Buying Sewing / Quilting Machine

Hi V.,

Singer is no longer the best machine. It is not made the same way as in the past (nothing is anymore). I would recommend a Bernina. There are many good used ones if you aren't going to buy new. They are extremely reliable, make beautiful stitches and you can take classes to get the most out of it. There are other brands that are good too, this is just my personal choice. I have been sewing since I was a kid and have had many machines along the way.
HTH, Nana

My mom and aunt both do a lot of quilting,sewing and embroidery. My sister also does these they all have Bernina. I have a brother. These machines are good quality and have good trade in values.

Hey V.,
At one time, Singer was the best, and their top of the line is not bad now, but they are not the machines they once were. Bernina, Pfaff, Huscavarna, Janome, and Brother are all machines you should look at. I would recommend you look at mid line machines. You can get a good machine for around $1,000. They go up from there. You need to decide which features you really need. For me, (I am a quilter) I had to have a blanket stitch for applique. Because the lower end machines do not have that stitch, that is where I began my search. You really need to go to a shop and sew on one. Most machine stores have lots of machines to try out, and offer classes with purchase. I thought I wanted a cheap machine to take to classes (quilt shops offer lots of wonderful classes) until I sewed on one and Yuk! So you need to spend some time in the shops on the machines, know your budget and what you need the machine to do, and you can get the best machine for you. If you want embroidery that adds a whole other element to the picture, and thousands of dollars. There is a great shop in Denton, and lots of quilt shops around the area, ask your favorite shop what they like best. Good luck with your search. (I love my Bernina, and my Pfaff machines!) Oh, you don't have to have a "quilt stitch," in order to machine quilt, you just have to be able to put the feed dogs down to free motion. If you have more questions, I love talking about machines and sewing in general!
M.

Congratulations on your marriage! I bought a Huskystar from a dear friend of mine that works with her father that owns a sewing machine store. I trusted her over anyone else and she gave me the best price too. Few material things I love dearly and one is my sewing machine! The clear bobbin holder allows me to see when thread is low, low hum of engine is not disruptive and the easy self adjusting tension is a Godsend. :) I sold many sewn doll bodies sewn on my Husky on Ebay and helped make a small living.
Marlena(my friend) also sews for a living so would know the best deal/quality machine on the market. Here is her web site to locate her for questions and so you can see she sure knows what she is talking about.
Happy shopping!
http://cgi3.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&us...

Hi, Do some research, Singer is no longer considered the best. Most brands have their own website, so you can figure out which features are most important to you. If you are in Lewisville, Hancock Fabrics has sewing classes and they may also have a quilting class. Those instructors can help tremendously with machine advice. I have a Janome and like it a lot, it is made by Kenmore so the asscories at Sears work with my machine. There is so much to consider, email me with specific questions if you have them.

FWY The Sewing Room is no longer in Lewisville it is in Frisco.

If you're in Dallas, there's a sewing machine shop on Harry Hines a bit south of Walnut Hill. It's not the easiest to spot, but it's in a non-descript building on the west side of the road. They were really helpful in showing me the features of the machines and the ranges or quality and price. If you buy from a place like that, they'll spend time showing you how to use the machine and are always there for service or help. (This place also has a huge fabric store in the back.) I'm a fellow beginner who also thought Singer was the obvious choice. I ended up getting a Janome that's a pretty basic model for less than $300. Don't know how it would do with quilting, but it's been great for my little projects.

I have a Viking, it's very well made!

My mother bought a New Home Sewing Machine when I was 4 years old.....I now use the exact same sewing machine 23 years later! No problems ever!

Hi V.,
I'm having conection problems so you may get this twice. lol I grew up using a Singer, as did my mom and Grandma, the last one I bought only lasted a couple of years before I started having problems with it (which is not good as I have one made in the 60's that still works). My mom and I have both gotten Brother sewing machines. Mom bought one with the quilting attachments and I bought the sewing/embroidery (also does quilting) one. We both love them. Bernina (sp it's still early for me) and Huskvarna are awesome but require a larger investment than the Brother machines. If you have a local quilt shop they can advise you and some even have machines to demonstrate/let you try out. Wal-Mart (here anyway) has Singer and Brother machines you can look at, but don't do demos. Hope this helps.

There is a little sewing machine/vaccuum shop in McKinney that sells sewing machines , but they won't sell Singer, because they aren't a good sewing machine (their fine if you don't need one for heavy use or one that's terribly reliable....)Anyway, I can't think of the name of the shop, but the people there are really helpful, and they have classes. When you buy a machine they teach you how to use it. They have lots of Pfaff and Janome (there may be more, but I can't remember off the top of my head) Bernina is also good, but if you are looking for a quilting machine, this shop may be better. If you want to know the shop name, email separately and I'll look it up.

