which sewing machine?

[Adasmommy]

I might be able to get dh to buy me a sewing machine for Christmas, and it would be awfully nice if it was closer to $100 than $200.

I'm a novice, so hopefully a cheap machine will fill my needs! I'd love to make some diapers, some wool covers, some very simple stuff.

Suggestions of which sewing machine?

[sabrinat]

There's a bunch of threads that cover this topic since it pops up about once a month, but quickly I think in that price range you best bet is a used vintage machine. Check out Craigslist or a garage sales. Don't spend more than $50 and then take it in to be serviced and you'll be good to go. Look for pre1970's machines in brands like singer, kenmore, viking, elna or bernina for solid workhorses. If you decide on new check out brother or kenmore for good value and good quality.

[sexysisam]

I just had my machine repaired/serviced by this awesome older man. He was talking about how all machines are pretty much the same quality. He sewed a doubled over piece of leather on my machine (I have a Singer Scholastic). He said he has sewed the leather on every machine he has serviced, even toy sewing machines can do it.

For cheap machines he recommended going to a thrift shop and getting one with ALL THE PARTS. I'm sure you could even pull it over to a plug and try to sew some material you brought to make sure.

[orangefoot]

I'd go for vintage too in that price range. More modern machines at the lower end might balk at sewing layers and layers of cloth for nappies after a while.

[Noelle C.]

Most machines of all brands are actually made by Janome these days regardless of labeling.

Truly you are better off, as said above, looking for a vintage machine. Those heavy things were made using so much more metal than the plastic of today, and the metal last and lasts!!

Sexysisam, msot machinesin good repair can do many of the same things our of the box. But not all last. The metal used on the components that really are metal, for instance, can be softer in some cheaper machines and harder metal in more expensive ones.