SEWING: decent sewing machine brand/model?

[ahrimie]

so my hubby wants a sewing machine for christmas.. and he rarely ASKS for anything, so i'd like to get him something nice.. or maybe get that and something else for him. but, i know NOTHING about sewing machines... any brands or models that are good.. or relative prices i should be paying for them? where do you usually get the best deals?

i'd really really appreciate any input!!

[saschalicks]

I just started sewing myself. I took classes and the teacher said that for a good machine to stick to Janome or Viking brands and that you can spend $300ish for a good machine. She also suggested sticking to manual over computerized for a first machine b/c the parts in that price range on computerized aren't as good. I was able to get a really good Viking (normally $600) on e-bay for $250. I'm pretty excited to start using it. HTH

[ellies mom]

OK, there is a huge range in machines.

I wouldn't go for one where the full price is less than $150 because the machine is likely to be so miserable that it could just ruin the whole enjoyment of sewing.

There are the Walmart/Costco/Target machines that usually run $199-300. They are OK. My mom has one (Brothers) from Costco that she uses as a portable machine. It would make a good "see if I like it" machine. If he really takes to sewing, he can always upgrade later or if sewing becomes a once a year at Halloween thing, he'd have something perfectly fine. If you want to talk to someone about the machines, try Sears. Not always but sometimes their sales people know about the machines they sell. They won't at the others. You can also check at a Joanns that sells machines. They might not have too many in this category but the sales people tend to be knowledgeable.

The next range is the $600-800. This is where you start finding really good machines with good service options. If I was pretty certain my husband would really enjoy sewing long-term and we could afford it, I'd start here. I don't know all the options in this price range but you talk to someone at a sewing store that also sells machines or at a sew/vac type store.

Then comes the $1000+ range. There are a ton of wonderful machines in this category but I wouldn't start here unless money really wasn't an option. You'll find them at the same types of places as the $600-800 machines.

In the first range, I like Brothers but Kenmore and Singer are also options. In the second and third, I like Bernina and Viking. A final option, and one I recommend when budget is an issue is a good older used machine. The older machines aren't fancy but they usually sew like a champ. You can find them at sew/vac type stores that service machines.

ETA- I'm currently sewing on 20+ year old machine. I love that I can do all the maintenance and it sews great. The only machine that has tempted me to replace it is a $1500 Viking. Needless to say, I'll be sewing on it for a while yet.

[egoldber]

If you're comfortable doing it, I would go with a used machine of a better brand vs a new machine. People upgrade and trade in their perfectly good machines all the time for a newer model with more bells and whistles. I would go to a local sewing machine store and ask them about used models.

If he is a beginner, it is also best to buy from a place that includes lessons on using the machine with all the machines they sell.

Brand I would go with are Bernina, Viking and Pfaff. Janome/New Home makes nice machines too.

Some models of Brother, Singer, Kenmore and Babylock can be fine, but it's a bit more iffy. JMO but I would avoid anything sold at places like Target and Walmart.

FYI, most Brother/Singer/Kenmore machines are all made by the same factory (Brother).

I sew a fair bit and the machine I use the most is my 20 year old Bernina.

[maestramommy]

I have a 30 year old Bernina that I bought secondhand from a sewing machine store. I don't have the receipt in front of me but I'm pretty sure it was between $300-400. It's electric, but totally mechanical, no computerized functions at all. I've never taken any sewing lessons, and I literally started sewing on this machine. It's AWESOME. Someone here directed me to a sewing forum where I started asking questions. The rec was to get an older machine. They're just better made, and a lot easier to use and maintain/fix. If I ever run into a problem or forget how to do something I just look at the manual and it's crystal clear. I've not gotten brave enough to make real clothes, but I've sewn costumes and little side projects, and I just love it.

[trales]

I just replaced my two 30 year old Singers with the Janome HeartTruth machine (350). I can't even tell you what a pleasure it is to sew with. I bought it from a local dealer who threw in two extra years of free labor if anything were to go wrong.

[tny915]

Originally Posted by maestramommy

Someone here directed me to a sewing forum where I started asking questions.

What forum would you recommend?

[maestramommy]

Originally Posted by tny915

What forum would you recommend?

I was only on that one forum, and of course now I can't remember which one it was Perhaps elliesmom will know. She might have even been the one who recommended it. I think I asked around on the craft forum, but it's been a couple of years.

[ellies mom]

Sewing Mamas is a really good forum.

[lorien_ca]

i'll just third or fourth or whatever the count is for looking into a used refurbished machine from a vac/sew type place (i found mine in the yellow pages). and i'll add Elna to the list of old classic european workhorse machines along with bernina, viking and pfaff. my mom has a 30+ year old kennmore that still sews like a champ too.

my first machine out of college was a cheap (if you can call $200 cheap) singer. the plastic gears stripped themselves the first time i tried to sew thru 3 layers of fabric while attempting to hem DH's chino's. when i took it to a repair shop, he told me it would cost half as much as the machine cost to fix it b/c of all the plastic innards that had stripped out. he suggested i consider putting my money into an older but more reliable machine instead. he had a 20something year old elna 'air electronic' (uses cam's to make decorative stitches - so 100% mechanical, no computer) he was rebuilding which he said i could have for the same $100 if i could wait a week for the rest of the parts to come in. i did, and it's still sewing strong 10 years later. i've never needed to take it back for service - i was actually just thinking it would probably be a good idea to take it back in for a tune up since it's been 10 years LOL. i wouldn't trade that elna for a new $600-800 machine, i like it that much. it sews thru 4 layers of denim, 4 layers of terry cloth, and baby quilts with hi-loft batting with ease. it does a very nice button hole and even does great with stretch knits and finicky roll hem's like chiffon. oh, and every time i'm around other sewers, i realize how QUIET it is. it purrs where other machines growl. can you tell i love the thing?

have fun shopping!