Sewing Machine

maggot · 11-23-2006, 05:26 PM

Hey, I have 300 bucks to blow, and I'm thinking of getting a sewing machine.

I was wondering if anyone could tell me of a good AND cheap sewing machine? I'd lke it to make clothes, so I'd prefer one with a slimmer base, so I can close thigs that would be "tube-ish," for lack of better words.

Rizash · 11-23-2006, 06:13 PM

The problem isnt the base, its the fact that you want one with a LONG extension between the "stem" and the needle... so you can sneak your clothing in so you can sew even the most inconvenient spots.

VERY important... get a name brand (singer rules) with lots of stitch patterns (I picked one up with 150 stitch patterns for like $150) Stitch patterns rule so you can do your own patterns with colored thread, and it also lets you hide your stitching better. Thats what my female friends told me way back when, and I'm glad they said it that way, lol!

maggot · 11-23-2006, 07:50 PM

Hah, okays. Is a 'long extension' sold with or seperately from the machine? Could you recommend a model to me?

Heatherzilla · 11-23-2006, 07:51 PM

Get an old machine thats still in good condition. The new machines just aren't made to last. My sewing machine is older than me and its great, it needs a new belt soon coz I use it too much but apart from that it's still in perfect condition.

Rizash · 11-23-2006, 09:42 PM

Actually, Heatherzill has a point.... Not too far from here (30 minutes or so) there's a leather shop that makes all the bags and stuff for harleys.... They use OLD school industrial sewing machines that have to be literally 30 years old, they're stronger, and more easily maintained. But I still wonder where you'd find one?

emeraldlonewoulf · 11-23-2006, 10:42 PM

older machines can be readily (well, sort of) found at thrift stores and yard sales. Honestly, I would have to agree with the whole thing about older machines being better quality, they really are, and while a variety of stitch patterns are nice, as well as a selection for button holes, unless you are planning on doing machine embroidery ( and if you are, it would be better to buy an embroidery machine in additon to your standard sewing machine, specially designed for that, complete with computer program design tools and a usb cable, and there you are talking some dough), your going to be hard pressed to find a real need for anything beyond a straight stitch and a zig-zag, as long as the length/width of the stitches are adjustable. ( which they are on a lot of older models, but you have to pick one from a selection on a lot of newer models)

also, out of the newer machines, singer, brother, and white are all decent brands ( just as they were ages ago, but then, singer was king) , but don't hold a candle to the older machines. you've got to understand that thirty or forty years ago, a sewing machine was looked at as an important household appliance with which to clothe your family and outfit your home. they were built like freaking tanks, to withstand decades of use and abuse. today, most people look at them like a crafting, hobby type luxury, and in our consumer economy, are more likely to replace something like that every few years.

Seriously, I spent a grand total of 17 dollars on a "dressmaker" brand (very good quality, if you can find it) machine i found at a thrift store a little over a month ago, and while i need to send off for a manual, and the machinery needs to be cleaned, (not to mention it is heavier than shit, but that won't matter if you put it in a sewing machine table) but still, i could take it to a shop, have it gone over for about 50 dollars, and still come out ahead financially, in comparison to new machines. it is probably 35 years old, but it is rock solid, good quality and i spent less than $20 to get it. if you have some time to shop around, look for a used one.

if you decide to go ahead and buy new, make sure you get something quality, and keep in mind the more little programmable features and doodads it comes with, the more stuff your going to have to learn starting out, and the more stuff can break. at first especially, learning to read patterns, handle material, cut properly, and fit clothing are much more important than a bunch of "specialty" stitches.

last thing, promise. if you just want something cheap, fast, and insist on something new, Wal-mart has a brother, 10 stitch machine on sale on Fri. (day after thanksgiving) one day only, at 55 dollars. I would highly recommend spending that same amount on an older machine rather than that, but hey, its' on sale, and it could give you something to play around with for a year or so to get used to sewing and see if it is something you want to spent a lot on in the future.

good luck, i hope the above ramblings can be of help.

maggot · 11-23-2006, 10:49 PM

o_o;

That was really informative. Emerald, I love you. Lol.

I'll be off to the Waltham thrift store maybe next week, then >: D

emeraldlonewoulf · 11-23-2006, 10:58 PM

hey, no problem. if you have any other questions just i.m. me, my info should be posted at the other place, if the pm system here isn't up and running.

maggot · 11-23-2006, 11:11 PM

Hah, okay ^^

#1158374 · 11-26-2006, 08:39 PM

Whatever you do, make sure you buy one that has a drop in bobbin. My old machine had the other kind(not sure what it's called) and the bobbin would fall out when I'd sew.

DarkHeartedDemoness · 11-27-2006, 08:27 AM

I have a Viking... It's really nice, and my mother had it before I was born (it's OLD!). Actually, it's not really MY Viking, but it's at my house, and I use it. My mom actually just bought a brand new computerized Bernina that does fancy embroidery shit and all... But she won't let me have the Viking, because it's incredibly dependable.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Viking-Sewing-Ma...QQcmdZViewItem

They're sold on Ebay for relatively good prices.