Bought my niece a Brother LS2350 because MIL said to.
 

My niece who is 26 wants to learn to sew. I asked my MIL and SIL if they wanted to go in with me on a $139 Brother for their granddaughter and daughter and buy her this machine for Christmas? They didn't want to spend the money. I said they only had to pay $33 each and I would pay the difference. They said okay. Next thing I knew my very demanding MIL went to Walmart and found this Brother LS2350 for $49.97 and told me to buy it for my niece myself. My husband told me I should. So I did.

I feel bad. Is this a horrible machine? She has never sewn before and I didn't want to get her a terrible machine to begin with but I was kind of cornered into this. Now my MIL and SIL say they are going to buy my niece everything to go with sewing.

I feel cheap. I bought the 2 year insurance on it. I don't know why. I've never heard of buying a Brother for so cheap. The gal at Walmart said it was a steal. I don't know if I believe her or not. What do you think? Did I do the wrong thing? My MIL is very cheap when it comes to buying things. If she can save a penny, she will. I'm not like that.

That's a tough call. I have a friend that I always hoped would get into sewing (and join me in my madness). Her mother bought her an inexpensive machine at Walmart, and she had so much trouble with it she completely gave up on sewing. Even I had trouble with it.

All you can do is read the reviews on that particular machine, bear in mind that Walmart has a generous return policy, and wait to see how it plays out. If the niece really starts to like sewing, she can upgrade without too much having been spent (the machine you bought is much more on Amazon), and if she gives up on it, not a lot has been invested.

You didn't do the wrong thing...:)

I love brother machines. I own three. Keep the receipt just in case. Since it is her first machine she is just learning and will love what ever you give her.

I think for the sake of family relationships you may need to stay with the less expensive machine. Since you already bought it, maybe you can take it out of the box and try it out to make sure the tension, etc. on it are adjusted okay?

What kind of sewing does your niece want to do? This machine doesn't do buttonholes. If your niece wants to make children's dresses, for example, you could use this as a reason for your MIL to return the machine and get the one you originally wanted. Here is a link to the machine on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Brother-LS2350...dp/B00ACUBMAU/

The only site I could find that had some opinions on the machine was this one:
http://www.diaperswappers.com/forum/....php?t=1469426

Edit: The lack of a stretch stitch is another drawback if your niece wants to make easy children's clothing, as the easiest patterns often call for knit fabrics.

Please don't feel cheap, I think it's wonderful of you to be buying a gift for a 26 year old niece. With all of our nieces and nephews we had to stop giving gifts when they became teenagers. I just purchased a brother machine for my grandson from walmart but could have gotten cheaper from Amazon. It got great reviews and has a top loading bobbin and an automatic threader. There is also a button hole attachment. My gut feeling is to take the machine back to walmart. http://www.amazon.com/Brother-XL2600...ewing+machines

Caveat to the gift, "This is the one your grandmother said to buy." You tried to do better for her.

mltquilt

Take it back and buy the one you want. If your not happy with it neither will she be. Especially for a beginner seamstress. Perhaps if you had an extra machine to give her, then give her a nice starter stash to go with it.

don't feel cheap. I just found it on Amazon for 89. If it was an clearance @ WM 49 would be about right.
DH bought me this: http://www.brother-usa.com/homesewin...w#.UMo3hazZ2M0 fromWM as a back-up. On clearance it was 70, it was nearly 200 reg price. The Brother machines are good affordable machines. 3 of my DDs have them, all from WM. they all make quilts with them.

First off, am very glad I don't have your MIL. I would take the machine out of the box and try it out. If it runs ok, keep it, if not I would have to exchange it for a better machine. Also would let my niece know her grandmother made the machine choice.

This machine is two steps above the Brother 2125 machines I purchased a few years ago when I was starting up a sewing class for beginners. Not sure what the differences may be but it is a basic mechanical machine and a good starter machine for a beginner. It may not have a lot of bells and whistles but by buying an inexpensive starter machine you won't feel bad if she decides sewing is not her thing.

Brother has a pretty good reputation, we used the machines in my class for 2 years, no problems whatsoever. When I upgraded I listed them for sale. A gal bought one to take to a class on making purses. The next thing I know, the instructor called me wanting to know if I had any left, she was so impressed with how great it worked and wanted to put some in her shop for customer use. She bought all the rest of them.

I think you did ok!

Yeah you could say......

Your Grandmother picked out this cheap machine.......I wanted to get you a better one.

