Are modern sewing machines really *that* bad? - Page 2

[Toolip]

Originally Posted by Stone Fence

I just bought a Bernina. I think it was worth the money.

Which model did you get?

[Stone Fence]

Originally Posted by Toolip

Which model did you get?

An activa 220.

[BeagleMommy]

Well, I've had a new (as of 5 years ago) Brother that Mom bought be for Christmas and I've had some older machines. The Brother has been in for repair twice and will be used as a paperweight before I spend another $50 on it to fix it. The repair guy even told me that it's junk. I only tried to sew through two layers of quilter's cotton and it couldn't take it.
Mom has a 15 year old Singer that is also junk.

My two best machines are from the 50's:
Singer 319W- my main machine. It'll sew through anything! And it zigzags! And it's green!
Atlas Deluxe- I would use this everyday if it had a zigzag. This is the best machine ever! So sturdy! And it's pink!

Let's see, the Brother was $100 + $50 repair + $50 repair

Mom's new (relatively) Singer was about $100 + $50 repair

Atlas was $7.50 at a thrift store + $50 broken bobbin case & repair + free downloaded manual

Singer 319W in cabinet was $15 + $35 professional cleaning + free downloaded manual


Hmmmm. I'm not so great at math, but this was clear to me.
One note, some of the Singer Touch and Sews from the 1970's have plastic gears. I got one for $5 at a yard sale and the only thing salvageable was the cabinet it was in! My Atlas now lives there.

But, I know nicer (read: expensive) new machines are really a good choice too, assuming one has the budget for it.

[MittensKittens]

Originally Posted by Stone Fence

An activa 220.

I am really jealous!

[Dahlea]

yep, all tthe new cheap ones seem to be junk. check out your local repaair shop-mine always has some good ones for sale!

[boobybunny]

My mom gave me a bernina 855 when I graduated from high school. (it was used even in 87)

The christmas my former spouse and I divorced, his mother TRADED my 855 for a new Bernina, cool, but I loved my old machine. It did everything that I ever needed it to do. Since he left me the day after Xmas, he mom decided that I did not deserve my new Bernina and gave me her daughters POS singer.. cheapy model that I hucked out the door at least once in the following years.

For years all I wanted was my old 855 back. It was a work horse. I loved it.

At halloween a few years back, I struggled to make a mummy costume for our oldest. Simple straight stitch cotton on cotton, the damned thing jammed, broke, jammed, broke. It was the last time it went out by the garbage.

My NEW husband in cahoots with my mom went out and bought a new Kenmoore and I am honestly very happy with it. It does more than I need, but teh used 855s around here go for over 800 bucks.

[sapphire_chan]

I think part of it is snobbery. You'll notice "they" also go off about all the plastic parts that wear down inside the machines, but then my Kenmore I got 7 years ago for $75 is all metal inside and works fine.

[MittensKittens]

Originally Posted by boobybunny

My mom gave me a bernina 855 when I graduated from high school. (it was used even in 87)

The christmas my former spouse and I divorced, his mother TRADED my 855 for a new Bernina, cool, but I loved my old machine. It did everything that I ever needed it to do. Since he left me the day after Xmas, he mom decided that I did not deserve my new Bernina and gave me her daughters POS singer.. cheapy model that I hucked out the door at least once in the following years.

For years all I wanted was my old 855 back. It was a work horse. I loved it.

At halloween a few years back, I struggled to make a mummy costume for our oldest. Simple straight stitch cotton on cotton, the damned thing jammed, broke, jammed, broke. It was the last time it went out by the garbage.

My NEW husband in cahoots with my mom went out and bought a new Kenmoore and I am honestly very happy with it. It does more than I need, but teh used 855s around here go for over 800 bucks.

Wow, your ex MIL effectively stole your sewing machine!?

[MittensKittens]

Originally Posted by sapphire_chan

I think part of it is snobbery. You'll notice "they" also go off about all the plastic parts that wear down inside the machines, but then my Kenmore I got 7 years ago for $75 is all metal inside and works fine.

That sounds good - do they still sell that model?

[boobybunny]

Originally Posted by MittensKittens

Wow, your ex MIL effectively stole your sewing machine!?

YUP!!!!! Can I tell you how pissed MY mom was about the whole thing. Of all the things that happened in our divorce, I think that was the one that convinced my mom that the divorce was actually a good thing.

And there was nothing legally I could do. We tried.

[sapphire_chan]

Originally Posted by MittensKittens

That sounds good - do they still sell that model?