D.

I'm by no means a pro, but have been sewing since I was about 10. My mom had a singer when I first started and it seemed fine to me, but then when I was in high school she bought a very basic Bernina machine. It was a whole new world for both of us. The machine was wonderful. We actually spent our time sewing instead of fiddling with the machine. It was so user-friendly and was a real work-horse. She still has that machine and I'm 42 now.

After I got married I bought a used Bernina, and loved it as well. In one of our moves the movers dropped it, so they replaced it with a brand new one. It's now 10 years later and I'm still happily using the same machine. I've sewn window treatments, duvet sets, a slipcover for a sofa, formal dresses and halloween costumes and it just keeps going.

That said, I'm sure there are many good brands out there. One of friends who sews window treatments professional has a huskavana (sp?) and love it.

Good luck with your investigation,

I have had a Singer and a Janome, and the Janome is much better. I have the relatively cheap model that was bought at Costco and is not available at alot of the retail stores, but I like it. I sew heavy fabrics, like drapery and minky, and it takes a licking, but just keeps going.

For some reason, I did a google search several months ago on Singer sewing machines. If you do the same, you'll learn the history of the machine. It was one of the originals, but over the last 100 years ownership has changed hands several times.

My mom had a purple Kenmore sewing machine with a straight and a zig-zag stitch that I learned on in the 1960's. When I graduated from graduate school in 1984, I bought myself a Kenmore machine as a gift. It had either 12 or 14 stitches. Most important at that time was a stretch stitch setting for polyester double knit.

I still use that machine when I sew. I had it tuned up several years ago and the repairman told me to hold on to it. Most of the parts are metal, so it's durable. So many of this machines today are electronic and computerized.

I don't need all the decorative stitches. I do like having a mending stitch and a blind hemming stitch. If I want to personalize something with embroidery, I'll do that by hand.

My mother-in-law was a purist when it came to quilting, too. She did everything from piecing to the quilting by hand. She never used a machine on any of her quilts. She made extra money for many many years though as a seamstress and dressmaker. She had lots of different machines. Her issue was always speed. She had trouble finding a machine that would go fast enough for her.

Hey V.,
I started off as a beginner about 3 years ago and I bought the White 1470. I bought it at JoAnn's Fabric and it is awesome! It is a workhorse. As long as you change the needles it will sew just about anything. It is a quilting machine but it can do many other tasks. I wanted to start off w/ an inexpensive machine to make sure sewing was truly something I would keep up. I hope this helps.

I have a 17 year old Kenmore that I had rarely used except for mending. When I decided I wanted to learn to quilt about 3 years ago, I asked the quilting teacher (I had signed up for a beginner's quilt class) if I needed a special machine. She said that for quilting, you just need one that can do a straight stitch. I've been using my Kenmore (which actually has 32 stitches) and still have only used the straight one! So, as the others have told you, it is a matter of opionion. My suggestion is to learn what you want to learn and where you want to "go" with what you learn before investing in an expensive machine. I've got a better idea now of what I want a machine to do. My quilt teach also said to go into stores where you can sit down and try it out, as it isn't until you try it that you know if it will have the "feel" you want, like driving your car. When I do buy another, I'll be keeping my Kenmore for back up. I also want a serger, eventually, as I am hoping now to try my hand at easy clothes, mostly for my granddaughters.
Good luck and happy sewing!

White and Paffh(sp?) are both excellent brands....Janome too.

There are lots of good ones out there. I you are going to be doing just quilting(sewing blocks together) you won't need as many things on your machine. If you plan to do free motion quilting on your quilts, make sure that the machine you get can handle this. If you even think that you would ever do embroidery, the Bernina is the most versatile machine around. It does free motion, embroidery, quilting and much more. There are always classes on these to. I own a Brother and I like it. I don't care for the free motion quilting on it, but it is possible. Whatever you do, don't buy a cheap one. You will spend more time frustrated than happy. It makes your life miserable. I don't know where you live, but I can suggest some shops if you want to email me. Good luck. You will never be sorry you learned how to sew and quilt. It is such a gift.

Go to the North Richland Sewing Center and they have a large selection and classes. I used to sew a lot but when you do not do it then it goes down. They clean and adjust my machine and serger. My mom has a Bernia and Viking but the have another one they seem to sell there I have not heard from. G.

