Sewing Machine Recommendations
by
JoieBK
+8
I have a New Home Sewing Machine that I love, but had it serviced and the reverse hasn't worked since and the tension has become an issue. It was made by Janome and has been a great machine, but is 30 or so years old so am not wanting to put much more money into it. I need a machine that sews all fabrics and multiple layers with ease, is easy to use, has lots of stitches, free arm, easy to follow instruction manual, and hard case. I would really like some good input as to what folks have, and what the like/dislike about it. Thanks in advance, with so many options it is mind boggling!
5 answers
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Joie, my machine turns 42 this year and I'll never give it up. It doesn't have a free arm, but I'm sure if you are thinking of used machines you'll be able to find a newer model that has a free arm. I've sewn mostly for our home, but have sewn for our children when they were little and now for our granddaughter and have no trouble without the free arm. I few years ago I bought a little computerized machine and though I love it's button hole attachment, otherwise it's pretty much worthless for sewing anything other than light weight fabric. My old machine is a White. I bought it used over twenty years ago because my Mom had a similar White model, they are no longer made, and have never regretted it. You can see in the photo below, where I replaced a zipper in a clients blue jeans, that these machines easily handle multiple layers of heavy weight denim. When I was a teen I used my Mom's to replace zippers in my older brothers Levi's all the time. Never once did it fail me. The second picture shows it going through four layers of outdoor canvas fabric. Not as thick as denim, but with the added bulk of the pillow cushion moving through as I sewed the seam. My little computerized model never would have made it through this seam.
Z
on Feb 09, 2014
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Joie, I have had several different kinds of sewing machines and in my opinion Bernina is the best. I've done quilting, clothing alterations, home decorating projects and much more. Years ago, a dear friend who has since passed away gave me a piece of advice. She sewed for a living and she told me to get a Bernina - didn't matter if it was a new one with all the bells and whistles, a used one or one of their basic models. I followed her advice and have never regretted it. I spend many, many hours sewing and love my Bernina
Pam
on Feb 10, 2014
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Hi Becky, Thanks for responding. I had a White prior to the New Home and it was indeed a great machine! I let a friend use it after and she didn't "crank the needle" as she began to sew, somehow a clog in a gear was broken, the local repair man did a great job of fixing it but then one thing after the other went wrong and my sweet husband decided I "needed" a new machine. Every time that happens to me I am disappointed in the new item. Now I'm in that place again...it is cheaper to buy new than to fix the old. The closest reputable machine man is an hour away, is always so swamped. I do a dress ministry with a friend and we have made hundreds of dresses, training others to make them as well. As a result of this ministry and new ladies coming in, I have had 4 machines donated to me, all of which had to be serviced, the 4th is in my office waiting to be taken in. Hmmm...I wonder what kind that is? Has weird discs that go with it. Will have to check. Years ago I sewed for friends in Colorado, horse blankets, airplane seat belts, motorcycle seat covers, etc. One of the pilots gave me his wife's old Pfaff in a table, oh my it was wonderful, quite old, all metal. But along came a friend who had longed for a machine of her own since she was a child, I was moving across country, and couldn't stand the thought of her having none, while I had 3 so that went home with her. The third was a console Singer with a knee pedal, even older, It was a future fixer, but my husband left that with a friend so his Gold Wing could make the trip! Again thanks for your response Becky, have a great day!
JoieBK
on Feb 10, 2014
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I'm with @Pam I have owned a Bernina for 26 years and it runs just as good today as it did when I bought it. I also bought one of the new embroidery Berninas about 5 years ago as an addition to my original Bernina and use it for home dec and clothes for my grandkids to add that special touch. I have used my original Bernina for every type of sewing sheer fabrics, denim, upholstery and it has never failed me and I love the stitch quality always so even and smooth. I used to have a bridal business and used my Bernina for all the gorgeous bridal fabrics and never had any problems with any of the fabrics. But maybe you also need to find a better service center for your current machine. It shouldn't have come back with that many problems.
Cookie
on Feb 10, 2014
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I have a Featherweight. They were made by Singer back when Singers produced good and strong machines. They are very small and lightweight. They weigh only six pounds. They were made in the 50's and can often be found on ebay. They are so dependable however they sew only a straight stitch. If you try one, you'll buy one! Six of the ladies in my quilting group have them. They are so reliable, come in a hard case, very strong,and besides all that they're cute as a button!
Twila Palmatier
on Feb 16, 2014
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