Are modern sewing machines really *that* bad?

[MittensKittens]

I have an old Bernina (Bernette) that is still going strong. But I have been looking around the web, and apparently almost all new sewing machines in the lower price ranges are really terrible. Whether it is Singer, Brother, Bernina... All of them have terrible reviews online, and I have seen these new machines referred to as "disposable" sewing machines, My mom wants to buy a Bernette E55 for someone but from what I have seen it is no good. I am starting to think that, unless you have lots of money, it might be better to buy a machine second hand.

What do you think?

[_apmama_]

I suppose it's like with everything else. You might be lucky and buy a good machine or not so lucky and buy a crap one. I have a Singer one that I bought 4 years ago. After I bought it I read some reviews (duh, bit too late) and they were terrible. And yet I'm quite happy. I'm not using it every day, but I use it often and I thing it was worth it.
But having said that, if you can buy a quaranteed second hand one, I think it might be enough. As long as you don't need all these modern bits, embroidery, etc, older model is enough.
Just my opinion though!

[scrapadoozer]

It really depends on the machine. I had a cheaper machine that was total crap (the White they used to sell at Jo-Ann's) and one that has served me magnificently well for over two years now (Kenmore).

[pear-shaped]

I'm sure it depends on the model like pp says. My experience: my dad gave me a very basic Singer about 25 years ago. I loved it, it worked really well and it was sturdy and well-made. I had to sell it when I moved overseas. Then my dh bought me a new one here, also a Singer, also a basic model. It is junk! I always get frustrated when using it. We can't afford a new, better one now, so I make do, but it's unpleasant to use.

[paulam]

I am in the same boat. I've been wanting a new machine and not sure which path to take a lower priced new one or an older refurb model. I need a new machine, but just not willing to spend the higher prices. I am amazed what ppl pay for their machines.

[DeerMother]

I was using my mom's portable Brother for a year which would break in the middle of every other project. My dad would come get it and repair it. Couldn't sew through anything thicker than paper. I came this close to throwing it out the window about 55 times.

Parents found two 1959 Singers at an auction. Dad refurbished them both. HOLY SMOKES!!!!! Sewing is fun again. It only has a straight stitch, but that is the only drawback. I can sew any fabric. It is tough and fast. The bobbin sits horizontal instead of vertical.

Moral of my story - I will never have a new sewing machine again.

[modmom]

You really do have to do alot of research. I have 20y.o. computerized singer that I bought used. It was actually made by Juki-I love it. I would love to find a good 1950's machine-they are awesome.

[lightheart]

I'm totally biased about the older machines, I think they are the way to go.

If I had the money to spend on buying a high end new machine, I probably would. But I would want a really high end one... in the couple thousand dollar range.

The thing I see with the newer machines is that many of the working parts are plastic... plastic breaks and wears so much quicker than metal. If the newer machine has any electronics or computer chips in it, there is no way I can fix it, I just don't know how. It is so much easier to learn the mechanics of the parts for the older ones.

I think in an environmental standpoint that it's much better to refurbish an older machine instead of making a totally new one.

[Toolip]

Kenmore tends to get good reviews as a good new machine for your money. The Kenmore 15358 ($120) was rated very highly as well as the Brother Innov (project runway limited edition - $400). They were the consumer report "best buys"

I am in the market for a new machine right now too. So far I am having a very hard time finding a used machine for a reasonable price that isn't a piece of junk. I'm looking at spending $2,000 for a used Bernina to get everything that I want.

Do you have specific features you are looking for?

[Porcelain Interior]

I think a lot of the reviews online should be taken with a grain of salt. The only person you should be listening to is a person that knows sewing machines.

I think Martha Stewart is to be trusted. I also trust Nancy Zieman, Fons & Porter, and many other reputable craft "personalities".

Some of them do get paid to use certain machines, but I've paid keen attention and seen segments and articles where they discuss their beloved machine that they love to pieces. That is when my ears perk up.

I'm also a big believer in not buying/looking at machines that do multiple things. You only want to buy a machine with features you will use, otherwise you'll end up confused and broke.

My machine is a Bernina Virtuosa from 2005. Brand new it cost $2500+, I bought mine on eBay for a third of the price. It was a year old and the lady couldn't figure out how to work it-----sweet for me!

There's a lot of garbage on the market, but there are good machines out there.

