Sewing Machines
 

Those of you who sew, what kind of machine are you using? I have a 16 year old no-frills, Singer mechanical machine that I got from BEST (remember that store?) Anyway, it needs a tune-up badly, and that will cost $89 + parts. I think I only paid about $125 for it back then. Anyway, I found a place online that has the Singer Quantum 9910 for a really good price. Does anyone use that one? If so, how do you like it? If you use something else, what are you using? Is it good? I want to spend under $400.

I think it's time for an upgrade :)
Misty

I'm using a 1975 Singer Stylist Model 774. I've made clothes, bags, tents, upholstered cushions for a 25 ft and a 30 ft sailboat & new cushions for our Heywood Wakefield Ashcraft set in the breezeway, my sister's couch and chair and a couple dozen pillow covers. The darn thing just won't wear out. I had it cleaned and lubed for its 30 yr anniversary.
My sister just bought her daughter a Singer 3/4 size from Sears (pink). I tried it out. Sweet, it's so smooth and quiet.
Good Luck on the hunt. I don't know what I'd do if I had to replace my Singer. I know there's got to be someone here with a newer machine than mine.

I bought a Singer from Wal-Mart several months ago and I love it. It isn't the cheapest model and it isn't the highest model. It was in between, but a good one! It had a lot of attachments and stitches, etc.

My grandmother's machine quit and to have it fixed was more then the machine was worth. The same machine (well, the newer slightly different version) was over $500.

Good luck!

I have several machines and have had different experiences with all of them. And first off, let me say that I really push my machines to the max. I use them for business, so I put mine through a lot more than most people.

I have an old 70's model Singer - doesn't do much but is very, very heavy duty and will sew through just about anything. I have a newer Singer serger, which has held up surprisingly well for what I've put it through. I really don't like newer Singer machines because they aren't made very well anymore (nothing like the old ones). I had a Singer sewing machine for a while that didn't last through a month of what I needed it for (which is why I'm surprised the serger has done so well). I also have a Euro-pro that was about $350 from Target that has also held up well for a cheaper machine. I use it almost daily with no problems. I borrowed my MIL's Bernina for a long time, which is also a good machine but they have a heftier price tag. My best machine hands down is a Husqvarna/Viking that does regular sewing and embroidery. After all the machines I've used, nothing has come even close to the quality of that one. They are quite expensive, so if you don't do a lot of sewing a cheaper brand will be fine, but if you sew a lot and want something that will last forever, that's my recommendation. Hope that helps! :)

My serger is a Husqvarna, and I love it. I would love to get one of their sewing machines, but they are a bit higher price than the Singers. I had bought a Euro Pro a while back from HSN and the presser and feed were so snug that they snagged the fabric! So I sent it back for a refund.


Jenn, I checked out walmarts selection...which model number is yours?

My first sewing machine was a White (sold by Speigal catalog) -- telling my age. I got so tired of having to readust everything to get it to sew, I finally went out and bought a Bernina about 10-12 years ago. It is a low end model -- no fancy embroidery. But it is the best sewing machine! It will sew through four layers of denim if you need it to. The tension is always right. It is nice to pull it out of the closet after a year of sitting there -- and everything still works perfect! I do not sew a lot -- but I want my machine to work when I do want to use it.

I like my Husqvarna Viking #1+ for regular sewing - you can't beat that machine for fine lace making and heirloom work.

I use my Singer XL-1000 for embroidery.

And for just run of the mill sewing I use an el-cheapo Singer I bought from Walmart.

I have a BabyLoc Evolve 8 thread serger. I would like to sell this machine 'cause I rarely use it.

I have a Janome 4618LE. I think I paid A little over $200 for it about 5 yrs ago. It does averything I need, lots of stitches; good buttonhole setup; can use several threads at once; good embroidery stitching; easy tension.

I liked the weight of the machine better when it was made by New Home, but when they went plastic with Janome, they lost that. It's still good though and I haven't had any trouble with it.

I have a Bernina, middle of the road model. It has a few fancy stitches on it. I love it!

When my very old Singer died, I inherited my grandmothers kenmore. That died a couple of years ago and since I don't sew that much any more I just went to Sears and bought my daughter(she is 16) another Kenmore, middle range. I used it to make some pj bottoms the other day and it work's pretty well. It is really easy for a beginner/intermediate sewer, just depends on what you need/want machine to do.

I also have a viking...pretty difficult for a beginner to use...It is packed away.

I have a Brother XL-5340. I think it came from WalMart. It works fine for me and I have been quilting quite a bit.

I'd like to learn how to quilt....

I am a quilter and I use a Pfaff and I love it. Have had it over 8 years and have never had any troubles. I kow that there are alot of machines out there but you need to decide what type of sewing you are going to do and find the machine that fits those needs.
If you want to learn to quilt the best advise I could give anyone if check and see if there is a quilting guild in your area. It has been my experience that Quilters are very sharing people just like Yorkies lovers.

I bought an old Dressmaker to learn how to sew my girls some clothes since they can get a bit expensive especially buying for two. It was a terrible thing so my husband bought me a new Singer Futura. You can get any kid of embroidery disc, hook up to the computer and let it do it's think. It's an amazing machine.

I have a Pfaff 7550 model and a Babylock serger. Love both of them. They have never given me a moments problem.