Best Machine

Start here: There is a "what machine should I buy" FAQ.

is really not a question anyone here will be able to answer definitively. It's a little like asking "What is the best automobile to buy?" Everyone has a different opinion and different needs. For $500.00 your best bet for regular sewing, IMHO, is a good *used* mechanical machine. My personal preference is the Singer 401A from the early 60s, I own three and the one I bought new in 1960 is still in constant use.

I also have a Singer Quantum XL 5000 embroidery machine which I love. It will do regular sewing as well, although I keep it set up for embroidery exclusively. I'm pretty sure you won't find one for $500, even used, and I would not trust any embroidery machine selling at that price. The cost of an embroidery machine is only the beginning, you also have to purchase designs (or software to digitize your own), *lots* of threads, and stabilizers. I suspect the total *initial* investment in my embroidery machine, software, thread and stabilizers cost me well over US $4,000.00 (and the machine was on sale for $2,600).

Beverly

After lurking here for a while, I snapped up a Singer 401A when I saw one on craigslist for $50. It was just what I wanted and I am very happy with it. I have a Singer 301A that I love more, but it can only do straight stitching without adding attachments. It is not good or fun to sew lycra with a zigzag attachment. I have the 301 and 401 side by side and still use the 301 if I have a bunch of straight stitching to do. The one thing they don't have that is sometimes nice is a free arm.

The OP may want to consider why the old machine needs replacing and list what you like and dislike about it. If it doesn't have a function you want that is within your price range, look for a new machine. If it is a good older machine that does everything you want that is in your price range, but just isn't working as well as it should anymore, it may just need a good oiling and proper maintenance to seem as good as new.

--Betsy

Betsy,

I am a guy (Straight) who once a year helps the girls in our local Rainbow Girls Assembly sew dresses for Grand Assembly. I bought a cheep Brother sewing machine from Wal-Mart. As long as I sew straight stitches it works fine. Any zig zag it brakes the tread. So I was looking for a replacement. Something low cost that would do button holes and zig zag. I was at Sears and found a Kenmore 385 19606 on sale for $220.00. It has a lot more bells and whistles then I need. But the price is right. It has worked great so far. I am questioning just why Sears is closing them out.

Buster

Let's see if I have this straight:

1. You bought a "cheep" Brother sewing machine at Wal-Mart, but it doesn't sew very well, so,

2.. You came here asking for advice and received some.

1. Ignoring the advice, you bought another cheap machine at Sears which "has worked well so far".
2. Now you want to know why it was cheap/closed out?

Is that about it?

I am still using the very expensive (for the time, and adjusted for inflation - it cost well over four month's wages) Singer 401A I bought new in 1960. It has been in constant use for well over 48 years. It sews a perfect straight stitch, perfect zig-zag stitch, and with a terrific attachment sews perfect buttonholes. It will continue to work perfectly long past the day your Brother and Kenmore 'cheep' machines are serving as door stops or anchors.

You want to know why Sears is closing them out? Probably because a new line of equally 'cheep', disposable machines is about to be released, and they want to sell them to more suckers...er...customers.

HTH,

Beverly