What sewing machine do you have? - Page 3

[Patchy Dragon]

I have a vintage Kenmore, 2 newer Kenmores, a Singer and a New Home Serger.

[sabrinat]

Originally Posted by Patchy Dragon

I have a vintage Kenmore, 2 newer Kenmores, a Singer and a New Home Serger.

It must be something about living in NC that causes you to acquire more than one or two machines

[kylee'smom]

Originally Posted by sabrinat

I'm curious as I was just having this very conversation yesterday. Why do you make your own clothes? Do you find that it's more economic or do you just like to sew garments?

I absolutely love to sew, but in general, I do find it cheaper to make my own clothes. I definitely prefer to have nursing clothes while I am breastfeeding and I love to wear dresses in summer. I tend to stock up on fabric when I find it at a good price, so I would estimate my summer nursing dresses to cost between 5 and 10 dollars each.

I make all of my daughter's clothes because she is so difficult to fit. She is 3 1/2 and weighs 66 pounds. I often have to do a FBA just to get bodices to fit. It is nearly impossible to buy RTW clothes that fit her.

Stacy

[crazy_eights]

I have a Baby Lock Quilter's Choice. I'd really like to get a serger. Recommendations?

[sabrinat]

I have a pfaff that's no longer available, but I've heard great things about the janome 244d and 644d.

[LoveBaby]

I have a Bernina virtuosa 153. I luuuuuurrve my machine!!

[Brasilmom]

I have a vintage Singer 403 which has all the attachements and works great (now that I figured it out). I also have a newer Brother Pacesetter 1250 which I use for most of my sewing needs. The vintage singer intimidates me a bit, so I get it out and try few things every so often. I like then both. I removed the Singer from its cabinet as I did not have room for it. So they are both now in a reserved area in a closet. Works best this way.

[sabrinat]

I do the rotation thing too. I have several machines. I love my modern computerized machine, but I take turns with the others just so they won't jealous

[earthchick]

So what qualifies as a "vintage" machine?

I have a Kenmore that my dad got in 1979. I love that it was my *dad's* machine. He asked for it for his birthday that year. He took a sewing class but then never really did anything more with it. It sat in storage for years and then he gave it to me when I got married. I finally got it out of my garage a few months ago, got it tuned up this month and am taking a sewing class with it. It looks to be in perfect condition.

Everyone else in my class is using a computerized Viking, but so far I'm happy with my old Kenmore.

[royals95]

I also have a "vintage" machine! It was my mom's when she was a teenager; I think she bought it in 1967 or '68, right as she was finishing high school. It works great, especially if I use it often! I use it mainly for quilting, but I would like to find some time to start making diapers for dd.

[boingo82]

Originally Posted by earthchick

So what qualifies as a "vintage" machine?

I have a Kenmore that my dad got in 1979. I love that it was my *dad's* machine. He asked for it for his birthday that year. He took a sewing class but then never really did anything more with it. It sat in storage for years and then he gave it to me when I got married. I finally got it out of my garage a few months ago, got it tuned up this month and am taking a sewing class with it. It looks to be in perfect condition.

Everyone else in my class is using a computerized Viking, but so far I'm happy with my old Kenmore.

I say, if it weighs over 20 lbs, it's vintage enough!

[sabrinat]

vintage is usually something 25 years or more...antique I believe is 100 years or more.

[Squeakyneedle]

Ah, sewing. My passion! I have a Pfaff 7570...the best thing about this machine? The built in even feed foot. No other walking foot attachment on any machine on earth can hold a candle to it. It's the feature I love most about Pfaff. I couldn't make awesome cloth diapers or quilt without it! Well, I could, but I wouldn't want to! I also love the needle up/down feature, the multiple needle positions, and of course--the embroidery it can do! I honestly wouldn't have this machine if I hadn't "worked" part time at a small quilt shop that was a Pfaff dealer years ago.

I also have a Baby Lock Pro Line serger which I love! Bought it just out of high school. I don't use it for anything fancy...a rolled hem here and there, but most for just plain serging.

I started my sewing career on a Viking that was older than I was. Then my parents bought me a Singer before I graduated from high school. New Singers just aren't like the old Singers. But it got me through a lot of years before I could buy my current Pfaff. It's my "other baby".

[elanorh]

I have a Bernina activa 130 (5 years old). DH bought it for me the Christmas before we were officially engaged. Mom calls it my "engagement ring." Before that, I used a cheapie Singer "featherweight" (the little plastic ones they made in the early 90's), which was a royal pain after a few years' use. And most shops refused to service it because it was pretty much all plastic parts. I still have it, haven't wanted to part with it for whatever reason. It was really nice to be able to sew in my room at college etc., and a really kind graduation gift.

