Newbie looking for first sewing machine...
Garfield
I'm a Newbie to sewing, and since the wife won't let me touch her
machine (I wonder why...) I thought I would come on here and ask for a
suggestion... if I am new to sewing, and am looking to purchase a
sewing machine, what would you suggest for a man who has not really
done any sewing, but would like to give it a shot?
Some background for those interested, if it helps:
I have worked with computers for years, and feel comfortable working
with mechanical devices... I have several power tools, but do not have
a 'shop' per se. I have worked with my wife (years ago) helping snip
threads and prepare items for a multi-headed embroidery machine, and
enjoyed the process...
recently she ran a few baby blankets through the embroidery machine
she has here at home (Singer Futura CE-200) and I have worked with her
to snip threads, pink edges, and package them for sale.
I enjoy working with the computer, and embroidery aspects of sewing,
and would like to do some sewing of my own, since she has started
quilting, and after doing some legwork for her, I am finding there are
many men who are accomplished quilters... I figure I would like to try
it out.
I think my main concern is, should I purchase a new or used machine,
and is the drop-in bobbin all it's cracked up to be? My niece has a
Brother machine (low end) that has the vertical bobbin, and my
sister-in-law and my wife both hate the thing with a passion... they
just spent over 4 hours (over several days) searching high and low for
a mechanical version of the singer with drop-in bobbin for the
sister-in law... it is similar to my wife's other machine in that it
is a Singer, and it is drop-in bobbin, and mechanical... other than
that, I didn't look too closely at it.
I guess what I am looking for in a reply here is this:
1 - what machine would you recommend
2 - why? please spell out the pros and cons, pricing concerns, etc.
3 - new or used? your opinion, and a few ideas as to why this is the
case.
4 - any/all links are appreciated - reviews of recommended machines
are especially welcome, as I would like to make a decision sometime
over the month of August, and then purchase a machine in September.
Also- if appropriate - if you know of any cycles when sales on
machines seem to happen, please - let me know, this is not an area I
have shopped before, so it would take me over a year to even get close
to anticipating any kind of sales... I know that there have to be some
standard months that sales happen folks - please, give me a heads up
so I can at least anticipate whether or not this is a decent time to
purchase the machine.
ok - to those who have taken the time to read this far - THANK YOU for
your time, and Patience.
Sincerely -
-{{Garfield}}-
Judie in Penfield NY
> I think my main concern is, should I purchase a new or used machine,
> and is the drop-in bobbin all it's cracked up to be?
> 1 - what machine would you recommend
> 2 - why? please spell out the pros and cons, pricing concerns, etc.
> 3 - new or used? your opinion, and a few ideas as to why this is the
> case.
> 4 - any/all links are appreciated - reviews of recommended machines
> are especially welcome, as I would like to make a decision sometime
> over the month of August, and then purchase a machine in September.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with a vertical bobbin, in fact some
people actually prefer them over the drop in bobbin. Both the Singer
Featherweight and the Singer 301 are vertical bobbin machines and are
known for their beautiful stitching.
http://sewing.patternreview.com/ is a good place to start checking
reviews of various sewing machines.
If you plan to do any quilting you will need a machine on which you can
drop the feed dogs. Your sewing plans will determine the features you
will need on your sewing machine.
I personally find the older mechanical Singers and Kenmores to be some
of the very best machines and there are still quite a few of them in
service.
Good luck,
Judie
BEI Design
> Bring it on folks -
>
> I'm a Newbie to sewing, and since the wife won't let me
> touch her machine (I wonder why...) I thought I would
> come on here and ask for a suggestion... if I am new to
> sewing, and am looking to purchase a sewing machine, what
> would you suggest for a man who has not really done any
> sewing, but would like to give it a shot?
First, read the "what machine should I buy" FAQ:
www.cet.com/~pennys/faq/smfaq.htm
It was compiled by one of the regulars "here" and has a
great deal of useful information.
> Some background for those interested, if it helps:
>
> I have worked with computers for years, and feel
> comfortable working with mechanical devices... I have
> several power tools, but do not have a 'shop' per se. I
> have worked with my wife (years ago) helping snip threads
> and prepare items for a multi-headed embroidery machine,
> and enjoyed the process...
