Advice on buying a sewing machine needed

[mamarain]

Finally, i should say, i'm going to get a sewing machine --- but feel a little confused on what to look for. I know i want one that is sturdy yet simple, and versatile enough to use for making clothes, some quilting, crafts etc. And i hope to be using it quite regularly (lets see what my dear toddler says about that..)I would love to have a serger - but sewing machine seems a bit more useful.
Hmmm.. so any advice from you crafty ladies?

[LaLa]

Many sewing machines have a serge feature that works well for a lot of projects. It's not as nice as an actual serger, but I would make sure my sewing machien had it if I was buying it new!



I like teh decorative stiches. They are a lot of fun for many different things too!

I think I have a singer. I don't even know! LOL It was my moms and she gave it to me to use. She is using my grandmother's Kenmore machine.

[mamarain]

Thanks LaLa! I didn't even know there was serger/sewing machines.. something to look out for!

[3girls1boy]

Before kids, I was a professional costumer. We never had fancy machines in the costume shops I worked in--mostly old home ec. models, industrial machines and industrial sergers.

Now, I don't do it professionally, but I still sew often. I have a 40 year old Elna, a 3 thread Singer serger, and an old black Singer that is so old it doesn't even zig-zag or go backwards. It is a real work horse though.

When I was in college, we had to make these costumes that had layers of canvas in them. I remember that we couldn't even sew through them with the industrial machines, but those little black Singers did the job.

So my reccommendation would be to find and old one (all metal is better than plastic) at a second hand store, and then get it tuned up at a sewing machine repair shop.

Once when I still ran a costume shop, I was talking to the guy who was fixing our machines, and he said the ones with the computers broke down more, and were harder and more expensive to fix.

[mamarain]

Thanks 3girls1boy! Exactly what i needed to hear.. amazing isn't it how things are not made to last nowadays! And i certainly would like one that i can count the rest of my life.. maybe one of those black Singers from my grandmother!!