sewing machine opinion wanted

> >

Cheap & cheerful price. Check it thoroughly, on big wodges of fabric. Tell them how much you actually sew: will it stand the pace?

Who makes it?

> Larisa

Larisa,

I absolutely LOVE my Kenmore. It doesn't have near the bells and whistles your prospective machine does. It sews through thick layers with no problems and I use it alot. It handles just about anything I can throw at it. This machine has sold me on the Janome line and I believe that I'll go with them for my next TOL machine.

Good luck and I'm excited for you!

Cindy in WV, soon to be in TN!

It's a Kenmore. The one that I have been sewing with for 14 years (with NO trips to the shop) is also a Kenmore - it was bought when Mother's old machine blew the motor, and when she got that one fixed, she gave me this one. Of course, this is the main reason I am interested in this machine...product loyalty and performance.

Larisa

Kate Dicey wrote:

>>>>

Where in TN? If around Memphis, do let me know, DD will have you in the ASG very quickly, and Sandra Betzina is doing a show for them in April. Emily

Larissa,

I haven't been investigating the links you posted, so I'm sorry if this is totally off the mark, but I saw this machine on a local board right after I read about your enthusiasm for Kenmores.

't know if it is what you're looking for. You could pick it up if you came out for one of Tom's events....

-Charlotte

I thought 'Kenmore' was the Sears brand name, and that different models were made by different companies.

Hi Emily,

The Knoxville area. We put a contract on a house, just waiting on the usual inspection, appraisal, etc. I'm excited but scared at the same time.

Cindy in WV

The new Kenmores can be like the new Singers -- no longer a product manufactured with pride, but one manufactured by the cheapest bidder. I second the suggestion to give it a really good trying-out, although if you can find out from the salesperson that it's a Janome-made model, you have a better chance for success.

They are. Kenmore sewing machines used to be very reliable, but they, just like Singer, sort of went down the tubes in the lower-end machines and at about the same time.

Kenmores used to be made by Janome. Does anyone know if they still are?

Karen Maslowski > It's a Kenmore. The one that I have been sewing with for 14 years (with

>>>>>>

But many Kenmores were made by Janome, up til a few years ago (and beyond that I haven't checked). And the brand-new Singers are awesome. I'm definitely going to be getting one of their new embroidery machines. They don't have the computer built into the machine itself, so they are much less pricey (well under $1,000) than other brands; they hook up to a computer, so you can use ANY embroidery program; and they sew seams, too.

Karen Maslowski > Kate Dicey wrote:

I just was talking about the low-end Sears machines, not the mid-range ones that are made by Janome.

The lowest-range ones are not. The mid-range and upper range ones are.

Exactly right. As I have heard "Sears never made anything -- except money." None of their branded merchandise comes from their manufactury because they don't have one. Generally speaking, the put out the specs and the lowest bidder gets the contract and puts on the Sears, Kenmore, Craftsman, etc. labels.

IIRC, the higher-end Kenmores are made by Janome and the lower-end ones are made by White. I'm not sure if that still holds true.

Lisa W. in NJ

I love E TN, so gorgeous, and the number of times, I've been through Knoxville, it looks like a great town. Good luck. Emily

Hi Cindy, This is Cindy too! I live outside of Knoxville and I have to go into Knox for anything I want other than what's carried in the local Wal-Mart. As for stores... Jo anne's (one location at cedar bluff and Kingston pike) and two Hancock fabrics ( both on Kingston pike, one in the Bearden area the other just west of Jo anne's about two plazas down) As for the little mom & pop places, I wish I knew. If you find any, let me know!

Cindy in Knox

For anyone who sews regularly buying a new sewing machine is a very big deal. They will most likely keep it longer than they will keep whatever car they are currently driving. So if they aren't happy with their purchase, they are going to be unhappy for a very long time. What follows are just some ideas on buying the right sewing machine for you.

When I purchased a new machine several years ago, I wrote down all the features that I felt were important to me, the price range I was comfortable with, and the names and addresses of the various dealers in the area. Today I would also visit the Web sites of the various manufacturers. Next I got brochures from all the companies (available at larger quilt shows) and read though them carefully. Armed with the lists and after reading all the sales brochures on each machine available, I could pretty much ignore the "sales pitch" and knew going in what I needed in a sewing machine and I tested each machine based on MY criteria.