>
> recently she ran a few baby blankets through the
> embroidery machine she has here at home (Singer Futura
> CE-200) and I have worked with her to snip threads, pink
> edges, and package them for sale.
>
> I enjoy working with the computer, and embroidery aspects
> of sewing, and would like to do some sewing of my own,
> since she has started quilting, and after doing some
> legwork for her, I am finding there are many men who are
> accomplished quilters... I figure I would like to try it
> out.
Good for you! No reason at all to let us women have ALL the
fun... ;-) Thee are several men who post to this newsgroup,
maybe some of them will chime in.
> I think my main concern is, should I purchase a new or
> used machine, and is the drop-in bobbin all it's cracked
> up to be? My niece has a Brother machine (low end) that
> has the vertical bobbin, and my sister-in-law and my
> wife both hate the thing with a passion... they just
> spent over 4 hours (over several days) searching high and
> low for a mechanical version of the singer with drop-in
> bobbin for the sister-in law... it is similar to my
> wife's other machine in that it is a Singer, and it is
> drop-in bobbin, and mechanical... other than that, I
> didn't look too closely at it.
>
> I guess what I am looking for in a reply here is this:
>
> 1 - what machine would you recommend
My personal reomendati0on: Singer 401A (used). I still own
my first one (bought new in 1960) and two others of that
model, and use them constantly. But you will want to test
drive several machines before making a decision.
> 2 - why? please spell out the pros and cons, pricing
> concerns, etc. 3 - new or used? your opinion, and a few
> ideas as to why this is the case.
Depends on your budget. Used if under $500, probably new if
the sky's the limit. I love my new (in 20034) Singer Quantum
5000 which is both a sewing machine and an embroidery
machine. BUT, I sew on my 401As and embroider with the
XL5000. If I had to replace one of the 401As for any reason,
I would seek another of the same model. I also own two
sergers (first one bought used, second one a prize at the
state fair) and a coverstitch machine. As you get farther
into sewing you may discover you want/need additional
machines.
> 4 - any/all links are appreciated - reviews of
> recommended machines are especially welcome, as I would
> like to make a decision sometime over the month of
> August, and then purchase a machine in September.
>
> Also- if appropriate - if you know of any cycles when
> sales on machines seem to happen, please - let me know,
> this is not an area I have shopped before, so it would
> take me over a year to even get close to anticipating any
> kind of sales... I know that there have to be some
> standard months that sales happen folks - please, give me
> a heads up so I can at least anticipate whether or not
> this is a decent time to purchase the machine.
If you are buying used, I doubt there is any cycle to be
concerned with, it will just depend on when a model you want
becomes available. I don't know about cycles for buying
new.
> ok - to those who have taken the time to read this far -
> THANK YOU for your time, and Patience.
>
> Sincerely -
> -{{Garfield}}-
HTH,
Beverly
The Wanderer
> Bring it on folks -
>
> I'm a Newbie to sewing, and since the wife won't let me touch her
> machine (I wonder why...) I thought I would come on here and ask for a
> suggestion... if I am new to sewing, and am looking to purchase a
> sewing machine, what would you suggest for a man who has not really
> done any sewing, but would like to give it a shot?
OK, over the next few days you'll probably get quite a few recommendations,
but.......
It's something I bang on about whenever anyone asks, if the budget will
stretch to it, pick a machine that lets you stitch real slooooow. That
tends to lead towards electronic speed control, rather than the crude
electro-mechanical foot-pedal rheostat that comes with most cheaper models.
I used to own a Singer, can't even remember the model now; that was almost
impossible to use slowly on intricate work, I'd try to ease in the foot
pedal and the motor would growl away then, whoosh and it would race off
with high speed stitching. Fine if you want to do plenty of long straight
seams, but absolutley useless when it came to fiddly work. (I make and
dress fashion dolls - mainly period costumes or ball gowns, so there's
plenty of fiddly sewing!)
I'm also sure some of the sewists here will insist that these foot controls
will work to give slow speeds, but mine never did, and I'm an Electrical
Engineer and the Singer had been thoroughly overhauled.
I now own a Pfaff, and I'm delighted with it!
When youve narrowed the field down, *do* go and try whatever machine(s)
you're drawn to.
