First of all thanks in advance.
I have several dresses which I have to mend. Plus I am planning to make new projects with cloth. Back in India my mom used simple singer's machine which can only make two to three stitches. Now I want to make some dresses for me and my daughters and planning to buy a new machine.
My budget is not more than $150. I am not professional so no big needs. Something which can work on jeans so that I can fix them, or make some quilt, I have an idea from long and want to work on it. Want to make some dresses with little bit embroidery work on it.
Any suggestions? What do you think will be better computerized or normal? and why. Please I need to research a lot before I buy anything.
Thank you all, your advises are greatly appreciated. I got some other advices from my other friends too. Based on all these talks and advices I am planning to wait some more time. My girlfriend is offering me to borrow her sewing machine for a while to work on it and see how does this thing goes with me. I think that's a great idea.
I will still keep looking at this forum to see if you guys have to add something else too. I already cut out the 'Brothers' from my list and finding out that 'Singer' is not going to be in my list too, not getting good response about it either.
Once again guys thanks a lot for helping me out here. I will definitely keep updating this post to let you know about what I decided in the end.
I also want to suggest Viking. They're machines are very well made. You may want to consider waiting and saving up a little more. You get what you pay for, and $150 isn't much for a sewing machine. As the other poster said, there are machines out there in that price range, but you won't be happy with them.
Hi! My degree and background are in fashion design and I have done a TON of sewing. What I have found is that the cheaper the machine, the more the trouble. If your budget is $150, I would go to your local sewing shop and get something used. You don't want a machine full of plastic parts (which is what the low-end singers and Vikings are). I don't know that you could find a computerized one for that cheap if you wanted, but I figure, why bother? It's just more to go wrong. Unless you plan on doing machine embroidery, it's definitely not worth it. You're much better off with a sturdy Viking that has been rehabbed or traded in for one of those crazy expensive computerized ones. I don't know where in the city you are located, but there is a great shop across the street from me just north of the Glendale Mall. Feel free to PM me for more info!
I don't know how much sewing machines cost these days, but I'm not really sure what the point of a computerized one is. I have a Pfaff (German) that my mom gave me for Christmas several years ago - it's really well designed and I love it. We used to have a Singer when I was growing up and that was fine too, though not as intuitive to thread etc. as the Pfaff. Try craigslist or one of the fabric stores for a used one.
I am a professional seamstress.
I use a very standard machine. Unless you plan to do emboidery, the less gagets to fix the better.
In a professional situation. The sewing machines used only sew straight. The hemmer only hems and the surger only surges. I find the more complicated the machine, the more sensitive and the more time I spend fixing and repairing the machine instead of sewing
You may want to go to a sewing machine shop and ask about their used ones, they are usually cheaper. Ask alot of questions. Not all sewing machines are worth buying! Singer used to be the best but when they were bought out the quality went downhill. Ask the repairman what is brought in the most and stay away from that brand. =) I am always looking for someone to sew with, let me know if you are interested.
I inherited an older kenmore from a friend of our family. The grandmother was a seamstress. It has cams for different stitches, but I don't normally fiddle with them. I really haven't had any problems with it. Sometimes the bobbin case gets messed up, but it's me, not the machine. I basically use it to hem stuff, fix stuff, and make an occasional project.
You might research a bit and decide what machines are your tops choices and check the sewing shops for a used one, or check on craigslist, or ebay local.
Check out Sears' Kenmore line. Very similar to Singer and nicer priced. I've been very happy with a Kenmore, but recently was gifted with a Husqvarna Viking (which is fabulous, but I'd never justify the money on myself).
There is a great store that sells both new and used (in great condition) Singer sewing machines. They are located on Irving Park Rd. on the north side of the street about two blocks west of Cicero. I took my sister there and she purchased a machine for under $100 that was like new but a used machine.
I have had a sewing machine for years, and it's always good to have one on hand for when you need it. I know here in Avon, we have a huge JoAnn Fabric store that carries a very large selection for machines. I would suggest going in and talking with someone in a place like that. They will even let you sew on them and try them out. Then, if found one you liked, you could go back and so some searching online to see if you can get it cheaper somewhere else.
I've never used a computerized one or a serger. Mine is very simple and doesn't have a lot of fancy attachments. I would think about what kinds of things you need....do you need one that makes button holes? is good on embrodery? has lots of decorative stitches? Maybe make a list of what you think you'll use the most and then just go in and spend some time checking them out.
My grandmother always used Singer brand machines and that's pretty much the only brand I've used. Good luck! Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions.
K.
