Sewing Machine question

[KimMC]

I'm hoping to get a sweing machine this X-mas. Started hinting to dh ;) What I need to know is what brand do you use and why. Have you found one better then another? I'm mostly going to be trying quilting, making diapers, and baby cloths. I don't have a lot of money but want to get a good machine. I haven't even been able to find a store in Ontario that sells them except Walmart. But nothing else is local. I don't mind going to a dealer type store as long as I have already decided on what I want. I don't want to end up with something I'm not happy with!
Thanks
Kim

[3girls1boy]

I used to sew professionally making costumes for theatres so I have used alot of different machines.

I have an affinity for the older machines which hold up well because they are made with metal parts. Also they don't have any computer chips, which if they break are much more expensive and complicated to get fixed.

At home I use my mom's old (45 year old) Elna sewing machine. I also have an old black straight stitch Singer which I bought second hand for about 20 bucks and then spent another 50 to have tuned up. The Singer is more heavy duty.

I recently had my Elna tuned up and was shocked to see at the store where I took it to be serviced at how much new machines cost.

[KimMC]

My dh had picked me up a sewing mashean at a yard sale. It's an old one and metal. It think the brand is White but I"m not sure (bad memory) He paied $40 dollors for it. But I really want on that can do different stiching. If it eaven did zig zag to I'd be happy but it's stricly strate stich. ...:( Also it's has to be mounted in a cabnet or table of some sort and I don't have anything I could mount it into. But he tryed. Theres all kinds of things I want to be making for dd and I can't yet :crying
Oh well just have to keep saveing...
Kim

[3girls1boy]

Kim, just keep your eye out. My old Elna does straight and zig-zag and even has these cogs that you can change to make fancier stitching.

[tinams8]

I don't recommend buying one from Walmart. I bought a low end Brother there and it was awful and they wouldn't let me return it because I lost the reciept. So now it's a big paperweight.

I have heard good things about going to a dealer and getting a used model that was traded in.

Right now I have a Bernette, which is the cheap line of Berninas which is a good brand. Mine was $250 (us) and I like it.

To sew diapers you have to go through lots of layers so ask about that when you look to buy one. Some machines arent good for that I've heard.

Good luck!
tina

[KimMC]

I was talking to my landlady last week and she is a sewer to. She has a friend who had a Paff <sp?> dealer store. It's closed now, but she things she might have some new or used ones still at home. So she's going to find out for me.
Keeping fingers crossed,
Kim

[clanscottie]

I have sewing stuff over 20 years.

I have a singer from 1980's that works great for little things and it makes awesom buttonholes in a snap.

About 5 years ago my hubby purchased for me a Pfaff that is awesome for quilting and machine embroidery as it hooks up to my computer.

With the passing of my mom I inherited a Husquavarna(sp?) which is awesome for quilting.

I also have a serger that I use primarly for sewing clothes and crafts.

Think about what you are going to use it for!

I shop at one store near my home. They give me great advice, have classes for my machine, and will answer my "stupid" questions. Best of all some of my classes are free becuase I bought the machine from them. Get used only if they will give you a guarantee.

Sorry, I rambled but I love sewing!

Lorna Sawyer
Creative Memories Consultant
MomsWIN Team Member
Personal Crafter

[KimMC]

I'm mostly wanting it for quilting, making diapers and outfits for my baby. I havn't done much sewing in YEARS and I wasn't very good then. But I have some quilt kits that I'm dieing to make for dd.
Kim

[kerc]

i have a middle of the road kenmore -- not the best there is, but also not super spendy. I like the instruction manual and have had success with clothes, curtains, a small quilt and the like. I know folks who haven't been super happy -- i think they wanted a serger more than a sewing machine. the zig zags are great for what i want and i am overall happy.

[clanscottie]

I would stick to a Pfaff and find a place that will always be there for you!

You will do great with sewing! Take your time and learn your machine. Remember that not even the best quilters do it perfect!

:D

[Lila]

My mother had a Kenmore sewing machine from Sears that must have lasted 18 years. I love Kenmore appliances, as they last forever and work very well. She handed it down to me for my first sewing machine. I would probably still have it if I hadn't tried to fix a problem with it on my own, thereby totally breaking it!:eek! Anyway, there are many Sears stores in Ontario. Check out the website for store locations if you don't know where the nearest one is.
http://www.sears.ca/

[Lila]

My mother had a Kenmore sewing machine from Sears that must have lasted 18 years. I love Kenmore appliances, as they last forever and are inexpensive. She handed it down to me for my first sewing machine. I would probably still have it if I hadn't tried to fix a problem with it on my own, thereby totally breaking it!:eek! Kenmore makes much nicer ones now than there were all those years ago. You can get quilting, embroidery machines, etc... It sound like what you need is something that is not too specialized, though, or too fancy. Anyway, there are many Sears stores in Ontario. Check out the website for store locations if you don't know where the nearest one is.
http://www.sears.ca/