--
Richard - The older I get, the better I used to be!
the dot wanderer at tesco dot net
Kate XXXXXX
> Bring it on folks -
>
> I'm a Newbie to sewing, and since the wife won't let me touch her
> machine (I wonder why...) I thought I would come on here and ask for a
> suggestion... if I am new to sewing, and am looking to purchase a
> sewing machine, what would you suggest for a man who has not really
> done any sewing, but would like to give it a shot?
>
I'm not going to repeat everything all the other good folks have said
here except for the TRY BEFORE YOU BUY advice: this is the most
important bit of all the excellent advice here.
For actual machine recommendations, I have to say that I've found it
doesn't matter if the machine is electronic or not: being able to go
very slowly is a boon, and the first thing I teach my students. There
are plently of non electronic machines out there that are good at this,
and so long as you find the one that suits you, and sews the kind of
things you want to sew. sewing slowly and agood stitch quality are very
important.
Makes and models I have and love are:
Bernina 1005 (1008 is the current model)
Elna Lotus (TSP and ZZ - the kids love both)
Singer 99K (can be a bit hard to make do one stitch at a time)
Singer Featherweight (same style foot control as the 99, but easier to
make go slow - luck of the draw with this type!)
Viscount 2000
Frister & Rossman Cub 4 (a real gem of a find, this)
Singer 367 (remarkably, as this is a 70's cheapie with plastic gears!
But it's quite easy to control)
New Home (Big Ole heavy mechanicla thing, but so smooth and easy to control)
My Husqvarna Lily 550 (main work machine, almost 9 years old - madly
electronic!)
So, you see, you really have to try them out and see what suits you.
--
Kate XXXXXX R.C.T.Q Madame Chef des Trolls
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
http://www.katedicey.co.uk
Click on Kate's Pages and explore!
Kay Lancaster
> Bring it on folks -
>
> I'm a Newbie to sewing, and since the wife won't let me touch her
> machine (I wonder why...) I thought I would come on here and ask for a
> suggestion... if I am new to sewing, and am looking to purchase a
> sewing machine, what would you suggest for a man who has not really
> done any sewing, but would like to give it a shot?
Suggested reading (as well as the faq someone else mentioned) -- then we'll
pretty unanimously send you out to the sewing machine dealers to try before
you buy. The exception being if you can find someone to lend you a machine
in good working order to play with for a bit.
Here's my standard advice for beginners in sewing:
What I want for beginners in sewing:
- a machine that doesn't scare you
- a machine that isn't balky (cheap new machines are often very
balky or need adjustments often and are rarely repairable --
just too frustrating to learn on!)
- very good straight stitch
- good zigzag (4-5 mm is fine, more than that is gravy)
- a method of making buttonholes that makes sense to you
- adjustable presser foot pressure (which helps some fabric
handling issues)
- accessory presser feet that don't cost an arm and a leg
(machines that use a "short shank foot" typically handle
generic presser feet pretty well. Some brands of machines use
proprietary or very expensive presser feet)
If the budget stretches far enough:
- blindhem and stretch blindhem stitches
- triple zigzag (nice for elastic applications)
- a couple of decorative stitches (you won't use them nearly as
much as you think)
- electronic machine because of the needle position control and
because the stepper motors give you full "punching force" at
slow sewing speeds -- mechanical machines often will stall at
slow speeds.
Suggested reading: John Giordano's The Sewing Machine Book
(especially for used machines), Carol Ahles' Fine Machine Sewing
(especially the first and last few chapters) and Gale Grigg
Hazen's Owner's Guide to Sewing Machines, Sergers and Knitting
Machines. All of these are likely to be available at your public
library. Because you're interested in embroidery, I'm also going to
toss in Singer Instructions in Art Embroidery (the original samples
in the book were all done on treadle straight stitch machines -- today
we'd call that "free motion embroidery"). And Robbie and Tony Fanning's
Complete Book of Machine Embroidery, and the more recent book by Patricia
Nelson: Creative Machine Stitching: Special Effects for Quilts and More.
Used brands I'd particularly look for: Elna, Bernina,
Viking/Husqvarna, Pfaff, Singer (pre 1960), Juki, Toyota. These are
also the new brands (except for Singer) I'd look at carefully, and
add to that the midline Janomes.
New "bargain brand" I'd probably pick: Janome (who also does
Kenmore).
I'm also going to send you off in a slightly different direction. Your
wife has a sewing machine you like. Have you considered a serger at all?
