Can't afford top of the line right now, but I want one that works and won't break easily.

-- all I really need is one that does the basic stitch, though other stitches would be nice
-- good quality so it doesn't jam or break easily
-- should be able to use a quilting foot (so does that mean it has to be able to do a quilting stitch as well?)
-- prefer not to go over $300, prefer to pay $200 or less, if possible
-- MUST BE NEW. I don't care how good a used one is, I don't want used.
-- will be used for regular sewing and maybe upholstery sewing as well as quiltmaking

I'm in no rush. I can take time to research and wait for sales/deals. Seems like a good idea to start my research now, though.

What do you use? How do you like your machine?
What do you recommend for me, given my requirements above?
What should I stay away from and why?

All I have ever used is a simple Singer, cost about 100.00. Never any problems.

Thanks, marsye. How long ago did you buy your Singer?

I remember when they were the name in sewing machines, but I've heard so many people say their quality has really declined.

Lisa...I bought my first 'real' machine from Hancock's...a Janome 3022 and it is still perfect. Very basic for I didn't want all the bells and whistles just wanted to sew, sew, sew!:)I even quilted on this w/several of my quilts....which took a good deal of talent in rolling the sides of the quilt to squeeze it in...but, it did a great job. I still love to piece on this one and now have to fight the kid over it sometimes:)I picked it up on sale there for $299...sounds like your kinda price:)And it's a toughie:)Skeat

Here is mine
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...sewing+machine
I've had it for a year and a half now, and it is sweet - needle up/down, stitch in place to lock edges, and lots of fun stitches. I got it on sale for a little over $200, but they raised the prices afterwards.

I like the threader, and how quiet and well-behaved it is. The Janome tag on it would make it the Red Machine.

I think any basic Singer or Brother would do you well Walmart has some nice machines and not too fancy. I got my new Brother there for $130. It has 50 stitches and is electronic. I love it. I still have my older Singer which I bought accessories for quilting. You can usually buy accessorites for most machines on line.

http://www.consumersearch.com/sewing-machines

Check out some reviews - that's what I did when I bought mine.

I have a low-end Brother to lug around. The gals at work have Janomes and they love them.

It sounds like you have a list of requirements.

Happy shopping,

[quote=Lisanne]Thanks, marsye. How long ago did you buy your Singer?

I've had this one about 9 years.

Whatever you get, I would highly recommend one that has infinitely variable stitch width and stitch length adjustments. If you ever get into invisible machine applique, you will thank me for that recommendation! Basically it just means that you have a dial available to adjust width in as small an increment as you want, and another dial available to adjust stitch length in as small an increment as you want. Avoid machine that give you fixed stitches with unadjustable length and width.

Needle-down is a feature that most quilters really like, but I don't think you can get it in your price range.

You might be able to get some needle positions, though -- meaning you can adjust the needle to the left or right of center.

I'd probably go to Sears for the type of machine you are looking for.

Thanks for all your answers!

The salespeople I've spoken to make it sound like low-end machines are made so poorly, they'll break right away. How much of a difference in quality have you noticed with machines with plastic vs. metal parts? Bobbins for example.

Prism99, your suggestions of features I might really want is very, very helpful. I don't need every fancy stitch, but I do want a certain level of functionality. Your info is a great guide!

MadQuilter, thanks for the link. Those reviews will really help.
It's not that I have a list of requirements. I'm trying to keep that to a minimum because I do have a price limit. Mainly I want a reliable machine. Once I know what I'm doing on a basic machine, then I'll probably have that list of requirements.

marsye, thanks again! Nine years works for me.

Darlene, I'd love to just get one from Wal-mart. Years ago I got one for $99 from a Wal-martlike store and the thread immediately tangled in the bobbin area and somehow broke something... I thought it was my fault, but too many people have told me over the years that that is common with cheap machines. I'm trying to avoid that happening again. Though your post and marsye's are reassuring.

Moonpi, thanks for reminding me about Sears! Of course I was aware that they have sewing machines, and Kenmore is a reliable brand.

Skeat, I'd never even heard of Janome until a month or so ago, but everyone I talk to who has one seems to be happy with theirs.

If anyone has other suggestions about features I really need, I'd like to hear them. Also more experiences, good and bad, with your machines.

