Sewing machine question....again!

Tax refund time.....I'm taking the plunge to replace my old beat up Brother (missing many pieces) I want to advance my sewing skills, as I'm having a harder and harder time finding clothes for my kids that are appropriate for their age. So I'm not a beginner, but not an expert either. I used to sew a lot of dresses by hand.... machines are a little newer to me. I know there have been threads already about suggestions for sewing machines. But I wanted to ask all you seamstresses what machine you use and what made you buy that model? ...or why you would never give yours up?

 

The first new machine I got myself was a Janome 4623. I paid 300.00 for it 4 years ago and I have never had trouble. It has neat functions like needle up/down button that lets you keep the needle in the fabric each time you stop . It also has a slide button that lets you adjust your sewing speed no matter how hard someone is pushing on the peddle. It has a turtle on one side and a rabbit on the other. It is great is you have tons of fabric you are working with and want to go sew so you can adjust as you go. I also use it to teach little kids how to sew. Since they can press the foot peddle as hard as they want and I can still control the machine speed. It has 23 built in stiches plus automatic buttonhloes. I have never used another machine with easier buttonholes. It also has a flip up top which most of the accessories fit in the lid and there is a guide there to help you. It has a detachable fron for sewing cuffs and small areas. The bobbin cover is clear so you can always see how much thread you have left. It is very easy to thread. As you can see I love it and could go on about it for hours. It was a steal and even though I have moved on to an embroidery machine, I still use it.

 

I have a Hobby machine... got it for my bday a few years ago

nice, simple, basic, rarely screws up (when it has it's usually rethread, if that doesn't fix it, monkey around with the bobbin case)

They're a subsidiary of Pfaff if I remember correctly, and I like Pfaff. Heard good things about 'em. My mom used to work in a store that sold Pfaff machines though, so I'm probly alittle biased lol

 

My sewing machine isnt working.

 

I'd buy a PFAFF cuz they are the best!

we have a pfaff 1470 creative and it has only been serviced once in 25 years! and that was just because i wanted it clean!
it has over 100 stiches and embrodery.
you can even design your own
it was the first computerized machine
it has all kinds of fancy presser feet
my favorite is the button hole foot, it has a ruler on it..it's so kewl...
we have a hobby lock serger that was made for pfaff and it runs brand new and has never been services..and it is as old as the machine (25 years)

 

I currently have an early 1970's model Singer... MIL gave it to me because none of my sisters-in-law know how to sew or wanted it, and she had three machines collecting dust (gave me the crappiest one of the three..) I'm also in the market for a better machine. The one I have has great features, especially for a machine that age, but it doesn't sew straight, and if you speed up or slow down, it changes the length of the stitches. The presser foot keeps coming loose, too, breaks needles and falls off occassionally without warning. I realize all this can be fixed, but for what it would cost, I'd rather just get a new machine. I also have a really pretty 1950's Singer that only does straight chain stitches, and I never use it.


As far as I can tell, you really get what you pay for in a sewing machine, so what I'm asking for mother's day is the best mechanical machine DH thinks is reasonable to pay for (since the top-notch mechanical machines have just as many functions as the cheaper computerized ones). Target has some sewing machines now, at really really good prices, but I've heard bad things about the inexpensive new Singers. I really don't see paying more than $400 on a sewing machine, unless I were going to start sewing to sell things, but that's just me. Anything is bound to be better than what I currently have!! I think if money were tight, I'd ask for an early 1960's model machine. They really built them to last back then. That would be the best machine for the money, hands down.

 

I have a really really old Brocur. It is the predecessor of the Brother machine. Works great. I've never had any problems with it. It's all metal, not a bunch of plastic parts like the newer machines are. But it doesn't do anything. Sews forward, backward, and zig zags, but that's all. I'd really like a machine that does some of the fancy stitches. And I haven't made a decent buttonhole since my mother's old Kenmore died. I'd really like a new machine. I have a Simplicity Serge Pro that I love. Now I need a decent sewing machine. I've heard that Janomes and Pfaff's are both really good. You really need to look around and see what features you like on each one.

Kathi

 

I use an old pedal one, even though my mom bought me a electric. I really love old ones, once you fix 'em up a little they are soooo much easier than electric.