Especially for construction, sergers can really simplify your sewing life,
and their fast and it appears to be something your wife doesn't own <g>.
Maybe you can trade time on the two machines. <vbg>
Sergers are not only useful for construction, but also for many decorative
techniques. The library books I'll send you to for the basics are
Ultimate Serger Answer Guide, Sewing with an Overlock, Complete Serger
Handbook, Serge with Confidence (also on a DVD) and then a couple
of decorative serging books like Anne van der Kley's Serging Australia
or her Creative Serging and/or Griffin et al.'s Serger Secrets.
If you're going the serger route, I definitely think you should buy from a
dealer locally who can support you with basic handholding -- the learning
curve for sergers is a bit steeper than that for the sewing machine, but
is no less fun.
If that interests you but the serger dealers around aren't much help, my
next suggestion would be a mail order Juki -- the manuals are good enough
that I believe most beginners can work through them without much trouble,
the machines are well constructed, and the features/$ ratio is good.
Most of all, have fun!
Oh yes... vertical vs. horizontal bobbin really makes no difference. I do,
however, have a preference for bobbins that are toward the operator rather
than on the side. The machines with vertical or horizontal bobbins in front
that are capable of zigzag stitching can also take twin needles, which
can be quite useful. The side loaders can't do that.
Kay
robb
"Garfield" <garf...@jons.house.com> wrote in message
news:eha884l2jjr46l9o3...@4ax.com...
> Bring it on folks -
>
>
> 1 - what machine would you recommend
> 2 - why? please spell out the pros and cons, pricing concerns,
etc.
> 3 - new or used? your opinion, and a few ideas as to why this
is the
> case.
> 4 - any/all links are appreciated - reviews of recommended
machines
> are especially welcome, as I would like to make a decision
sometime
> over the month of August, and then purchase a machine in
September.
>
my angle...
I found it takes a bit of machine experience to appreciate the
variety of personalities, features and options available on
various sewing machines
so, maybe just get some inexpensive sewing machine ( a loaner or
< $50) that works and practice using it. try some simple
projects and try to do all the kinds of seams and bindings you
might run across then you can more easily decide what is
important to you.
i started thrift-ly (i.e. cheap) and i purchased a $10 machine
from the local thrift/salvage , cleaned it and made it go (with
some online help that is) and then after using it for a while i
understood what i wanted
I think any brand will work that has zig zag stitch capability,
utility stitches or some decorative stitches.
Though, i caution against *buying* any of the singer 600/700
series Touch and Sews or Singer Stylists as they were infamous
for plastic gear breakage (unless you want to become intimate
with their internals ?) and that problem will just put a real
annoying cramp in your new hobby dreams.
I own several of those singer machines and they all had the gear
rot... either when i received them or shortly after i started
using them.
i use a salvaged pfaff 1475 most but it is a 20 years old
electronic control machine and expensive. I to have/like the
401A, a basic, solid and very smooth machine. Neither of these
will come cheaply if you use the bay
hth,
good luck,
robb
Sparafucile
>
> I guess what I am looking for in a reply here is this:
>
> 1 - what machine would you recommend
> 2 - why? please spell out the pros and cons, pricing concerns, etc.
> 3 - new or used? your opinion, and a few ideas as to why this is the
> case.
> 4 - any/all links are appreciated - reviews of recommended machines
> are especially welcome, as I would like to make a decision sometime
> over the month of August, and then purchase a machine in September.
I'm new to sewing (and a guy who is also a long-time wood and
metalworker - I made guitars), and first let me assure you that
Brother machines (especially the low end) are crap: I sold mine for a
loss on ebay after a few months of endless frustration!
Once you start to look around and choose some machines, do check the
reviews. For good reviews, go to:
http://sewing.patternreview.com/SewingMachine/ sign up, and read the
reviews.
I eventually bought a White 3100, a computer machine:
http://www.tricosew.com/white_sewing_machines/white_3100_computer_styles.html
While mechanical European machines run like the well-oiled machinery
they are, no one makes mechanical machines any more; and good used
Pfaff, Elna or Bernina models that do what my White does cost from
$750 and UP (IF you can find one), and that's used! In my area, we're
talking $1000 to $1200. Low-end used mechanical machines are much more
limited (complicated button-holes, few utility stiches) in what they
can do; I found them frustrating to use, especially for buttonholes.
