sewing machine totes?

do you use them? worth the cost? any brand preference? i'm starting to sew more (after a looooooooooong absence) and taking some classes--- and trying to decide if i want one, if i will use it, if it is just something else to take up space.

can anyone help? I'm also going to post this on alt. sewing as well...

betsey

Reply to
betsey
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Dh got a wheeled tote & I stoled it 'cause me machine fit in very nicely!! Took it to Florida last year.

Nana

Reply to
Nana.Wilson

I have one but I woulnd't buy one again because it's not something I use enough and it just takes up space. I've used it when I went to tailoring classes, but in reality the normal dust cover would have worked just as well as I lugged it to the class.

Fran

Reply to
Farm1

hi Fran--

That's what i'm trying to debate...do i get one, or not? i have a feeling it would be a "nice to have", but not a need to have. I don't have any type of case...and i see that the carry cases are much more reasonable than the rolling tote ones...hmmmmmmmm.

betsey

Reply to
betsey

I have one....a tutto...it wasn't cheap, but then neither was my machine. I had to ask myself, " is it worth buying a tote that will transport and protect the machine that I have saved and waited for for so long?" Also, it really depends on how often you have to transport your machine. If you've got a $l,000+ machine, maybe it shouldn't be bouncing around in the trunk of your car. Just my thoughts................

Reply to
Alice in PA

I can't help you, Betsey. My sms only travel to the good guys who tune them up for me. They all came with hard carrying cases that slip over and let the handle on top stick up so they can be used. Mine are too heavy for me to lift and the cases would be no fun lugging in and out of a class. However . . . knew that was coming,didn't you? I'd want one with wheels and maybe outside pockets for good stuff. Polly

Reply to
Polly Esther

I would suggest that you look carefully at the "sewing machine totes" without buying, then go to an outlet store that has lots and lots of luggage for sale, and look for a case the correct size with wheels. I've seen the totes advertised at high prices, higher than I paid for a whole set of luggage at the Penney's Outlet. For as much as you will use the tote, it makes little sense to spend a lot on it. Though some, I'm sure, will disagree, but I think it's worth doing a little research.

Reply to
Pogonip

I agree with people's concern at the cost. When I found that I really couldn't take my Janome 6500 to workshops, I wondered about a wheeled carry-bag, but decided to get a smaller machine specially for classes etc. I would also have a back-up sewing machine. The second machine was less expensive than the specifically designed machine carrier! It was much lighter and I could get it into the car easily. . In message , betsey writes

Reply to
Pat S

thanks Nana, Joanne and Pat--i am going to go "looking". my smaller machine is a singer featherweight...which is great for just pieceing classes, but things that require more...i take my viking 350.

I'll be going to not just classes, but have also promised my mom i would come up and help make their new curtains. her machine is a singer from the 60's--nice machine, but in a sewing desk, and my viking we can just put on the dining room table. and my sister just asked me to do her curtains....so, in thinking about this, my machine WILL be travelling .

Pat-out of curiosity--what is your "second" machine?

Betsey

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betsey

nZ2dnUVZ snipped-for-privacy@ptd.net...

Reply to
betsey

I have one that I got on a super-closeout price at TSWLTH a few years ago, and it works very well. I would NEVER have paid full price, though.

When I have to take a SM with me, I take my Featherweight, and it really doesn't need a separate case. However, I put the Featherweight in its special case with its attachments in the wheeled tote, and can wheel it without risk of dropping it. Also, the wheeled tote has plenty of extra room for extension cord and my pack of tools -- scissors, threads, box of pins, etc. -- and for another container with the current project. I find it very handy.

Reply to
Mary

I just went to check! It is a Janome 415. It is slightly different from my big one - and rather a lot noisier; but it works fine and it is good to have. There are a few 'fancy' stitches, not as many as the big one, but enough when need arises. I had gone to the machine shop with the intention of getting a Janome Jem (one or other), but when the man asked me what I would be doing with it, he suggested a smaller, but full size (rather than a 3/4). I can lift it over my fairly high car door sill with one hand. .

Reply to
Pat S

I have one of the wheeled sm totes sold at TSWLTH. I got the

***first one*** online early last summer with a 40% off coupon -- no way would I pay the full price, too $$$. It was defective and I sent it back for a refund NOT exchange. When I ordered another one, I got one that was a discontinued fabric so got it for about 60% off!! I LOVE mine because I can't schlepp a sm around any longer. I really like that it has pockets for other stuff and the whole thing is nicely padded and has wide velcro straps used to hold the machine in place. I tried using a piece of luggage but had to set the sm on it's end to get it into my wheeled suitcase. I had thought about getting a special piece of luggage -- something like a sales mans sample case but couldn't find anything the right size that was reasonably priced. IF you can find a wheeled case that is the right size and reasonably priced, then go for it. Otherwise, wait for a coupon and get the one sold at TSWLTH. Honestly, it's the wheels and the additional storage space that make a sm tote necessary, IMNSHO. Keep us posted on what you end up doing, OK? CiaoMeow >^;;^<

PAX, Tia Mary /\__/\

Reply to
Tia Mary

I have a wheeled tote, I got mine "free" with the purchase of a $300 chest of embroidery thread. It looks a lot like:

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have used it several time to lug my machines in for service and it is very good for that. Sturdy, Velcro straps to hold it securely, lots of room for cords, hoops, accessories, etc. Mine has a handle that locks in three positions, I find that very handy. I think if you plan to take your machine to classes on a regular basis it would be a valuable addition.

NAYY,

Reply to
BEI Design

PS: There are also these:

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fromSinger.

Kay

Reply to
Kay Lancaster

FWIW, Betsey, my 350 has been all over the US and parts of Canada either naked and in a tote bag or in a piece of prequilted something or other that I cut a couple of slits in to make a handle hole.... drop one slit over the handle, wrap the bulk around the machine, drop the other slit over the handle. Add a couple safety pins to hold the ends together around the narrow ends of the machine. I'd sooner use a tote or handle directly on the machine for hauling when I'm also dealing with stairs, curbs, escalators -- all things wheels don't do well with.

My personal favorite container for hauling electronics is an ice chest... insulation from temperature, a fair amount of structure around the electronics, and people who would like to steal your expensive gear usually aren't thinking about stealing your lunch. Some of the ice chests are now wheeled, like:

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Andthere are gizmos like:
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folds flat for storage. Kay

Reply to
Kay Lancaster

Hi Besty,

Yes, I use one. I've got arthritis in my shoulders and neck and if I carry a machine - even a featherweight - I 'pay for it' for days :)

I just got one of these and I love, love, love it:

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-Irene

Reply to
IMS

I LOVE the idea of the ice chest! Not only protection, but a disguise!!! And it reminds me of my younger sister toting her very fancy camera and lenses around Kansas City. She bought a diaper bag, put the camera and lenses in, and topped it with a spare baby blanket and added some new Pampers, a container of baby wipes and a spare baby outfit, and then added the best -- a crumpled up diaper that was rolled up and taped shut as though it was a fresh full one that nobody would ever want to touch. Unlike a few of her friends who used proper camera bags, nobody ever touched her diaper bag, asked about her camera, or stole anything.

Reply to
Mary

If you are taking a larger or heavier older sewing machine to classes, and have a ways to go from car to classroom, or regularly take it on the train/aircraft, then yes. Personally, for that I'd go for the wheeled sort. People like Janome and Brnina have own brand ones that fit their machines. Expensive, but worth it for a big expensive machine.

Usually when I'm sewing away from home I don't need to move the machine far from car to resting place, and I have the GMNT and his dad handy for carrying, so I just use the machine's standard case. I also usually use a smaller machine when away from home, such as the Elna Lotus machines or the Frister & Rossman Cu 4's. I do have a generic carrying case for my sergers, but only the one as I don't usually need to take two away with me.

Reply to
Kate XXXXXX

thank you everyone for your thoughts and opinions! i think i need to spend some time investigating. and yes, i've decided that i DO need a machine hauler . while my viking 350 is close to 15 years old, and was not a multi thousand dollar machine...it IS my machine, and I would have a tough time replacing it financially.

i've decided on wheels...yes, wheels are a good thing . while in theory i love the idea of the cooler (thank you Kay!), i have a feeling it would be taken over by the hubby and/or kids in short order . and i like the cart thingy from staples kay...i don't know about using it for the machine..but boy, would that come in handy at horse shows!

i will be checking them all out. one last question for y'all...do you know of any that are NON CHINA made? made is US would be wonderful, but as long its not made in China, i'm willing to spend a bit more

betsey

Reply to
betsey

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