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New Sewing Machine - 9/19/2008 7:42:24 AM
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HomeSpunLady
Posts: 1267
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: Lovely Pennsylvania!
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I need a new sewing machine. Poo. I'm really attached my my old one, but the function I need fixed cannot be fixed and I use that function way too much to go without. Double poo.
Anyway, I need to know what sort of machines you have worked with/owned that you liked. I am looking more for company names as I realize that models change all the time. I am willing to invest a bit more into the cost of the machine than what I did last time and to go a bit more than just your basic machine. I do not quilt at the moment, but am interested in getting started in it. I do mostly clothing construction, along with clothing repair.
Thanks!
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RE: New Sewing Machine - 9/19/2008 2:11:19 PM
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Jenny-Fair
Posts: 6385
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From: WA
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I highly recommend Bernina. Singer has been bought out by another company and the machines are not the quality they used to be. You should have a Bernina shop somewhere near you, and you may be able to get a used machine that was traded in.
I sew on a Singer, but I bought it sixteen years ago and it was high-end at the time. When it dies, I will go with a Bernina.
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RE: New Sewing Machine - 9/19/2008 4:11:32 PM
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pumpkin
Posts: 1441
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I recently bought a Kenmore. I hadn't thought about them having sewing machine prior to my "discovery" of them. I was searching for things to buy at Sears/K-Mart because my in-laws had given me a gift card, and low and behold, they had what I wanted.
It's a fantastic machine. I read all the reviews of it first, and it was rated very highly by those who already owned it, including a few who had bought it for someone else, and then decided they wanted that one too.
It's easy to use, and does everything I wanted it to do.
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RE: New Sewing Machine - 9/21/2008 5:52:43 PM
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uponeagleswings
Posts: 1768
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From: Out here in the desert
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My aunt has a Janome that she likes. I always hear good things about Berninas.
I sew on a Singer that's about 50 years old and its awesome- you can check craigslist, garage sales, and thrift stores and sometimes get a really good deal.
You might also try the forums on craftster.org - they have a sewing machine section.
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RE: New Sewing Machine - 9/22/2008 10:42:05 AM
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miasma
Posts: 4681
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I have a Simplicity - well, had, I gave it to my brother - but I lovelovelove my Pfaff. I had another one that was some random Japanese thing (weighed a ton) and I've used industrial table-top ones - well, really, it depends on what you want to do.
I enjoy the variety of stitches on the Pfaff, and how fast it goes. But if you just need straight stitching, then having 20 other types would be a waste!
I say go to your local sewing store and do some test runs.
http://pages.sewing-machine-manuals.com/173/PictPage/1922388361.html
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RE: New Sewing Machine - 9/25/2008 8:09:15 AM
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Tea-Tea
Posts: 590
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: Mr. Sippi
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I grew up sewing on a Kenmore and it was a great machine--lasted for 30 years or so.
I currently have two Singers (one is about 50 years old; one is probably 10 to 15) and really like both of them.
I also have a Brother. It's my "portable" machine and probably 15 years old. For the amount of money I paid (around $130, I think), it's a great machine. It's the only one I bought (the others were my grandmothers' that got handed down). Honestly, it's the easiest to use and has kept a good tension the best. But, it's probably the less-used machine too.
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RE: New Sewing Machine - 9/25/2008 4:45:31 PM
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StephK
Posts: 2340
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: Southwest Louisiana
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quote:
ORIGINAL: HomeSpunLady
I need a new sewing machine. Poo. I'm really attached my my old one, but the function I need fixed cannot be fixed and I use that function way too much to go without. Double poo.
Anyway, I need to know what sort of machines you have worked with/owned that you liked. I am looking more for company names as I realize that models change all the time. I am willing to invest a bit more into the cost of the machine than what I did last time and to go a bit more than just your basic machine. I do not quilt at the moment, but am interested in getting started in it. I do mostly clothing construction, along with clothing repair.
