Posted by Tomico Revilak on 2006-03-13 17:23:08
Post Subject:
Check Consumer Reports for unbiased reporting. You may be able to look at it in a library. I don't know about this year but last year they reported on a variety of machines in Jan. or Feb. 2005. Maybe it was written again at the same time this year.
You could try craig list or ebay for a used one. My friend found a used sewing machine and surger locally, but I don't know where. You could look it up in the "Yellow Pages."
I would suggest you take a little time an try a few machines to get a feel for what you would like. Sales people may be annoying most of the time, but they may be a good tool to figure out what you would like. Just don't buy the first time you go in. Give your self some time to get an idea of what you liked and see if you can get it at a lower cost, or more accurately, better deal. Service agreements have a great value as well. (It sucks to buy something that doesn't work.)
If you can get a machine that will help with all potential projects you will be happier. I was worried I would have to get an industrial machine so I could sew leather, but was surprised about the streagnth of modern machines.
That said, I love my Viking Interlude 435 I was given at Christmas. Viking gives lessons on how to use the machine. You can even take "Viking Club" classes before you get a machine to get an idea of some of the things the machines do. I hated the fact that my old machine would jam up on me all the time. I like some of the extra bells and whistles. I like the extra stitches and found new and more interesting projects to do because of them. I can even sew leather.
I hope this was a help. I'm sorry this wasn't very specific, but I hope that it gives you better assistance in your search.
