Sewing machine recommendations

**andybenton** · 01-07-2016, 19:29

Well that's it. It's not even been a month and I haven't even been camping in my hammock yet and I'm already hooked.

So being a diyer of sorts I'd like to put together my own bug net and tarp, amongst other things.

However, I've never even used a sewing machine. I don't think I've ever even really been in the presence of one being used. So lots of uncertainty in this department.

So long story short, are there any features/attributes that make a certain machine more suited to our purposes than others?

Maybe someone could post a link to the model they use?

I'll develop many more questions in due time, but first in just trying to get a hold on the basics.

**Grapenut** · 01-07-2016, 20:37

Sewing is not hard to do. Sometimes the machines can get a little temperamental...especially when going from very thin materials one minute to multiple layers plus grossgain ribbon the next. As long as you bring patience along and aren't OCD about a crooked stich here or there then you should find using a machine a lot of fun. I remember when I started...I went on YouTube, watched a couple of videos and I was off to the races. Most any machine should work as long as you take care of it. I have a Brother XL-5130, a 1940's era Singer and I have a Juki 8700 coming my way in a week or so. I have always figured out a way to make the Brother or Singer work when I needed them to. I can't wait to start making stuff with the Juki since it is an industrial level machine. Good luck. Be patient and take your time. G-Nut

**daneaustin3** · 01-07-2016, 21:57

I've got a Singer 4432 that I picked up from Amazon for about $130. It has made 7 Hammocks, 4 Underquilts, 3 topquilts, and countless other things my wife has sewn in the last 6-8 months. It is about a good as it gets for the price. I would happily buy another one.

**jjr** · 01-08-2016, 00:18

Brother CS6000i

http://www.brother-usa.com/Homesewin...ductID=cs6000i

**Bladerunner** · 01-08-2016, 00:55

look at craigslist and check flea markets and pick you up an old singer or Japanese copy of the old singers. they are much more durable and powerful than a lot of the machines you can find now. if you need something that does more than just a straight stich get one of the brothers or a singer heavy duty. the old Japanese singer copy I have is from around the 50's and I picked it up for about 40 bucks at a flea market. had to do a bit of work to it to get it running the way I wanted but it runs like a top now and ive even sewn leather with it without isuse