NOTE: When I did the testing, I left my checkbook, credit cards, etc. at home so I couldn't be tempted into buying one on the spot if I met a really good salesman.

After visiting the various dealers I went home and looked over everything and bought the one I thought fit me best. I started out thinking that I would buy a Pfaff and wound up with a Viking. From that day to this I have been 100% satisfied with the machine I got. BUT that was the best sewing machine for ME, what I needed from a machine, and the way I sewed. Each sewer is different. I know another woman who bought a Bernina and hates it and another who doesn't understand how to use her sewing machine. Another woman couldn't figure out the programming on a Viking. Yet there are LOTS of satisfied customers who have each machine. It's because they have the right machine for THEM.

Before buying, separate need from want. While it might be prestigious to own the top of the line sewing machine, if you aren't happy with it or don't know how to use it, you have wasted your money and will probably waste a lot of time trying to use a machine that isn't suited for you. My best advice to you is don't take other people's advice on which specific sewing machine to buy.

Questions you need to answer: · What kind of sewer are you? o Are you an expert, average sewer, or a beginner? If you are a beginner you might want to get a cheaper model right now and wait a few years to see what kind of sewing you wind up doing. I started out making my own clothes and now almost exclusively do quilting. o Are you a professional seamstress, professional quilt maker or a costume designer that may need a heavy duty or specialized sewing machine? · What do you sew? o Do you make slipcovers? o Do you routinely sew very large items such as drapery? o What kind of fabrics do you sew? o Do you usually use upholstery fabric, silks, knits, denim, cottons, or a mix? · Where are you planning on keeping your sewing machine and where do you plan on using it? o Are you going to get it out of a closet each time you use it? Maybe the weight of each machine is something you need to consider. o Will you be sewing on the kitchen table (not recommended, but many of us started out that way.) o Do you have a room dedicated to sewing where your machine will stay undisturbed? o Do you have small children that might play with the tension dial? Some reset automatically? o Do you have a sewing cabinet? Will you be buying one in the future? · What features will best help you in YOUR kind of sewing? o If you do mostly quilting? Then maybe you only need a few basic stitches rather than a whole array of stitches. o If you are making clothing it's very important how you finish seams in certain garments. Do you have a serger or will you depend heavily on various zigzag stitches? o Do you do appliqué using a satin stitch? Some machines satin stitch better than others. o Does it have a freearm? Is this something you need? o Will you use a large assortment of decorative stitches? I have known people who got machines high end machines with vast stitch assortments and have never used them and they would have been just as happy with a cheaper machine. · Do you want an embroidery machine? o Is it something you would use or just something you want? This is a distinction I had to make. While I think embroidery machines are neat, they aren't something I would have much need for personally. · What do I need to avoid? o If the one you are looking at is computerized: § Can you figure out how to program it? How easy it is for you to learn programming (a must in some machines)? Note: If you find using a computer difficult, probably getting the most computerized machine that you have to constantly adjust won't be the best for you. o What features wouldn't you use and don't you need? Why pay money for 100 decorative stitches if you don't need them? · Transporting it: o Are you going to take it with you to classes? o Will you take it on an airline? o Does it pack up easily if you need to take it someplace? o What kind of carrying case does it have? · Basics & Extras o What kind of needles does it take? Are they expensive? Are they readily available? o What feet/attachments comes with the sewing machine? · What kind of extra feet/attachments are available that you need, etc. Are they expensive? Are they readily available? o What type of instruction classes are given FREE o Are there additional classes offered? o Can it be updated with new cards, attachments, programs, etc.? o Warranty. o Routine Maintenance § What kind of service is available in your area for cleaning and maintenance of your machine? § Can you afford the routine maintenance? · Features: o How easy is it to wind the bobbin? o Does it have an option on the needle position that enables it to have the needle down when you stop sewing? o Does it sew sideways (this was an important feature at the time I bought my machine because I was embellishing sweatshirts)

On Fri, 18 Mar 2005 14:03:01 GMT, CNYstitcher wrote: