Sewing Machine advice wanted

[quakerboy]

We are looking at getting a sewing machine. But I have no idea what kind to get.

I'm sure it depends on use. My wife wants to make some simple curtains. It would be nice to be able to mend the occasional rip or hole in clothing. I'd like it to last a decent amount of time. These are the bare minimum of needs.

Personally, I would love to learn to sew, even to the point of making my own clothing. I notice that quality has gone down, and no one does well made, durable clothing for large men like myself(at least, not in any store I can afford to visit). Whether I actually attempt it probably depends on whether we get a machine that facilitates that with relative ease of use.

There was a computerized Brother sewing machine at Costco a while back. It had good reviews and the price was right around $200. But it was a closeout, and they were gone before we got there, with no plans to restock.

Anyone have and advice? Brands? Specific functions that I should be looking for? Things I should avoid? Is there any chance of finding a durable, long lasting, useful and reasonably priced sewing machine?

[ginnyinWI]

1. well if it were me--

I'd look on Craig's List for an older used one that is simple, not computerized, and without all the fancy stitches and things. To make clothing, you need a straight stitch, a zigzag stitch, a stretch stitch for knits, and a button hole stitch. I bought a relatively simple Kenmore years and years ago and it had maybe a dozen stitches, and I haven't used even that many. So I say keep it simple.

As a matter of fact, my mom, age 83, still has a sewing machine she bought in the 1950s that still works fine. A good machine with few things that can break on it. That brand was Necchi, which I don't know even exists anymore.

Look for simplicity, and avoid complexity--more things to become broken. You will probably want one that can do sleeves and pants cuffs--you know, with an "arm" so that you can sew those.

[gkhouston]

8. One other thing: it should be able to back up without eating the fabric.

My mom had an old Singer Touch 'n' Sew that she sometimes called her "Stitch 'n' Bitch" because it was lousy at backing up.

I've got a computerized machine that one of my girlfriends called "God in a box". It's a great machine, but I've made nice things on far simpler and less expensive models. Sewing isn't just about the machine. Attention to detail in selecting/prepping the fabric, altering/laying out the pattern properly, and pressing seams as you go make a huge difference in the finished project.

[HeiressofBickworth]

9. I saw a solution to this

on one of the sewing shows. It's a bit inconvenient, but keeps the machine from eating the few stitches on backup. The host of the show stopped the line of sewing with the needle-down, turned the work and sewed three stitches back from where she came from. It's the same idea to lock the stitches, but for softer materials, avoids the problems with back-up. I haven't tried this yet, but I'll be making a jacket in June for a costume event I go to every Labor day. I'll try it then.

[gkhouston]

10. It works; I used to use that trick when I was learning to sew in middle school.

It's not an issue with the machine I have now unless the fabric has an extremely fine hand.

[Suich]

2. Here's a thread about sewing machines from December:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/103270

Good luck!

[MADem]

3. Is there any place near you that offers sewing lessons?

You could go, take a few lessons, and get a sense of what sort of machine you would want to use.

We have an old SINGER sewing machine in our house. It's very old--predating electricity. To make it work, the operator has to use a large footpedal to make the needle go up and down.

[quakerboy]

4. My mom offered me one of those

The catch was I would have had to learn to fix it myself(or pay someone who knows how much to have it done).

I have no idea if anyone around offers sewing lessons. Im sure someone does, and I've probably passed places with well informed sales people each day this week, but my brain never acknowledged them.

I ended up going with a Brother CS6000i. With an overwhelming number of positive Amazon reviews, and a price tag that appeared reasonable, I decided just to go for it.

[MADem]

5. Have you had a chance to take it for a spin yet?

Are you enjoying the thing and able to make it work? I will admit that's not a talent I think I possess, not that I've tried--it just looks "the opposite of easy" to me!

Those foot-pedal Singers I don't think give you a lot of choices when it comes to the type stitch you get out of them--still, they are better than the old needle and thread, I would imagine.

Best of luck with your new purchase--I hope you have fun with it and get a lot of use out of it.

[quakerboy]

6. It has not yet arrived

I only just ordered it.

[MADem]

7. If you think of it, come back here after you get it and let us know how it goes!

I'm curious to know if it will be easy to "drive," if ya know what I mean.