Sewing machines
#41
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 862
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I personally think you are better off getting a beginning sewer either a well working used machine or a new lightweight, inexpensive machine. Save your pennies and gift them with something more substantial if they really take to sewing/quilting.
My sis just got a Kenmore for $5 at a garage sale. She spent 2.5 hours cleaning and oiling it and it worked perfectly. Gave it to my other sister who has no sewing machine, but needed it for repairs. Believe me, there are nice, working machines out there for very little cost and a little cleaning.
My sis just got a Kenmore for $5 at a garage sale. She spent 2.5 hours cleaning and oiling it and it worked perfectly. Gave it to my other sister who has no sewing machine, but needed it for repairs. Believe me, there are nice, working machines out there for very little cost and a little cleaning.
#42
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 15,506
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Originally Posted by IAmCatOwned
I personally think you are better off getting a beginning sewer either a well working used machine or a new lightweight, inexpensive machine. Save your pennies and gift them with something more substantial if they really take to sewing/quilting.
My sis just got a Kenmore for $5 at a garage sale. She spent 2.5 hours cleaning and oiling it and it worked perfectly. Gave it to my other sister who has no sewing machine, but needed it for repairs. Believe me, there are nice, working machines out there for very little cost and a little cleaning.
My sis just got a Kenmore for $5 at a garage sale. She spent 2.5 hours cleaning and oiling it and it worked perfectly. Gave it to my other sister who has no sewing machine, but needed it for repairs. Believe me, there are nice, working machines out there for very little cost and a little cleaning.
#43
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As much as I love vintage machines (i have 3) If I were to buy a machine for my young adult nieces at this point, I would buy a entry level basic machine from Walmart or a sewing outlet. That way, they will have an owner's manual to consult, most come with several different feet, they would have a warranty *some better that others, and most of all, it would have zig zag and some other stitches built in.
Yes, the new ones are not as good as the old workhorse pre 1970 Singers, but if they keep up with sewing or quilting and out grow the machine, by then they'll know what features they'll want on their next machine.
Yes, the new ones are not as good as the old workhorse pre 1970 Singers, but if they keep up with sewing or quilting and out grow the machine, by then they'll know what features they'll want on their next machine.
#44
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Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Lowell, MA
Posts: 14,083
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I personally would buy some of the new cheaper models, like Sears Kenmore or Brother. I got a free Brother one time and it runs great. I also had a Sears Kenmore that, while somewhat touchy on the tension once in a while, was a workhorse and loved to sew thick fabric, cotton not so much, but it worked. It worked so well and I quilted so much that I actually burned out the motor. It's very unnerving to literally see smoke coming out of your sewing machine. Guess I was really smoking. lol. I have a friend with the same model Kenmore that I burned up and it's still running great.
#45
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Originally Posted by brushandthimble
If I might recommend something other than a cheap Singer? Anything would be better.
I am looking at the Hello Kitty by Janome for my 8yr DGD.
I am looking at the Hello Kitty by Janome for my 8yr DGD.
#46
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Originally Posted by Teacup
I would avoid the cheap new Singers, they are just frustrating. I'd pick a Brother before I did a Singer.
I would rather hand sew for the rest of my life than buy another cheap Singer.
Hancock's has some Janome mini's on sale for $50 http://www.hancockfabrics.com/Janome...VVviewprod.htm
4 stars on Amazon's reviews compared to 2 stars for the Singer T&S POS I got.
#47
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: SC
Posts: 1,909
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A few years ago, my then 11-year old DGD wanted me to teach her to sew. So, even though my DD had one of my older Singers (Athena 2010) she bought DGD one of the small Janomes for about $80 or $90. She loved it and used it quite a bit for a couple of years. Now she's 15 and I think sewing is the very last thing on her mind! The Janomes are pretty good, I hear.
#49
Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: NSW AUSTRALIA
Posts: 73
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Originally Posted by sparkys_mom
Originally Posted by Jingle
I don't know about the basic machines, depends a lot on what they may be doing. I would get them new machines, they may be more eager to learn with new machines.
I heard the Brothers are better than the new Singers.
I heard the Brothers are better than the new Singers.
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