LOL

I probably wouldn't have bought the 50 dollars one, but I do have the more expensive brother from walmart that i love, I would just feel that for 50 dollars the machine probably doesn't have many features and she might out grow it really quickly as opposed to the 139 dollar one. I would sit down with SIL/MIL and ask why they didn't want to get a nicer machine that she can grow into instead of buying something they might be replacing later. Chances are they don't know much about sewing machines or why you want to buy her that model

Sorry, but if it were me I would buy the machine I wanted to buy. It is your money, your gift and your choice. If She was younger I would say that machine would be ok but She is old enough to get a better machine. If I were you I would take it back and get the one you wanted to buy. Say nothing and do it, you will feel better afterwards. Just my HO, lol........sounds like you have a mother in law I would not get along with. I have a mind of my own. Merry Christmas :)

It would probably be a good starter sewing machine, but don't expect it to last long with a lot of use. This kind of sewing machine is only meant for occasional sewing. Although Brothers does have a good reputation, the good machines go to the dealers. The sewing machines that go to Walmart and other discount stiores are not built the same as the ones that go to the dealers. I would definetly spend a little more money on a sewing machine (even more expensive ones from Walmart would be a better choice).

I teach sewing and my last class had two 11-year-olds. One had a cheap Singer Simple...and other a very low end Brother, not sure if the Brother was a $49.00 one, but it was close. That little Brother outsewed that Singer like crazy! Brother has a good name and probably what everyone is thinking is that she may not like it and stay with it, and then you have invested money for nothing.
When I was 12 my mother (this was 1962 BTW) spent $300. ( a fortune then) on the first Singer Touch and Sew, just for me because she hated sewing. I took the free course that came with it and it was the best thing she ever did for me....I have been sewing like a mad woman ever since, and have often reflected on how different my life would be if I did not have sewing, quilting, and all, to turn to and to enjoy. It enriched my life beyond description...and hopefully, this little machine will do the same for your recipient. She can always upgrade. Now if you told me you purchased a $49.00 Singer, these days, I would say...WORRY! lol. The only bad thing about Walmart cheap sewing machines is they have a lot of plastic in them and they are not meant to be run hard and often. But for learning...I am sure it will be just fine. Blessings to you for sharing your love of sewing.

Hopefully she will have better luck with it than I did. I bought a Brother from Walmart some years ago, took it home, and after a couple of days of sewing, the needle was hitting the bobbin case every stroke it made. I took it back and told my husband I was going to buy a "real" machine! I've worked at JoAnn's in the past and was told that machines are made for different markets - the machines at Walmart are not the same ones sold at JoAnn's and the ones at JoAnn's aren't the same as the ones at other venues. You can't really do anything about your mother-in-law! Maybe it will be okay....

I would keep it. Brother is a reliable brand and this machine will be fine for a beginner and is inexpensive enough so that later, if/when she wants a more sophisticated machine, she won't feel bad replacing this one. You're an experienced sewer and feel you've gone the "cheap" route but in a way, your MIL may be right. No one knows if the niece will actually LIKE learning to sew, and if not, why spend more on something that will just gather dust?

What Chasing Hawk said would work for me, too. I am SOOOO glad my MIL was not like yours. I hope you don't have too have much contact with her...sounds like a drain on good spirits (and I don't mean alcohol when I say spirits) and energy. You DEFINITELY have my sympathy. I would also do my own thing and not include them in any more discussions of who buys what for whom. (Yes, I went through that with my own mother. I just get what I want for people and don't give a rip what SHE thinks. It is, after all, a gift from ME.)

Well, it seems to me if they wanted you to buy it yourself, the gift is from you, and not them, so you should be able to buy what you want. I'd try it out, like others have said, but if it doesn't measure up to what you want, I'd exchange it, regardless of what MIL says!

Relatives like this is the reason DH and I just send Christmas cards and say hope you have a great Christmas at home.


Every cheapskate, buy crap to save a penny person I have ever met were joyless souls. I stay far away from them as possible.

I have found all the new machines made of plastic are not worth taking off the shelf. I say hang onto receipt. And keep your eyes open for a good older Brother or Singer to replace it with hopefully before Christmas.My favorite Christmas present when I was 13 was a used Brother -she is 61 yrs old and I've had her for 44 yrs She still sews like a dream.She is all metal parts-- easy to maintain--easy to adjust and She has never been to a repair shop.Check out your local repair shops-2nd hand stores and even Craigslist. Make the learning to sew about sewing and not a machine repair class.

I would take it back and find a good vintage machine. They are always around and you can't beat the reliability! She might like a little 99 or a Spartan, depending on what she is going to sew. I love my little babies for piecing, as well as for garment construction.

I learned to sew on a Brother machine when I was a teen. My mother had it and used it making clothes for the 4 of us children. Brother Sewing Machines are work horses. I even bought one for myself and I use it for sewing and repairs. You can't go wrong buying a Brother machine for her . Once she gets used to it, then she can upgrade to a more exspensive machine with all the bells and whistles.

