Help me buy a new sewing machine!

[blessed2bmommy]

I've started researching a new machine to buy, but really don't know what to look for. I don't want something really complicated because I'm still a beginner, but want something that can grow with me and allow me to do more complex sewing as I learn and get better.

Can you please recommend brands and features I should look for? Are there sewing machines that have sergers in them or a feature that does the same function as a serger?

TIA!

[briansmama]

I spent weeks researching everything I could about new sewing machines and decided for my skill level (beginner but sews on and off for years) and personal experience with bad new singer sewing machines (that had me in tears and almost caused me to give up sewing altogether) I decided to go with a Janome.

Oh my goodness! As someone who learned on my mother's old singer (which worked very well but was very very simple) this machine is a dream. I also read that Kenmore sewing machines are Janome-made, and I bought a refurbished Janome on overstock.com for $250, plus a 4-yr service warranty for $60.

I love love this machine. Every time I sit down to sew I know it isn't going to choke on my fabric or give me tension issues. It literally sews like butter and I've already recovered every pillow and cushion in our house and it's been a month.

FYI: I bought the Janome 11510 computerized machine.

HTH!

[MommyLyon]

5 years ago I bought a sears brand sewing machine and have not had a problem with it what so ever. it was around 200. It's not fancy nor computerized but it came with a ton of feet. I have made a ton of things with it. knock on wood I have not had one problem with it.
When I was looking my mother in law told me not to get a computerized sewing machine just because if the computer goes bad they are SO expensive to fix.

There is an option on mine to serge but I have never used it.
I have a kenmore Model 15212.

[wholewheatchick]

I just got the Janome Magnolia 3218 (I think that's the model number: it's the uncomputerized one) and I FINALLY will get to try it out today! I got it for $200 on Amazon with free shipping.

So far, it looks really good, and I'm very, very happy with it. I had my grandmother's Singer (circa 1985) and it broke again, big time for the second time in 6 months, and I decided that this just wasn't going to work anymore.

One thing I already like about this Janome is that there is about 5 inches of "work space' before you get to the needle, as opposed to my singer, which only had about 2 inches of space before the needle. I don't have my machine in a special cabinet or stand, so the extra space before the needle on the Janome will translate into less pulling and drag on the fabric.

Some features I was looking for: no computerization--fully mechanical instead; some stitch options, but I don't use many, so just basic ones (I think my Janome comes with 18 or something). Ability to sew through 14 layers of light fabric at once--I make ring slings, so it needed to have both the horsepower to do this, as well as the ability to raise the presser foot and needle up pretty high. Some quilting ability: I can drop the feed dogs and do free motion quilting.

[weezix]

aI run my own sewing business....have been sewing for 25 years. Right now I have a Janome MemoryCraft 10,000. I'm sure you aren't wanting anything that fancy (or maybe you will when you see it lol). My serger is also a Janome. I've owned other brands as well and while I haven't had problems of them per say...Janome's really do sew like butter and I've NEVER had a problem with my Janome. There are all different level's of Janome's from very basic to very complex to choose from.

They do have a serging 'stitch' on them but depending on what type of things you will be making, a serger is a GREAT idea. I went without a serger for YEARS and got by, but when I got my serger....AHHHHHHHHHh....Awesome. If you will be making clothes, I highly recommend getting a serger as well. If you will be making blankets, curtains, pillow covers, craft items etc...you probably won't need one.

Good luck!

[blessed2bmommy]

Thank you, ladies! I am definitely going to get a Janome! Unfortunately, it means I need to save some more before I can purchase a good one.

Maybe by Christmas!! I would LVOE a serger...but that might be a few years away, lol.

[ms.shell]

5 years ago I bought a sears brand sewing machine and have not had a problem with it what so ever. it was around 200. It's not fancy nor computerized but it came with a ton of feet. I have made a ton of things with it. knock on wood I have not had one problem with it.
When I was looking my mother in law told me not to get a computerized sewing machine just because if the computer goes bad they are SO expensive to fix.

There is an option on mine to serge but I have never used it.
I have a kenmore Model 15212.

Kenmore machines are made by Janome, which is why yours is a great machine. Although, i believe you are confused about it having an option to serge. No sewing machine can serge; sewing and serging are two completely different things (serger stitches are knit, not sewn, together). There are overcasting and overedging feet and stitches, which you could substitute for serging, but the finish is not the same. you cannot serge on a sewing machine.
NOT being snarky, but just wanted to clarify since this is a question the op asked.

[MommyLyon]

[QUOTE=ms.shell;15528038]Kenmore machines are made by Janome, which is why yours is a great machine. Although, i believe you are confused about it having an option to serge. No sewing machine can serge; sewing and serging are two completely different things (serger stitches are knit, not sewn, together). There are overcasting and overedging feet and stitches, which you could substitute for serging, but the finish is not the same. you cannot serge on a sewing machine.
NOT being snarky, but just wanted to clarify since this is a question the op asked.[/QUOTE

[elfimka]

Here are some recommendations about what to look for in a sewing machine from a brilliant sewing instructor, Leslie Bonnell:

http://www.glitzkrieg.biz/sewing_machine_recs.html

[Pepper44]

I think I need to save up to buy a new sewing machine. The one I have is a Singer...it was somewhere around $150.

For some reason it won't keep the correct tension. It makes me cry and I have been thisclose to throwing it out of the window and watching it smash on the driveway. No joke. I'll be sewing something and suddenly it will just eat the fabric, or it will start making loops on the bottom and straight lines on the top when two seconds ago it sewed perfectly fine. Why does it do that??