Got my first sewing machine!

[Rajah]

Boy was that a surprise!

DH had to go in to work today, so when I called my parents to tell them something (don't remember what) and mentioned DH would be going in to work, they asked if I wanted to come over and play with the quilt project (small tote) we've been intending to do now for about a month.

I said sure!

So this afternoon, they picked me up and asked if I wanted to go see what Sew Contempo (quilting shop nearby) had for their really good sale (I think this is the inventory sale thing where they're trying to clear their shelves so they don't have to pay as much tax or whatever). Whatever the case, everything in the store practically was between 10 and 50% off.

We walked in intending to look at the Janome Jem (advertised as the "travel sewing machine" since it's so portable). But they had one step up (a very basic Janome -- the 108) for a lower price and it had a better selection of options. And even by the time we added the quilting foot package (which came with the Jem) it still was less than the Jem, but is a much better starter machine.

They said the 108 is what they use for their classes when people need to rent a machine, and it's also what they use in their kids classes and beginning sewing classes, so that's *perfect* for me to start with, then when we can afford the Elan Quilters Dream if I decide I still want that, I can either upgrade to it, or keep my 108 to take to classes. But whichever the case, this was a lot easier to afford than the Quilters Dream I want. Especially since DH said I may not be able to get the Quilter's Dream for another year or so. But I'm happy with this one to start out with!!

And to top it off, my parent's paid for half of it so half the machine is my birthday present from my parents!

I even now have my craft room somewhat set up so it's a functional craft room now instead of just a craft-storage room.

I'm sew excited!!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Best wishes with your new machine, Tammi!!! Enjoy!!!!

 

[helenabear]

Very cool Tammi!! I hope you enjoy it and that was nice of your parents to give you half of it for your birthday too

 

[ahutton]

I actually am looking for a first sewing machine too. I'm mostly interested in making clothes and some "home decor" type stuff. If you have any suggestions of what to look for I would love to hear them. I've seen everything from $50-$2500, and have no idea what features to consider!

 

[Rajah]

ahutton -- what kind of features do you want? First, do you want all mechanical (which is what I just got) or computerized (what my mom has, and what I plan to look at in the future)? Most out there now are computerized and have some *neat* features, but they can also get fairly expensive.

Do you want to do anything besides simple sewing? Things like quilting or stuff? Decorative work?

One thing I was told is if you're going to spend a lot of money on a machine, pick one that has good features, but is one you can grow into. That's what I plan to do with the Elna Quilter's Dream (or one up from it maybe ). What I just did is a different recommendation -- start with a very basic machine, *then* get the one you can grow into, *if* you can either trade in the basic one or you think you'll use for classes. I found about a dozen classes I want to try at this quilting shop, and each class involves taking your machine with you or renting one there, so I'll probly end up making this machine my class machine in a year or so.

Basic rule I kept hearing was something like if the MSRP on the machine is below $1000 (at least on a computerized machine), be aware you may be getting a very cheap machine that could have problems. Sale prices below $1000 are cool. Another recommendation I was given over and over was *don't* get one that does too many things. If you want to do sewing, embroidery, and quilting, get one machine that is for quilting and one for embroidery, don't get one that does both, because if they've been designed to do too many things they'll do all of them, but none of them well. Not unless you get into the $10,000+ machines.

What I got was a *very* basic mechanical (only has something like 9 stitches, and really none of the real bells and whistles the fancier machines have, but for learning and a first machine, it works fine) I think they said runs around $500-$700 MSRP, I *think*. I never could find the MSRP on that one. I got it on sale for half that. But, mine also only has the 9 stitches and no bells and whistles, so I'm getting what I paid for. So far (what 5 minutes I've sewn with it at home ), it's been very nice. Very smooth, easy to untangle when I forgot to put the pressure foot down and immediately bound things up ( ) , easy to use. But, that's also a *very* basic machine for such a good price. You can get fancier ones for lower prices, too, but I've heard from many people that a fancy but inexpensive one (like many of the Brother machines) is more likely to break, bind up inside, and be rough. Better to get a more expensive one or a more basic one.

The brands that I've heard good things about are Elna (what my mom has), Janome (what I just got), Bernina (for the more expensive ones (above $1000 MSRP), though some people have had problems with their lower-end models), Viking (some people swear by this brand), and Pfaff (another one with a huge following)

Best thing to do is go look around, and find a store that will give you both the machine *and* free class(es) on using your specific machine. Where I got mine, they'll do some one-on-one training for this machine if I want to go in for it, but they don't offer a class on that specific machine, I guess because it's so basic. They do offer classes on many of their machines, and one-on-one for each machine that doesn't have a class. But, as I said earlier, they said it's the good workhorse machine they use for all their beginning classes.

Make sure that you take the time to sit down and actually stitch with each machine you're interested in, and be sure it's one you'll be able to use when you get home. That's another reason I went with the 108 -- so basic, I can learn the basics on it without getting lost and quite so intimidated (sewing machines have always intimidated me for some reason). But at the same time, about 90% of the sewing I want to do (if not 100%) uses those *basic* stitches.

Only two things this doesn't have that I've found so far that I wish it did are both minors right now -- no thread cutter on the back, and no automatic needle threader. But hey, for the cost, I'm not complaining! And it sews very smoothly.