sewing machine recommendation

12 years ago

Hello,

I was hoping you could recommend some good machines or at least brands. My mother recently retired as a professional tailor and sold all of her industrial machines and is now looking for a "home" machine. She does a lot of machine piecing and some alterations and other stuff. Quality of the machine is the highest priority and a few bells a whistles would be fun too. I'm not worried about price. Thank you!!

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Comments (7)

grammyp
12 years ago
I have a Janome and love it. For ease of use, you can't beat a good old Featherweight.

beverly
teresa_nc7
12 years ago
Have her test drive these makes: Janome, Pfaff, Bernina, Husqvarna Viking, Baby Lock. These are the good ones that come to mind early this morning. I'm sure there are others.

She needs to think about all the functions she wants from a new machine: special stitches, up/down pressure foot, reverse, 1/4" foot availability, monogram stitches, decorative stitches, and embroidery?

Teresa
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Upholstery is so easy and fulfilling provided you have the tools to optomize your efforts. After upholstering several projects, using a "home" machine, I located an old (1938)Singer 31-15 machine at a dry cleaners that had offered clothing repair services....$40 in the Pittsburgh PA area in the late '60s. In the 80s, I got an almost new walking foot Consew 226 for $500. I had this machine geared down to a slower speed, as it is easier for me. The walking foot is especially appropriate for velvet/pile/thick fabrics. Both of these workhorse machines are in heavy tables. Like many sewers, I use an adjustable office chair for sewing ease...and an old pingpong table for cutting fabrics. My favorite home machine is a 1976 Viking(64-40), that has the low gesr setting. It cannot compete with the industrial machines in ease and quality of stitching for attaching welting to velveteen cushions, for example. When I got the industrial Singer, I had it in our bedroom on my side of the bed. I sewed on it when DH was at work. Now, both industrial machines are in our lower level where I have a generous space for all my machines and projects. If you are serious about upholstery, there are some great older books that none of the newer ones can touch in breadth/quality. Also, consider getting a small air compressor and a pneumatic stapler and a pair of professional scissors to save your hands. I do not have any electric scissors, and would have to test them for cutting Italian tapestry and velveteen. My DH constructed my 'horses' and they double in the woodshop for my projects there, I covered the top bar with carpet scraps. For me, the return on investment in these tools has been superb financially and creatively. Good luck-you can do it!
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Until I bought my brandy-new Juki my "work horse" was a 1929 Singer 31-15, lockstitch (no reverse). My first machine was a White Rotary in a Martha Washington cabinet (still have it) with ALL the attachments (scroll hemmers, rufflers, tuckers, folders, fellers, binders, etc.) I also have a Willcox&Gibbs (rotary take up) I love. I used the folder or the binder the clean finish raw edges). I made bound buttonholes or worked them by hand. Zig-zag is good to have if you only have one machine because with it you usually have a buttonhole option, too. You can clean finish edges, well... SORT of. Wonderful machinery is available for pennies on the dollar at junk shops, yard sales... . I'd be looking for old Kenmores, Phaffs, Whites, Singers. Always ask about the manuals, too, and the attchments (older machines 40-50 yrs. came with a full complement of them!). At yard sales, if it's complete you can reasonably bet only a cleaning will be required. And those things are often the first things to be resold when a dealer reconditions a machine! Any one who's bought a ruffler or a tucker or specialty feet knows what I'm talking about.
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My wife's old Monkey Wards machine was used sporadically over the 25 or so years that we had it. She uses a sewing machine to make drapes, table cloths, etc as needed, but nothing elaborate. She pretty much needs a basic machine that does the standard stitches, but not for quilting, etc. I will visit my local sewing machine store this week - there's only one left locally, so I won't have to make any tough decisions on which store to go to. I have mixed feelings about machines made in Asia (not limited to sewing machines). I suppose as long as they are being made to the branded company's specs, and there is plenty of oversight as to quality, that's fine. Many companies move production over there without lowering their prices to boost their profits, however, so you end up with high priced merchandise of suspect quality. I suspect that many of the machines sold at places like Walmart are junk that the parent company has lent their brand to with zero oversight. I just need to be able to tell what is the difference on a specific machine.
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sewing machine recommendation
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It depends what you define as inexpensive. I recommend a Janome HD3000. It is heavy duty enough for making pillow cases and heavy curtains and will hem blue jeans. It works just like your Singer (for that matter most sewing machines do) and has a few more stiches should she want to expand her sewing repertoire. It costs around $400 new. Of course you can also buy Brothers and Singes for around $100 that may be a good place to start to see if she will stick with it. The challenge is there are a mind boggling amount of sewing machines to choose from. What ever she decides to get I recommend she get her sewing machine from an authorized dealer that services the machines they sell. They will typically offer classes, will get her set up, be there to answer her questions and to service the machine should she need it. Good luck!
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jennifer_in_va
12 years ago
It's such a personal choice depending on what the sewer wants to create with it.

Her best choice is to 'test-drive' some machines and see what it can do. Many feel that a relationship with a dealer is a must when buying. They often give free introductory classes that will teach you what the machine can do. Also, if there are problems or the need to upgrade they are there.

As Teresa stated, the best way I think is to have that list of 'must haves' and even a list of 'nice to haves' and go from there.

One thought is to stay away from machines that serve more than one purpose (embroidery, piecing, quilting) because if one part breaks, you loose all functions while it's at the repair shop.

good lucK! (Not having a budget helps a lot)
Robbi D.
12 years ago
I think more than the machine, it matters where you buy it (like Jennifer said). Most good shops have good quality machines and they will stand behind them for service.

Happy Shopping! It's like test driving a new car, try them all out :-)

Robbi
nanajayne
12 years ago
Teresa gave you good advice and I add the need for a reliable dealer who provices good service. Your Mom probable wouldn't need much instruction but that is nice to have as well.
I believe we all have our favorites and I am sure she would also, so besure she has imput on you purchase. It is wise to check out different models as even within a brand things aren't always the same.
rosajoe_gw
12 years ago
I love my Janome! I searched the Net and forums for reviews and prices. I have read that some of the brand new better known brands may come out with a new model that doesn't have all of the bugs worked out.
Rosa
K8Orlando
12 years ago
I know people don't have a responsibility to reply once they post a question, but I really wish they would. I'm always curious to know if our answers helped.

sewing machine recommendation

Comments (7)

grammyp

teresa_nc7

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