Newb thinking of getting a sewing machine

[somegirl99]

I don't have too much experience using a sewing machine - used my mom's old Singer for a few projects when I was a kid, and about a decade ago I had gotten an inexpensive Janome to play around with, but ended up giving it to a friend when I moved into a small apartment. My projects were all simple things like a bag, pillowcases, or mending clothes. I may have made one thing from a pattern when I was a kid.

Now that I once again have more space (but of course not enough free time) I'm thinking of getting one again to dabble with. Figure it will come in handy with a LO. First project I have in mind is making some training pants.

Anyway, I am trying to figure out what to get for a sewing machine. I might be able to get that Janome back from my friend, but it wasn't great to begin with and I'm not sure what state it's in now. I was looking at maybe this Brother which has gotten lots of good reviews as being pretty good for an inexpensive machine and beginner-friendly. However, I also keep going back to CL and looking at vintage Singers. My only worry is that it might need some repair and I'm not experienced enough to tell whether the machine is having problems or it's just me doing something wrong. I don't really want to spend time taking classes, I just want to figure it out on my own. Also I'd want to make sure it would be able to do everything I need (which isn't really anything too complicated).

Any recommendations? What should I be looking for? Thanks in advance for any input!

[ms.shell]

sorry no one has replied to your query!

my advice if you have to buy a new one is janome.  i have seen some nice ones at a good sale price at Hancock fabrics, also check Sears for (Janome made) Kenmores.  I bought mine at the local Sears, where it was NOT on sale, for a GREAT online sale price, so check Sears.com.  Overstock.com also frequently carries many Janomes, sometimes they have none in stock, sometimes they have uber amazing deals on great machines.

or you could check ebay for an older janome for a great price.  Their entry level machines no longer have needle threaders, I have noticed, but you could find one on ebay for a song that does.  There is a bad review online for their Harmony 4052, but I have one which i used as my primary machine for 5+ years and i still love it.  If I needed to buy an entry machine for someone and needed low price, I would try to get one of those from ebay.  but i would seriously recommend any janome, whatever you can afford.

although i just got a 1960 Singer and it is SUPER AWESOME, so I hear you on the vintage Singers.  The little Janome, though, I could always fix myself, where yeah you would have to take in an old one for repair.  All the easy features make buying a mechanical janome an easy choice for a first machine, imo.

Good luck, I hope you get your machine real soon!

[motherhendoula]

Ive never used a Janome - so i cant comment - I have used Kenmore all my life.  - I would recommend a simple machine without 300+ types of stitches - you can definitely get something for under $200.  The other great thing about buying a Kenmore at Sears is that if something were wrong you can take it back to Sears for repair.   With Singer you have to go to a certified Singer repair site ...and for me, that is about a 150 drive.   I live in a suburban area where NO ONE sews!   I dont know to much about Brother either, but honestly - for the money i think Kenmore is worth it.   Happy Sewing!

[somegirl99]

Thanks for the feedback!  I did end up picking up a vintage Singer, made in 1948, for a song.  It needs a little work but not too bad, mostly wiring which DH and I should be able to do (I'm pretty good at house wiring and he's pretty good at auto wiring).  Hopefully we will be able to get it up and running soon.