what kind of sewing machine to buy?

[Mallory]

My husband asked for a sewing machine for christmas. I am actually very excited, I kept meaning to get one, but never have.

My grandma will pay for it she just wants us to pick one out.

How?: Help?

[LaLaLuna]

I have nothing to advise: I just wanted to say something to get added to this thread b/c I just came here to get the very same advice! FWIW, I have an ancient Singer with a straight-stitch only and although I love it, I find I wish I had a few more features. Can I hijack just a little and add a question? For those of you who have machines you love already, what features do you find best of all and why?

[Mallory]

No one has any thoughts?
Maybe we could move this to the diaper forum?

[Mollie]

I am watching your thread too! I have an ancient Kenmore, but am thinking of getting a Bernina that can do embroidery.

[LaLaLuna]

Here's a web site I found: http://www.whatsthebestsewmachine.com/index.shtml

I have no idea who sponsors it, and haven't even checked it out that thoroughly yet but did scan it enough to at least talk myself out of a Brother I had been thinking of bidding on. I think the only useful part up is the discussion board- there seem to be a couple very knowledgable people on it.

I'm really starting to jones for a new machine, but we're SO broke right now.

[Groundhog]

I am NOT what you'd even remotely call an expert on sewing machines, but I have a mid-priced Kenmore I bought last year. I think it was about $130 at Sears. It was actually one that was rated quite well at Consumer Reports (I went to the library and photocopied the article).

I don't use it for anything comlicated ... stitching fraying towel edges, making gift bags, etc. It doesn't do anything fancy, but it works for what I need to use it for...

Happy sewing...

[LauraC]

I have a brother superace 2 machine, I have had it for 3 years now, and I love it very much. I have sewn with primary school children and they found it simple, but it also has many stitches, which means I get a really professional finish.

[indigolilybear]

i got a hand-me-down Pfaff machine and I love it!! it's so easy to use and so tricky. I still don't know how to use half of what's on it. and it performs serger-like tricks that are great for things like making mama pads. It's also quiet too.
I highly recommend the brand. my mom now has a new pfaff that embroiders too....used it tonight, it's great too!

HTH

[LaLaLuna]

Whoa- my mom just gave me an old (from the 70's) Viking machine that had belonged to my brother. I hadn't intended to tell her I was thinking of buying a new machine because she has this tendency to be very generous but to get you things she thinks you need rather than things you want (i'm the only one out there with this problem, right? ) so I was BUMMED when she said she'd bring down this old machine. I'd thought it would be some piece of crap from a garage sale that wasn't worth fixing up. Well- it was fro ma garage sale, but holy cats! What a machine! Thirty years old and it sews immaculately. I took it in to get cleaned and oiled but can't wait to get my hands on it again- so quiet and smooth! wish it had more stitches, though.

[LdyBluNH@aol]

i dont know if anyone would be interested, but i am selling a singer sewing machine

i bought it in 1996 from Sew-Fro stores for $500 and NEVER used it. Whenever I was sewing I couldn't spend the extra time to learn the new machine, so I kept using the my old clunker.

This one has about 13 built in stitches. It was cleaned and adjusted. My mom has used it to hem a pair of pants and says it sews just fine.

[grandmasgirl]

I'm biased - I'm a viking fan . My grandma told me get a viking and you'll never regret it- she was right.

I don't know how Singer is in terms of quality recently. My gram's Singer just died after 35 years (I still have it along with her grandmother's foot powered Singer which still works!)

I bought my first Viking about 6 years ago - what is now the Fresia (the lowest non manual model) they start at over $500. From what I have seen they have two new reasonably priced manual models (I think around $200 - I could be wrong). The motors are guaranteed for 25 years (I think) - great sewing, quite and I think these models have a few different stitches

I just traded up and I went all out - I bought a Designer 1 - best buy of my life! This thing does everything but cook dinner and clean my house (guess we can't have everything!). Aside from all the bells and whistles the Viking quality is still there - quite, great sewing (handles heavy fabric great - as did my other Viking), etc. my mom and I started a small business making placemats, napkins, tea towels, embroidery etc and the Viking machine takes a good bit of abuse. I have also done curtains/drapes for 19 windows and heavy winter lined drapes for my sliding doors on it. Sews like a champ (and not becuase it's the big boy - my other Viking also did heavy winter lined drapes in a snap)

Hope this helps. Have fun - sewing is great!