Sewing Machine recommendations?

[Arcadian]

I thought this was a pretty good review/analysis. I like how he explains why he chooses to sell the machines he does.

https://www.sewingmachineshop.com/dans-and-martys-top-picks.htm

Everyone has their preferred brand (both consumers and retailers) but it's important to note there are good machines and not so good machines produced by the same manufacturer.

I love the following website and the corresponding youtube channel. The videos of each machine are very in-depth.

HOME | Heirloom Creations

www.heirloomcreations.net

HeirloomCreations

At Heirloom Creations we work every day to make sewing easier! We sell Bernina, Husqvarna Viking and Pfaff sewing machines, sergers and embroidery machines. ...

www.youtube.com

@Arcadian - I hear you about the price. I thought my Pfaff Creative 2170 was expensive when I bought it in 2007. We just looked at the prices of the two top end Pfaff machines.

I trialed one at my local store when I was there to take in the Singer. OMG they're so nice. It was one of the Creatives....I might have to sell a kidney tho

 

[baby nurse]

Look for a model that markets to quilters.

The BabyLock Quilter's Choice is excellent, but expensive.

My local sewing machine store says that shipments of less expensive sewing machines (that cost less than $ 500 each) sell out within days.

Thanks for the recommendation @jasper . The BabyLock sounds like stuff dreams are made of! I’m going to keep this in mind as I do enjoy quilting as well. For the time being it’s out of budget but it’s good to know what to look for once I move beyond the stage I’m in.

 

[baby nurse]

I am phobic about sewing machines, but I know that @Maria D is a seamstress. I just hoped she would weigh in on this thread. And hasn't @Arcadian been sewing masks for the pandemic front line workers? I assume she is a pro with an up to date sewing machine, too.

Deb, cooked in Home Economics, but could never sew

I laughed when I read the words “phobic” and “sewing machines” @AGBF . Anyone who hears I’m making masks nudges me toward the machine but I’ve avoided it. So many negative experiences with thread bunching up when I use the machine. Stitching by hand has been so calming and straightforward. But not practical given the number of masks I‘m making.

 

[baby nurse]

I just use a basic Singer for masks. Most sewing is basic (straight stitch, zigzag, a few decorative stitches). The electronic and extras may not be worth it unless you want to quilt or embroider.

Juki, Janome, Brother or Singer are what I would look at.

Thank you, @moneymeister . Yes, basic sewing is what I’m interested in. I have an old Singer, possibly from the ‘60s, that my aunt gave to me. I don’t recall ever having any success with it. It seems that every time I use it, the stitching is all bunched up underneath the fabric. I hauled it out couple of days ago and had the same experience. Hence my interest in a new machine.

 

[baby nurse]

Janome HD 3000 according to my DH. He loves it.

Thank you @missy . I read your recommendation of this machine in another PS thread on sewing machines and wondered if your DH still felt the same way about it. I’m glad to hear he does as I’ve googled it and it seems to get great reviews and the price tag won’t break the bank.

Could you ask him if it’s a machine a novice could figure out easily? I’m not brand new to sewing but it’s been years since I’ve done more than some quick mending.

 

[missy]

Thank you @missy . I read your recommendation of this machine in another PS thread on sewing machines and wondered if your DH still felt the same way about it. I’m glad to hear he does as I’ve googled it and it seems to get great reviews and the price tag won’t break the bank.

Could you ask him if it’s a machine a novice could figure out easily? I’m not brand new to sewing but it’s been years since I’ve done more than some quick mending.

Yes. Just asked him. It was his first machine and he never sewed before. The Janome manual was excellent and then the YouTube videos helped too. He highly recommends it. Good luck!

 

[GamGam]

I seldom post, so I hope my remarks will be useful and helpful to you. I re-entered the sewing world when I retired 20 years ago, and I found the changes and advancements in machines were vast and exciting. I currently have 3 machines: 2 sewing and a serger. My workhorse sewing is a Pfaff 7570–an older model which I bough used 15 years ago. In my experience, nothing sews like a Pfaff. But they are not intuitive, and learning on one might not be the best.
My other machine is a Brother. It is computerized, and sews quite well.
My advice is to go to a reliable dealer and check out used machines which are computerized. The shop will give you support, and help guide you in making the decision. But there is no substitute for actually sewing on a machine before you purchase it. Take along some fabric scraps to use during your test sewing instead of using fabric from the shop which may be starched or of different quality than what you will be using.