Don't know, it was the cheapest one at Sears that would do reverse and zigzag. It's also got some other stuff like multi-step button holer and scallops and stuff.

[wbd221]

In answer to original post, one question to ask before buying a machine is "How will I be using it?".

For most 'basic' home sewing, all you really need is a straight and zig-zag stitch, IMO.

I personally prefer older, 'all-metal' macines; I've seen and had too many newer machines become useless due to stripped plastic gears. Note: I've had mascines that were metal outside, plastic inside, so if buying an oldie, peek inside for metal there too.

I love the old (circa 1970s) Kenmores, especially since you can pop the top off and oil, repair, etc. yourself.

If looking for a a decent newer basic machine, I recommend the Brother XL 2600I Sewing Machine w/ Free Bonus Feet; Overstock has refurbished for $84.99.

[sewchris2642]

If you don't need the dealer support, buy a Kenmore.I have 3--one electronic that's over 25 yos (it still works but the foot control died and Sears don't make it anymore and it's spefic to that model), one that my mil used to sew clothes when dh was a child so it's about 50 yo. The insulation is flaking off the wiring but I was sewing on it 5 years ago.), and my "new" one that's 7 yo. I bought it for $300 new. I make 9th-16th century reenactment clothing, bridal alterations, general sewing, and diapers on it.

Chris

[sabrinat]

Originally Posted by boobybunny

My mom gave me a bernina 855 when I graduated from high school. (it was used even in 87)

The christmas my former spouse and I divorced, his mother TRADED my 855 for a new Bernina, cool, but I loved my old machine. It did everything that I ever needed it to do. Since he left me the day after Xmas, he mom decided that I did not deserve my new Bernina and gave me her daughters POS singer.. cheapy model that I hucked out the door at least once in the following years.

For years all I wanted was my old 855 back. It was a work horse. I loved it.

At halloween a few years back, I struggled to make a mummy costume for our oldest. Simple straight stitch cotton on cotton, the damned thing jammed, broke, jammed, broke. It was the last time it went out by the garbage.

My NEW husband in cahoots with my mom went out and bought a new Kenmoore and I am honestly very happy with it. It does more than I need, but teh used 855s around here go for over 800 bucks.

Have you considered another machine in the 800 series. I have both a 801 and an 807 and neither cost me more than $100. They are basic, but perform excellently. I had to look for a bit. One I got off CL & the other I got off ebay. Don't give up the hunt.

As far as new vs. old machines. I'm basically biased in favor of a machine that does the job you need it to do well and without frustration. I have many older machines, but I also have some midrange to higher end machines and they have all been great. My main modern machine is a Brother PC6000, Brother stopped making it about 5 years ago, but it is an awesome machine and I absolutely love all the features packed in it. It's never given me a lick of trouble and I'd recommend Brother to anyone. I started off with a low end brother and in retrospect, I think most of the issues I had were more user error, even with that I managed to sew with it for 10 years with not to much fuss.
If I was on a tight budget though I think I'd go vintage. The odds of you finding a decent lower end modern machine are much less than you finding an awesome vintage. Even w/repairs and replacing things you will come out way ahead. That's my take on it though.
I have a post on my blog showing many of my vintage machines (although not all). I tend to buy pre1970's machines. The brand doesn't really matter to me as much since prior to 1970's most of the machines were all metal and most of what's wrong with them is a quick fix and they are good for another 50+ years. I try and avoid plastic and nylon gears since they can be a spendy repair. I do have a Viking 6440 that has a nylon part in it, but the the lady I got the machine from took immaculate care of it and it works wonderfully. It's my favorite vintage machine. I'll stop now, I love talking about vintage machines and could go on and on.

[maygee]

Originally Posted by sapphire_chan

I think part of it is snobbery. You'll notice "they" also go off about all the plastic parts that wear down inside the machines, but then my Kenmore I got 7 years ago for $75 is all metal inside and works fine.

How is it snobbery to say, look for a cheap old 50-60's singer in a thrift store, they tend to last a lot longer that plastic disposables?

I like Kenmores, but a lot of the newer Singers and Brothers have issues with tension and timing, are expensive to repair, and don't last all that long. I'm sure they work well for some people, (people who probably even sew more/ better than me) but I would have appreciated the advice when I was new to sewing machines and bought a plastic white that jammed if you looked at it funny. I have a small army of old Singers and Necchis now and I adore their simplicity and the fact that I can open them up and tinker. I clean and oil them myself and like to play with them. I'm a fan of good design from any era- new or old. It just seems like good machines are fewer these days. Good for you on your all metal Kenmore though- pretty sweet. Which model is it?