Sewing Machines - What do you use and why?

[Sixoclock]

I have been sewing everything by hand for many years. Last time I touched a sewing machine was back in middle school. So hubs and I have decided that it might be best to look into getting a sewing machine. It would make me more likely to make doll clothes (as long as I understand the patterns - I'm not too smart in that area all the time, lol) instead of buying them, thus saving us money. I also love, love, love making pillows... I have no idea why.. I just do.

Anyway, my mother has always used a Singer and is going to assist me with her when we visit in a couple weeks. However, we stopped by a local sewing & vac shop to look at used ones. The lady was super helpful and sat me in front of a Viking. This thing was amazing. No need to guide the material, it threaded itself (saw a singer that did the same thing in walmart), 3 adjustable speeds despite peddle pressure, a whole mess of stitches, stitch widths, etc, etc and so forth. Lot's of stuff I probably won't use but nifty features I really like basically.

I love the thing, really I do.. I just don;t know if I need a $300 machine as opposed to a $120. I am not going to be doing any marathon sewing here- just basic stuff here and there, but I cannot help but be in love with the features of that machine lol.

Just looking for other thoughts and experiences before I buy anything. Also waiting unto I use my mom's machine as well.

Thanks!

[Yanagi-sen]

I have a Kenmore that I got about... 8 years ago I guess. I've never had any problems with it (knock on wood). It's very simple, only a few different stitches, but that's all I need. I hadn't used a sewing machine for at least 10 years before getting it, did everything by hand. But once I was making costumes for the Drama Club, I really needed a machine. I've gotten very good at making doll clothes using it too. It take a little practice to get used to such small seam and hem allowances, but I don't think it is difficult.

[richila]

For basic sewing, I'd go for a basic Brother. It is sturdy-more metal parts than the Singer and just a good workhorse of a machine. Eventually, I plan to upgrade to an embroidery machine-but even then I will stick to Brother.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Brother-10-Portable-Sewing-Machine/4764724
I have been using this machine for the last 8 years.

[Sixoclock]

Thank you both for the information! ^__^ Hmm I do like the needle threader option-- but I will look at some other Brother's as well. :3

[Linteia]

I use an old 1950's Brother, and I love it to death. It's older than dirt but it works like a champ. If I ever had to buy another machine I'd search for another older model Brother. I find a lot of good machines at Goodwill and second hand store for insanely cheap (my Brother was $8 in perfect condition with the attachments and desk). Just be sure to check that it works and ask if they'll let you test it.

[kittyasauras]

I too also recommend Brother. My Singer machine broke a year or two after I bought it, I'm sure it just needed a tune-up but since I never really liked it that much to begin with I bought a new one. This time I got to pick it out and I got this one:
http://www.brother-usa.com/homesewing/m ... 6_qDsXKjTo
It's an older model though, it looks like this is the new version of it?:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Brother-80-St ... e/17039054

I love it so much!! It's computerized, so when there is an error with the machine (tangled bobbin thread..etc) it tells me exactly what's wrong. It also sews much more precisely than any other machine I've sewn with, even a non-computerized Brother. It's so easy to use, and so fast. It's not that loud at all either. And best of alll......it has a top loading bobbin! haha, my singer had one where you had to slide the arm off, open a door and then pull out this holder thing... It always had the tendency to tangle. Love LOVE the top loading bobbin! That is a necessity in my book.

I've heard that Vikings are very very good machines. That's probably why it is expensive, but I'm sure it's worth it.

[victoriavictrix]

I would take a refurbed model from 1940-1980 over ANY modern machine. The new ones all have plastic parts as opposed to metal, and I happily sacrifice care-free and easy to use over "threads itself." You can get a good refurb that is a brand other than Singer (vintage Singers are getting a wee pricey) for under $100.

[Alopecia No Hime]

I would take a refurbed model from 1940-1980 over ANY modern machine. The new ones all have plastic parts as opposed to metal, and I happily sacrifice care-free and easy to use over "threads itself." You can get a good refurb that is a brand other than Singer (vintage Singers are getting a wee pricey) for under $100.

.....That tear's it. When my mom wants to go gift shopping for me for Christmas I'mma sending her to Goodwill to find me a sewing machine. I nearly had a heart attack at some of the prices listed.

[Aine]

I have a hand me down Janome machine from my grandmother. :x It's so simple to use and lovely, that she wants it back, since she had a stroke back in August. I dunno if I'll let her have it back, though! The machine she has now is apparently too complex. I'll probably give it a try when I go to visit for Memorial Day, and see if I can even use the machine. :x

[bombaykitty]

Back in Canada I had a Brother, think it was around $150? But really I didn't sew much with it, maybe just two or three times a year I'd break it out to hem some pants or something. All I needed was for it to sew forward in a straight line so really I probably should have just sewed by hand and saved the $150 or so.


Brother XL-3510

Here in Nagasaki I bought a Jaguar a few months ago. It was the cheapest thing in the store, a little over $150. Actually though I've only used it twice and again, just straight line sewing even though it seems to be able to do other kinds of stitches too. But I find I prefer sewing by hand, especially if it's non-straight lines (collars, sleeve holes, etc.) because I have better control over my hands than a machine.


Jaguar KD-750

For this machine (Jaguar) it doesn't have the foot piece where you usually step to get the machine to start sewing. Instead there's a button over the needle area on the front (the pink one in the picture) that you push to start, and then push again to stop. It's a little irritating because it takes like, a second for the machine to stop after I push the button so it'd sometimes sew a stitch or two over what I want due to this delay. Also, for the speed, on my old Brother using the foot piece the harder I press my foot down the faster it goes so speed was pretty easy to control. For this one, there's a slider (bottom right on the machine in the photo) that you use to set the speed, but if you want to change speed in the middle of sewing you have to stop the machine, slide it to the speed you want, then start again so that's a little irritating. Now I just have it perpetually set to the slowest speed.

But I'm finding for doll clothes I'm really not one to break out the sewing machine, especially for my little Taeyang's things. His clothes are so tiny, the sewing machine would consistently over-sew :/