Sewing machine for beginner -- help please!

[bluebunny]

I have never used a sewing machine before but I'd like to ask for one for Christmas. I would like to learn how to sew simple things, like curtains, throw pillows, duvet covers, and maybe even dresses for my girls.

Is this a good one: http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product...achine#reviews

It is a Brother CE4000 at Costco for $119.

Or is there another machine that would be good for me?

Thanks!!

[Mama~Love]

I haven't used that one, but it looks like a good beginner machine. I would Google it more to see if you can get more reviews on it, just to make sure it's a good one. That's a great price, too .

[wendyland]

Looks good to me. I have a brother, but it's a little more basic than that one. I bought it 11 years ago.

[ms.shell]

check out the janomes.
i bought a $100 brother machine to learn on and i didnt know how much of a pain it was until my mama bought me a janome. I LOVE LOVE my Janome machine; it sews like a dream, is super easy to thread, and is MUCH smoother and quieter than that Brother was. I had forgotten how much of a pain a sewing machine can be until recently. my sister bought a cheap brother machine and asked me to come show her how to use it and i was quickly reminded of the headaches and frustration of trying to use that p.o.s.

btw, the machine you linked was not as basic as the two brothers i am referring to, so it may be much easier to use. But for basic machines, the janome is a thousand times nicer than the brother imo.

[IntuitiveJamie]

My first one was very similar to the one you linked to, in fact it may have been the same one. I bought the next to cheapest one at Walmart because I didn't know how into sewing I would actually get. Well, I have to be honest and say that it was a crappy machine and made sewing not so much fun.
Now I have a very similar Brother but fancier and more expensive and it's great.
So overall I give Brothers 2 thumbs up as a beginner machine (my dream is a Janome or Bernina some day), but not necessarily the cheapest one.
Just remember, that if your machine sucks and it's difficult to work with, it may end up giving you a bad taste towards sewing. My first one almost did.
I also agree about checking on line reviews.
Did you make a decision yet?

[LucyRev]

I also adore my Janome! It is very quiet and smooth and I never never have tension problems. I was very impressed when the guy at the sewing machine store demonstrated that you could sew through kleenex on it and it didn't get stuck in the machine.

[Kristin0105]

I don't know if you got your machine or not but I recently bought a used Singer slant o matic 500 on ebay and COULD NOT BE HAPPIER! it is bullet proof and made to last. It was made in 1961 I think and looks brand new and works like a charm. All metal parts so nothing to break. DH picked up a Singer slant o matic 403A for $20.00 and it's just as nice. I wanted a sewing table and the 403 came with the table but I am not giving up my 500 and wasn't thrilled with the style of table for the 403 so the 403 will go on ebay.

If you have not gotten a machine yet look at these prices range from $20 to over $500 depending on the day. I waited about 8 months before I found one within my price range.