V.,
Oh my gosh no Singer is not the best. There are many machines that can run circles around a singer but then again you are going to pay for that. Singer is a nice solid brand but espeically if you a beginner many other brands would do fine. I am not very impressed with Brother as it is too cheaply made for me. When picking out a machine check to see how heavy it is. Metal parts will keep your machine running longer. As you know more things are being made cheaply with plastic than they used to be. I currently have a Neechi, not well known. I love it. I've worn out a Kenmore, my first machine. My mother had a NewHome from 100 years ago that still runs. Janome is ok. I have a babylock serger. I would love to have a Pfaffy but they are very pricey. I wouldn't get a White... As you see there is so much out there. I would go for heavy quality over tons of snitzy stitches you'll likely never use. Go for one that you find easy to understand, switch from one stitch to another without having to pull out your manual.
-Nita

I'll try this again. I pushed the wrong button and lost my response.

If you are thinking of buying a sewing machine, do not go to Walmart to buy it. You will be lucky if the machine lasts two years. Should something go wrong with it, many places will not repair it. So hence, the cheap price or throw away machines and nobody has money to throw away now days.

What do you want the machine to do? Do you want to just quilt or do you think you might like to make clothes or home decor (pillows and things)?

Check for sewing machine stores in your area to see if they have a trade in model on sale. You will know that the machine has been checked and cleaned. Take some fabrics with you. This fabric should represent all the kinds of sewing you think you want to do including your quilt sandwich (take some denim, knit fabric and sheer) and try out each machine on different settings and different stitches. Make sure the machine will allow you to lower your feed dogs for free motion quiliting and sewing on buttons.

Some names of machines are Bernina, Pfaff, Viking, Elna, Janome (who makes Kenmore), Brother, Babylock, White and Singer. Another machine is the Euro Pro Denim/Silk which is all metal gears. A good machine will start around $500 and go up. Singer was a good company but ownership changed and so did the quality and construction of the machines. I have several older model Singers that I love but would probably buy a Brother or Babylock the next time. You will get the one that is right for you. Welcome to the wonderful world of sewing. Please let us know what you do buy. Happy threads to you.

When I started sewing 7 years ago, I bought a Janome. I LOVE it and still use it regularly. My sister loved mine so much she ended up buying one too. I went to a small sewing store called the Sewing Room in Lewisville. They had a bunch of machines on display that you can try out and the owner was VERY nice and helpful. I don't know if they are still in business or not, but you might be able to find another local store.

Good luck,
M.

I LOVE my Bernina. I researched machines about 3 years ago when I wanted a nice one for sewing and quilting. I ended up choosing the Bernina 185QEE which is the quilter's embroidery edition. Berninas have great resale values and you can trade up as well. The closest Bernina dealer for you would be QUILTERS STASH, INC., 848 W. Pipeline Rd, Hurst, TX, 76053 ###-###-####. I agree with the person who said to buy your machine from a sewing store as opposed to a mass merchandiser like Wal-Mart. I know you can even buy used machines at the Bernina dealer. Have fun shopping and good luck!

It really is an opinion thing now. Depending on whatyou will be doing with the machine. Depending on where you live there are stores that specialize in sewing machine sales and they will help you choose the best for your needs.

Denton/Lewisville sewing center
Richland sewing center
Arlington sewing center

These are all run by my in-laws and they will take good care of you.

Hope this helps. Feel free to contact me privatley with more questions.

Don't get Singer. I know Martha Stewart now says they are her favorite, but that has to be a paid endorsement. Before that endorsement, she quietly used a Bernina on her show, but they must not have been paying her because she never mentioned it. I have a Bernina that I love. Friends have Pfaff and Janome that they love. If you can wait until the end of October, you can go to the International Quilt Show in Houston. It is great fun for a new quilter and they give great discounts on the machines that were used in the classes down there that week. I saved a ton on my Bernina and other brands were offered at similar discounts. There is a great Bernina store at 635 and Midway in Dallas. They can walk you through all of the bells and whistles so you can see what you want and what you don't. Don't get a machine that you will have to replace too soon. Have fun!

V., Singer is very good, but there are a lot of other ones for the same price. I would suggest going to a fabric store where they have the machines and purchase includes classes in most cases. JoAnn's in Frisco; Childers in old town Lewisville.

I wish you the best.

B.

I grew up on a Singer and still believe it to be a great machine. I owned a Kenmore for many years but two years ago I bought a White and a tremendous sale at Joanns. I love it. Good luck with learning...it is a wonderful skill to have and just plain fun.....I am beginning to teach my 14 year old daughter.....

I can not tell you where to buy a sewing machine, but you have peaked my interest in learning how to sew and quilt. Can you recommend how I should go about learning to sew and to quilt. I took home economics in high school, and I understand about laying and cutting out patterns and even sewing the pieces together, but I want to learn how to be very good. So, point me in the right direction.