Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums > Main
Need Your Opinions Please >

Need Your Opinions Please

Need Your Opinions Please

Old 06-07-2010, 10:13 AM
  #1  
Super Member
Thread Starter
 
KatFish's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Indiana
Posts: 2,062
Default

I am looking to buy a new sewing machine. The one a have is a very cheep Singer and it is now making a really loud noise. Since it is so cheep I think I would be money ahead to just replace it. I'd like to stay in a budget of around $300-$400. I would like to be able to use it to FMQ. Can I get a machine to do that in my budget amount. Any suggestions would be appriciated.
KatFish is offline  
Old 06-07-2010, 10:40 AM
  #2  
Pam
Super Member
 
Pam's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Southern Illinois
Posts: 3,672
Default

I always recommend thrift stores and yard sales. Usually these are older machines that have all metal parts that you can learn to clean and service yourself. Most of these machines have already outlived one owner, and like a parrot are looking for someone to take them in.

I am sure there are lots of machines that will fit into your budget, old or new, happy shopping!
Pam is offline  
Old 06-07-2010, 10:43 AM
  #3  
Super Member
 
hobo2000's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Boonsboro, MD
Posts: 2,670
Default

On Ebay you can get a really good Singer FW for that or less
hobo2000 is offline  
Old 06-07-2010, 10:49 AM
  #4  
Super Member
Thread Starter
 
KatFish's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Indiana
Posts: 2,062
Default

Does the feather weights have the drop and sew bobbins or are they all in that bobbin case that is really hard to figure out without thinking really bad words. I jhave a Older singer that my brother gave me for free but I cant get the bobbin back in the little metal thing, and when I get it in it, I can't reach down under the machine with my too short fingers to get it working.
KatFish is offline  
Old 06-07-2010, 10:51 AM
  #5  
Super Member
Thread Starter
 
KatFish's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Indiana
Posts: 2,062
Default

Originally Posted by Pam
I always recommend thrift stores and yard sales. Usually these are older machines that have all metal parts that you can learn to clean and service yourself. Most of these machines have already outlived one owner, and like a parrot are looking for someone to take them in.

I am sure there are lots of machines that will fit into your budget, old or new, happy shopping!
I am planing to look this weekend for the town-wide rummages.
KatFish is offline  
Old 06-07-2010, 10:58 AM
  #6  
Super Member
 
hobo2000's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Boonsboro, MD
Posts: 2,670
Default

Yes they have the side bobbin but the little table lifts up and it is so easy to insert & takeout the bobbin case. It is quiet and you can repair them yourself.
hobo2000 is offline  
Old 06-07-2010, 11:05 AM
  #7  
Super Member
Thread Starter
 
KatFish's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Indiana
Posts: 2,062
Default

Thanks. That does sound easy. :D
KatFish is offline  
Old 06-07-2010, 11:22 AM
  #8  
Pam
Super Member
 
Pam's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Southern Illinois
Posts: 3,672
Default

The featherweights are too tiny to do FMQ. Look on the machines to see if you can drop the feed dogs. I saw a machine here at a yard sale that looked like it was from the 60's, the cabinet looked very nice. I already have 9 machines so I kept driving, but I sure wanted to go back!

I would think that if you are willing to go used you should be looking at less than $100. I would then take it to have professionally cleaned and have a tune up, after that you should be able to take care of it yourself.
Pam is offline  
Old 06-07-2010, 11:29 AM
  #9  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 959
Default

You can also ask at local quilt shops......they often have machines that people have traded-in.
Many ladies at UFO days, have purchased the Janome Gem and they love the machine.
Nana2Sew is offline  
Old 06-07-2010, 01:02 PM
  #10  
Super Member
 
weezie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Douglas County, GA
Posts: 1,722
Default

I can only tell you what I would do (because I can ... it is available to me). I would go to my local sewing machine dealer with whom I've dealt for nearly 30 years and look at his refurbished machines. I've bought them before ... and have gotten what were very expensive machines when they were new, at the price of a cheap one, but these previously owned ones are trade-ins, have been serviced by the shop and are a wonderful bargain. The key to this is to have a dealer that you trust ... both to tell you the truth and to be knowledgeable about what machines he sells.
weezie is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Prettiptibbs
Pictures
127
11-28-2012 04:19 AM
CajunQuilter2
Pictures
57
07-12-2011 05:25 PM
Buckeye Rose
Main
17
07-09-2011 05:45 PM
QuiltnCowgirl
Main
4
01-03-2011 06:33 PM
QuiltedComforts
Pictures
44
12-12-2010 02:54 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


FREE Quilting Newsletter