sewing machine recommendations?

Re: sewing machine recommendations?

• noodle_oo member

  

  April 2011

  I have a Kenmore model from Sears that was pretty inexpensive and has worked great for years!  I don't use it regularly, maybe a few times a year.  But my sister used hers a lot and she was really happy with it too (my mom got us both one on our 16th birthdays).  Her's finally broke (wow, 17 years later) and she bought a Jenome. 
  
  Good luck!
  

  
  

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• Bonzo2011 member

  

  April 2011

  I have my mom's old Pfaff from when I was a kid, and it works well for what I do. I don't know what their newer models are like. What replaced the old Pfaff for my mom was a Brother embroidery/sewing machine. She loves it! It sounds like it might be fancier than what you're looking for, but you never know, you might get into the embroidery stuff. My friend's mom uses her embroidery machine for everything now, I don't think she's bought anything except fabric and thread for gifts in years now!

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• ebbowman5

  

  April 2011

  I also use a Kenmore model that works great, and has for a few years. I'd check them out for sure

  

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• jessicabessica member

  

  April 2011

  I appreciate all the brand reccs...but if you ladies have specific models and/or features that you like, that would also be super helpful.  TIA.
  
  Also, I was hesitant to post this because I didn't know that I'd get a lot of responses (how many people have sewing machines?), but I am pleasantly surprised
  
  

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• noodle_oo member

  

  April 2011 edited April 2011

  My sister got a Janome DC2010.  She said that Janome makes the Kenmore machines for Sears, but she bought hers at a local store since they will repair it and have better customer service than going through Sears.  She sews a LOT so she needs it.
  
  My Kenmore is so old, I doubt they have the same model anymore.  But they have a few entry level machines that really are great for the price.  Just go to the store and check them out.  I don't think it is worth spending a lot on a fancy sewing machine (like the embroidery or computerized ones) unless you really know you will use those features.  Not only is it a waste of money, but they will be much more expensive to repair if anything goes wrong on them.  Honestly, I've sewn home decor stuff (curtains, pillows, etc), crafts and some clothes in the past and all I ever used were the basic stitches.
  
  This was her advice she posted on her blog:
  
  * My Kenmore was great! Kenmore machines are made by Janome and do a great job and are a tad bit more affordable. But, you will get essentially no customer service.
  
  * You don't necessarily need a lot of bells and whistles, depending on what you plan on sewing. My old machine had fewer stitches than my new machine does, and the majority of them I never used.
  
  * Get a machine with an automatic buttonhole! This was one of my few absolute requirements on a new machine. A lot of entry level machines have this feature and I definitely think it's worth spending a little extra if you have to.
  
  
  

  
  

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• kellya01

  

  April 2011

  My mom uses a singer that she swears by.  All of the fancy machines with hundreds of different stitches... she has tried them and always comes back to her Singer sewing machine.  I am inheriting my grandma's Singer and I'm SO excited to learn to sew like my mom!! :-)

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• fpaemp2011 member

  

  April 2011

  I'm drooling over this one right now:
  
  http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=17817086
  
  FSIL and *her* MIL have the same model and love it.

  
  
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• JCM10 member

  

  April 2011

  Janome for sure. I have and love their Threadbanger TB12. It has a lot more metal parts (the entire interior workings of it) so it runs more like an old machine than a lot of the other things on the market today. Mine is less than a year old, but I've already made a whole quilt on it...well almost. It needs borders and I'm procrastinating! But it's held up to the abuse of that very well, I would definitely suggest it. Also, I got it for under $200. A great value for a good machine!

  
  

  Singer used to be the 'go to' brand, but they aren't lasting as well as the old ones (like pretty much any product...go figure!) 

  
  

  I agree with the suggest to get one with an automatic buttonhole! Other than that, if you think you just want it for simple things/aren't experienced at sewing, get a really basic one. 

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• MsJuneBride2012 member

  

  April 2011

  I have a Kenmore 18221 sewing machine, and I love it. I still consider myself to be a beginner, and it does everything I need it to do (and more!) but is easy to use. I really like Kenmore and Janome machines (both made by Janome, but Kenmore machines are sold at Sears), and they are generally of good value (good machines at good prices). I've heard that the quality of Singer machines has really dropped in recent years (although the old school Singers are wonderful if you can get your hands on one), and Brother machines are hit-or-miss. I've heard good things about Bernina machines, but I think they're kind of expensive, and I don't know much about Pfaff machines. If you have any questions about my specific model, feel free to post a question or PM me!

  

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• awarm014

  

  April 2011

  Janome is the brand that I would recommend. For lower end model, you can get an auto button hole, and it does a variety of stiches. I can't give you a model recommendation, because I have a top of the line model, which I bought last year to sew my wedding gown on. I have been sewing since I was seven, and while Singers are cheaper and some people swear by them, they have some downsides.
  
  1. The drive train (the part that makes the needle move) is plastic. This means it is more likely to break, and once it does there is no repairing the machine. Janome, Brother, Pfaff, Bernina, and VIking all use metal drive trains, which are much more likely to last, no matter how much sewing you do in the future.
  
  2. Singer sewing machines only use singer products. The needles to use to use the machine cost about twice as much as the better, generic needles that you can use in any other machine. Anything else that needs to be replaced, such as additional feet also cost more than generic models.
  
  While I don't want to talk you out of what may be a very decent lower priced sewing machine, if you think you may want to sew more in the future, I would recommend a lower end Janome. They have some models that are just as comparably priced as singers, but will last forever.
  
  PS. I included the link below to the brands on consumer reports, so you can do a little bit of your own research.
  
  http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/appliances/laundry-and-cleaning/sewing-machines/sewing-machine-buying-advice/sewing-machine-brands/sewing-machine-brands.htm
  

  
  

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