Looking for a reliable backup machine
 

I am looking for a reliable backup sewing machine for those times that mine is in the shop getting a tune up or heaven for bid has an issue. I will search craigs list and my local vendors but am wondering if anyone has any suggestions about a machine and about what it should run. I am just looking for something to do piece work - nothing fancy.

thanks in advance!

How about a Singer Featherweight 221. Get one of the older ones, not the new plastic ones. They are small, very portable, very reliable. They do a straight stitch, that's it, but is great for piecing. I've gotten all mine from eBay for less than $225 (which included shipping & handling), or you can get one from a reliable dealer for $350-$400.

If you want a newer machine that has a few bells and whistles, the Janome Jem is a good one, as are the Berninas. My suggestion is to start looking around and trying out the machines.

Check with your local Sewing machinee dealer for a used one. sometimes you can get a good bargain if they have a machine they took on a trade in.

You need to determine how much you have to spend before getting carried away!!! The Featherweights are wonderful machines (I have one) but their smallness is sometimes a liability too.

Also, check local shops for school buy-backs. Sometimes the schools don't take the machines they order and you can get a very good machine for bargain prices.

Schools don't order machines anymore, at least not in this area. The machines are bought by the teacher out of her budget for the class. The ding dong teacher here, bought one embroidery machine with her home ec part of the budget even though most of the machines are broken or non working, all plastic portables. She said she wanted the machine for the class to do monogramming on bought clothing but the kids weren't allowed to use it, only her. A few parents complained but nothing was done about getting the machines fixed. :thumbdown:

May also be able to find one at a thrift shop. Just give it a good look over. Check your local newspaper, my friend got a Featherweight for $50.00. One of the relatives couldn't get it to work and gave her a garbage bag full of scraps and parts to the machine were thrown in. She said she made out like a fat rat and she did. The machine's bobbin case wasn't in correctly. needed cleaning and she's been using it for about 6 months. She love's using it. Just gotta look!

my faithful back up machine is a 1956 singer 99-K...picked it up for $20...it stitches the most perfect straight stitch imaginable- is a little work horse- I love it!...best $20 I've ever spent! when I bought it made a large lonestar and for the first time ever ---every single point is perfect, every seam meets perfectly- it is my 'dream machine' (I do have a nice $800+ Janome that is a nice machine too) but for a nice straight stitch- piecing machine the singer is great.

I was hoping not spend more than 350.00 - I will start looking around. I was so upset when I thought I would have to go a weekend without sewing. My husband got a good laugh outta that one! He was able to fix my issue and I was up and running again. I do not want to be there again!

I have a brother sq9050 that I love and it runs around $240 at walmart. It comes with all the quilting feet too.