Sewing Machines - Saint James,MO

I have been sewing since I was 10. And, for that birthday, my parents got me a top of the line kenmore.

Over the years, I have gotten other machines, but my kenmore has never let me down. (metal parts).

I would suggest looking on craigs list for an 'older' machine...that is NOT predominantly plastic.

Just my opinion!!

best!

My kingdom for a brand new Bernina!

:)

I am new to sewing, but have been pretty happy with my Emerald Husquvarna. I'd schedule a date with mom to go into a JoAnn's that has a sewing center, and let her try out several different machines. And get some "expert" opinions..

Oh.. I got mine for about $300 a couple years ago (a birthday present I chose for myself). It does button holes, and about 60 different stitches. Sews through jeans and leather. It is NOT electronic.

http://new.husqvarnaviking.com/en-US/Machines/EMERALD-tra...

My almost 19 yr old daughter has a Babylock. I don't know if it is "Molly" or not. It runs around $400 something but because that brand is used in the school system here, she got a discount and we paid just under $400. I think.

It is not the bottom of the line Babylock and not the top of the line. It is right in the middle. The lower end version did not have some stitching capabilities and I don't think it made button holes. The higher end version had too many bells and whistles because she is not quilting or doing fancy stuff.

She had sewing lessons in a home ec class in middle school and then did a bit of sewing in fashion design classes in high school. It is about yrs old. NEVER had an issue, she still uses it... not heavily but she does use it.

We liked the idea og the Babylock because they are used in the schools here and you know how students can be with things... If it can withstand students using it daily, it should be able to withstand 1 student using it sometimes.

We got it at a sewing machine store here in Plano.

I have a Kenmore and it does everything I need to do.
Straight, adjustable zigzag, and buttonholes.
There are a bunch of models, but this was at about the $150 range.

I sew for a living and I am very partial to my brother.

I have had my basic brother for years with no issues, they do make fancier models if she does not like basic, over all brother seems to be a good quality product for a lower price tag.

My suggestion(s) would be the Babylock or mid range Brother (they are both Brother products). juki makes home machines that run mid range to higher end (FZ300, 400 and 600). If you can stop by a Bernina dealer they have lower range machines or a trade in that might work for your mom. That way she can take it back and have it worked on as the dealer knows the history of the machine.

A dealer machine might cost a bit more, but they do do sewing lessons for the machine and they will service it.

Take your mom on a test drive and then decide which is the better way to go.

Have a happy holiday season and I hope mom gets her gifts done.

the other S.

PS Viking, Singer and Pfaff are now owned by a holding group.

I have a Husquvarna Viking Emerald 183 and just love it. It is digital so it might be a bit more bells and whistles than what she is looking for but they have some that are more standard. I think the quality of this machine is top notch and would recommend it. My mom who has sewn her whole life just got one like mine to replace her 20+ year old Kenmore and she really likes it and agrees to the high quality of the machine.