I like this White because it has an electronic needle up/down button,
five needle positions, great adjustments on the straight and z/z
stitches, an easy to use buttonhole-maker, a button that sews in place
to terminate a seam, and most important to me, a slider that regulates
the speed so that even if you floor the pedal, it will never go faster
than you set the slider. It has all of the utility stitches (triple,
stretch z/z, overlock, blind-hem etc) you will need - and it comes
with a walking foot. I'll probably never use the zillion decorative
stitches, but they are there anyway. The motor is strong (zips thru
multi-layer blue-jean seams) and doesn't hesitate.
It's made in the same Asian factory that makes the mid-level Viking
Husqvarna machines, and is rumored to be the "Huskystar". It is sold
by JoAnne (a nationwide chain store) where you can try it out (as well
as the Viking/Husky machines).
If I am still enjoying sewing in a year or so, I'll spend the money
and start looking for a gently-used Pfaff or Elna that can do all that
my White can do.
That's my .02, YMMV!
--
Ciao,
Serge
“I love cats because I take pleasure in my home; and little by
little, the cats become its visible soul.”
Jean Cocteau, 1889-1963
7/22/2008 12:03:31 AM
Kathleen
> Bring it on folks -
>
> I'm a Newbie to sewing, and since the wife won't let me touch her
> machine (I wonder why...)
My husband is a tool and diemaker for GM. Works with, designs, programs
and maintains industrial robots. He also has an unhealthy fascination
with my serger, a Pfaff 4852. Unhealthy, in that he's been told that if
I catch him messing with it, I will break his fingers like breadsticks.
The thing is twitchy enough that once I get it set up I don't want it
touched.
On the other hand, he uses my industrial (a 40 year-old Consew)
frequently, and with my blessing, raiding my neoprene, velcro and
leather supplies to create custom cases for his various techno toys. It
is pretty much bomb-proof and will drive a needle through 1/2" of
vegetable tanned leather with no difficulty.
I also have a middle of the line, mid-80s Kenmore that I use for mending
and clothing projects that he uses occasionally, especially when he
finds it already threaded. Otherwise he generally asks me to fix
whatever it is that he's ripped.
What i find the most difficult is refraining from telling him, "Move,
get out of the way, I'll do it", rather than taking the time to teach
him when he runs into trouble. One of the advantage of getting your
machine from a sewing machine store is that frequently, free lessons are
included with your purchase. This might save wear and tear on your
relationship with your wife.
I thought I would come on here and ask for a
> suggestion... if I am new to sewing, and am looking to purchase a
> sewing machine, what would you suggest for a man who has not really
> done any sewing, but would like to give it a shot?
>
> Some background for those interested, if it helps:
>
> I have worked with computers for years, and feel comfortable working
> with mechanical devices... I have several power tools, but do not have
> a 'shop' per se. I have worked with my wife (years ago) helping snip
> threads and prepare items for a multi-headed embroidery machine, and
> enjoyed the process...
A sewing machine IS a power tool. And some are more powerful than others.
>
> recently she ran a few baby blankets through the embroidery machine
> she has here at home (Singer Futura CE-200) and I have worked with her
> to snip threads, pink edges, and package them for sale.
>
> I enjoy working with the computer, and embroidery aspects of sewing,
> and would like to do some sewing of my own, since she has started
> quilting, and after doing some legwork for her, I am finding there are
> many men who are accomplished quilters... I figure I would like to try
> it out.
>
> I think my main concern is, should I purchase a new or used machine,
Go used, if you can get one from a sewing machine store that offers tech
support and will take your machine back in trade when you decide to
upgrade. You'll get much more bang for your buck and probably free
lessons, too.
Don't be afraid to buy a machine that you can "grow into".
Pogonip
> What i find the most difficult is refraining from telling him, "Move,
> get out of the way, I'll do it", rather than taking the time to teach
> him when he runs into trouble. One of the advantage of getting your
> machine from a sewing machine store is that frequently, free lessons are
> included with your purchase. This might save wear and tear on your
> relationship with your wife.
Wise words.
--
Joanne
stitches @ singerlady.reno.nv.us.earth.milky-way.com
http://members.tripod.com/~bernardschopen/
Garfield
Thank you, and wow...