I should put a good word in for the Elna Quilters Dream, that is what my BFF uses and she loves it, she's not a machine wizard and has had zero issues.

[jjawm]

I had a cheap Singer that was awful from the first day I bought it. I just got a Janome and love it. It wasn't one of the highest models, so it was still affordable. It has made sewing so much easier and enjoyable.

[Sk8ermaiden]

My mom has a Kenmore from the '80s and when it needed repairs asked a specialist if she should just buy a new one. After all, hers had just been a cheapo and that was 25 years ago. He told her to get anything nearly as good she'd have to spend upwards of $500 today. (She got it repaired.)

I was so thrilled when my MIL passed down her own '80s Kenmore to me! It works like a charm and is so much better than anything I could afford right now. :

[Freefromitall]

I think it depends on what it will be used for too.
I have the el-cheapo basic Singer from about 4-5 yrs ago. And I haven't had a whole lot of problems. And the problems I have had, have been user error
But....I only use it for things like patching pants, and thinner material things (skirts/dresses for me/dd....rompers for ds) and it's be no means a daily thing, kwim?
So, if she's purchasing it for a beginner sewer, or an occasional sewer, then I think a low-level machine should be just fine.

[Lia & Eva's Mama]

Hello!
I haven't been sewing long but Ive had many many machines.
I started off sewing on my gramma's giant green tank(only one stitch) it was good and strong and was easy to figure out.
Then i found a singer in the garbage, i liked its threading better than the tank(but also only one stitch).
I bought an old 40-50's kenmore with 15 function's, it was Horrible, we called it the free hand embroidery machine. you could go in any direction while sewing.
Christmas was coming up and i had planned on sewing everyone a shopping bag, but no machine could do the job that i wanted to do.
Sooo my hubby bought me a new one from costco. Its a really nice one with all the bells and whistles. Honestly i wouldn't Use all the function's available...but i like to know that i could. I used the embroidery function to make my own labels to put in the girls clothes. it has a memory and i can set it to do it the same by a push of a button.
I really hate that all the parts are plastic, i realize having the computerized stuff runs the risk of more malfunction and costly repair bill.
I got a smoking deal on an older White serger, ive never serged but this machine is awesome. Not that i have much to compare to. I made a dog sweater in under 10 minutes. I totally see the love of serging.

[cristeen]

I think that in this plastic age, you're going to be lucky to get a cheap machine that will last.

I have a Bernina from the early 80s, a Bernette from the late 80s and a Bernina Serger I bought used, but probably about the same time frame. They've all stood up nicely to the test of time. But none of them have anything computerized. Just the very basics. My grandmother still uses her old machine as well, which I believe is from the 50s or 60s... don't remember if it's a Bernina or a Singer.

If I were in the market for a new machine right now, just to SEW with... not embroider, quilt, or any of the other fancy things you can do, this would be the one I'd be going for, most likely. If I wanted something that could do everything, I'd be expecting to spend a couple thousand so it would last more than a year or two.

[orangefoot]

I have a 1990s Frister and Rossmann which is a good sturdy machine but I am sewing most of my things on a vintage Singer 319K which is from the 50s.

A good friend who sews pouch and ring slings as a WAHM has a high end computerised Janome which sews like a dream. She has abused it (compared to domestic sewing) for 3 years and it is still going strong.

If I had the money I wouldn't mind buying a similar Janome. I used to be bothered by computerised stuff in terms of repair but when I look at the electronics in our car I calm myself down.

[shepremiers]

I have had an older brother model for about 4 years that my mother bought me used at a garage sale. My husband just bought me the brother se-350 for my bday. It was on sale at wal mart for 379. I absolutely love it! its so nice not having to rethread the machine each time i sew something!

[dis]

I just bought a new Janome 423s after Christmas at a floor model clearance. Specifically I got it because it's all metal - the problem with most low-end machines these days is they make the machines mostly out of plastic, which doesn't hold up very well. I am extremely happy with it.

For a new entry level machine, I'd be looking at a Janome or a Kenmore (as Kenmores are made by Janome).

[Juvysen]

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[Stone Fence]

I just bought a Bernina. I think it was worth the money. It has a lot of different stitches. I have used a few already. With the Bernina I also get a 2 hour lesson to learn how to use it's features

If I didn't have the resources to get the machine I did, I would be looking for an older machine. I have seen some high end newer machines on Craig's List.