Hi I'm thinking of finally getting a sewing machine. This will be for some renaissance clothing, nothing too heavy duty at all. Regular sewing for clothing and household items. Any suggestions?
Alyssa
I like my Baby Lock Design Pro. It threads itself. It runs on automatic (I've actually gotten up to get a drink while it makes buttonholes). And it cuts the threads off under the fabric.
Now for a beginner's machine, you might want to look into a Baby Lock Denim Pro. It's designed to handle heavier fabrics like denim (or brocade) and is a lot less expensive than the Design Pro.
Quote from: Kahlan Rose on September 16, 2008, 11:13:16 AM
Hi I'm thinking of finally getting a sewing machine. This will be for some renaissance clothing, nothing too heavy duty at all. Regular sewing for clothing and household items. Any suggestions?
Alyssa
Yes, lots! This is going to be long, so go and get that cup of coffee... ;)
If you really want a sewing machine, you need to read this first: http://www.cet.com/~pennys/faq/smfaq.htm
You need to think not just of the TYPE of sewing you want to do, and the fabrics, but also the volume of sewing. And you seriously need to think about new versus pre-loved. Pre-loved sewing machines can be a VERY good bargain (I've had several that came free!), and you often get a lot more bang for your bucks that way.
Everyone's list of essentials that a sewing machine must have is different, but for teaching beginners to sew, and lots of finer sewing details, this is the sort of thing I like:
The ability to sew S L O W L Y ! (Invaluable to start with, as you make smaller mistakes when you can control the machine at low speeds)
Impeccable straight stitching
Ease of access for threading
Good zigzag and buttonhole stitches
Blind hemming, and an adjustable blind hem foot
A strong motor for penetrating thicker fabrics
For garb and costume, and corset sewing, I also like an eyelet plate, a ruffler, a walking foot (essential for velvet), and one-step electronic buttonholes. An eyelet plate is essential if you want machine sewn eyelets: the type that come built in, as a decorative stitch pattern, are just that: decorative, NOT functional!
Make a list of all the functions you want from the machine, and all the fabrics you want to use. Take them along to your local sewing machine dealer and discuss your need with a proper sewing machine service engineer rather than a sales droid on commission for the fastest and fattest sale.
For decorative effects and quilting, you'll want to be able to do free-motion work and a very precise quarter inch seam. Being able to drop the feed dogs will be an advantage. You'll need an impeccable straight stitch for quilt making and dressmaking too. Piecing tiny bits for patchwork, and fine fabric for garments needs to be very accurate.
Good makes for garb, patchwork and clothing construction are:
Husqvarna: they do a good range from mid-price upwards. They do some designed for quilting as well as garment construction. There is an excellent range of attachments for both.
Bernina: much as Husqvarna, with slightly different styling. They also do a fantastic mechanical machine (the 1008).
Pfaff: In the same quality range as the Bernina and Husqvarna, with much the same range of facilities. Some models have a built-in 'walking foot', which some quilters love.
All three of these brands also do a cheaper range of machines. I don't know anything about the Pfaff ones, but the Husqvarna Huskystar machines seem to be well received. Don't bother with the Bernettes: not really worth it...
I find that there is precious little difference in the machines as far as stitch quality and function: it's really only a matter of style preference. I love Husqvarna, and my Bernina, but find that Pfaff just don't fit my fingers. You must always try a machine before buying! Think of it like buying shoes or a car.
For a mid price range that will be reasonable for what you want to do, look seriously at Toyota, Elna and Frister & Rossman. You'll need to look at the upper levels of these ranges.
I don't rate Brother sewing machines very highly on the whole. They make excellent sergers/overlockers, but the sewing machines tend to be rather flimsy and fragile, with too many functions crammed into too light weight a structure. Singer are much the same. They are no longer built by Singer, but bought in from various sources in Taiwan and China, and are rather variable in quality. They no longer do the only one I've been prepared to buy made after 1964!
Some folk love their Janome machines. Personally, I've never met one I'd take home, never mind pay for! I find them rather plasticky and flimsy and over-priced for what they are (says one who has a machine that was £1100 list price 10 years ago!). I do have an older all metal New Home that is a beautiful mechanical wonder, and worth preserving. It's like some of my other old machines: tough as old boots, could sew through a tin can, and has impeccable manners.
