First I have do say that I don't really sew, not with a sewing machine. I don't need an expensive embroider machine, I do THAT by hand :)
What I MAY need is something to help me do hems when something needs re-doing for whatever reason, and to finish certain kinds of liturgical embroidery projects that would take WAY too long to do by hand, and yes, I do have problems doing a straight hem :)
One of my charge accounts is offering two sewing machine for low end prices, what I am trying to decide is if either of them are worth even the low end price.
One is a Shark Sewing Machine by Euro-Pro. It has 32 stitches, has a builtin buttonholer, converts to free-arm sewing and is a single needle machine for $179.95. Comes with needles, seam ripper, snap-on zig-zag foot, felt pads for spool pins, lint brush, zipper foot, buttonhold foot, bline hemming foot and a hard case.
The other is also made by Euro-Pro (Twin-needle Crat N'Sew Machine) for $259.95. This one has 42-stitch functions, also has a built-in buttonholer and comes with 11 creative feet (zipper, button hol, blind-hem, satin stitch, roll hem, button sewing, darning/embroidery, overlock, cording, quilting and gathering) and twin-needle capability. It comes with needles, seam ripper, quilting guide, darning plate and a hard case.
I have no real interest in doing machine embroidery or quilting, but I can see myself wanting to see what it is like (sorry, to me, handmade is more attractive than machine made, it is a subjective thing :) It seems to me that the second machine may be the better value, though I am quite sure that both machines are not really meant for the serious seamstress or machine embroiderer.
What say ye that actually knows something about sewing machine, do either of them sound reasonable for an entry-level sewing machine?
Catherine K.