I have had two brother machines. The first I got off of Overstock.com it is a XR-7700, it's on there now for 149. I love it. The second I got from Craigs list, it's a Brother-Disney 270D, I love that one too!

For the money you can't beat Sears Kenmore machines being made now. They are made by White who makes Janome. For $300 you can get a Kenmore with more features than any other low end big name machine. I had the opportunity to sew on the high end computerized Kenmore and it sewed like a dream. It will be my next machine purchase if I ever need another machine.

I have 3 Brother machines all from Wal Mart. The 1st is I think the 2175 a VERY basic machine, but a work horse. i only paid 75.00 for it. The 2 is the Disney 270D I have only done some machine embroidery on it. paid 399.00 and the last one is the CS6000i, for about 199.00.(I just went and checked it is now down to 179.00) I do almost everything on the last machine . I have had very good luck with my Brothers :lol: The 6000 has needle down, came with a quilting table (?) extra feet, needle left, right or center. Adjustable stitch length, walking foot. Good luck with your machine search, there are a lot of good ones to choose from
Sharon

If you are serious about sewing, quilting, doing upholstery then I would look carefully at machines and take your time.
Also, do not rule out used machines...
Most of us update our machines and our loss is your gain...you get a great running, serviced, loved machine at alot less than retail.
I would get a machine that you could grow into.
Maybe a bit fancy for you now but one that you wouldn't have to replace in a year of two because your skills and sewing desires have expanded...
Buy the best machine you can afford.
Viking, Pfaff, Brother, Janome, Babylock...and probably a couple of others I can't remember are all very good machines.
Kirsten

Okay, so my next question is from Kirsten's post. What features would someone want once their skills grow? Because I'm not going to care about fancy stitches.

The features prism99 mentioned seem to be things even a beginner would want. So my question is more what features, besides stitches, would a more advanced sewer crave?

Thanks for the new answers! I'm collecting all these.

Lisanne,
Good morning,
Welcome to this wonderful world of quilting sisters. Do you live nearby a Joanne fabric store?

Bettia

Never say never. I thought I'd never use fancy stitches but I'm sure glad mine machine has them now. I use them on place mats, potholders, aprons, totes, purses, etc.

I have a Kenmore computerized machine that is about 10 years old now. It was top of the line when we bought it. It is wonderful. I've made clothes, diapers, sewn on canvas toolbox covers for dh, and am now making quilts on it. It has the card that goes in it but I never use it.

A large area throat is very important if you quilt yourself instead of sending to a longarmer.
My first quilting machine was a cheap Brother but it dosnt have needle down which is important.
My newer machine is a HV Shaphire 830 with everything except embroidery. I love it. It cost 1100 when it first came out.
My Brother was 129 at Tuesday Morning.
My quilting improved alot with the better machine.

Bettia, yes, I'm near a JoAnn's. Why?

Bella, I anticipate the day when I'll want a high-end machine, but I'd rather get the lowest-price one I can for now, and once I'm sewing regularly and employed again, I'll be more aware of what I want in a high-end machine. So it makes no sense to me to buy a low-end one with fancy stitiches. (One day I'll want a serger..)

Understand, everyone, I originally posted this in the non-quilting section of the board, because I wasn't specifically looking for a sewing machine to quilt with. It got moved here via the wisdom of our moderators, but I plan to use it primarily for sewing, not quilting.

Rose Marie, I undertand why needle down is desirable, but why do you say it's important?

Regardless of what you get, it is important that you test drive. Just because it's cheap does not mean that it will make you happy.

I understand your financial restraints but even in your budget, you can aim for the best machine in that price range. Nowadays, even the low end machines have some bells and whistles. A machine that has some basic necessities will last you longer than a bare bones one you'll outgrow in a month. I played the "I wish it had.." game with an early machine and decided to REALLY do my research.

We have had a few threads on machines on the QB and one of them may help you identify potentially necessary features

http://www.quiltingboard.com/posts/list/20538.page

Enjoy :lol:

As I said in an earlier post, my first choice for this type of machine would probably be Sears. Take a wide assortment of fabrics with you to try out on their machine -- everything from stretchy lingerie fabric to denim. You want a machine that will hold its tension and not require adjustment even if you are moving from one type of fabric to another. Take a quilt sandwich with you too. The machine should be able to make a good-looking stitch on a quilt sandwich, top and underneath, with you only having to make the stitch length longer.

