I am looking into getting myself a sewing machine as my old one (a 1950's singer I want to say that belonged to my grandmother) doesn't work correctly anymore. I am unsure of what type of machine I should look into. My price range is UP TO about 160 dollars USD. I would be making things such as shirts, dresses (peasant style), skirts, coats, etc. Anybody have any advice?
I actually just began a joint project with my mother inlaw to make a pirate-ish vest that's a bit Motley (red and black, blue silk lining) and have unfortunately had to pass the project to her in lieu of the lack of sewing machine for the time being.
If it's an old black 1950's straight stitch Singer, with the motor bolted on the back, it's fixable unless you have done something like drop it off a crane into the hold of a ship! Even the, bits can be rescued, believe me! You just need to get in touch with some of the vintage sewing machine enthusiasts and get spare parts for it once you have identified what is busted.
For $160 you are not going to get anything new that can cope with heavy garb fabrics and processes either well or for long. But read my essay on sewing machine buying and then do a bit of a search on places like ebay and your local machine emporium for a decent pre-loved one. http://www.diceyhome.free-online.co.uk/On%20the%20care%20&%20Feeding%20of%20sewing%20machines/on_the_choosing.htm
What Kate said.
Even if you don't think you can work on the Singer (and they're very (VERY) simple and easy to work on), it probably won't cost you $160 to have it repaired by a sewing machine tech. It's possible that when you say "it doesn't work correctly anymore" that it just needs a simple cleaning/lubricating/tuning. About the only other thing that can go wrong on these (they're built like tanks) is a burned out motor or foot pedal or a dried out belt (all easily and cheaply replaced). As long as you don't leave it outside in the rain for a year or two, it should keep working for darned near forever; your grandchildren will be able to sew on it.
I have a 1959 baby blue singer. There are parts available online now days and it is the easiest machine to work on.
But every machine needs a good cleaning, lubing and adjusting every so often. That may be the only problem.
I take my machines in for a full tune up every other year if I have been using them.
If you're not able or interested in restoring the Singer, I highly recommend PatternReview.com (http://sewing.patternreview.com/) as an excellent resource for researching a new machine purchase. There are reviews of just about every sewing machine ever, written by real owners, as well as message boards and articles. I found the website absolutely invaluable when I was upgrading from my bargain basement Brother to my Viking.
Vintage machines are fantastic--and yours sounds like a treasure--but you may find you really enjoy some of the modern features available on new machines (when my MIL decided it was time to move on from her 1960s Singer, the #1 thing she wanted was a light! LOL). Although, as Kate said, for $160 you may not get a lot of them. I think there's a highly regarded entry-level Babylock for around that price range (read about it just yesterday on Pattern Review, in fact!), but I'm afraid I don't know anything about it.
An alternative might be to scope out local dealers for a used machine with a warranty and dealer support. You can get a lot of machine for your money that way--often perfectly workable machines that have been traded in by owners who are upgrading.
Good luck!!
Agree.
Yup.
Exactly.
What she said.
And in case you needed any further butting-in: A vintage sewing machine is a work horse--*never* give up on their fixability. Find a sewing machine shop in your area--even if they only sell high-end machines, odds are they also do repair, usually for about $80 bucks--that's saves you $80 to spend on fabric! ;D Unless you're able to shell out hundreds of dollars for a Bernina or Husqvarna, most modern machines are plastic and will last a year or two before falling apart. I have two Montgomery Wards from the 50's/60's and a Singer from the 50's and the most they've ever needed was a tune up or a tension reset. I've chewed through 4 layers of upholstery vinyl with my machines--something that would make a modern machine quake in it's plastic case! Good luck!
I am actually going to be getting the antique restored. I did buy a new machine as well yesterday and had a nice little stroke of luck. I got a SINGER 3232, which upon reading up on before buying, which is capable of handling heavier duty cloths. It's normally 199 dollars. I got lucky and got it on sale for 120. It's able to handle twill and broadcloath, and I figure even if it's a little wonky with that fabric type: Once the Beast is fixed I can use that on it.
I've toyed with the new toy some on some scrap fabric I have from cutting parts of a pattern out (practicing fancier stitches, getting back into the groove, and attaching scraps together as a seam, etc) and it is strange how much easier yet complex modern machines are.
If your city/town has a Dealer that sells and services Sewing Machines, that would be a good place to look into.
