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I really like Kenmore. I recently got one and I love it.
I have one of these. Seriously bought it at Walmart. It has an automatic bobbin threader, which my last one didn't. I've used TONS of the stitches, especially the ones for quilts!
It comes with a DVD and is insanely easy to use. I don't make anything CRAZY fashionable like wedding dresses but i"ve made dresses for babies, quilts, etc on this already and am VERY happy with it. Plus, WAlmart has a STELLAR return policy. For $179 (it's on sale from the price i got it at!) i think it's a good deal. And Singer makes some of the best and sturdiest sewing machines
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Singer-Fashion-Mate-70-Stitch-Sewing-Machine-7256/10992862
I have zero complaints about this machine. Seriously.
I have this case, too: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Singer-Sewing-Machine-Carrying-Case/5064502
I would also consider going to some smaller fabric stores and asking if they have any used sewing machines. I'm a die-hard old machine user. I don't like the new electronic stuff, too many things to break! You get a machine from the 70s that has been maintained and clean it regularly, that thing will last the rest of your life. no joke.
Thanks ladies! and a BIG THANKS to Miss Oyster! for her post today !! I am definitely already looking at the links ya'll have given me!
@corgitakes I'm torn between machines now! My grama taught me how to sew on her old sewing machine! so I want one of those SO bad! but these newer ones have all these different sewing designs...hmmm
I learned on an old machine...but i LOVE my electronic one. It's just very user-friendly. I spend less time hassling with my machine, more time just sewing.
@ejs- i could be biased because i haven't actually sewn on a new machine! I learned on an old machine and when i moved out of my parents' house they bought me a used machine (my dad does sewing machine repair so he's got the hook-ups haha). I just like how sturdy and reliable they are.
yeah i'm sure they are definitely sturdier! The "good ole stuff" usually is =]
Electronic stuff in general tends to crap out earlier. But for $175...i figure i'll just replace it in a few years. My mom has had her electronic one for about 10 years now. But she upgraded to a newer lighter model like mine. The old electronic ones are heavy as heck.
But really, I make baby quilts and I NEED that stitch. And i like that i can adjust the width/length of the stitches depending on if i'm doing eyes or wings or whatever part of the quilt.
i used to have a heavy-duty mechanical one which served me well, but needed an abhorrent amount of tune-ups due to the stress I put it through...i have an electronic janome now and it sews like a dream so far. i loooove it.
I would recommend you go to JoAnn Fabrics. This week they are having a sale and they gave me a coupon at the register worth 50% ANY one item! You could get a really good machine for half price!
JoAnns also frequently runs $100 off sales on their Singer machines. I got a new Quilter's Confidence and love it compared to my previous POS 1950's brother. It isn't the best machine out there, but it gets my jobs done.
I've sewn on a lot of different machines (I used to have a job sewing flags/banners in college), and I heartily recommend Kenmore or Janome (they are made by the same people, really)--Kenmore you can buy at Sears, Janome you can buy at Hancock fabrics or through independent dealers. These are good, solid machines for a reasonable price--the mid-range models with computerized features and nice stitches are maybe $200-$250. In my experience these sew much nicer and feel sturdier than the newer Singer machines.
If you are interested in a new machine that sews with the feeling of an older, non-computerized machine, I would recommend checking out the Viking Emerald machines. They don't have all the bells and whistles, but they give you that nice, heavy mechanical whir. They are definitely going to be more expensive (though they are 'bottom line' vikings, so nothing too crazy), but still going to be in the $400 range.
@MightySapphire-I'm pretty sure JoAnns coupons exclude sewing machines in the fine print
I love JoAnns. I would check them out for sure on a deal. Plus the people there are very knowledgable so they could probably help you with it. I have an old Brother machine that I use. I don't know if they are still in business or not.
I got my Singer from Joann's on sale about 1 year ago. Here is my Singer which I LOVE. It is so easy to setup and get started on. Also has great stitches and just all over easy to use. I highly recommend.
What sewing machine you buy will depend on your skill level and your budget. Sewing machines run anywhere from $75 to thousands of dollars. The fancier, the more expensive and maybe the harder for a beginner to use. If you're a beginner (like me), maybe choose an inexpensive (and basic) one to begin with until you know whether or not you're going to like sewing and continue it. You can always upgrade later and sell your machine to another beginner. Captain Magnets blog has a really good overview about how to go about buying a sewing machine.
I just purchased a Kenmore. It's the same machine as the Janome, but since it's through Sears there's a good warranty and I trust them for repairs. My machine coast about $250, but does a ton of stitches (probably more than I'll ever need) and has a lot of fancy "bells and whistles."
I have a White that I bought at JoAnn. I really love it.
I used to have a Singer, but I constantly had tension probrlems. But I had a rather low-end one. My mom has a great Singer Futura that works great. But those are pretty pricey.
If I was going to go buy a new machine tomorrow, I would get a HuskyStar, or Janome Threadbanger. They have really great deals on this at overstock.com.
And it ships for $1! Kind of makes me want a new machine! Janomes are really great.
There is NOT a Joanne Any where near us! Which sucks! But I did go to hancocks today and they didn't have any machine in the public viewing that I saw lol So i'm taking Mr.bobby back with me later.
Thanks so much ladies! Ya'll have been a really big help!
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I really need a new sewing machine, but I really have no idea where to look though! And I need it pretty soon, I've got a lot of sewing I need to do and I really need to start my reception dress.