If you want one-step buttonholes, go for an electronic machine. Mechanical one-steps are not worth the bother. I don't rate built in threaders either: they also tend to get in the way and then break. The only one I've ever had time for is the one on my Bernina 1150MDA serger, and half the time I do it quicker by hand.
Take a look at these web sites - they will tell you a lot more about the different machines available:
http://www.bernina.com/
http://www.brother.co.uk/g3.cfm/s_page/6...
http://www.elna.com/en/index
http://www.husqvarnaviking.com/uk/index....
http://www.janome.co.uk/
http://www.pfaffmachines.co.uk/index.htm...
Prices are difficult, but you might need to look at mid-price machines as you already sew and will want to expand your abilities. Look at the $500+ price bracket if you want a nice range of stitches and excellent stitch quality. You need to go to a main dealer sewing machine shop rather than to a big box pile-it-high and flog it without back up place! The care and cultivation of a good sewing machine mechanic and a decent local sewing stuff emporium is a must: their price is beyond rubies! Many new machines come with free lessons to get to know your new baby. They are well worth taking, even for experienced sewists..
Sorry this is so long! Have fun doing the shopping. ;D ;D
(Sewing for 47 years, teaching for 30, sewing professionally for 12 years)
All the Toyota machines I have ever used have been well built and easy to operate. Good luck with your new machine. That model is available in Belgium and France but not in the UK for some reason...
Baby Lock has an array of nice machines. My Apprentice has a Crafter's Choice. Her first baby Lock was an older Denim Pro that did okay for what she was learning to do.
I love my Janome Memory Craft 4900. It's my work horse and makes beautiful buttonholes and decorative stitching. The one I want now is the MC 12000. A computer that sews.THAT I will have to save for!
I was hoping I could make enough doing santa hats to afford to get a workhorse sewing machine. I've got it narrowed down to two that I like but wanted your opinions.
What I need is something powerful enough that will sew through canvas and upolstry with out clogging up. If I am making a gypsy skirt it won't start having fits that it is sewing 20 yards of fabric ruffle.
The first one has a warning in the reviews section of . "Use the finger guard, you very easily can sew your finger with this machine, and it is powerful enough to do it quickly."
The second one I have actually gotten to play with. Lots of utility stitches and strong motor, but easier to manuver with.
If cost was no object, which would you get?
Both are singers.
http://www.amazon.com/Singer-CG590-Commercial-Sewing-Machine/dp/B002NR6SXQ/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=IAYL22ZOA1AEV&colid=124138A6BTH8D (http://www.amazon.com/Singer-CG590-Commercial-Sewing-Machine/dp/B002NR6SXQ/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=IAYL22ZOA1AEV&colid=124138A6BTH8D)
http://www.amazon.com/SINGER-4423-Heavy-Sewing-Machine/dp/B003VWXZQ0/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=I166F35ADLCLF&colid=124138A6BTH8D
Lady Stitch...
I am going to suggest buying a sewing machine from a Specialized dealer due to all the sewing that you do and what you want the machine to do. That way, you are suitably matched with the machine that will be your workhorse, fit your budget, etc. You will end up paying more money, but you will also get the customer service about that machine.
Buying a machine online can be a hit or miss thing. You're on your own as to how to fix a problem that comes up. Just my 2 cents worth.
Both are available at the local Joann's where I get a 15% discount on top of the sale price. I just posted the amazon listings so I could show the specs.
If I was back in my home town I would go to the sewing machine repair guy I know. He had a portable industrial sewing machine with built in walking foot. It was made for what I do, and only wanted $200 for it. Sadly I didn't have the 200 at the time. :(
We have a Portable Walking foot machine I do not use...bought it new and then never did use it...I have a full size Industrial and he thought this would be great if I did a faire(which never happened) Let me pull it out and have him check it out(he worked for a machine shop) then get back to you... I will let you know how much and then we can figure out shipping.... if you are interested or bring it to Sherwood to meet you. Cat
I've been wanting to get a sewing machine for a while after I've moved out to go to uni. My mum used to sew for me with her manual old school machine. I got a toyota CU21 (http://www.home-sewing.com/epages/homesewing.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/homesewing/Products/CU21) from my mother in law who's had this brand for the last 5 years. She is really in love with it. I have so far done mainly alterations and it's suitable for most types of fabric. Good luck!