I hughly reccommend any of the Baby Lock line. They have machines ranging from the Beginner sewer to the highly advanced who want a machine with all the Bells and Whistles. Even their Embroidery machines are to die for in prices that won't break the bank. Well maybe depending on what kind of sewing machine you want.
This weekend JoAnn's is having a sale, and they have their Singer Heavy Duty 4423 (http://www.joann.com/singer-heavy-duty-4423-sewing-machine/zprd_02458321a/?cm_mmc=Joann-_-Email-_-20121027-D-_-HTML&utm_source=Joann&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=3&utm_content=HTML&utm_campaign=20121027-D&rId=20121027-D) on sale for $179.99. About $20 more than you were wanting to spend, but it's usually $249.99 there, so it's a savings of $70. Something to think about...
Edit:
Oh! Except that I just looked it up on Amazon, and they have it available for $129! (http://www.amazon.com/SINGER-4423-Heavy-Sewing-Machine/dp/B003VWXZQ0) With FREE shipping!!!
Here are the specs on it.
Extra-high sewing speed provides professional speed for faster results
Heavy-duty metal frame and heavy-duty motor help master those big projects
Stainless steel bed plate ensures that fabric feeds smoothly
Automatic needle threader and easy top drop-in bobbin system make for quick and easy set-up
Twenty-three built-in stitches with one automatic one-step buttonhole provide endless project possibilities. 110 volt machine designed for United States and Canadian use only.
Ladies... opinions of this machine?
I wouldn't with that Singer... Sheep in wolf's clothing, apparently. You'd be better off with a used Bernina.
From my experience with the last new Singer I got (granted it was a Pixie) coupled with a few rather scathing reviews I've seen, it looks like Singer has had some quality issues the last few years.
My daughterinlaw found several used sewing machines at garage sales. One was only $5.00, so she bought it. It just needed a good cleaning and runs fine. She also found a piano keyboard for around $10.00 and all that needed was an adapter, so it could plug into electricity. The older model machines are really good, made of metal and are worth it, even if they need to be fixed a bit, as others have said. Just a suggestion.
Quote from: Hoowil on October 27, 2012, 09:43:27 PM
From my experience with the last new Singer I got (granted it was a Pixie) coupled with a few rather scathing reviews I've seen, it looks like Singer has had some quality issues the last few years.
I've only found one I was prepared to buy made after 1964.
Well it'll do me fine for the time being until the Beast is restored. I have many fond memories as a child with that machine. My grandmother and I made a BATMAN costume together for me when I was five. I think that's the only time Batman's cape has said "BATMAN" on it with embossed gold thread in cursive... Anywho...
I've toyed with my new machine and it seems to run fine. Pushes like a monster too so that's good.
I looked again and it's actually a Kenmore Model 148.293. Made in 1961.
Quote from: Hoowil on October 27, 2012, 09:43:27 PM
It looks like Singer has had some quality issues the last few years.
That was my understanding, as well, but from what new Singer owners on PR are saying, it sounds like they're really starting to turn around. I don't know how well-regarded their lower-end models are, but my MIL and niece each have one, and have reported no issues so far. I think we have at least one PR member who has a combo Singer sewing/embroidery machine (bought in the last 2-3 years), and loves it.
Of course, there will always be naysayers who insist that it's impossible to get ANY good modern sewing machine, that any plastic component is the devil incarnate, and so on. The important thing is to assess YOUR OWN needs in a machine and to do your research and make an educated purchase toward those ends! When I bought my "new" machine, everyone was pushing me toward an older (c. 1990) Bernina, and I'm sure it was a nice machine, but I just couldn't fall in love with it. But when I found my Viking, it was love at second test drive. YMMV!
Good luck with your two machines! I have a vintage White in a cabinet I'd love to get refurbished someday... but that will leave Milord without a bedside table! ;D
Actually the Singer Heavy Duty is what I use. Here's the review I wrote back on Jan 2012 up on Amazon:
My Euro Pro gave it's last stitch this past summer. I researched and saw that the heavy duty Singer was ranked pretty highly so I ended up buy it in July 2011. It's now Jan 2012 and I can't even begin to tell you how many items I've sewn on it; it's been a lot! The decorative stitches are "eh" but I don't really use those anyway. I really just use the zig zag and straight stitch for most of my outfits and costumes. Any embroidery is typically by hand. One cool feature this machine has that my old one didn't is that the needle placement can be left, center, or right. My old machine only allowed for right or center. This is useful for hems and such.