I never knew I would get such a plethora of great ideas (and more
questions to ask myself).
like any new hobby, I should have known that the tools of the trade
are a personal preference, and if you have no preference, or style of
reference, then there is little to go off of.
BTW - to the person who mentioned a serger - the wife has one... it
was a used unit that was a gift from a lady that could not afford the
mental anguish of dealing with it (tension, etc issues) it has since
been serviced by a qualified technician, and I know better than to be
playing with dials on a machine I usually keep my hands behind my back
when viewing in the first place.
my mother taught me well to not play with the dials on the oven for a
reason - I have no compulsions to get burned (or have my fingers
mangled) by a machine that I can barely comprehend at this stage - I
can mentally do 3-d thing, but sergers are still a black box to me -
so I will leave them alone as should be... (I think I heard someone
chime in "If it Ain't Broke...Don't fix it" and I heard you from here
:-)
again - thank you for all the messages... I will keep an eye on this
thread and if there are any other recommendations of resources for
newbies, I would welcome those references as well.
if there is a FAQ for this group, someone might consider taking some
of the advice I was given, and compiling it into a section for newbies
who want to get a machine... it would be handy for those of us who
look for FAQ's...
thanks again!!!
-{{Garfield}}-
On Mon, 21 Jul 2008 01:40:46 -0500, Garfield <garf...@jons.house.com>
wrote:
Kay Lancaster
>
> my mother taught me well to not play with the dials on the oven for a
> reason - I have no compulsions to get burned (or have my fingers
> mangled) by a machine that I can barely comprehend at this stage - I
> can mentally do 3-d thing, but sergers are still a black box to me -
> so I will leave them alone as should be... (I think I heard someone
> chime in "If it Ain't Broke...Don't fix it" and I heard you from here
>:-)
Nope, you don't get off that easily... unless it's a cheap-cheap serger,
where the tensions slide out of time if you sew more than two inches on
tissue paper, there is no reason you can't operate a serger. And even skinny
fingers like mine don't fit between the blades unless you really work hard
at it.
When you go to look at sewing machines, ask an amenable dealer to let you
play with a serger for a few minutes. Screw up the tensions and fix 'em.
(it's even easy if you write the dial settings down!).
Suggested readings: Gale Grigg Hazen's Owner's Guide to Sewing Machines,
Sergers, and Knitting Machines (more how to take care of them properly than
how to use) and a group effort called Ultimate Serger Answer Guide, which
is the book that convinced me that there were very few ways to screw up
a serger that I couldn't fix with new needles or cleaning or resetting
the tensions. Check your library for both.
Operating a serger is a lot easier than changing the blade on a
circular saw, or setting up a router to do anything...
Kay
Joy Beeson
wrote:
> if the budget will
> stretch to it, pick a machine that lets you stitch real slooooow.
The White Family Rotary I ransomed from the landfill for $10 (you'd
pay collector prices for a decent treadle now) is really good at that.
In addition to being able to start from a dead stop without touching
the handwheel (provided that I remember whether it is the front or the
back of the treadle that is going down) it has a useful intermediate
mode to fill the gap between pushing the handwheel one stitch at a
time and treadling: put a finger in the spokes of the handwheel and
twirl it.
Joy Beeson
--
joy beeson at comcast dot net
http://roughsewing.home.comcast.net/ -- sewing
http://n3f.home.comcast.net/ -- Writers' Exchange
The above message is a Usenet post.
I don't recall having given anyone permission to use it on a Web site.
Joy Beeson
<nobeide...@comcast.net.invalid> wrote:
> I don't know about cycles for buying
> new.
When I worked in a sewing-machine store in the sixties, we had a
cycle: every week we gave the same discount off the marked price, but
one week it would be cash, the next week we'd include an expensive
sewing basket, the next week it would be something else.
I doubt that there is a season for buying sewing machines.
Joy Beeson
> The machines with vertical or horizontal bobbins in front
> that are capable of zigzag stitching can also take twin needles, which
> can be quite useful. The side loaders can't do that.
My side-loading Necchi Elna (early sixties) has a special needle plate
for twin needles. But the twin needles are useful only for embroidery
-- since the needles are tandem, rather than side-by-side, you can't
use them to imitate pin tucks and coverstitch hems.