first got this beauty in the 80s, from a lady who was being moved to a nursing home and her daughter did not want it. I use it probably as much or more than any of my other machines. Emily.

Reply to
CypSew

Thanks for all the responses!

My current machine is a Singer Style-O-Matic 328, which needs approximately $100 worth of repairs before I can use it (regular maintenance which I've overlooked for years, plus the bobbin winder is broken). Once it's repaired, it has attachments to do everything that I want to do.

The only reason I'm even considering a new machine is that I have hand and joint problems, and I know I would sew more if the machine were lighter and easier to operate. All those little screws on the Singer can cause me pain, and even the foot pedal is hard to operate sometimes.

Went out yesterday and looked at Janomes and Vikings. Found a Janome Jem Platinum 760 for $499, and a new Viking Huskystar C10 on sale for $449. The Huskystar has 11 one-touch buttonholes!

I hate to spend this kind of money, but maybe it's a good investment. I may check out Sears -- I hear they have a Janome and of course, Singers.

Any other ideas or feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Angstriddenly, Elizabeth

Reply to
E in MN

***DON'T*** get a Huskystar *holding nose* It won't hold up -- it's a classic oriental sailing ship.

The Janome Jem is a very lightweight machine.

Try to find a nice dealer with a nice selection of older machines to get far more bang for the buck than you might otherwise get. I found an 80s era machine that is the love of my life and it only cost me $129.

If you lived in the SF Bay Area, I'd sell you my Singer 500A for about a third of what I paid for it (I bought it used a few years ago), because my Singer 401A is now the second love of my life, and it's so close to the 500 that I have no interest in the 500 any more.

Reply to
Melinda Meahan - take out TRAS

I have to agree with you on some of the newer presser feet... But I think I've only lusted after the rolled hem foot and a teflon foot for the 201. Everything else I can do, not necessarily the best or the fastest, with the regular presser foot.

Cappy

Reply to
Cappy
500 was basically the 401 with zipped up styling. There are some photos still on my webpage along with some links for older machine info:
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Mel> E >

Reply to
Taria

I remember those. We had them in our high school.... Slant-O-Matics, weren't they, or did that name come later? I guess I never understood what the slant was supposed to do. Do you know? They were nice machines. I did manage to get a home ec course in my freshman year. Our teacher had purple hair and a wart on her tongue that was a bit distracting. She was, however, an awesome teacher who made us learn the art of easing by doing set-in sleeves without basting..... only pins. If you had even the tiniest wrinkle you had to rip it out and start over again. One of my friends, a fellow Girl Scout, did not like this procedure and cut down the height of her sleeve cap to get it to ease in better. She got away with it too. :)

When I set out to buy my first machine, I had no idea what I wanted so I rented machines until I found one that I really liked. I rented a lot of machines before I settled on one. It was a great way to find out what I liked and not. I wonder if any places still let you do that.

Phae

Reply to
Phaedrine

Yup. I was delighted to get my 500, but I'll tell ya, with the 400 it was love at first pedal, and I cannot explain why. It took me totally by surprise.

Reply to
Melinda Meahan - take out TRAS

Reply to
Taria

Reply to
Taria

Yes, when the 401 came out it was the 'Slant O Matic' the needle is slanted towards the sewist, the idea being it made the work area easier to see. The 'o-matic' due to the built in automatic zig zag/design stitch mechanism. The 401 is the best vintage machine out there IMHO!!

-Irene

-------------- You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.=20

--Mae West=20

--------------

Reply to
IMS

approximately

My 327 had all metal innerds so I am thinking yours does as well? I do know the models after the 32x line (334, etc. & up) had plastic gears, so if you can repair that bobbin winder & give your machine a good cleaning/lubbing, she should last about forever...

It's true some of those old Singers could double as boat anchors.....

Don't have one but hear lots of good things about the Janome Jem.

Good luck!

-------------- You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.=20

--Mae West=20

--------------

Reply to
IMS

I understand this very well. I bought my mum a new light weight Singer

117 last year for this reason. Mum has rheumatism in her thumbs and could no longer lift the old heavy machine she had. She passed it back to me, and I gave her this light plastic easy to use modern one, with which she is delighted. :)

I love my Husqvarna Lily 550! :) But I also love my 1909 Jones hand crank!

Reply to
Kate Dicey

When DS and his DW moved to MD, I looked for a rental machine and was told dealers no longer rented machines. Then I checked in several places, all said the same thing. I had rented several when first married and was moving often. The slant supposedly helps a person see what he/she is sewing better, I don't know if it's true or not. Yes, it is called a Slant-O-Matic. I first used a Slant-O-Matic in the mid-50s when I worked at a Singer store. Emily

Reply to
CypSew

Thanks again to everybody -- I finally made a decision.

After going back and forth all day, I finally decided on the Huskystar C10 (don't be mad, Melinda!). It's a brand new model to replace the Huskystar

219. They dropped the price to $399, so I went back for a long test drive today, and fell in love.

It's sturdy, has more construction and decorative stitches than I will ever use (a total of 60), and has a very good warranty. It comes with a training DVD, and I get a free two hour class from my dealer in perpetuity (meaning I can retake the class again later if I forget stuff).

I looked seriously at the Singers and Janome Harmony 8080 at Sears. They had a serious clearance price on the Janome, but I just didn't like the warranty or the construction. Also, it has fewer stitches. And I liked some of the more advanced features of the Huskystar, like mirroring, needle up-down, stitch knotting, and a memory. Also, The Huskystar C10 is light enough for me to carry and has a great hard cover. Very, very elegant design.

Better still, I can use all my old Singer presser feet and bobbins!

I'm smitten.

Again, thanks for listening, and for offering your experience and advice.

Breathing a sigh of relief (with no buyers remorse!), Elizabeth

Reply to
E in MN

Elizabeth, Congratulations on your purchase. A DVD and classes plus a good warranty is the best any person can get with a machine today. Enjoy and be sure to post examples of your projects, so we can all enjoy them. Emily

Reply to
CypSew

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