The Minimal Sewing Studio
09-17-2014, 05:33 PM
#12
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Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Puget Sound Region
Posts: 772
Good advice, everyone. I've been watching for a Reece buttonhole machine and found one for around $300. These are amazing machines -- watching them do their thing is a beautiful sight. And I'm thinking a Kenmore zig-zag with all the bells and whistles (like the 18023) plus a free arm machine (Phoenix or Kenmore convertible, not sure) will be great.
I have two 201-2 machines, both in beautiful shape and I bought both of them for such low prices. I hate to part with them, so one might be my straight-stitch. Although the Pfaff 30 is a strong contender. (1.4 amps on a domestic straight stitch can kick some serious tail.) I think the 15-90 and 91 I have are too underpowered.
As for coverstitching and overlocking, I may just hang it all and get a Juki industrial that can do it all -- except keep my domestic 4-thread Bernina/Juki (MO-734DE) for hemming:
**********************
OK, so I just purchased an industrial zig-zag machine about an hour ago. It's an Adler, very worn in but not worn out. I plugged it in, pressed the pedal, and experienced a little bit of heaven. I bought it on the spot. It does single and double needle sewing and has a clutch motor rather than a Servo. That's OK. I can upgrade later if I want.
It comes in an industrial wood topped table (not laminate or other garbage) on a metal frame with a full-function pedal that is throttle, disengages the presser foot lift, and stops on a dime. I love the hand wheel assembly with two wheels controlling the belt feed to the motor drive.
It needs oiling, cleaning, has a little bit of rust here and there but the price was just too good to pass up.
I have two 201-2 machines, both in beautiful shape and I bought both of them for such low prices. I hate to part with them, so one might be my straight-stitch. Although the Pfaff 30 is a strong contender. (1.4 amps on a domestic straight stitch can kick some serious tail.) I think the 15-90 and 91 I have are too underpowered.
As for coverstitching and overlocking, I may just hang it all and get a Juki industrial that can do it all -- except keep my domestic 4-thread Bernina/Juki (MO-734DE) for hemming:
**********************
OK, so I just purchased an industrial zig-zag machine about an hour ago. It's an Adler, very worn in but not worn out. I plugged it in, pressed the pedal, and experienced a little bit of heaven. I bought it on the spot. It does single and double needle sewing and has a clutch motor rather than a Servo. That's OK. I can upgrade later if I want.
It comes in an industrial wood topped table (not laminate or other garbage) on a metal frame with a full-function pedal that is throttle, disengages the presser foot lift, and stops on a dime. I love the hand wheel assembly with two wheels controlling the belt feed to the motor drive.
It needs oiling, cleaning, has a little bit of rust here and there but the price was just too good to pass up.
09-17-2014, 06:18 PM
#14
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Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Puget Sound Region
Posts: 772
Yeah, I saw the price for the Adler and leapt out of my chair, grabbing my phone and my car keys. 
By the time she called me back, 8 other people called her after me, one from Yakima, another from Portland. The machine's in Bellevue(!), only about 20 mins. from my house, lucky me. Now I have to set up a time to go back, disassemble, and haul it away.
The Kenmore 18023 is one of my favorite machines of all time. I love that thing. It would be my catch-all zig-zag machine that is really versatile. I've never monogrammed on it, though I have the attachment.
At some point, I might add an embroidery machine to the fleet. I don't see myself getting into embroidery but watching them work is very cool. But I'd want an industrial, not a home machine. And we're talking around $6-7K.
By the time she called me back, 8 other people called her after me, one from Yakima, another from Portland. The machine's in Bellevue(!), only about 20 mins. from my house, lucky me. Now I have to set up a time to go back, disassemble, and haul it away.
The Kenmore 18023 is one of my favorite machines of all time. I love that thing. It would be my catch-all zig-zag machine that is really versatile. I've never monogrammed on it, though I have the attachment.
