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Post by lallyinthesky on Oct 29, 2013 17:01:00 GMT
So I've started setting aside a bit of cash to buy myself a proper sewing machine, and I was just wondering if anyone wanted to share what they love/hate about their own machines?
I'd consider my skills somewhat novice, since I haven't touched a machine in nearly ten years (my mom was a seamstress so I learned when i was pretty young), so the more streamlined the better, I think. I'd also love to stay in a pretty reasonable range price-wise, but I do know that you tend to get what you pay for with these sort of things. I will be getting her Serger from about 2004 that's still in great condition, but I DO know there are loads of things you need a proper machine for, hence the thread.
Any advice is welcome, thank you all! You guys are great!
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Post by Torchwood TeaBoy on Oct 29, 2013 17:08:13 GMT
What are you looking for your machine to do? Do you need the basic 6-10 stitches? Do you want a combo embroidery machine? How often/heavily are you going to use it? What is the average fabric/material weight of most of your projects? What is your budget?
Answer those questions and it can greatly narrow down your search.
Check out garage and church sales, look for older machines that have plastic casings, but metal innards. But don't jump on any old machine. If there are too many issues with it, it will cost you more to get it fixed than it will to buy new.
Another great idea is to check with some of your local schools and see if their home-ec/technology area is going to be getting rid of or updating any of their machines and/or would be willing to sell you one of theirs. Typically schools buy specific machines that are higher quality than most consumer machines, but not as intense as an industrial machine. (I have a Singer that is easily 15 years old that my mom bought from our local high school when it was updating and this machine is still a dream.)
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Post by Clara Oswald on Oct 29, 2013 17:32:01 GMT
I LOVE my Brother Project Runway Edition that my hubby bought me from Walmart. It does all the basic stitches, as well as few embroidery stitches, and it is very durable, with metal parts inside. It is "self threading" meaning that the threading instructions are printed on the machine itself and it has a little mechanism that pulls the tread through the needle (stupid me broke that part). Brothers are very well made machines. We use Singers for the students here at the school, but I'm not a fan of the basic models we have, as they break down very easily. Walmart also sells those, and I would avoid them, I believe they are labeled "student" or "beginner".
And like Jaq said above, it does really depend on what you're looking for in a machine. When you are ready to buy, find a store that specializes in sewing or sewing machines, look at what you like, and then see if you can find it for less elsewhere (sewing stores tend to mark up what they sell.)
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Post by Torchwood TeaBoy on Oct 29, 2013 17:58:19 GMT
I'll definitely back Clara's endorsement of Brother machines. I have a Brother embroidery machine and serger and they are dreams, even with the plastic parts. Singers, pre-2000 are still pretty good and are less likely to break down, I'm not sure what changed in the past decade or so. :/
I would highly recommend doing your buying through Amazon or similar distributor, unless you REALLY like your local shop. The local shops often have large premiums on their prices, and Amazon will generally have lightening deals and big sales on their machines. (I got my embroidery machine for 50% off AND when it had a manufacturing issue, Amazon replaced it immediately.)
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Post by lallyinthesky on Oct 29, 2013 23:50:22 GMT
You're both so fab, bless.
This is the third endorsement for a Brother machine I've heard (including another cosplay friend of mine), so I definitely think I might have to look into them! My mother was a sworn Singer woman, but then again hers was one of those massive solid metal machines built into a desk from about 1970 (I think it would cost more than my apartment to have it refurbished at this point). I'm looking for something that'll be a nice middle-of-the-road machine, that'll let me start on simpler things but should my skills be up to par, extend out to some more complicated projects as well.
I would never have thought of school/church sales, that's actually quite brilliant. I'd love to stay close to $200 or so, just because I'm not sure how much of my skills I'm bound to remember, and I don't foresee myself doing anything ridiculously extravagant (as much as I'd loooove to do Danielle from Ever After, I don't think I'd EVER have the sanity for that much beading).
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Post by Torchwood TeaBoy on Oct 30, 2013 0:04:34 GMT
I would never have thought of school/church sales, that's actually quite brilliant. I'd love to stay close to $200 or so, just because I'm not sure how much of my skills I'm bound to remember, and I don't foresee myself doing anything ridiculously extravagant (as much as I'd loooove to do Danielle from Ever After, I don't think I'd EVER have the sanity for that much beading). With a budget of $200, you can definitely a good middle of the line machine. DON'T fall for the quick and dirty cheap-os at Walmart, or even Joann's. They break down pretty quick. And if you are going to go the church/garage sale route, you may be able to find a pretty decent older machine for under $50 and put the remaining $150 into refurb and get it into tip-top shape. I would take an older refurb, especially with all metal parts, over a new plastic model ANYday. Make sure you have a reliable service/repair shop near-by and talk to them too. They may have a line on someone who may be selling OR may even have some broken machines in their shop that need just some minor work, but have been abandoned by the owners. And beading's not so bad. It's a good excuse to sit and watch TV while you work You're both so fab, bless. D'aww *blush*
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Nullien
Gallifreyan
"Actually it went just about as badly as it could have done, but that wasn't my fault."