Good luck, and don’t give up. Sewing has brought me so many hours of pleasure.

 

[Cozystitches]

I vote go vintage!!!! I am also quite biased, but my machine is from the 50s, does straight and zigzag. I make the majority of my clothes on this machine and it is amazing. I do not make socks and bras (but do make sports bras/tops with built in bras), but everything else is fair game. There are several vintage groups on FB if you want an entire education (including how to service these beauties yourself).

Pict of my main use machine, I need to bust out all the others for a "family picture" at some point.

 

[Maria D]

Thank you, @moneymeister . Yes, basic sewing is what I’m interested in. I have an old Singer, possibly from the ‘60s, that my aunt gave to me. I don’t recall ever having any success with it. It seems that every time I use it, the stitching is all bunched up underneath the fabric. I hauled it out couple of days ago and had the same experience. Hence my interest in a new machine.

It could be that your machine just needs a good servicing. Those old metal Singers were built to last.

@Cozystitches, yours is a beauty!

 

[chroman]

It could be that your machine just needs a good servicing.

Totally agree on checking into getting the machine serviced. Then save the $$ for a future machine if the sewing bug sticks. The machine you have is probably pleanty capable of sewing masks.

Since you’ve never had good results with it, sounds like getting it checked out is a reasonable option.

 

[Rubymal]

I have two brother machines. One lower end that I'd gotten as a birthday gift (I believe it was around $200 on Amazon) and then a better one that was given to me from my sister in law that didn't know how to use it. I can't remember the model names right now, but brother has always been my go-to for sewing machines.

 

[monipod]

My suggestion is to find a nice secondhand machine of a good maker and if you like it, upgrade to a new model, especially if you want to keep sewing

I have had my Janome DC4030 for ten years with no issues. If you see one of those secondhand, you should have no problem with them.

 

[missy]

I vote go vintage!!!! I am also quite biased, but my machine is from the 50s, does straight and zigzag. I make the majority of my clothes on this machine and it is amazing. I do not make socks and bras (but do make sports bras/tops with built in bras), but everything else is fair game. There are several vintage groups on FB if you want an entire education (including how to service these beauties yourself).

Pict of my main use machine, I need to bust out all the others for a "family picture" at some point.

That is the OEC of machines. Swoon!

 

[Arcadian]

I vote go vintage!!!! I am also quite biased, but my machine is from the 50s, does straight and zigzag. I make the majority of my clothes on this machine and it is amazing. I do not make socks and bras (but do make sports bras/tops with built in bras), but everything else is fair game. There are several vintage groups on FB if you want an entire education (including how to service these beauties yourself).

Pict of my main use machine, I need to bust out all the others for a "family picture" at some point.

Oh my.... I learned on my grandmothers' handcrank I don't remember what happened to that machine but man I would love to have one like that now... BTW does that one have a knee press? My mom had one with a knee press instead of the footpress.

 

[Arcadian]

Thank you, @moneymeister . Yes, basic sewing is what I’m interested in. I have an old Singer, possibly from the ‘60s, that my aunt gave to me. I don’t recall ever having any success with it. It seems that every time I use it, the stitching is all bunched up underneath the fabric. I hauled it out couple of days ago and had the same experience. Hence my interest in a new machine.

If its from the 60's its probably got a vertical bobbin versus a drop in. Those have a tension screw on the bobbin covers which most people don't know about these days, and so you sometimes have to also fiddle with it to get the thread tension right. It could be that (based on what you've said anyway)

It could also just need a super good cleaning too. The older mechanical machines can be pretty gunked up over time, so you can either do it yourself but may be worth taking in so it could be looked over too. Pretty sure there's lots of manuals in PDF format for some of the older machines. You have a model number?

