HELP!!! My Sewing Machine Died!

[mieljolie]

And, Scarby is right around the corner!  Mom's skirt is not finished!  Panic time!!!

I knew this was coming.  We've been having trouble with it forever.  But now, I finally need to replace it permanently.    I've been looking around, but haven't seen a machine that "speaks" to me, yet.  I want a heavy duty vintage zig-zag machine.  I really prefer older machines.  But, I'm strapped for time and need something ASAP!

We have a featherweight 221 that is like new and sews great, but I'm afraid to abuse it.  And, it only sews straight stitch.  I used to zig-zag a lot!  And, will severely miss it.  Especially, since I don't own a serger. 

Which brings me to my questions:

Do you think I would be able to get by with straight stitching featherweight and a serger until I find a suitable machine for me? 

What should I look for in a serger when I have $500 to spend? 

Can anyone recommend a particular brand/model?  I need something rather heavy duty, since I do various crafting.  I'm a crafter more than a sewer, but I do a little more sewing than the average person.  And, we sew just about every type of fabric in just about every way and have plans for denim in the near future.  The worst part is I've got a possible 15 yard skirt to sew by Saturday!

Lastly, should I dare try the Featherweight for a future denim project?

Please help.  Any suggestions would be appreciated.  We might go to JoAnn and Hancock tomorrow to look at sergers.

[Morgan Dreadlocke]

 Check all the Goodwill/ Salvation army stores . Just maybe?

[Baroness de Vale]

Okay, first take a deep breath. Since your current machine only sews straight stitch, you can still get the skirt done for Saturday. Just use a french seam. I did that with the skirt I made last year and it was great. No poky fray checked fabric or bulky zigzag stitching. I learned about it from the great ladies on this forum. If you've never done it, you start with the wrong sides together. Sew about a 1/4" seam. Then press the seam so that the right sides are together and sew a 3/8" seam. This give you a great seam where the edges are all tucked into a little channel. Here's a website if you need a better explanation with pictures. http://sewing.about.com/od/techniques/ss/frenchseam.htm
This way you can at least finish the skirt. Good luck on finding the machine you want!

[Dinobabe]

If you weren't strapped for time I would recommend the Singer embroidery machine I just bought.  $600 thru Costco.  Unfortunately they have sold out.  Limited time offer, I suppose.  It has a steel body as apposed to most AL frames and does heavy fabrics such as denim, canvas, leather, and even vinyl.  It has a thousand stitches plus, of course, the embroidery aspect!  I haven't sewn with it yet (I have a Brother sewing machine) but I have loved it so far.
Look for a steel frame, heavy but heavy duty.  My mom has a Singer, very old, with a steel frame.  Great machine.  For a while Singer produced some really low quality machines.  Very disappointing.  But it seems now they are re-earning their good name.

[Pascal]

Hmm -- your machine died ... but you have a 221 that sews like new.  Okay, I'm not sure what the problem is then!

Don't worry about "abusing" the 221 -- it's almost impossible to do so (unless you leave it out in the rain a lot).  You can do most anything you'll need to with it (denim's no problem -- just use the right needles).  Extra stitches are over-rated -- French Seams finish much better than zig-zags.

If you're interested in a heavy-duty metal machine, then the Singer 201 or 15 are decent candidates.  Again, straight stitch only -- but they can handle anything and will last forever (you know this because they already have lasted forever!).  If you absolutely have to have zig-zag, then the Pfaff 130's come to mind -- but I'd probably look for an older model Bernina.  The 830's and 930's are much sought after (and priced accordingly), but the slightly older model 730's and 732's sew just as well.  All metal machines -- so they'll last.

Sergers?  Depends on what you want to do.  If you're just interested in finishing seams, then a good 3 thread machine will do fine -- but a 4 thread may be easier to find.  If you're looking older machines, both Elna and Pfaff have some nice models that you can probably find for $100 to $200 (or less).

[mieljolie]

Thanks, so much for all the advice.  I'm breathing deeply. 

Morgan Dreadlocke, I'm a regular at our local thrift stores and flea markets, but never find a decent machine here.  They all look like they've been sitting outside since they were removed from their original box.    But, I keep looking.

Baroness de Vale, forgive my ignorance.  It's been awhile since I've done any proper sewing.  I was introduced to french seams way back in school.  That is a great idea!  Will a french seam work with gathers??  I've never tried that.  I'm making a patchwork skirt that has at least 4 gathered tiers.  I was also under the impression that using a french seam would take more seam allowance than I had calculated for.  But, if a 1/4" is enough, I think it could work!  I'm working with flannel here.  She's probably going to be baking wearing black/red flannel in the Scarby sun. But, it's what she wants for her pirate garb. 