Posts: 46
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Post by Nullien on Oct 30, 2013 2:20:51 GMT
I have a Singer Serenade, and I'm in love with ¿her? haha I don't have any experience with Brother, but I'd definitely recommend Singer to anyone! Also, mine was ~100€!
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Post by Clara Oswald on Oct 30, 2013 11:22:24 GMT
With a budget of $200, you can definitely a good middle of the line machine. DON'T fall for the quick and dirty cheap-os at Walmart, or even Joann's. They break down pretty quick. And if you are going to go the church/garage sale route, you may be able to find a pretty decent older machine for under $50 and put the remaining $150 into refurb and get it into tip-top shape. I would take an older refurb, especially with all metal parts, over a new plastic model ANYday. Make sure you have a reliable service/repair shop near-by and talk to them too. They may have a line on someone who may be selling OR may even have some broken machines in their shop that need just some minor work, but have been abandoned by the owners. My Project Runway Brother was under $200 from Walmart, but that was just a lucky shot that they even carried it. Jaq's right, most of the time, Walmart cheap-os are crappy. I always love Amazon for finding deals. Even Ebay can be a place to, (however, sometimes you have to be careful when buying tech on there.) Here's the link to my Brother.
Like I said, I was lucky to find it there. If you look at the rest of their selection, there is little else there that even comes close.
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Post by benaequee on Oct 31, 2013 2:20:28 GMT
I have to spout the love for my die hard Kenmore machine from Sears. My mom bought this for me in 2005 after I killed a 30 year old Singer (don't ask how). I only NOW have to take it in for servicing. I've made about 4 heavy jackets, 60+ costumes of various materials and details, 2 wedding dress, 3 evening gowns, uncountable alterations to clothing, and who knows how many little accessories over an 8 year period. I keep it clean, and oiled, but something only recently started sounding "off" and I need to take it in (it started after a really bad needle break). Like a car, with proper care and maintenance, your machine can last as long as possible. I fully expect to use this machine until I'm in my 90's and sewing costumes for my great nieces and nephews.
I have to second the therapeutic benefits of hand work such as beading and embroidery. I spent so many hours mindlessly hand sequining a pair of Ruby Slippers with over 5000 sequins while watching TV. If you want to test yourself and make a beautifully beaded gown, do it. You can always unpick beads and try again if it's not quite right.
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Post by Moonflower on Oct 31, 2013 2:38:07 GMT
I have a Brother. It's several years old, but it still works great. My dad uses it more than I do, but we've used it a good bit. Even made a nice Sorting Hat. I love it, though.
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Post by lallyinthesky on Nov 1, 2013 17:34:50 GMT
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Post by Torchwood TeaBoy on Nov 1, 2013 18:43:04 GMT
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Post by lallyinthesky on Nov 1, 2013 19:08:03 GMT
Mainly because 1. I'm curious and 2. this is my first time purchasing, what specifically manufacturer-wise don't you like about them? I really don't know what to look out for, and it makes the search a bit more challenging. I do appreciate your honesty though, especially if I'm shelling out a large chunk of change for this.
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Post by Torchwood TeaBoy on Nov 1, 2013 19:36:02 GMT
All I did was read through the 1 & 2 star reviews and look for repeated issues (thread tension problems, fabric weight issues, etc.) or issues with key parts (bobbin cases, feed dogs, etc.) That generally indicates that that is a common problem and the likelihood of it happening to you are high. Also, those are parts that wear out quickly or are integral to the running of the machine, so if they break or run out of sync with the machine, you won't be able to use the machine at all.
Looking back at them, the CS5055 isn't TOO bad, it seems like it just has some general complaints, nothing overly specific or serious. I'm serious about the CS6000 though, it is total shite. It'll break down on you in less than 6 months of regular-heavy use. (I had 2 do that before I stopped getting them.)
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Post by lallyinthesky on Nov 1, 2013 19:41:19 GMT
All I did was read through the 1 & 2 star reviews and look for repeated issues (thread tension problems, fabric weight issues, etc.) or issues with key parts (bobbin cases, feed dogs, etc.) That generally indicates that that is a common problem and the likelihood of it happening to you are high. Also, those are parts that wear out quickly or are integral to the running of the machine, so if they break or run out of sync with the machine, you won't be able to use the machine at all. Looking back at them, the CS5055 isn't TOO bad, it seems like it just has some general complaints, nothing overly specific or serious. I'm serious about the CS6000 though, it is total shite. It'll break down on you in less than 6 months of regular-heavy use. (I had 2 do that before I stopped getting them.) You're a saint. I have a lot more thinking to do, it's just nice to have someone to run things by and give me an honest opinion, rather than going to the store and having them try to off the most expensive one on me. I just got a tad impatient because my paycheck was larger than I'd expected this week and it was burning a bit of a hole in my pocket.
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