Do you have a good place you could buy a refurbished older machine? Since your niece wants to learn to sew then I would consider buying a good refurbished machine for what you paid for the Wall-Mart one. I can understand your MIL's concern that if this niece is only learning she may find she doesn't like to sew (heaven forbid) so why spend a lot of money? My youngest daughter tried sewing and doesn't sew now - I tried to give her one of my FW's for mending and she turned me down (she is 28). My husband's mother was good at finding something cheaper than the one you want. When DH and I got married he wanted a specific electric razor, but was willing to settle because the one he wanted was $50.00. One thing my dad told me was get the one you want or you will not be truly happy with your purchase. That does not mean to buy the most expensive but do your research and buy the one you want. He kept that same razor for 20 years because he could replace the blades when needed. You will be happy and more likely to keep it longer. But depending on age my MIL was born in 1926 and truly grew up during the 1930's which was not an easy time anywhere.

Does your niece know what she wants? Does she want multiple stitches? Or just go straight and reverse? I did read the reviews on line and they were not horrible. One person said she did not believe it was a good machine but everyone else said they would recommend it. So once she gets more advanced and ready for a better machine she can do the research and decide what her needs will be. Just let her know threading the machine properly, putting the bobbin in going the correct direction and replacing the needle the correct direction will make a huge difference in the was the machine will perform. And if it really does not perform well, then she can return it.

OOH what yucky people. You just do whatever you want. You are the angel in the family.

I say go ahead and let her learn on the cheaper Brother--maybe it will last long enough to show her whether or not she wants to go somewhere with her sewing (or quilting); but do encourage her to be on the look-out for other machines--I have a friend who started out on a Brother and now owns the best Janome makes, top of the line, she bought it used from a friend of the family whose wife had died and he just couldn't face having her sewing stuff all around him. If she is a good "reading learner" just make sure she gets all the printed information that came with a used machine like that. It does my heart good to see a young person take an interest in sewing.....

Do what your heart tells you to do. It is not the price but the thought! In the future, I would keep them out of the mix.

All manufacturers make the same machine in 'good' 'better' and 'best' so the Brothers in Wal-Mart are not the same Brothers in Jo-Ann's usually. Knowing that I think I would have bought the next model up. If she really gets into sewing having a machine with limited options won't do her much good.
Saying that... I did buy a Brother from Wal-mart when my old one die. The most expensive mechanical there as I sew little. Because it is all plastic it is loud and has little weight and sounds like I'm going through the floor with it as we have hardwood floors throughout. It does gets the job done but I would want a better machine if I sewed a lot.

Like others have suggested - take it out of the box and try it.

It will probably seem very "puny" next to your new Bernina, BUT

If the machine has a decent straight stitch and zigzag stitch and the tension behaves itself, she can make many things.

Sometimes, simpler really is easier to learn on and operate.

As far as the opened box goes, just tell your niece that you wanted to make sure that it worked properly before you were comfortable giving it to her.

From your comments, wonder what MIL and SIL were planning to give her for the other sewing supplies?

Open it, try it and if it works OK it will be a good one to start sewing on. She can then decide what she wants. Sometimes learning to sew and learning a complicated machine at one time might turn her off. She can keep the WM one for spare if she decides she wants to sew alot.
Your good to care about her and offer your help for her to learn, that will mean so much to her and you will get to spend tme with her while she is learns. Let us know how it turns out.

I love my brother sewing machines. I have 3 of them. Customer service is great if you have any issues. This will be a great starting machine and if she wants to buy a bigger and better one later then you can help her pick one of those out. Remember its not the price its the thought of the gift.

Jeanne,
You are a very kind and generous person - I know this. You sent me a kit last year when I was needing something to sew on.....and even was generous enough to tell me to let you know when I wanted another one!
I hate the idea that you feel bad about something you are doing for someone. Does the niece know that she is getting a machine? If she does, ask her if she would rather have a NEW inexpensive machine to start on - or if she would rather that same money go for a used, better machine. Let her choose. If she doesn't know she's getting it, wait until after Christmas, and ask her. Let her know that you had a certain amount set aside for her gift, but you couldn't decide what she would rather have - new or better. You could explain to her the differences in functionality and durability of the older machines versus the newer ones. If she chooses used, take it back and let her help you find her a good used machine.
Just, please don't feel bad about doing something so kind for someone.
Carol B

Since the MIL and SIL don't want to go in on the cost of the machine I would buy her the one that you think is best and make sure she knows it's from you. You can tell her that you want to make sure she has a proper sewing machine to learn on, and you would love to teach her how to sew and work on the machine. I made the mistake of buying a cheap machine when I started quilting, and got so frustrated and fed up with the machine I didn't want to quilt anymore. Then my husband bought me my Bernina and I was a happy sewer again.

Your MIL sounds crabby! Don't let her take your joy out of giving a gift!