I don't know where to post this (Sewing machine)

TeamH5 · Oct 17, 2016

I'm looking to buy a sewing machine, just kind of curious what the best brands are out there right now. It's been YEARS since I've sewn. I just want a basic machine, maybe something that does some embroidery (names would be fine). Nothing TO fancy.. Lol Something solid that will last a while, not just a cheap machine that will break in a year.

If I should post this in a different forum, please advise. I couldn't really find one that pertained to sewing as for as creative boards, etc.

Thanks!

wilkeliza · Oct 17, 2016

I love my Brother. I have a duel purpose sewing/embroidery machine. It is pretty basic in both as it is only auto set up to do letters and monograms but if you buy a program you can do files up to 4x4 inches. Mine is the LB6800PRW and I honestly can't say anything negative about it. I have made several things with the sewing machine like my Rey cosplay and some napkins for the house and with the embroidery I have made a few baby gifts and put logos on shirts and stuff. I do wish it could take the bigger embroidery loop but since I don't use it too often it isn't so bad to have to break designs into two (so put say a Mickey on the shirt then move the fabric to put on name or break name into first and last etc).

ImDMous · Oct 17, 2016

I also have a Brother that I got Costco, I think it's an older model of this one http://www.costco.com/Brother-SM8270-Sewing-Machine.product.100131452.html

I love it. It's easy to use and fairly easy to take with me ( I took a sewing class and brought it with me every week). I've had it about 5 or 6 years so far and no problems. I've made a few shopping bags, a dress, a Halloween costume and I'm working on a t-shirt quilt.

scrapquitler · Oct 17, 2016

TeamH5 said:
I'm looking to buy a sewing machine, just kind of curious what the best brands are out there right now. It's been YEARS since I've sewn. I just want a basic machine, maybe something that does some embroidery (names would be fine). Nothing TO fancy.. Lol Something solid that will last a while, not just a cheap machine that will break in a year.

If I should post this in a different forum, please advise. I couldn't really find one that pertained to sewing as for as creative boards, etc.

Thanks!

Visit some of the sewing machine dealers in your area and speak to them about what you are looking for and see what they have to offer. I always believe that having a good dealer is as important as having a the right machine. At some point you are going to need to have your machine serviced, and Costco or Amazon isn't going to be of any help to you, but your dealer will. Most dealers also offer (usually free) lessons on how to actually USE your new machine to it's fullest potential. Again, Costco or Amazon isn't helping you with that. And finally, when you visit the dealer, TEST drive the machines, and be open to purchasing a used machine or a floor model. Dealers almost always take trade ins from people who are upgrading and then they service them and sell them. As a result, a dealer can often offer you a much better quality machine with more features than you might otherwie be able to get.

I'm also going to suggest that if the embroidery part isn't essential to you, that you consider a good vintage machine (one that's full of metal gears and parts, manufactured prior to 1980). Most good vintage machines of that age are much more well made than many of the inexpensive newer machines, and the price will be pretty low. If you aren't familiar with them, again, the sewing machine dealer is your friend and can help you get a solid garage sale machine in perfect working order and it will outlast any $200 machine you're going to buy from a big box store.

allysetraskos · Oct 17, 2016

I have a brother from walmart... Its been great, better then my more expensive machine, hasn't broke down once.

TeamH5 · Oct 18, 2016

scrapquitler said:
Visit some of the sewing machine dealers in your area and speak to them about what you are looking for and see what they have to offer. I always believe that having a good dealer is as important as having a the right machine. At some point you are going to need to have your machine serviced, and Costco or Amazon isn't going to be of any help to you, but your dealer will. Most dealers also offer (usually free) lessons on how to actually USE your new machine to it's fullest potential. Again, Costco or Amazon isn't helping you with that. And finally, when you visit the dealer, TEST drive the machines, and be open to purchasing a used machine or a floor model. Dealers almost always take trade ins from people who are upgrading and then they service them and sell them. As a result, a dealer can often offer you a much better quality machine with more features than you might otherwie be able to get.

I'm also going to suggest that if the embroidery part isn't essential to you, that you consider a good vintage machine (one that's full of metal gears and parts, manufactured prior to 1980). Most good vintage machines of that age are much more well made than many of the inexpensive newer machines, and the price will be pretty low. If you aren't familiar with them, again, the sewing machine dealer is your friend and can help you get a solid garage sale machine in perfect working order and it will outlast any $200 machine you're going to buy from a big box store.

I actually had a vintage machine for a few years that was given to me by my Husband's grandmother. Built in the 40's. I loved that sewing machine, but I spent more time fixing it then using it. I took it to a dealer a few times, and they couldn't even fix it because the parts weren't available anymore. So I would spend hours going through the manual, looking up online tutorials on that specific machine (Singer I think), scouring the internet for someone somewhere that would have the part I needed to fix whatever the problem of the day was.. Lol I finally had to get rid of it when I couldn't find one particular part, the dealer couldn't find the part, and he couldn't fix it either and we couldn't even jerry-rig it to make it work. But it did help me learn a lot about how to fix sewing machines.

My mom still has her Singer machine that she got probably when my parents first got married, so mid 70's.... Still works great. But she still uses it so that's not possible for me to get that.

I would like an old machine like that again, just not THAT(40's) old. Lol OR, a newer one that will LAST a good 20 years or so, as I'm not keen to getting a machine that will just have to be replaced in 5 years....

NotUrsula · Oct 26, 2016

I love my three Janome's. Excellent machines.

Major tip: Black Friday is a great day to buy a sewing machine. Fabric/sewing stores are not madhouses on Black Friday, but they tend to offer some really great deals on machines that day.

hsmamato2 · Oct 30, 2016

I bought a cheapo Brother brand from Walmart on Black Friday a year or two back...best $50 bucks I've spent! I sew/repair wuite a few little things,it is light duty but works nicely.

I don't know where to post this (Sewing machine)

TeamH5

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wilkeliza

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ImDMous

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scrapquitler

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allysetraskos

Allyse Grant

TeamH5

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NotUrsula

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hsmamato2

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