I do not have one and I really would like to make a few things with one. Does anyone know whether I can rent one from some place. Or go somewhere. Or should I just find a friend who has a sowing machine?

I do not have one and I really would like to make a few things with one. Does anyone know whether I can rent one from some place. Or go somewhere. Or should I just find a friend who has a sowing machine?

Craigslist is a great place to look for a sewing machine...
ebay too

find a friend is cheapest. also you will get help and instruction.
thrift store is also cheap, but availability is limited, depending on your neighborhood.
ebay is always there, but any purchase will probably need service- look for items close enough to arrange pick up.
sewing machine sales place that also does tuneups and repair will have (or know of) used machines for sale.
last choice is to buy new- go for quality if you can find/afford it; you might be using the machine frequently for many years.
HTH, KM

"Sowing Machine"... you looking for a seed planter? or do you want to be able to place seedlings? :lol:

I am very conservative when it comes to purchasing sewing machines or thread intectors. I don't like to buy a pig in a poke. My advice is to work with a sewing center in the local area. The machines are serviced and usually carry a limited warranty for a couple of months anyway. Craigslist and ebay are fine IF you know something about sewing machines to start with and are willing to get it serviced after you buyit. My suspicion is you'd lose most of what you would save having the servicing done and then there would be no warranty to go with it. You also have made a contact in the local area where you can get help if you need it and any parts or accessories that you might want.

Now glomming your mother's machine out of the linen closet is a whole different issue. There it doesn't cost any thing and the service is your major expense.

For making gear the only thing you _need_ is a forward straight stitch. Reverse is nice to have but not absolutely essential. Zig Zag is useful but for the most part entirely optional. There are lots of really good older machines floating around. As far as new machines are concerned... If you can afford to drop the coin to get a really high quality machine fine. But that's a major expense for what most people would use it for.

If you go into the sewing center and tell them what you want to do they will be able to provide some good guidance.

"Sowing Machine"... you looking for a seed planter? or do you want to be able to place seedlings? :lol:
Haha I meant to change that. Sorry!

But thank you everyone! I'll try the cheapest approach for not just visit a friend. But if I find myself wanting to do more DIY stuff because you guys continuously inspire me, well, I shall buy one.

For now I'm trying to figure out how i can combine an ENO with some netting, make a ridge line and set it up.

I do not have one and I really would like to make a few things with one. Does anyone know whether I can rent one from some place. Or go somewhere. Or should I just find a friend who has a sowing machine?

You can get a ney Brothers sewing machine at walmart for about $50. I have made rain suits to under quilts with it. Even comes with a DVD on how to use it.

I dont know about brothers. They get mixed reviews. Spend a few extra bucks and get a kenmore or other better macine. Also a top quality used machine should be cheap.

I got my Kenmore on sale for $80 and its a good one. A professional machine like a Juki is like night and day compared to even the better normal machines, but they are very very expensive.

I am using a treadle(footpowered) sewing machine for my projects. dosnt require a plugin and it runs off coffee or rock star energy drinks heh.
the thing is built like a tank i can even sew all the way up to leather!

all it has is a straight forward stitch but I can manually backup to tie in the ends so they do not come out. works great!

I 2nd the Kenmore on a good cheep machine. Many projects were made with mine,,, But, I would like to get a better, heavy duty sewing machine one day...

I dont know about brothers. They get mixed reviews. Spend a few extra bucks and get a kenmore or other better macine. Also a top quality used machine should be cheap.

I got my Kenmore on sale for $80 and its a good one. A professional machine like a Juki is like night and day compared to even the better normal machines, but they are very very expensive.

Kenmore = Sears. I wouldn't cross the street to spit on one. YMMV

I bought a Kenmore primarily since it was on sale and under a $100. I did some research before and the reviews were great for the model I bought. It's not the one I REALLY want.
It's essentially a get your feet wet machine.

I'm not promoting Sears in any way. They just had the machine that had high reviews and was within my budget.

I bought a Kenmore primarily since it was on sale and under a $100. I did some research before and the reviews were great for the model I bought. It's not the one I REALLY want.
It's essentially a get your feet wet machine.

I'm not promoting Sears in any way. They just had the machine that had high reviews and was within my budget.

Very valid comments and a reasonable decision. I've been burned too many times by Sears proprietary parts lists and under-engineered tools and appliances. If it works for you it's great.

I am also a self-confessed sewing machine snob. I happen to luck out cause the wife is a professional seamstress. She buys really high quality and I get the cast offs. Not a bad deal.

Running Feather and Hanging Burito call them gear making machines, sounds better doesn't it?

Running Feather and Hanging Burito call them gear making machines, sounds better doesn't it?


The HF authorized terms is "gear driven power thread injectors." Take your choice.

The HF authorized terms is "gear driven power thread injectors." Take your choice.

Yeah, I like that too.

I dont know about brothers. They get mixed reviews. Spend a few extra bucks and get a kenmore or other better macine. Also a top quality used machine should be cheap.

I'm using my wife's old Brother ... and it's running like a champ at 21 years old. Kenmore I'd avoid like a case of the C---! I think Rev said it best above.

EDIT ... hmmm ... that whole sentence sounds wrong in so many ways! ;)

27 years ago I bought my wife a school trade in White brand basic machine, she uses it constantly with only basic maintenance. Check out repair shops, you can't beat the price, our local shops has similar ones for $89.

Guys and there sewing machines it can get very territorial out there.::scared:

Guys and there sewing machines it can get very territorial out there.::scared:

Funny...



I posted a "Wanted" ad on Craigslist, found a recent model brother for $30. Figured I'd throw it away if it made one hammock.... another $15 in bobbins, thread and needles and I was off and sewing... (just not in a straight line)

2 hammocks, 1 sil-tarp, 1 hammock sock, 4 stuff sacks, tree-straps, and a bunch of 3" jewelry drawstring sacks later, I figure I got my money's worth...

There are so many unused sewing machines out there, you'd probably find one that a friend or relative has that never gets any use...

John