Need quality cheap sewing machine

You know how you can buy a cheap sony or panasonic and the quality is usually very good? I"m looking for a sewing machine in the < $200 range with good quality. Even

Hi there, this is the advice of someone who just started sewing a year ago, so just throwing it out there in case it helps. A couple ideas actually. My sewing machine is a refurbished computerized brother CS8060. We got it from overstock.com and it's perfect for me but surely not for everyone. You can search there for the brand you want and see if they have any. Be sure to pay attention to the condition, such as new or refurbished. I have had no problem with my refurb but you may have other opinions on it. (I take that back, I sort of had a problem but it turns out that when you wind the bobbin you open up a door that swings up from the top of the machine and part of the winding mechanism is actually on that door...if you don't hold the door in place it can bounce a bit and cause the bobbin to wind horribly, however ever since I realized what was happening everything has worked perfectly.) ANYHOW. Point is, this machine is great for me but I don't know how it will be in 10 years. SO. You can check overstock and places like slickdeals for a good price. Or enter "panasonic sewing machine" into a Froogle search (part of google) and it pulls up a couple results. Try other brands too because there were not a ton of panasonic and no sony's. Maybe sony has a new name for their machines. That may help get you some ideas. Good luck!! Hope this has been some help at least!

-laura

snipped-for-privacy@gmail.com wrote:

I was only using panasonic/sony as an analogy. I don't think I want a sewing machine by them. I want a mainstream brand that is new though and not a refurb of any kind. New only recommendations please. Very appreciated

I wish you luck.. Cheap, new, and quality... Don't think it can be done at all.

Cheap machines are just that, cheap; And "new" cheap machines are really cheap. They don't have good stitch quality, and won't hold their tensions properly.

Good luck on finding something that meets your stringent criteria.

me

I bought a new brother serger this holiday season and I know a number of other people did. They hovered around the $200 range. But to be perfectly frank refurbished machines are not a bad deal. I worked in the accessories area of a camera dept in major retail chain for at least eight years. All cameras that were returned after purchase because t he customer thought it didn't work properly did not get returned for credit to the manufacturer. We had to send them out as a repair then they came back to us "factory refurbished". We could not sell them as 'new' goods because they had been sold before (I don't remember exactly but I think that is a law) and so were severely marked down to reflect that status. I would buy a "factory refurbished" anytime. Just google 'refurbished sewing machine' or add in a particular brand if you wish and you'll come up with too many sites to check out.

Charge!!!!! AK in PA

No. But used is where you should be looking to maximize your purchasing power. You can get a used, refurbished machine for under $200 USD that will be *much* more than adequate to the basics.

Heck, I bought a 35 year-old Japanese industrial for a lot more than what you're talking about, for my business, my bread-and-butter, and the thing is a bomb-proof work horse.

Get off your butt and educate yourself. You're not going to get what you're looking for at Walmart.

Kathleen

So, every machine at Walmart or Target is junk? Singer, Brother ?

Would it be possible to get a new presser foot instead of buying a new machine? Just a thought.

Olwyn Mary in New Orleans.

Interesting you say that about the gears as those machines you tout have plastic gears.

I'll try asking one other way. First some information.

I will only buy a new, good quality machine. I need it to do only the most basic mending tasks. I want to buy locally in my town where I can touch it and see it.

I have 3 questions please: How much should that machine cost?

What model would it be?

Where can I buy it locally?

Thanks for any information.

I would like to suggest you read the following:

FAQ was put together by some of us on alt.sewingIt will help you understand the thinking of those of us who contribute to and look for answers here.I would also like to tell you that about 17 years ago I bought a sewing machine for around $200. It was a piece of junk and I almost gave up sewing. Now 17 years later I think you will find that $200 will buy even less. You can not expect to find a decent new machine for that kind of price. If you want a good basic machine you'll do much better with refurbished. I have one machine that I use frequently that's about 60 years old. I put about $25.00 into it, cleaned it up, oiled it and have a gem. It goes forward and back, that's it, stitch quality is great. I also have a small mechanical Viking that I paid between $400- 500 for. It sews like a dream. I'm not pushing viking, I'm only saying you get what you pay for.Juno

I will now ask you 3 questions. Where do you Live/ how many sew machine stores are in your town? Have you gone out and looked and tried anything out using your own material? As much as I would like to be able to answer your questions, I'm not a mind reader and can't possible know the answers to what you want to know,and IF I had all that information still would be unable to answer because a sewing machine is a mater of personal preference Juno

Let's see if putting this a different way helps you see the problem:

You: I"m looking for a sewing machine in the < $200 range with good quality. Even I will only buy a new, good quality machine.

