Hello everyone, My wife is having her 43rd birthday soon and has expressed interest for a couple of years now in learning to sew. Pressing her a bit, she mentions small projects like table runners, and curtains, but never clothing (yet) or embroidery. She does sew a bit with her mother, but doesn't consider herself very knowledgeable. So, I want to get her a nice machine on which she can both learn and grow. A note about her: she is a graphics designer who loves old fashioned style. Think Kitchenaide mixers. That was a big hit last year. It looks like it was born in the 20's but is thoroughly modern. Is there a good, old fashioned machine out there that fits what I am describing? I noticed the Singer CG-590. Any comments on it? I never saw a price on it, but I was hoping to limit the initial investment to $750. Is that do-able?
You are one of many husbands who are nice enough to want to buy their wives a sewing machine. :) The very kindest thing you can do for her is to have her go and look at various machines so she can find out what features are important to her and then narrow down to some particular machines. A sewing machine is a personal thing that should be chosen by the person who is going to use it.
Regardless of the type of sewing she will do, a few important things to consider are: auto-buttonhole, plenty of utility stitches including excellent blanket and stretch stitches, minimum 10 year warranty on mechanical parts, minimum 5 year warranty on electronic/computerized parts, free-arm, excellent light, resale value if she wants to trade up later, needle stop, stitch width, free lessons w/machine, penetration power, dealer knowledge & reliability, at least 5 needle positions, precision feet that snap on and off quickly, and much more. Resale value is a decent indicator of how good the machine is. Really old Singers can be quite good but the newer ones are not known for quality and endurance. No sewing machines are made in the US anymore btw.
Phae I fear you are right. Perhaps I will take her to the local sewing center and let her choose. I wouldn't want anyone buying me a table saw, so I suppose I should just let her pick. Too bad I can't surprise her, but i'd rather she get the perfect one for her. Also, thanks for the tip on the Singers. I know the syndrome you are describing.
Don't believe everything you hear. Actually the newest of the Singers are a great lot for the money anyway. Far better quality than those of years past with the exception of those real old ones like the 401, 221, 301 etc.
But you could still surprise her; make your own 'gift certificate' and pop it in a card :) Something like, "You get to pick out your own new sewing machine!"
-Irene
-------------- You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.=20
My rule for buying Singers is Pre 1964, post 2004! ;)
The Singer 117 Featherweight II I bought my mum last year was a gem for the money: better than anything else I saw at the time. Perfect for a granny who wanted a light weight machine with some useful household stitches, who wanted to make occasional garments and no curtains or jeans! :)
I tested it quite thoroughly and liked it.
For you wife, Rich, follow Phae's advice, and both of you read this first:
That is about the same as I figure it. I bad mouthed Singer for 27 years and just last year after having had several of the newer models apart saw the obvious quality improvements and when approached became a Singer dealer. SO far a very good experience.
I 'surprised' her this afternoon with the news and she is very excited. She and her Mom will be doing some shopping next Saturday. I'll go along and try to look non-chalant, like i'm totaly in my element, while they they have some fun. But then, as Emily suggested, it's dinner for two. I think the link you gave will give her a nice head start this week. I am glad for the clarification on the Singers too.
Thanks for all the replies. I really appreciate them.
For some reason I had it in mind that the Featherweight you bought was an old one! It's nice to know that Singer is making some decent machines again, Kate. I'll definitely stop in a local shop and try some of them personally so I am better informed. I just love the idea of a
12 pound machine that is easier to carry around for occasional restricted use. My lightest machine is just under 30 pounds. I understand Janome has a little 3/4 size one for toting around that people also like. But I'm not too fond of the Singer limited 90 days warranty for labor and only 2 years on electrical. Labor can add up pretty quickly. When I was in school, we learned on old Slant-o-matics and they were great--- definitely pre 1964--- though I do prefer front loading bobbins so you don't have to remove your work to change a bobbin.
Personally, I'd love to see more competition in sewing machines. Maybe those high-enders would come down a bit........ or not. ;)
Phae, the confusion may arise because I had one of each in the house! :D
My pal Julie gave me her old (1954) Featherweight, and I found an Elna Lotus Stella Air Electronic for her in exchange. Then last year I got my mum the 117 FWII, the new one.
Do test anything thoroughly: Singer are buying in from all over the place (they no longer make anything themselves), and they do tweak the designs. The 118 is not quite as smooth on the controls as the 117, and my dealer is selling the Frister & Rossman Cub SP in that slot this year. Some of the Brother machines in that price bracket are also looking good for the money.
I suppose the real message is forget brand loyalty and the brand name for all but the real Top of the Line machines: choose your price bracket and look at everything, decide what you like the feel of, and then check reliability!
Even with TOTL machines, there is very little to choose from in features and stitch quality: choose more on whether you want a built in walking foot element, you like or hate a needle threader, and whether or not the controls fit your hands. I keep telling folk: you don't buy shoes or a bra without making sure the really fit properly (well, *I* don't, anyway!) so why do less for an expensive bit of machinery you'll own for quite a while?
Take Pfaff, for example: lovely machine, beautiful stitch quality, never found one I could use comfortably!
Or Bernina: LOVE my new serger, I'm ok with the sewing machines, but some things on them just ain't quite there yet... Except for the 1008, which is totally perfect for what it is and does!
Elna: fell in love with the Lotus machines, and am trying to have one of each!
Husqvarna: never met one I didn't love instantly: they always felt like they were designed and built just for me. Their sergers: loved the 905 I wore out, but love the Bernina more!
Brother: they don't yet make a sewing machine I like, but the serger I bought is a gem for the price, and like my Lily and the Bernina serger, feels like it was made just for me.
I haven't been out and tried any new sewing machines since last year, and then I was looking for a specific type: light weight for light use, entry level without being bottom of the heap!
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Create a "coupon" or "Gift Certificate" for one sewing machine of your choice up to $xxx.xx. Blah, blah, blah. Give it to her in an envelope separate from the birthday card I assume you are going to give her. Appropriately mushy card that is. You could also give her a list of the rest of the suggestions we have supplied to you. So that she can make an informed and tested choice. Which should give her years of satisfaction and affection returned to you for your insightful gift choice.
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