Recommended used machines

Greetings all,

I am looking to purchase a solid, used sewing machine but I have quickly become overwhelmed. In the past I have used my mother's Bernina 830 and 930 and she has in fact recommended that I find a used

830 or something similar (i.e. used, non-computerised, and reliable with a good strait stitch).

Does anyone have any additional recommendations for a machine that will (1) last a decade or more and (2) meet the needs of a frugal family with 2 young kids to sew for?

Many thanks, Graham

(Hamilton, Ontario)

Reply to
Graham
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Get yourself a Singer 401. This is a 50's era machine which cannot be killed. :-) You will end up giving it to your grandchildren. They are also very easy to self maintain, all gear-driven (no belts) so they will sew through anything you can fit under the foot, and come with a boatload of built in stitches.

More than anything else, though, they are an absolute joy to sew on.

-Irene

------------------------ Adult: A person who has stopped growing at both ends and is now growing = in the middle.

Reply to
IMS

Do you need fancy stitches, zigzag stitches, or will straight stitch do? Here's my short list:

Singer 401a Necchi Supernova (needs cams to do more than zigzag) Elna Supermatic (also needs cams) Pfaff 130 or later

Reply to
Ann Knight

My preference is a Singer 400 or 500 series. The 301s are also wonderful if you can find a zigzag attachment. The Kenmores from the

50s, 60s, and 70s were also good machines.

Since you're in Canada and I can't recommend someone who specializes in older machines here because the shipping would kill you, I will say to check thrift stores (try the machines first!), classified ads (for older machines that people "inherited" or that they got as gifts that were never used that are still ine excellent condition), or garage sales (see comment on classified ads) for your best buys, and if that fails, check a sewing-machine-only dealer for their older reconditioned machines (don't let them sell you the new ones).

Reply to
Melinda Meahan - remove TRASH

A very good choice in Canada is http://www/execulink.com/~mikeh/

Reply to
Pogonip

I can't get his site to come up right now, but here's some info about him and his place:

Woodstock Sewing Centre" .. run by Mike Hulet? located in Ontario, Canada and has an excellent reputation. Mike is especially noted for have a showroom specifically for treadles, and does an excellent job of shipping same? He offers a number of excellent books on Singer cabinets, parts, etc. snipped-for-privacy@oxford.net and http://www/execulink.com/~mikeh/

Reply to
Pogonip

Reply to
Rose

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