 

[Cozystitches]

That is the OEC of machines. Swoon!

Awww Thanks! I actually have several others including an early 1900 treadle (I use it as my desk, which is fun when I accidentally engage the irons because my feet pushed a bit too hard), 1940s Featherweight, 401, and 201...those are just the Singers! I also have an Elna supermatic and Kenmore 1040

Oh my.... I learned on my grandmothers' handcrank I don't remember what happened to that machine but man I would love to have one like that now... BTW does that one have a knee press? My mom had one with a knee press instead of the footpress.

This one actually does, but it's challenging to use because the chair is a bit low and I need to adjust the foot press to be more sensitive (otherwise it's like I'm doing the splits). I've jsut been too lazy to adjust it.

 

[baby nurse]

Yes. Just asked him. It was his first machine and he never sewed before. The Janome manual was excellent and then the YouTube videos helped too. He highly recommends it. Good luck!

Thank you @missy . This is great news!

 

[baby nurse]

My father was a tailor and my mother a dressmaker...they had one of those old metal Singers in its own wooden cabinet. A real workhorse! It didn't have any fancy stitches but they sewed most of my clothes and even some coats with it, and Dad also made me some leather purses and coin purses! (I still have the cute coin purses-- a ladybug, a whale and a turtle!)

25 years ago I bought a Singer 4832C, with electronic controls. It offers a modest variety of stitches for woven and knit fabrics. I have found it perfectly adequate for everything I've needed to sew all these many years. However, I do not do embroidery or quilting, nor do I sew things to sell.

All this is to say that unless you plan to do a lot of specialized sewing, you can probably do nicely with a relatively simple machine.

@pearlsngems , you come from such a creative family! Other than yourself, any other family with an interest in sewing? Nice to have well fitting clothing growing up, not to mention the fabric choices.

Yes, I think a simple but solid quality sewing machine is what I need.

 

[pearlsngems]

@baby nurse, not really. I'm the last survivor of my birth family, and my daughter doesn't care about sewing.
At this point I only sew when I need to, which is mostly hemming my husband's new jeans (he's shorter than me!)

 

[luv2sparkle]

I am a total Bernina girl. I won't have anything else. I started sewing when my daughter was born in 1982. I wanted cute little sleepers but couldn't afford them, so I bought cheap ones and added cute little trims. The first machine was bought by my husband and was a low end Viking-which was what my mom sewed on. BTW- I swore to her that I was NEVER going to sew. After a few years I upgraded to a Janome. I loved that machine, but I started quilting and it didn't quilt well.
From there I upgraded to my first Bernina- a 180 artista which I still have. Then I got the big mama-the 830. I love it but it is a machine you have to learn to master. Many have had difficulties with it because they don't want to do things the way the machine wants it done. That is not everyones cup of tea but it is mine. I love my machine. I also have a Bernina Q20.
My advice it to get a machine that is a little bit beyond your skill level so you can grow in to it. My experience is that a basic machine can hold you back a little bit, and make sewing a little less fun. I would also get a machine from a dealer so you have a place to go for advice and problems and classes to help you grow.

 

[MJ_Mac]

@luv2sparkle - Wowsers, the Q20 is quite the machine! Do you have the frame as well?

@baby nurse - sorry about the threadjack.

 

[luv2sparkle]

No, I got it with the koala table. I can always get the frame late if I decide I want to give up that much space. I have had it a little over a year and I love it!

 

[RobiN0963]

You didn't specify why do you need a sewing machine? Are you going to use it regularly or just occasionally for your hobby? In case you are going to use it not frequently, I would recommend you to buy a simple one, but not the cheapest one. However, if you want to use it more often, or you are planning to do complex projects, I would recommend you to get two machines. One should be a regular sewing machine, and another should be an overlocker. Some people don't knwo, but there is a difference between both sewing machines. You can do everything on a regular sewing machine, but in some cases, overlocker works faster and more accurately. So, the decision is up to you.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Janome are awsome , i have the just above the basic model and i love it

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

opps this is an old thread
and my sewing machine is still waiting patiently to be sent in for a service