At some point, I might add an embroidery machine to the fleet. I don't see myself getting into embroidery but watching them work is very cool. But I'd want an industrial, not a home machine. And we're talking around $6-7K.
09-17-2014, 06:45 PM
#15
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Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Puget Sound Region
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Mike, I've seen great buttonholes made by ordinary straight stitch machines but I've never been able to produce anything I'd want on a finished garment. (Operator error, of course. 
) I don't mind having a machine set up just for buttonholing but you may be right: a straight stitch is the way to go.
) I don't mind having a machine set up just for buttonholing but you may be right: a straight stitch is the way to go.
09-17-2014, 07:40 PM
#17
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Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Victorian Sweatshop Forum
Posts: 4,096
[QUOTE=KenmoreRulesAll;6893235]
I have two 201-2 machines, both in beautiful shape and I bought both of them for such low prices. I hate to part with them, so one might be my straight-stitch. Although the Pfaff 30 is a strong contender. (1.4 amps on a domestic straight stitch can kick some serious tail.) I think the 15-90 and 91 I have are too underpowered.
KRA,
If you think the 15-91 is underpowered, you'll experience the same with a 201-2. They have the exact same motor, they're interchangeable. Rated .5 or .6 amp, can't remember which.
Now, I may be writing a check my butt can't cash but I'll put my 1 amp Selectomatic up against your pfaff 30 for power. That machine amazed me. Went through 16 layers of cotton with a size 12 needle just like it was 2 layers. The only reason I didn't try to go thicker was I couldn't fold the fabric any more.
Cari
I have two 201-2 machines, both in beautiful shape and I bought both of them for such low prices. I hate to part with them, so one might be my straight-stitch. Although the Pfaff 30 is a strong contender. (1.4 amps on a domestic straight stitch can kick some serious tail.) I think the 15-90 and 91 I have are too underpowered.
KRA,
If you think the 15-91 is underpowered, you'll experience the same with a 201-2. They have the exact same motor, they're interchangeable. Rated .5 or .6 amp, can't remember which.
Now, I may be writing a check my butt can't cash but I'll put my 1 amp Selectomatic up against your pfaff 30 for power. That machine amazed me. Went through 16 layers of cotton with a size 12 needle just like it was 2 layers. The only reason I didn't try to go thicker was I couldn't fold the fabric any more.
Cari
09-17-2014, 09:03 PM
#18
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Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Puget Sound Region
Posts: 772
The 201-2 and 15-91 have either the .53 or the .6. Both my 201s and my 91 have the .6. But I'd only need a straight stitch for precise top and edge seams so power isn't everything. Cotton broadcloth doesn't need piercing power but 14 oz. denim does. Not sure.
My Pfaff 30 has a 1.4 amp motor and can outsew anything in my fleet except the industrial I just got (and I don't even have that in my home yet because I have to remove the head and motor from the table and take the table apart just to fit it all in my station wagon). I have a 1.2 amp Selectomatic (just checked) that is nowhere near my straight stitch Pfaff 30 or even my 1.3 Pfaff 130s which are rated by some as semi-industrial. The Selectomatic is a cute machine, but that dog just don't hunt.
Selectomatic:
Hah!
Don't get me wrong. I like vintage Brothers. (I actually think their straight stitchers are better than their zig-zags.) But against the 30? Who you kiddin'?
My Pfaff 30 has a 1.4 amp motor and can outsew anything in my fleet except the industrial I just got (and I don't even have that in my home yet because I have to remove the head and motor from the table and take the table apart just to fit it all in my station wagon). I have a 1.2 amp Selectomatic (just checked) that is nowhere near my straight stitch Pfaff 30 or even my 1.3 Pfaff 130s which are rated by some as semi-industrial. The Selectomatic is a cute machine, but that dog just don't hunt.
Selectomatic:
Hah!
Don't get me wrong. I like vintage Brothers. (I actually think their straight stitchers are better than their zig-zags.) But against the 30? Who you kiddin'?
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