I also own a Babylock serger. I've no idea what number or etc. -- I haven't had it out of the box in six years I think! I ought to take a serging class (I have a good book on sergers too) -- I used it quite a bit for a couple years but really liked to swap between it and the sewing machine, and when there's only room for one to be set up, and it takes so long to set the serger up and the tension is so easily messed up --- I just use the Bernina instead. With a little "helper" watching and trying to adjust things on the sewing table too, I'm pretty sure the serger is staying in its box for awhile longer.

I am OH so happy with the Bernina. It's one of their lower-end models, but it's all mechanical parts (one of the reasons I chose it, after my fiasco with the Singer) -- I don't need a lot of decorative stitches or anything, I've used it for some smaller quilting projects as well as MUCH MUCH sewing, and never had a problem (other than finding needles for it, because the nearest Bernina shop is a couple hours' drive from here - I've stocked up on them, needless to say). When DH suggested buying it for me for Christmas, I told him that from all I'd heard of Berninas, this machine should hold me for at least 20 years -- he said, when you break the cost down that way, it's a pretty cheap investment for all the work and enjoyment you'll get out of it! See why I married him?

I also have a 1910 Singer Treadle sewing machine in working condition, a gift from my great-aunt. It was really hard for her to say goodbye to it, but she knows it'll get used here. I learned to sew on a treadle, and now my children will do the same.

My biggest problem with my machines is where to STORE them ... right now, the serger ahd Singer are boxed up in the (currently just for guests) upstairs bedroom, the treadle is (gasp!) in the garage, and my sewing station is a table right in front of the front door, across from the changing table. Not a lot of room to spread out or leave anything set up for too terribly long (beyond the machine which is always out with current project next to it anyway ). Some day, I want a true sewing room, all organized and cozy and ready to go. But that's a long time from now, and this works. At least I'm not having to clear my machine off the kitchen table for mealtimes!

[runner29]

Hi,

I have a Pfaff 150 that my great-grandmother bought brand-new in 1953.
It works great and I love it! Especially because it is part of my family history.

The only thing that I don't like about it is that I can't seem to find a walking foot to work with it. Anyone have suggestions about that??

Kate

[Marielle]

so your pfaff doesn't have the IDT? That's their answer to the walking foot but I don't know if it's on a machine that age. The foot and feed dogs both move in order to feed the fabric through evenly.

[sabrinat]

Originally Posted by runner29

Hi,

I have a Pfaff 150 that my great-grandmother bought brand-new in 1953.
It works great and I love it! Especially because it is part of my family history.

The only thing that I don't like about it is that I can't seem to find a walking foot to work with it. Anyone have suggestions about that??

Kate

Kate
check out this yahoo group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/oldpfa...guid=167593287

You have to join, but they are all knowing about all things vintage pfaff. There will be someone on there that can tell you where to get a walking foot or perhaps sale you one cheaply.
I just picked up a bunch of feet for my high shank necchi off another vintage list for $6, lots of the folks on there are collectors and have tons of stuff. I love the vintage machine groups...great folks!

[runner29]

Wow! thanks! I didn't know about that group. I'll check them out.

Happy sewing everyone!

[OldFashionedGirl]

I have, um, several

• A newer, cheapie, $80, Walmart Singer (that actually works quite well, in all honesty).
  
• My grandma's Singer....but of course I can't remember the number right now. It's green/blue, though!
  
• Some...New Home....maybe....that I got for $10 from a thrift store, but I haven't seen in several months because it's at the repairman (who does the work in his spare time, super cheap, so who am I to complain about how long it takes?) I think I'm giving it to my cousin when I get it back.
  
• A Singer 235 (I think) that I got at a rummage sale for $7.50 a couple weeks ago. Sadly, it has some tension issues, and I'm not sure I need/want it badly enough to mess with having it fixed. At $7.50, I don't feel too bad about tossing it. (Unless someone on here wants to pay shipping for it? )

And my new baby....a Pfaff 360. I got it from a little old lady last weekend for $75. The only reason she was getting rid of it was because her husband went and bought her a new, computerized one for Christmas. "I could've kicked him!" She loved the Pfaff, but felt obligated to use the new one, and since she was moving to much smaller place, coudln't rationalize hanging on to it. It, too, has some tension issues, but I've got it working (the top tension is set on 8!). When I get all my others back, I suppose this one will have to go in. Regardless, it's so quiet and sews like a dream. It's my new love. And it comes with every foot and attachment I could ever dream of wanting!

So the multiple machine illness isn't limited to NJ--we have it here in Nebraska, too!

[sabrinat]

Amanda
What did you decide to do about the singer 235?