Posted by Tomico Revilak on 2006-03-13 17:23:08
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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.
Posted by sun bear on 2004-05-27 11:44:44
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Karla,
How much are you looking to spend? I hear that the newer singers aren't that great, however the older singers can last forever. My mom has had the same machine for at least 30-35 years and it's still going strong, in fact I went to a used sewing machine/vac shop and the keeper of the shop told me that it was $500! that's the same price my mom paid for it in the 60s! Apparently it has the strongest motor in a non industrial machine, but he had machines for as low as 100 dollars that he had refurbished that had METAL parts. I think you should check out your local sew/vac shop before you go in whole hog on a brand new singer.
That being said I have the Kenmore Mini Ultra, it only has 17 stitches but can do buttonholes, no embroidery, but it was 80 dollars on sale and it's 3/4 the size of a regular machine and it's light blue and has stood up to my making curtains so far. I really love it but I don't sew a whole lot right now.
Posted by sun bear on 2004-11-12 10:42:24
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I learned to sew on a 1930's singer from my mom's friend. It was difficult to work the pedal (electric not manual) but once I got the hang of that I was golden and even able to set a sleeve with it. The older singers have a pedal that isn't so 'feather touch' i remember going to sewing class in home ec and the machine would fly if i tried to press it as hard as the singer pedal. I have a new kenmore mini ultra, it's ok, but if i had an older machine I wouldn't complain :)
I saw my mom's singer in a used sewing machine/vac store and it was 500 dollars! her machine was 500 back in the 60's when she bought it! Apparently it has the strongest motor of a non commercial machine. Anyway the man had machines for as low as 100 dollars, tuned up and ready to go (not singers, generic) and they are probably better than my 80 dollar mini ultra, but mine was a gift and i think it's cute :)
so i'd recommend checking out a vac and sewing shop, also you could ask him about bringinig in a machine, see how much a 'tuneup' or a quote would be. Also if it's alot to have it fixed, he might let you trade it in to take some $ off of one of the already ready to go ones.