Dinobabe, thanks for the suggestions.  I really have my heart set on an older machine.  I've had a couple and have enjoyed them to pieces.  Newer machines just don't feel right to me.  The funny thing is, I work on the computer just about all day but don't want anything to do with them on my sewing machine. 

Pascal, I'm going to have to break down and start getting to know the featherweight.  I just wasn't sure the motor could take heavy fabrics and long periods of running.  I'm hard on sewing machines.  I don't want to be held responsible for it's early demise.  Thanks for the reassurance.    Mom and I have been wanting to try a serger for a long time.  I played on them over 10+ years ago in school.  Seemed very complicated to keep running smoothly at the time.  This is why I've been hesitant to get one.

Thanks again everyone for taking the time to help me out!  I'm going to try some experimental french seams tonight.  Then, go shopping tomorrow.  Wish me luck. 

[Kate XXXXXX]

With such narrow seam in a skirt, I'd go for the serger and serge them all!

Yes, the 221 will cope with most fabrics and a lot of stuff, but it's a light weight machine and a heavy skirt can drag it off the table (I know, I have one!).

My personal take would be to get a nice Brother 1034D serger, for a couple of hundred, and look round, taking your time, for a decent older zigzag machine.  You could land both inside your budget, and the serger + 221 will see you through most emergencies and the present crisis.

[PollyPoPo]

 

So sorry about your problem, but - when I saw the title of your post, it was right above something with the word Viking in it.  My mind's eye envisioned a Viking burial ship, ablaze with jumping flames, and your poor little sewing machine perched high in the center. 

I laughed out loud.

Just had to share that moment.

[mieljolie]

^^ LOL!  We should give it a decent burial.  It's been around so long it's like family.  My mom owned it before I was born.  I can just see it lit up floating away on the lake on a pile of flaming wooden spools!   

But in reality, ours will most likely be stripped for parts and donated.

Kate XXXXXX, I'm sorry.  I should clarify that the seam allowance is 1/2", but I typed 1/4" thinking of the first sewing pass before it is folded over.  Thanks for the warning about dragging the machine.  This skirt will be a handful and the table I'm on is not very big.  Hmm... may have to move myself to a larger table for this one.

I'm leaving here in a bit to find my dream machine.    I post the outcome.

[Kate XXXXXX]

I'd still go for the serger...     Happy shopping!

I should offer the whole old machine up on a free-to-good-home-buyer collects parts machine only basis on the Wefixit Yahoo group.  If you strip it first, no-one will be interested as it'll be landfill only.

Just out of sheer nosiness, what machine is the dead one?

[Adriana Rose]

Try to see if there is a sewing machine repair shop in your area, sometimes its cheaper to fix it rather than buy a new one.

[DonaCatalina]

there is one inside Golden D'Or on Harry Hines in Dallas.

[peacewing]

I had a really good experience buying a refurbished serger from Overstock.com for $179. It was a Janome, and it's my first - and it definitely holds up to the abuse of me trying to figure out how it works... I also got a good Janome sewing machine from them as well, plus warranties for a grand total of about 400 dollars.

[mieljolie]

Well, I took my mom shopping for sergers, today.  We looked at a few shops in Mesquite area.  We didn't end up buying anything.    We looked at a few Janome, Viking and Singers.  Couldn't find any Brother or Babylock to compare. 

The lady at the Janome dealer was very friendly and helpful.  She showed us the machines she had, and explained how they were different.  Mom really liked the 1110DX model which was easier to thread and, of course, would wipe out our $500 budget (even on sale).    We brought along some denim scrap that she was happy to run through one for us.  The best part of our visit, for me, was the Singer museum the had all along the top shelves of the store.  There was a machine for every year up to the 90's.

At the next place we went the lady didn't know anything about the Viking and Singer models she was showing and kept trying to push us into the $1500 computerized Viking that is the only serger she knew how to use.  Frustrating and not helpful at all.  By the time we got out of there, we had to fly through Hancock before heading home.  All they had was a couple lower end Janomes that mom wasn't very impressed with after the other store. 

BTW, the deceased was a Fashion Mate 257.  With plastic parts inside, it's not a very sought after machine .  It would cost more than it is worth to fix it, for certain.  I'm not going to strip it, just yet.  Not until we find a replacement.  Who knows.  I may get another Singer that will use some of the same parts, like the attachments, foot pedal and new belt. 

A refurbished Janome wouldn't be a bad idea.  I'll see what I can find.

[Kate XXXXXX]

You need a store that will let YOU try the machines, and will be happy to sell you a nice reconditioned older machine.  Mind you, the Brother 1034D serger is pretty reliable and robust, and you should be able to find it on line.  It really is a 'plug and play' machine, and the manual is good.