"I will only buy a new, good quality automobile"

"I need it to go back and forth to work"

"I want to buy locally so I can kick the tires"

"So, how much would that car cost?"

Of the thousands of makers and models out there, and putting aside *your* personal prejudice, which model should *I* buy?"

Without knowing where I live, where can I buy it "locally"?

I don't think you can get what you need/want for the budget you have set. Why not wait, save some more $$$ and buy a good machine. Or, as others have suggested, invest now in an older top-of-the-line machine, (my personal preference is a 1950s-60s Singer 401a, and I own THREE of them), and perhaps buy something higher-end later after you learn what you really *need* in a machine. Blowing off all used/refurbished machines leaves you with *nothing* in your price range.

JMHO,

Beverly

snipped-for-privacy@gmail.com wrote:

First, read the FAQ:

decide what types of fabrics you are MOST LIKELY to sew, and how often.

This is VERY IMPORTANT because it makes a HUGE difference to the type of machine you buy. For example, I sew lots and I sew everything from cobweb fine silk chiffon to upholstery fabric (I make wedding finery and costumes mostly, but have and will make curtains, have made spray decks for kayaks, and all sorts of other stuff! I also quilt). My mum sews a little and sews light weight stuff... Nothing heavier than skirt fabric. I use a selection of machinery (I have 18 in the house at the moment!), but my main sewing machine is a Husqvarna Lily 550 that I've had since 1999. I have two sergers, the main one a Bernina 1150 MDA. My main machines cost £1100 (list price at the time) and £475. During

2005 I bought my mum a new light weight sewing machine, as Singer F117 Featherweight II. Hers was under £200. I could almost sew plate armour on mine, and as far as mending goes, it had no difficulty replacing the heavy duty zips in two Polartec Windblock fleece jackets last week. I wouldn't even attempt to sew this combination on the machine I bought Mum. No way would it go through the plastic tab at the bottom of the zip tape and up to 4 layers of laminated 3 layer fleece!

Just before Christmas I bought (on behalf of a friend on this group) a Brother XL5021, gently pre loved, for £60. In it's class, an impressive LIGHT WEIGHT machine, ideal as a first machine for its 12 YO recipient, who will make clothes and fun projects.

These were both LIGHT machines, and while very good in their class, and probably within your original budget, neither is one I would set to mending denim or like fabrics. Oh, they'll SEW it - but not for long!

If you want to mend coats, anything denim like jeans, or anything else with multiple layers or thick fabrics, you are going to need a stronger machine than you would for mending yer silk undies, for example. 'Simple Mending' covers anything from replacing a zip on a maountain jacket to a hem down on a silk chiffon skirt!

For a dead simple machine that has a limited number of excellent quality household/utility stitches, but will almost sew anything short of shoe leather (and I include tin cans in this, having done it on one of this machine's predecessors) there is little in the domestic market that will beat the Bernina 1008. See here:

and where to buy locally I cannot help with, but I strongly advise looking up a local shop that does their own repairs and has a good rep amongst local sewists. A good local shop is worth 10 box empires! I know who *I'd* go to round here (and do - having bought several from a couple of local shops over the last 20 years). And I cannot say LOUDLY ENOUGH not LONG ENOUGH that you need to go with an OPEN mind, a rough idea of your absolute upper limit (and ask for things about $50 - $100 under that limit to give yourself some leeway!), and a bunch of the type of things you want to sew, and TEST THE MACHINES YOURSELF! Just walk away from any place that does a hard sell and won't let you do your own tests! Test the straight stitch, blind hem and buttonhole, and try threading. OK... This horse has got so high I think I need a stepladder! Just out of curiosity, what have you against pre-loved machines? I was given two last night, and spent today getting them going. The 1939 Singer 28K (straight stitch & reverse only, hand crank) took ten minutes, a few drops of oil, and a quick fiddle with the tension... The 1974 Singer

367 took the rest of the afternoon to free up, but looks like it might be a useful addition to the flock now I've freed up the main drive shaft and swing needle operation, reset the timing, and hubby has fixed the foot control! I love my machines I bought new, and was VERY fussy about what I bought, but the old ones also have a charm of their own, and some of them are so good they'll still be sewing for my grand kids when the new electric ones are long gone to landfill and recycling!