Suggestions for a first sewing machine.

I've been looking around my area and there are some used machines but I don't feel like any of them are worth looking into as they all seem to be away from their original owners and kind of sitting in shops. I decided I would buy one new with my christmas money. Can anybody suggest a good one to start with around $150. I figured that would get me one decent enough to do what I plan to do with it (stuff sacks, bug nets, maybe a UQ/TQ).

Thanks in advance guys,

Derek Thompson

PS. I want to try to get it before the snow hits so if I get snowed in tomorrow I can spend some time learning it.

Can't go wrong with a Singer machine. I bought one off Craigslist for $60. The lady only used it twice.

A reputable shop with older, used machines for sale should be your best bet. They have probably been gone over, oiled, greased, & tuned up. They should also give you some free advice/help. I got my 1957 Emdeko in prime condition, a lesson or two and lots of advice on problems that were rookie operator induced. Cost was $50 for it. Also had a 30 day warranty on the machine. You won't get that from a garage sale rig.

Thanks I'll look into that. I think there might be a shop around here. I'll check it out on Friday as the snow is probably not going to hit and I'd rather know what I'm getting instead of diving in.

Singer is a great brand, and an excellent choice for a first machine. However, when I worked in the Theater Department's Costume Shop, the best sewing machine we had was a Bernina. Absolute perfect speed control, completely smooth, incredible machine. If you are fortunate enough to find one at a good price. Don't think twice. You won't regret getting this quality machine.

I bought a Singer 4411 heavy duty to try out, because it has so many features, such as a dial button hole, and several other dial stitchs. Although there are some bad reviews of this machine out there, it has performed perfectly for me, even though I have absent-mindedly put it into some real jambs. Each time it got tangled up, I was able to get the wadded up thread out, and there was no damage. Hope it holds up. Not bad for the price, on sale now at a certain national fabric store, which I probably cant' mention.

My Kenmore, made in 1975 still works like new, but, the quick changes possible with the 4411 are making it the machine I use the most. I only wish I had gotten the Singer 4423 heavy duty, as it has even more dial stitchs. The finer quality sewing machines are impossibly expensive for me. After all, it's only a hobby, isn't it?

Check the guidelines post in my sig. Other folks have found it helpful.

My wife bought me the Singer,4423, for Christmas. She got it on sale for 99$. I like it a lot. It was 200+ @ Joanna.
Now I need to order more material and start playing.

I lucked out with finding a Singer 201 at Goodwill for less than 20 bucks. All it needed was a good cleaning and some TLC. It's a wonderful machine.