sew machine choices

The first thing you need to do is read this:

that cam driven and electronic are neither superior nor inferior: just different ways to achieve the same thing. That said, having used both electronic and cam driven machines, I find the precision and quality of my Husqvarna electronic whizzy thing when doing buttonholes is far superior to that of all the cams and mechanical ones, as well as giving me more choice, but we are talking a machine that was £1100 list price in 1998! You do need to compare like with like, and at the top of the range before electronics, you didn't get 10 different styles of buttonholes in an infinite variety of sizes as part of a built in 240 stitch package! In your price range you'll need to look carefully at what is available. The best thing to do is look at a range of different machines with your daughter, in the price range, and let her choose the one that suits her and does what she wants. If she is thinking lots of denim and bag making, get something simple but robust, and look at pre-loved trade-ins! If she wants to do light weight stuff with lots of Special Effects, she might be happier with something less macho that has more stitch options.

Most of us here consider this a must read before buying any sewing machine. Look around at what's available in your price range and give her the final decision. Don't forget to have her take some fabric samples when looking. Used machine can be a great buy and is there any chance of getting the old Kenmore repaired and spend the left over cash on some sewing supplies for her.I have 2 machines, neither is computerized. 1 is about 6 years old and sews like a dream. The other is about 60 years old, hadn't been used in more than 15 years, cost me about $8.00 for a new belt and oil. Needed a lot of cleaning and now is also a dream to use. My personal preference is a non computerized Viking, others love their old Singers and Kenmore's. There is no right answer as to which is best. It's preference and type of sewing that will be done on it.Juno

The process of shopping with your daughter can be very constructive for your relationship with her. She will remember your time and attention long after the sewing machine has gone out of her life. It may not be your usual cup of tea, but if you can do a little research and ask some questions, it might not be so dreary for you. ;-)

I agree with this.

here is an analogy that may help: a sewing machine is just as personal as a car - it's an investment made to last for a longer period of time and what is under the "bonnet" must be in good shape even if it is second hand. Old doesn't mean lesser - sometimes the old-timers can be excellent choices just like with cars. Buying a new car involves looking into all the pro's and cons of the different models and the same applies to a sewing machine. Also one would never consider buying a car without test driving it first and the same goes for sewing machines too.

HTH

I have heard this from a number of people, and it has not been my personal experience at all ...... I have had 2 computerized, electronic machines capable of "automatic" making of buttonholes (a Janome and a Babylock - neither were cheap machines), and the buttonholes of which were both vastly inferior to the quality I can easily achieve using a good mechanical buttonhole attachment. So I guess that this is definitely something that "your mileage may vary on". I have also heard this same complaint regarding automatic buttonholes being inferior from others (who also knew their way around a sewing machine, and were not using cheap machines)...

I personally use mechanical machines for most sewing.. The stitch quality is wonderful, and they are simply more durable (there is less to go wrong with them). I personally have never used all the fancy stitches my Singer 401a is capable of (other than to test them to see them). If sheer numbers of different stitches is your main criteria, you need to be looking at a computerized machine, imho.

me

I heard this from several other folk over the years, but one took advice and had the computerized machine serviced and adjusted after I showed her the buttonholes mine produces, and Lo! She never looked back! Like any precision intrument, you need to keep them properly serviced. I use my Lily a lot, and it gets serviced at regular intervals.

I also have plenty of mechanical machines, and while they all produce a decent buttonhole, none are quite up to the standard of the Lily. The other thing I really like about it is the 26 needle positions, allowing me a precision with things like top stitching and concealed zips that is hard to achieve by other means.

On the other hand, the Pfaff 1475, which is otherwise a wonderful machine, makes horrible buttonholes.

A good reason for thorough tedting when you buy. If, like me, you use a LOT of buttonholes and things like stitched eyelets and blind hems, TEST these options. You won't find me buying a modern electronic machine that cannot perform these functions impeccably ad nausium! ;)

I's *like* the built in walking foot that the Pfaffs offer, but not at the price of decent buttonholes.

And my Pfaff 2054 makes excellent BHs. Usually quite small ones for doll outfits. I have found that it pays to stabilise the material, regardless of the material type.

The single most useful facility on my Pfaff is the ability to stitch very slowly and precisely, coupled with a decent electronic speed control. I upgraded two or three years ago from a very old Singer, that had two speeds, fast or frenetic! It was fine for reasonably long and straight runs of stitching, but when it came to detail or finicky work - most of my sewing is for dolls clothes - it was worse than useless.

Whilst it's very nice to have a machine with all manner of fancy stitches, your granddaughter I am assuming will be coming to sewing as a first time hobby, so she'll have a lot to learn. If possible, look for a machine with genuine electronic speed control, rather than the crude variable reistor type to be found on cheaper machines, and better still get a machine with a switchable slower speed facility. In the early days. I suspect she'll find that far more useful than trying to get her a machine that can do far more than she can use, IYSWIM.