I'm disappointed in the width of the base of the machine - it's impossible to do cuffs once the sleeve seam is sewn. You can just add the cuff and then sew up the sleeve seam but I tend to add a lot of cuffs by hand now. Not a big deal given I'm typically making historical outfits.
It can go at a pretty decent clip and I've sewn threw six layers of denim on it without an issue. The key is to always use the correct needle type. A typical 12 or 14 needle won't work - you need an 18 at least! I've also sewn straight through duct ties on a pair of stays (corset is the modern term) and the machine was a bit jumpy but so would I going through 1/8" of plastic and two layers of canvas!
I've also sewn organza and other very lightweight fabrics on it. No problem! It's all about switching the needle and the machine will deal with it.
The buttonhole is the only thing I've had issues. I have no idea if I'm doing it wrong or what but I can't get it to work. Now, I rarely need the buttonhole since I have to do eyelets by hand but it would be nice if I could get it to work.
Overall, the machine works well. So far, I've sewn dresses, gowns, capes, cloaks, curtains, corsets, skirts, bodices, tunics, and about a few dozen other things on it in the six months I've had the machine. I used the machine last night for pocket hoops and will use it for the non visible seams of my current gown I'm working on.
The only thing I would change in this review now is that I figured out what I was doing wrong for buttonholes. You have to push the lever all the way down and back. I didn't realize there was a lever until I saw it one day. By that time, I had found the very lost directions to the machine again and actually read them this time. ;-) The buttonholes have been great and I made some recently on something I made for Mom.
Just yesterday, I sewed up the black leather witch dress on the machine and it went through it fine with a gauge 18 needle. It didn't hiccup once! So I would highly recommend the machine. If it can put up with me, it can pretty much put up with anyone. (The bobbin issue a lot of people complain about - it is because they are using the wrong bobbins. Use only the ones that come with the machine or are specific for the machine. My BF has the same machine and had that issue; it was just she used the bobbins from her old machine. Easy fix!)
While I do love my old black Singers and other elderly machines, I also love some of the new gizmos in the new machines. I have played with the big new Husqvarna embroidery machine, and the Bernina, and they are fantastic And that's an awful lot of fans! I also adore my electronic wiz-kid, the Lily 550. I still think of her as new, but I bought her in 1999! She's full of high quality plastic and electronic wizardry, and gets hammered, but still sews like the pro she is. I also use my Bernina 1005 as much: 'Nina is all mechanical and mostly metal and will sew through a tin can if you let her. The two are about the same age, and were both top of the line when new.
Truth is, there really is no problem with MODERN plastic components in good quality machines. The ones you need look out for are the cheap basic entry level jobs that cost under $100 and the light weight efforts that promise more than they can deliver. SOME modern light weight machines are really good for what they are, and that includes the Singer 117 Featherweight II I bought several years back for my mum. It was an excellent light weight small space occasional use Granny's Sewing Machine: enough bells and whistles to keep her amused and light enough for her to lift. Like the Brother 10A I tested once, it was a good buy for what it would do, but I wouldn't expect it to hammer through miles of curtaining or heavy garb projects. OK for your chemise and shirts, but not for a heavy velvet or wool gowns. I understand the Janome Gem is a similar small machine, but I don't know from personal experience. I love my old Elna Lotus machines from the 60's and early 70's so much I have three! And I dearly want to try their new Lotus and see how it measures up...
The thing about plastic is that like metal sewing machine components, they need to be good quality to work well, and you get what you pay for. I'd always recommend someone making garb or curtains buy a machine that is heavy enough not to be dragged off the table by the fabric hanging off it. This is why however much I adore my smaller machines, I don't use the Lotuses, my Frister and Rossman Cub 4's, or my Singer Featherweight for large costume projects or curtains. You also want something with a large harp area that will accomodate all the big thick things you are going to shove through it! And for long sttraight seams you'll eventually want something FAST to stave off the boredom! ;)
I have the Singer sew/embroidery machine, but it's the industrial model with the steel frame (weighs a TON!). I got it a few years ago and really like it. I've never sewed on it (just embroidery) because I also have a Brother sewing machine. Easier not to have to take apart the embroidery attachment! I've had the Brother about 6 years now. My mom got it for me because she wanted her old Singer back. :D She did a lot of research before she bought it. She wanted to get me a Singer but found such bad reviews. It appeared that Brother had taken the lead on inexpensive machines at that point (I always remember Singer being the go to brand before that). I sew thru all kinds of thick materials without a problem. It's been a really good inexpensive work horse.