Hi mamas!
I am embarking on a new adventure and I need some advice. I plan to take a clothing construction course through the college of Dupage this summer and I need to purchase a sewing machine. The instructor of the class had given me some brands to consider, but I cant buy either of them online anywhere or even get pricing on them unless I go to a seller directly. I have been trying to research online my options and so far I keep coming back to the Brother 6800PRW, which is supposedly the same machine as the SE-400 and the 6800THRD as well except the PRW comes with a roller bag that I think will be helpful in bringing it back and forth to school (which is not necessary, but an option). I like that all these machines have embroidery options and the reviews seem pretty good, but for the price I just wanted the opinions of others. I cant really justify spending much more than this yet to my husband, so the big expensive machines are out for now.
Does anyone have an opinion good or bad about these machines or any advice on another machine that might be good to start?? but that will last too.
Thanks!!
I have a Brother CE5000 PRW and I love it! I also just bought a Brother embroidery machine, but haven't had a chance to use it yet. My sewing machine is computerized and has some decorative stitches. Since I'm just using it for some home projects and to make clothes for my kids, it is more than enough for me. I hope you have fun with it...I know I do!
Check out http://sewing.patternreview.com/ They have a lot information on machines and reviews of actual users. What I would be concerned about is whether or not the machine either has a speed control or the foot pedal is sensitive enough to run the machine at different speeds. I just glanced at it on Amazon and it looks like it does. What about a used machine? Some dealers also sell used machines or you could use the information you find online at the website above to track down a good used machine. Have fun.
I have been sewing since I was 5 or 6 and have that many machines too. I have 2 that I bought off Craigslist for about $20 that work to drag around and sew basic straight stitch. I'm not into the embroidering so I haven't bought one of them, but have some pretty expensive fancy machines that can do way more than I will ever need. I'd buy from a sewing machine dealer. You can spend about $500 and get a decent hard working machine, Brother is good, so is Elna. I love my Husqvarna but it was about $1000, and my newest one is a Husqvarna about $2200. The place I bought them from will usually include free lessons and check ups and advice anytime you need. Buying from Walmart or Sears won't get you any help afterwards. It's great to learn the machine first, and then take the clothing construction classes and you'll know what you're doing.
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It was a zillion years ago, but I LOVED my Bernina! Never had a Brother. I would google used ones or look on sites like Ebay.
Good luck with your new craft!
:)
I would buy from a dealer.
We got a Babylock ($390ish) about 2 yrs ago. We chose this model, the middle level, because it is the model used in the schools here and I felt like if it holds up with 6-12th graders well, it should hold up with 1 person using it exclusively.
We did purchase from a sewing machine retail store, it has a warranty, they have classes available at the store as well. We at least have a relationship with the dealer in the even we do have a problem with the machine down the road.
Buy the best that you can possibly afford. Always remember... you get what you pay for!!
I would wait until after you take your class and figure out if this is something that you're going to really do. It is often more expensive to make your own clothes.
I personally LOVE to sew and I loved the sewing class I took in college! Let me tell you the machines they had were amazing. Not only did they have industrial sewing machines but also sergers which truly allow you to make professional finishes. Perhaps if your college has such machines, it will inspire you to save and really make a more expensive purchase.
Now, I just have a regular machine and the extent that I use it now is for simple things like making pillow covers and sewing the name plate on my son's jerseys. My machine is from Costco and it's a fine machine and was reasonably priced. It's a Brother XR4040. I do hope that as my daughter gets older, we will use it to make things together from dresses to barbie clothes.
I have been a life-long sewer (thanks to my mom, who also taught sewing classes at a local college many, many moons ago). I grew up on the Kenmore my mom received as a wedding present and then a couple Singers here and there; but when I was able to buy my own machine a few years back, I went for a Husqvarna Viking. All the research I did pointed there for what I was looking for. I got the 535 (the Daisy? I think?) from a specialty sewing machine/vacuum shop, and they included free lessons on how to use that machine, specifically. It has some embroidery-type stitches and I absolutely love it. Pretty soon, I'll be starting an at-home business and I'll be relying heavily on my sewing machine to make it all work. I trust the Husqvarna brand more than any other I've ever seen or used!
The only downside to my model is that it doesn't do lettering. If I had to do it all over again (and if my funding were unlimited!), I'd get an even higher-end machine that does lettering...but hindsight is 20/20 and funds are tight! :)
Enjoy your sewing!
I have a Brother but I don't know the model number. I wouldn't be concerned with only being able to buy from dealers. There is a lot that can go wrong with those darn things and it is nice to have that relationship.
