Page 1 of 4 123 ... LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 33
  1. #1
    New Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Knoxville TN
    Posts
    41

    What Sewing Machine?

    if i wanted to learn to sew but didn't want to drop a metric arse-load of cash on a machine what sewing machine would you DIYer's recomend?

    specific models would be great but even guidance on what features to look for/avoid would be beneficial.

    Thanks!
    Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity. ~George Smith Patton

  2. #2
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    New Orleans, LA
    Posts
    3,554
    Images
    57
    I really like my old Singer. I have used an old Kenmore and Brother with good results.

    Check out a sewing machine repair place. A lot of times they have refrub used ones at good price.
    Is that too much to ask? Girls with frikkin' lasers on their heads?
    The hanger formly known as "hammock engineer".

  3. #3
    Senior Member cameronjreed's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Utah
    Posts
    187
    Images
    42
    HR,
    What you want to look for is the basics. Make sure it can do a good straight stitch. A zig-zag stitch is helpful (it helps make bar tack stitches) If you can find one that can change the speed at which the feed dogs advance the fabric that is a helpful feature.
    Brother, Singer and White are all good brands.
    HE is right. Check the sewing shops for refurbs. I found mine at a yard sale for $5. It worked (and still works) like a champ.

    Hope that helps.

  4. #4
    Senior Member Frolicking Dino's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Louisville, TN USA
    Posts
    421
    Images
    8
    I have two old machines (Morse, Singer) and a newer Ulna (lots of $$$). The old machines are better for most gear projects. Try repair shops or thrift stores. If you get one from a thrift store, do a thorough cleaning and lube before using it.

  5. #5
    Senior Member Cannibal's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Denver, CO
    Hammock
    Warbonnet ON!
    Tarp
    SuperFly or MacCat
    Insulation
    Yetis & Mambas
    Suspension
    Webbing and rings
    Posts
    13,605
    Images
    136
    I got a Singer Stylist at a thrift shop for 10.95. It works great! I also found a Singer with cabinet for $20 at another thrift shop. All the machines I found at repair places were in the $50 -$60 range. But, at least you can be sure that the ones from repair shops are in good working order. With the thrifts, it's a gamble.

  6. #6
    Senior Member headchange4u's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Kentucky
    Hammock
    Dual Layer WB Blackbird
    Tarp
    OES Cuben
    Insulation
    SnugFit
    Posts
    6,249
    Images
    35
    You can always look at Ebay, although sometimes it's a crap shoot on what you get. As others have stated, older machines are usually more reliable if they are set up right. It's also a good idea to check with family and friends. A lot of time they may have a sewing machine lying around that hasn't seen any use in years and they may give it to you.

    I have been looking at getting an older Pfaff machine from a repair shop that is close to me. From what I have heard Pfaffs are some of the best, but they are expensive.

    I bought my machine new from Big Lots for 99.00. I bought for my wife and she never used it. It's a Europro machine and after I got it set up and got the kinks worked out of it, it has been a nice machine.
    “Light thinks it travels faster than anything but it is wrong. No matter how fast light travels, it finds the darkness has always got there first, and is waiting for it." -Terry Pratchett



    Premium Quality, Fresh Roasted Coffee
    www.meancatcoffee.com

  7. #7
    Senior Member headchange4u's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Kentucky
    Hammock
    Dual Layer WB Blackbird
    Tarp
    OES Cuben
    Insulation
    SnugFit
    Posts
    6,249
    Images
    35
    “Light thinks it travels faster than anything but it is wrong. No matter how fast light travels, it finds the darkness has always got there first, and is waiting for it." -Terry Pratchett



    Premium Quality, Fresh Roasted Coffee
    www.meancatcoffee.com

  8. #8
    Senior Member Hooch's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Princeton, NC
    Hammock
    Dutchware Half-Wit Hexon 1.6
    Tarp
    HG Palace
    Insulation
    Burrow & Crowsnest
    Suspension
    Whoopie Sling
    Posts
    4,333
    Images
    46
    Quote Originally Posted by Frolicking Dino View Post
    I have a newer Ulna
    Is it anywhere near the radius? Sorry, it's not often I get to make anatomy jokes.
    "If you play a Nicleback song backwards, you'll hear messages from the devil. Even worse, if you play it forward, you'll hear Nickleback." - Dave Grohl

  9. #9
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Alabama
    Posts
    489
    Yeah, just buy a good used machine. Two stitches is all you need: straight and zigzag. I use an old Necchi.

    What do you consider to be a 'metric arse-load of cash'?

  10. #10
    New Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Knoxville TN
    Posts
    41
    thanks for all the info! My mom agreed to let me use hers to see if i like it, and i think my grandmother has a machine that she doesn't use anymore (although i'm told it could be broken)

    @ lunch today i'm going to a sewing store to look at some display models. i'm quite taken with the viking/husqvarna machines becasue i am familiar with their other products (saws, trimmers, etc.) becasue of my background in horticulture but price will probably be a large deciding factor and i don't think their machines are cheap. i know there are a few sewing machine repair shops on this end of town, i'll need to look around and see if any of them have good deals on basic machines as well.
    Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity. ~George Smith Patton

  • + New Posts
  • Page 1 of 4 123 ... LastLast

    Similar Threads

    1. My new sewing machine!
      By Porkroll in forum Do-It-Yourself (DIY)
      Replies: 7
      Last Post: 10-27-2013, 08:08
    2. Sewing Machine
      By jclick in forum Do-It-Yourself (DIY)
      Replies: 13
      Last Post: 08-10-2011, 11:29
    3. Sewing Machine HELP!
      By nsgrossman in forum Do-It-Yourself (DIY)
      Replies: 16
      Last Post: 11-21-2009, 01:02
    4. Sewing Machine?
      By jbryan in forum Do-It-Yourself (DIY)
      Replies: 14
      Last Post: 11-18-2009, 19:29
    5. Sewing machine help
      By john30563 in forum Do-It-Yourself (DIY)
      Replies: 35
      Last Post: 02-25-2008, 15:11

    Bookmarks

    Posting Permissions

    • You may not post new threads
    • You may not post replies
    • You may not post attachments
    • You may not edit your posts
    •