I Need a New Sewing maching--Any Favorites? I Use It ALOT

I second Bernina although you're going to pay a lot more than $200 for one. They are worth EVERY penny.

Splurge on a Bernina. You're worth it and you'll never need another machine as long as you live.

Really.

:)

Hi mom of sons-

I wish I had good sewing machine news for the price range/heavy work of which you speak!

I still have my 'sears kenmore' that was gifted to me my by my NON sewing mom when I was 10. (I will be 53 in August). Although it weighs a TON (OK...maybe 25 lbs)...with cleaning, oil and regular tension checks...it is my GO machine for any 'heavy' work...(denim...heavy drapes...slip covers).

I have had some singers also over the years...I like the 'free arm' ability for little kid clothes...I have liked some of the newer embroidery stitches...

BUT...I will WILL my heavy kenmore to someone when I die and am ready to give it up.

Now...IF I could afford a bernina...I might reconsider! lol

Maybe try craig's list...or a church group with 'older ladies' who may have 'old machines to sell?

I do not know what I will do if the kenmore dies before me...

***fingers crossed***

Best Luck!
michele/cat

Call a shop that works on sewing machines and ask this question.

I still like Singer but there are other good ones.

I have an old one - 1982 and don't use it as much as you or for heavy things. But I do use it pretty regularly - just depending how things go. I take very good care of it.

I was thinking of getting a new one a couple months ago when I took it in to get it worked on at a shop. I asked the owner about what he'd recommend and he said I'd be best to stick with what I have because it was the last one to be made with as much metal as it is. The plastic ones wear out sooner than later.

Just my two cents.
Good huntings for a new and wonderful machine.

I have a Viking Emerald 183 that my mom got from Joann's for around $600 and it is great. You might need to spend a little more especially if you use it a lot and on heavy items. Try looking on Craigslist or saving up an get a good quality machine.

I am an avid sewer on everything to sheers to denim & leather. I am also a bit of a snob when it comes to my machines. If you wanted to spend 600-700, get a Janome. My MIL has one in that price range and has sewed enough clothing and home decor to outfit the state of Wisconsin with not a single problem over the past 10 years. However, I sew on a Brother. Mine is a higher end embroidery model, costing around 1400. I have never used a nicer machine in my life. (even better than the Janome.) I am so happy with it that when my daughter was 9 i bought her a Brother as her first machine. It's digital, has a nice range of stitches, and cost about $150 at Target. It sews so well that I will usually jump between it and my machine on the same project. It handles denim very well, and I use it for all the tough stuff I worry about running my machine on. She's now 13 and we have beat the dickens out of the machine, and it still sews as precisely as day 1.

One word of warning on older vintage machines (my mom learned the hard way) They are made really well with metal gears vs the plastic innards of current machines) BUT they are prone to tension problems. It takes a really good repairman to fix these problems. And will cost a good chunk of money. Only buy vintage from a repairman, and make sure he demonstrates the tension controls to you. Prior to my MIL's Janome, she had an ooooooooold singer (1950's) that she sewed on for 40+ years, only needing the motor replaced once. Again, when I say she sewed enough to clothe the state of WI, i'm not exagerating. The only reason she got a new Jamome was for the decorative stictching. She still uses the Singer as a workhorse.

I would either go with an older vintage (60s) Singer or Kenmore. OR, I just saw a Janome model that normally sells for $1600 for sale on Craigslist for $300 barely used. DON'T by a LOW end Singer or Brother. I actually don't think a current low end machine of any model would hold up well to the kind of sewing you do.

The modern machine I have are Janome. If you want a new machine Visit a Sewing machine shop (more than one if possible), then check out http://sewing.patternreview.com/ as to what the members say about what you was recommended to you and go from there. Keep your eyes peeled for second hand models. Some people give them up after a few months and you may get very lucky and find a new machine that works for you.

I'm curious what machine you "wore out". If it's an older machine such as some of us have recommend, I'd suspect it might need a part and could keep going. If you want to private message me with the details of the problem I might be able to help. I have several vintage machines I've received for free from family members. Looking at craigslist and going to PM a few links to you.......All the best!

ETA: Also try freecycle. You start at freecycle.org and find the yahoo group for your area.

Singer Sewing Machine company went out of business and filed bankruptcy in the 1970's. The name and the logo were later purchased by a Twianise businessman and he started making sewing machines with the name and the logo ----- but they are not the quality of the orginal machines. I have an old Singer built about 1970 and i love it but I have had to replace all of the gears twice and the flywheel is wearing out and is non- repairable. But IF you can find an old Singer that is in great working condition and not worn out or dried out you will have a winner machine. But those are very hard to find.

Several years ago I bought a Vicking for about $500.00 (gulp gulp) but it is a great machine. It never needs oiling, is easy to use and can sew through seven (yep 7) layers of denim. I would recommend it to anyone.

My 17 yr old has a Babylock. We got the middle one a little less than $400. There was one a step higher for heavier duty sewing. The lower level one is around $200. The mid and upper have more bells and whistles are are not as basic.

We chose this brand because it is what they have in the schools. I figured if they hold up well for what students put them through then maybe it's a good one

So far no issues and she's had it ( and used it) 3 yrs.

We got ours at a sewing machine center. Singer used to be great but they've changed and are not as good anymore

Good luck.

I'm going to say Bernina. They are expensive but worth it mine has lasted me for 20 years without any problems at all. I would also say that at the same time to buy an older Bernina. They won't be as cool but they are made of metal therefore more sturdy but they don't have tension problems. If you don't go Bernina I recommend Janome and Brother. I'm a sewing teacher and have been for 10+ years. My classroom had all Bernina's and if you can imagine how hard Junior high students are on machines the only problem we ever had was some of the plastic pieces breaking off (we had newer ones). Good luck.

Singers are great and they last long! My Granny had hers for about 50 years.....of course back then they probably made them a lot better and with more durable parts. :-)

You might try getting an older all metal machine for the work you talk about. The plastic machines will break down quite quickly as they are not made for the punishment you takl about. If you can afford an industrial for around $600 you can get it set up for this kind of sewing. I had one set up, tested and shipped to me for $610 (table, motor and machine). Love it.

The older Singers were very good the new ones are not. My last new Singer was in 1989.

Brother has some good machines that you could get at the dealer. That way when something goes wrong you have someone for backup that fix it locally or ship it for repair (warranty work).

Sorry if I am not much help. I have a "herd" of machines at my house and some are better than others for things I want to make.

The other S.