Thanks!
I have two Janome's and love them. One is the quilting machine that does all sorts of things and the other is the Jem Gold that is a 12 pound machine that is great for going to quilting classes. It is small but can handle heavy duty jobs. I have made a couple quilts with it and repaired some heavy denim work pants with no problems.
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Stephanie
The heart of the wise inclines to the right but the heart of the fool to the left.
Even as he walks along the road, the fool lacks sense and shows everyone how stupid he is. ~ Ecc. 10:2-3
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RE: New Sewing Machine - 9/29/2008 10:43:09 AM
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lucyk
Posts: 16
Joined: 4/4/2006
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I have a Viking combo embroidery/sewing machine that I really like, but was not inexpensive at all even at auction. It does sew beautifully, however. I also have a Janome Gem Silver, which goes to classes with me, and a Babylock serger that has been really good, and a semi-industrial Jukie, although it only does a straight stitch.
In the past I've owned Singer (old ones good, new ones notsomuch), Brother (great machine, sold on eBay, still in use), Riccar (a true workhorse from the 60's), Kenmore (sold to my Mom, she uses it every day) and White (serger, also sold to my Mom, she uses it every day). In the end it always comes down to the dealer. I wouldn't buy anything from my local Bernina dealer even though I really like the machines...the support just isn't there (and it's not like I need much support), and now that my Viking dealer has changed hands, I'll probably not have another one of them unless I feel like driving an hour away. When I bought my Janome, I did just that because I knew that I wanted that machine specifically (special ASG anniversary edition) and the local guy wouldn't even order one for me.
So, if you know you want to buy from a dealer rather than Walmart or Sears, go with the dealer moreso than the machine. One word of advice, when you go, take your own fabric to stitch out samples on. A lot of times the dealers will have very starched fabric for the test.
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RE: New Sewing Machine - 10/1/2008 12:13:08 AM
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Liveloved
Posts: 1841
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I have a Viking that I've threatened to put behind the wheels of my car since the day I paid way too much money for it. It has never sewn properly. Argh. . .
So my recommendation would be the Kenmore if you want a good machine for a moderate amount of money. I've known many who have had them and had satisfaction and they are rated well.
Someday I'm going to run over mine and head to Sears for one that works. 
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RE: New Sewing Machine - 10/2/2008 11:15:42 AM
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Jenny-Fair
Posts: 6385
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: WA
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Singer WAS always a good machine, but they aren't what they used to be since they were sold out.
_____________________________
Tony: Ziva, did you kill Houdini?
Ziva: It is possible. I do not remember all their names.
My Blog
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RE: New Sewing Machine - 10/2/2008 10:33:14 PM
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uponeagleswings
Posts: 1768
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: Out here in the desert
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Agreed. However, if you can get your hands on an old (vintage) Singer, they seem to last forever. Mine is probably 50 years old and sews great.
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Stacy The Story "A violet is not an impaired daisy."
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RE: New Sewing Machine - 10/4/2008 3:34:46 PM
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Pavteam
Posts: 50
Joined: 11/8/2006
From: South Carolina
Status: offline
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Simplicity, Brother, and White are all made by Babylock, with Babylock being the high end. I love Babylock - they are so easy to use.
I have a Simplicity Serger, a Babylock Ellegeo sewing/embroidery machine. I also have a DressMaker - made in Europe. just got a Brother 750 Sewing/embroidery machine as a backup for my other one. I also have my Grandma's old tredle Singer - still works and I have a machine by J C Penney -that my mom has at her house.
May I make a suggestion. Go to your sewing machine dealer of whatever you decide to buy and ask if they have any used models. I got my Babylock Elegeo used - New it would have been $6,000.00 Used - I paid $2,500.00 BIG Difference! By buying it from a dealer - even used - you usually get lessons to show you how do use it. Even used ones can get maintainence plans from the dealer - which I get - it is well worth it!.
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