I have sewn for at least 40 years now and have gone throu a lot of machines. I currently own 2 Husquvarna Viking Designers machines, a serger, a Pfaff, Riccar, and several others, about 12 to 14 machines in all. Some were very expensive- the Designer ones, but I can NOT break them,easily... I am also very, very hard on machines
. I have 2 old Singer 221's that have not been made for years, it only does a straight stitch, but when I want a perfect stitch I use one of them.
I have owned Pfaff machines, and loved them. I wore out a New Home, now Janome, and the old company would not repair it- the new ones are great. I can not "drive" a Bernia, I break every one I touch... good machines, not for me. The local dealer won't even let me test one now...
I think the fact that you do not have a lot of money to spend should not throw you to a cheap machine. If you have a local major sewing machine dealer, any brand, go to them and test the machines. If you have several different dealers go to ALL of them and test all the ones that are close to what you can afford. Any thing less then $300 for a new machine usually only lasts a year or 2 of sewing... and who will fix it? there are exceptions, of course.
Do keep in mind that they could be at least 2x's as much as a machine you get from Wally world. But you usuall get several benifits along with that- a lot of them offer free sewing instrustions if you buy the machine from them-so you know how to use the machine. Most of them have factory trained repair persons at the store- when you break a cheap machine it is broke or it is will cost you as much to repair as it would to buy a new one. Some will let you trade "up" in a year or more to a bigger, better machine when you can afford it- IF you decide you want to. Most major brand machine will have special feet and things that you can get that will make sewing easier- a ruffle attachment will make ruffels for dresses, curtains, quilts, and so on very, very fast- great for "Princess" dresses, a special zipper foot will make it a zillion times easier to get a zipper in a project, too! And if you get to where you know your local dealer very well, and you are finishing up a project- think costumes for
MNSSHP and you are due to leave in 3 days- when you break the machine the dealer will usuall be able to fix it the next day, or if you are lucky let you rent/borrow one to do so! Try that from Wally World....
Once you have desided on a brand of machine go in and talk to the owner of the store. Some have trade in machines, and while used they can be a great bargin. Hus/Viking just had a trade in at our local store and I am going to check and see if I can pick up another machine or several. I do a lot of sewing in the local schools and I take in the machines for the middle and high school kids to sew on. That includes my big Designer- like I said- got a great repairman.
Check out some of the sewing sites online.. you can find a lot of info on them. More then you will want.
I did get my DD a machine when she went off to college across the US- after she swore she would NEVER sew... I got a new White/Husky, and it was fine for a few years. She did not sew when she lived at home, and is not very good now, but she comes home and lusts for one of my Designers... but swears she wouldn't "use" it...
Hope this has helped, sorry it is so long....If you have any questions I will try and check back on this thread. Best of luck!
You might just luck out and find a good deal.
