Must buy a new machine ASAP
04-07-2011, 12:22 AM
#81
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Northern California mountains
Posts: 12,538
Vintage Singers are great, as are some others. For a low budget, I would definitely go with garage sale used. My friend at the LQS buys and tunes up machine to use in her classes. She says they generally run her about $25 - $50.
When I started quilting, I was told (falsely) that I could not get a walking foot for my beloved 20 year old Viking, so my son now has that. I bought a highly advertized $3K machine that was dead in 3 years. The motor froze up in the middle of quilting. DH had to cut the needle to get the quilt out of the machine! I was told $500 plus labor and a 3 month wait for a new motor. I love my current Janome, but it's way over your budget.
Several people I know have gotten very good older machines from Pfaff, Singer and Viking for peanuts at garage sales.
When I started quilting, I was told (falsely) that I could not get a walking foot for my beloved 20 year old Viking, so my son now has that. I bought a highly advertized $3K machine that was dead in 3 years. The motor froze up in the middle of quilting. DH had to cut the needle to get the quilt out of the machine! I was told $500 plus labor and a 3 month wait for a new motor. I love my current Janome, but it's way over your budget.
Several people I know have gotten very good older machines from Pfaff, Singer and Viking for peanuts at garage sales.
04-07-2011, 12:36 AM
#82
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 144
help! all you wonderful folks (who kept me up again until 2 a.m. I am looking (have it here somewhere ) for a quilt called "aunt betty's attic" all I really need are the dimensions if the blocks to cut first! This is such a wonderful quilt for calicos and 1930s fabrics, Thanks for any help you can give me! if I knew how to post pics I sure would like to share with you! froggy
04-07-2011, 07:27 AM
#85
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Florida
Posts: 5,510
well dotty....looks like you have a lot to ponder over all these suggestions! LOL, but Amazon has some great deals on the better newer machines and ebay (if you want to sweat/be nervous) has a lot...BUT walmart does have the brothers/Singer for a great price under $300.00. Happy Shopping!
04-07-2011, 04:40 PM
#86
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: New York City UWS
Posts: 4,222
Today I got an almost brand-new Elna from my friend Barbara.
Very little $$ and some barter.
It is a great simple solution, and I've been sewing all afternoon.
The gals in my quilting circle think I will be happier and do more with a computer-driven machine. I just don't have the energy to shop & make that decision now.
I'm going to get a free estimate on the old Kenmores. If repair is minimal, I can give them away or donate to a local charity. Thanks EVERYONE!!
Very little $$ and some barter.
It is a great simple solution, and I've been sewing all afternoon.
The gals in my quilting circle think I will be happier and do more with a computer-driven machine. I just don't have the energy to shop & make that decision now.
I'm going to get a free estimate on the old Kenmores. If repair is minimal, I can give them away or donate to a local charity. Thanks EVERYONE!!
04-07-2011, 04:46 PM
#87
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Huntsville, AL
Posts: 772
This is excellent advice... keep a look into the thrift stores .. some of them will even keep a book and call you when something comes in you're looking for.. also, check your dealer.. if you think about all the fancy stitches that are on the newer machines that we don't or seldom use... a straight stitch with maybe a zizzaz is all you really need. Nothing fancy...
I have a couple of Janome's and they can't be beat... I have taken two classes and both of the teacher's used Janome's..
You really don't need to spend much money... wished I knew this long ago..
Elna's are excellent machines...especially the older one's.
I have a couple of Janome's and they can't be beat... I have taken two classes and both of the teacher's used Janome's..
You really don't need to spend much money... wished I knew this long ago..
Elna's are excellent machines...especially the older one's.
04-07-2011, 06:13 PM
#89
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 387
why not join and post an ad on freecycle.net? I posted and received a free machine for my daughter in a cabinet.... I was afraid to let her learn on my new machine. The one we had given to us is a 1984 white fair lady..... and purrs like a kitten....
04-07-2011, 06:15 PM
#90
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 387
Originally Posted by Rntraveler
This is excellent advice... keep a look into the thrift stores .. some of them will even keep a book and call you when something comes in you're looking for.. also, check your dealer.. if you think about all the fancy stitches that are on the newer machines that we don't or seldom use... a straight stitch with maybe a zizzaz is all you really need. Nothing fancy...
I have a couple of Janome's and they can't be beat... I have taken two classes and both of the teacher's used Janome's..
You really don't need to spend much money... wished I knew this long ago..
Elna's are excellent machines...especially the older one's.
I have a couple of Janome's and they can't be beat... I have taken two classes and both of the teacher's used Janome's..
You really don't need to spend much money... wished I knew this long ago..
Elna's are excellent machines...especially the older one's.
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