sewing machines

[danaeris]

So, I'm starting to glance at sewing machines because I would like to learn to sew (more) and start sewing some of my own clothing or at least altering stuff I find at thrift stores.

I just spent some time speaking to a saleswoman who was pushing Janome, which will run me between $300 and $550 CAD (specifically, the 415, 423S, and Decor Excel 5018 in increasing price order). She also recommended the Bernette 65, which would cost $370.

On the other hand, Costco.ca has some Singer sewing machines for much cheaper -- nearly half the price, for comparable functions.

I'm wondering if any of the sewers on my list have strong opinions on sewing machine brands or models, or if anyone bought a sewing machine recently and could share their experience.

Comments

[jadia.livejournal.com]

I recently got an old sewing machine (Singer) at a yard sale and then had a shop tune it up. Right now, I'd like to learn how to make cool clothing for me. I've very little experience in sewing. I'm finding that even a very basic sewing machine is more than enough for me, because I'm still learning things like "how to cut straight" and "how to move the cloth in a straight line" and "pinning the cloth correctly" and "following a pattern. Learning these skills and such seems like it'll take me a fair ways into making cool clothing for me.

Talking to the person at the store, they said that the only reason I'd want a better sewing machine is if I want to work with stretchy cloth. I figured that I know so little right now that I wouldn't notice if I worked poorly with stretchy cloth for a while, so it probably doesn't matter. (And my skill level is probably low enough that I shouldn't work with stretchy cloth for a while.)

I've used my sewing machine a bit. It makes the sewing part really fast but it feels like that just makes the cutting and pinning really critical and I'm pretty bad at that. So my lines come out crooked anyway. I'm thinking of getting a large cutting mat, or something, so I can cut and pin straight lines better. I haven't really needed to do more than "sew these things together", but I also haven't spent a whole lot of time using it and practicing.

[isara.livejournal.com]

I purchased a Janome 423S about a year and a half ago. I really love this machine and I've been really happy with it (although it is overdue for a tuneup).

The nice thing about Janome is that it's still made with all metal insides. A lot of newer machines will have plastic motor parts that will wear down and break. I'm not sure if the newer Singers use plastic parts, but I *think* they do.

[aberrantvirtue.livejournal.com]

I know mine doesn't...but I specifically shopped for a Singer that didn't. I think some of the less industrial models than mine might.

[tshuma]

I second this concern. A lot of the lower-scale models of sewing machines, in fact most brands have something they sell of which this is true, use plastic parts. It costs less in the beginning, but it has to be fixed or replaced much sooner.

[aberrantvirtue.livejournal.com]

I have a Singer, although I believe it is a professional model. (It's not table mounted, but the f***er weighs a ton, and is made of mostly metal.) I got it for about $350, but in the Garment District in LA, so I don't know what that would translate to retail.

I will say, I love it, and the only problems I've had with it so far are all user error as opposed to machine error, fwiw.

[outcastspice.livejournal.com]

my family has a singer sewing machine from 1932 that still works perfectly. on the other hand, they don't make anything like they used to.

I also have a thing for radios from the late 30s.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_duncan/]

Exactly. An old Singer will be a quality piece of machinery with simple controls, metal gears and easily replaceable electric components. Save the c$400, Dana, and hit garage sales and Craigslist unless you're looking for something they didn't make in the 40s like image replication or monogramming of downloadable fonts.

from
........
to
-- -- --
to
\/\/\/\/
and sometimes
¯^¯-_v_-¯
the old stuff still works.

[velvetpage.livejournal.com]

I have a Kenmore, can't remember the model number offhand, but it cost my mom $249 (I think she got it on sale, but that was the regular price.) It has twelve stitch functions and a buttonholer that is semi-automatic, it's compact enough for my purposes, and Sears stands by their appliances. The Janome I looked at that was comparable at the time was $50 more, but had almost identical stitch functions.

My aunt offered to do a lesson for you and sassy_fae on buying a sewing machine - what you need to get started, what you will probably want before too long, and what constitutes an expensive, unnecessary frill. What do you think?

[iridium.livejournal.com]

i've got an old Singer Featherweight from the '30s. it's a sweet little machine, but it only does straight-stitch.
- metal gears are important. simple is also good.
- you want straight stitch and zigzag, definitely, but i've never used anything much fancier than that. depends what you want to do with it.

[caillean.livejournal.com]

I love my old singer. I've got two, actually (a model 128 made in 1926 or so, and a model 242), but I don't use the real antique that I inherited from my grandmother (which was her aunt's). The one I've got circa 1970 has seen tons of use and works perfectly. It's a real workhorse. It's got 3 basic types of stiches and handles all but the finest chiffon beautifully. (Stich types: straight stitch: ..... ----- hemming stitch: --^--^--^--^-- & zig-zag /\/\/\/\/\/\ ) The newer singers do suck.. basically, if it seems more plastic then cast iron, dont' bother with a singer. If it doesn't feel somewhere between 30 & 50 lbs, it's not old enough to have been made right.
My mum has a newer singer and it's always giving her trouble.. I think it was made in the early 90s. I know you can usually find the old singers (mid 70s and before) for not much.. $150USD or less, I'd guess. They're definatley worth the money and there's no trouble getting the parts. FYI, if you find one for really cheap/free and the only problem is the foot peddle doesn't work anymore, a new pedle is only $35USD. (My circa 1970 one just got replaced cause the peddle was caught in a basement flood.. messed up the contacts.)

[lastmx.livejournal.com]

Speaking as a contractor I always pay an arm and a leg for any tool I'll be using on a semi regular basis.

So whether you get it new or used: get quality! (Read: all metal, luser unfriendly, weighs a metric ton)