I have a local thrift store that sells TONS of sewing machines. All are $15-20 no matter what brand, etc. They had so many it made my head spin! LOL!

They had Berina's, Pfaffs, Janome, Husqvarna, Singer, and more!

I don't have a lot of money to buy a nice machine, so I think this is the way to go for me.

I have a Brother 9021 that my mom bought new that I love. It's my "main" sewing machine. Its a cheap machine, but I'm so comfortable with it, it works great for me.

I have an old White 966 that I am using for quiliting. It's the only machine I have that I can lower the feed dogs on. I like it, too.

I'm thinking, though, that I can get a REALLY great machine at that store. I didn't know enough about them to pick on out, so the only one I bought was a cute pink Sears Kenmore that was just TOO CUTE to pass up! There's a pic at the bottom of it. I gave $15 for it!

I'm going back tomorrow, and I want to get me a good one! I would like to have one that does embroidery also. So, can you guys recommend some brands and models of older, good machines for me to be on the look out for?

The picture is terrible, sorry about that. I was using my son's crappy camera.

where are you in Kentucky? I am in Elizabethtown and if I am close enough I would LOVE to visit this store sometime

If they will let you, take a few pieces of fabric, a drop cord, and some thread and sit and sew at a few. Explain to them that you want to try out the machines before purchasing and that you'll leave your practice piece at each machine so that others will see what that machine can do and they'll be able to sell them easier. They'll probably let you do it. Then pick out the best one and take it home.

You might even be able to work out a deal where if you do that on all the machines they'll pay you back by letting you take your pick at no charge. Tell them that if people could actually SEE what the machines are capable of that more would sell. Make sure you take contrasting thread and fabric. White fabric with red, blue, purple thread.

Wish i was in Ky !!

Husquvrna has embroidery machine but if it's the older model, can't find the cards for them anymore. see if it has any with them.

Bother has embroidery machines also . I think most of them have some sort of embroidery machines , but the question will be if that part works.

Happy shopping :thumbup:

Tell us where this store is so that if we're ever passing through..... I don't think any of us will run in and get the machine you want in the next few days. LOL

If I could get a Bernina for $15, I'd grab it quick. Ditto Pfaff and Janome. Raptureready is right. Ask them if you can sew on them. Different machines have a different "feel" and a different sound. You need to try them out.

What great deals! I love the pink machine :D:D:D

I check out our thrift stores too... looking for the perfect one to bring home with me :D:D:D

Wish I was driving to Kentucky today. But a bit far from Spokane area in WA. Sounds like a really great way to pick up some great sewing machines.

LOL! They have so many, there's probably enough for everybody, LOL!

Seriously, though, their stock changes FAST. What they have today won't be what they have next week. Which is great, but I've missed out on many good things, trying to come back and get it in a day or two instead of when I first found it.

The store is in Pikeville, Ky. The name is "Charity Thrift Store". Is it ok to post the address and phone number? If not, pm and I'll give it to you.

That place is HUGE. Its in an old CocaCola bottling plant. It's like a Walmart, LOL. They are pretty disorganized, too. But, its worth sifting through everything for the great stuff I've got there.

I got some Readers Digests from the 30's and 40's for 5 or 6 for $1.75! I then resold some on ebay for $10 each! They have tons of books, tons of old patterns, and even fabric sometimes.

There's one older man that works there, I think he's the "manager" or something, but he will make a deal with you. Once he sold me an entire big box of sewing stuff(patterns, fabric, notions, magazines,etc) for $5! The ladies that work there won't do that, but he will, so I try to find him whenever I go.

The one thing I don't like about them is their furniture. They are usually way overpriced on those type things. But, I don't usually buy stuff like that from there anyway, so its ok.

They also have TONS of name brand golf clubs for $2 each, if you golf or have a spouse who does! My Brother in Law got a whole set of some big brand name(I know nothing about them, lol) with a very nice bag for around $25.

The place is worth going to just for the books and sewing machines!

P.S. I just noticed in my original post that I made a typo, lol. I have a Brother XL2021, not a 9021. It won't let me edit it.

Wow, I wish I could find a store like that!!!!!!!
I love the older sewing machines, with real metal! I have an old Necchi that I love, some old Singers that are great, and a real pretty old Japanese model! Good luck finding a GREAT machine!