Comments on: help! what sewing machine should i buy? a guest post by not martha

By: Link Love da Semana | SuperZiper

Link Love da Semana | SuperZiper — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 23:11:04 +0000

[...] Qual máquina de costura comprar? do blog Shelterrific, em [...]

By: shelterrific » Blog Archive » five things we learned last week

shelterrific » Blog Archive » five things we learned last week — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 00:48:06 +0000

[...] 1) Sewing machine advice stays relevant. Kathy Johnson says: “I want to start quilting. My machine, a Penny’s is 30 years old and does not drop the feed dogs to stipple quilt. So, I need a new machine. Some say it has to be a Bernina. I learned on a Pfaff and the repair man says that is what to buy. So, what do you quilters think? Thanks, I am anxious to get started on a couple projects before I start teaching again Jan. 4th.” Any advice for Kathy? Click for the original “What sewing machine should I buy?” post and also check out our follow-up with advice from Megan of Not Martha. [...]

By: Mary Heckman

Mary Heckman — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 03:17:48 +0000

I have been searching for a review on a Singer Model sold on HSN.com. This is the Professional Electronical 2010 Sewing Machine. The machine is very pricey, but it includes over 22 different attachments (feet). I like the look and the description is very nice. However, the star rating is 3.7 out of 5. I am not sure I should risk this purchase. Though sometimes I feel that people tend to rate a machine if they have a bad experience. Those that love the machine, usually don’t bother to go back and rate how wonderful they found the machine. Anyway that is just my thought. Back to what I am asking….does anyone own the machine made exclusively for HSN from Singer that is model 2010. I want honest feed back so I can make a decision of my purchase. Does anyone have anything good to say about Singer or does everyone own a Jamone?

By: Liz

Liz — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 17:20:10 +0000

I use a 15-year old Viking (990 S maybe?) that I love. I bought it because the older Singer I had didn’t have enough power to sew denim. My Viking was one of the first “computerized” machines from Viking. I was a little leary of that at first, but I’ve never had any issues with it. I use the machine for both garments and home dec stuff like heavy curtains. The only problems I’ve had with the machine over the years have been with the bobbin and buttonhole function, and really they were due mainly to me not having it cleaned and tuned up regularly.

Be careful of “buying the best you can afford”. That only goes so far. For example, the current top-of-the line Viking goes for something like $4000. But unless you do *a lot* of quilting and/or machine embroidery, you will never get your money’s worth out of it. I have looked at the newer Viking machines targeted more to just sewing, and have been tempted, but I’m still with the ‘ol girl :).

By: bbear1103

bbear1103 — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 14:25:22 +0000

A few years ago, I bought a 30 year old used Viking sewing machine for $125 from a Sewing Center. It came with the feet, case & a manual. It will sew through multiple layers of denim with an attractive, even stitch and has never given me one moment’s trouble. It’s been used for a lot of “pedal to the metal” sewing like drapes & slipcovers. I think an older used Viking, Pfaff, Elna, or Bernina machine is the way to go. Parts & accessories are still easy to obtain on Ebay. Anytime I’ve used a newer plastic type machine, I’ve been anxious to get back to my Viking.
Happy Sewing!

By: M Bryant

M Bryant — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 11:34:46 +0000

My mother in law actually used to be a big sales person for Bernina. And when she got me a sewing machine for a gift….she sought out an older machine. It works beautifully. My own mom has gone through several cheaper plasticy sewing machines since I was born…and now I am working with a machine that is nearly as old as I am. All it needed was a tune up and probably once a year with regular use, I’ll take it in for a cleaning and it should last me to give to my own kids.

By: Amanda @ www.kiddio.org

Amanda @ www.kiddio.org — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 02:57:04 +0000

What a helpful post. I have a Pfaff that I love (a wedding gift from my mother in law) that has a lot of bells and whistles and my grandmother’s mid-sixties Singer. The Pfaff is great, but it’s picky on thread (must be GERMAN!), the case is plastic, it’s easy to hit the stitch selection button with your wrist, etc, etc. The Singer fires up every time, sews a dead-reliable straight or zigzag stitch, and doubles as an awesome doorstop. I love them both, but I will never part with that Singer. It never fails! Never gets too much fuzz in the bobbin case! Bobbin tension always perfect!

Just don’t tell my mother in law ; )

By: Sol

Sol — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 23:33:02 +0000

In my opinion you should look around, try some machines, see who offers the best post sales service, fall in love with a brand, and then buy the very best you can afford.
I had a bernina from 1954 that belonged to my husband’s grandmother. It was great but I needed an upgrade, I went for another bernina and got the most expensive one I could afford. It will last forever like the other one and I am not thinking “I should’ve gotten the nicer model, just for 100 bucks more….”. I got the best I could and now I make the best of it.

By: AH

AH — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 20:39:55 +0000

There’s a great site with used sewing machine reviews if you choose to go used: http://zigzaggers.typepad.com/, and she also has a site with reviews of newer machines: http://zigzaggers.typepad.com/new_zigzaggers/. Hope that helps!

Stay away from the cheap Singers sold at Target – not worth the $ or the headache!

By: ellobie

ellobie — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 19:14:56 +0000

My mom is a semi-professional sewer and she’s got a few machines, including her 30+ year-old Kenmore that she still loves and adores.

If you really don’t want to get the old one fixed up, she set me (and many, many other intermediate sewers – did I mention she also teaches sewing classes?) up with this one: http://tinyurl.com/598zlp

It’s been perfect for home projects, repairs and even a couple of quilts.