The samples that the store provides you with are usually stiff. Starched/stiff fabrics will always show a better stitch quality. That's why you want to bring your own fabric samples. If you can stitch on a single layer of muslin and then continue on to two layers of denim without having to make tension adjustments, that is a machine that won't drive you crazy with tension adjustments. A stretch stitch foot may be necessary when using the stretch stitch on the machine too.

Incidentally, the best way to examine stitch quality is with a wide zigzag. When technicians make adjustments to a machine's stitch balance, they do that by examining the zigzag stitch. If the zigzag is good, the straight stitch will be good too. Zigzag on all of your different materials and examine the stitch quality. You can clearly see a bad stitch when the tips of the zigzag are either pulling the bobbin thread up or the top thread down.

Pay attention to the sound of the machine also. I don't like machines that make loud "clunky" sounds. A decent machine may be noisier than my Bernina, but it won't actually sound "clunky".

In terms of stitches, these days you really want to have at least one "stretch" stitch (for sewing on stretchy fabrics such as tricot) and a blind hem stitch (for invisible machine applique). Also, if you can get it, you really want the ability to "mirror image" these stitches. For example, the blind hem stitch is great for hemming curtains but you want to be able to reverse its direction in order to do invisible machine applique for quilts. I'm not sure if mirror imaging is available on lower end machines, but you can always ask. Stretch stitches and the blind hem stitch are usually classified as "utility" stitches.

The one decorative stitch I really, really like is the feather stitch. You can do a lot of variations on it just by adjusting stitch width and stitch length. If you Google feather stitch images, you will see what I mean. I am not as fond of other decorative stitches. Scallops, for example, take a lot of thread and lot of time to sew out.

Find out what feet come with the machine. See if they will throw in a walking foot for free. (Walking feet tend to be more expensive than other feet.) A darning foot is good for free motion machine quilting, an open-toe applique foot is helpful for invisible machine applique, and the walking foot is useful for both clothing construction and quilting. A zipper foot is helpful, obviously, for inserting zippers in clothing (although you need a different type of zipper foot for invisible zipper applications).

I checked allbrands to see what they have going on. (Not that I'm a big fan of the company, but they are a great resource to check and compare specs.)

Found a real nice Janome that has a bunch of features you would need as a quilter. Something worth entertaining IMHO.

http://www.allbrands.com/products/abp11666-1151.html

I find it helpful to have a base line.

My dh bought me a Janome for Christmas a couple of years ago and I LOVE it. Never a problem with it. Mine is the QC6019 that I got on sale for slightly more than what you want to spend, but they have models that are not that expensive with slightly fewer features in your price range. And you get the support of the dealer...a nice addition.

Kenmore offers some great machines with alot of features for good prices under $300.

I updated to a Janome 6600...they have one level up from that-that does embrod.! But, I have that w/my mom's so didn't opt for it for mine. Loooove it:)Good part of having both for me is I can set up quilting on one while piecing on my other...and my lesser janome does have needle down (good point someone brought up and so is everyone else's...Kirsten is right on too)you can pull up most of these online sites for the homepage of different brand sewing systems and see the different choices along w/what you want , etc.....great ideas in doing this...

oops...posted before I was finished (my flash of a finger!) I love my presser foot lifter w/my knee...great for doing appliques and you don't have to take your hand off your work to do circles...like the needle threader on it, espec love the thread cutter...like the drop bobbin...so easy to have it set in place..very easy to change out feet by a push of a button and they drop off...snap the new one on (and, they come w/many too)...oh, and the speed.....just to say a few things I like:)...whew, I need some water now:)LOL Skeat

Also look at sewvac.com -- they have really nice prices and quick shipping.

I think the needle down is nice when you are sewing say a corner / circle or angle and need to move (turn) the fabric without losing your spot. Does that make sense ?
Sharon

Sharon, thanks, that is a useful feature of needle down (besides the safety factor).

Mad, I agree 100%. That's why I'm trying to get a sense of what's important to look for in a low-cost machine.

Mad and Prism, thanks for the tip about test driving. I hadn't known you could. I will never, ever sew stretchy material. I absolutely despise the stuff and one major reason I want to sew is because it's very hard to find anything these days that hasn't been made with the wretched stretchy stuff. But I'd like it to work for muslin, cotton, linen, denim, maybe thicker upholstery fabric.

Prism, I'm saving your helpful info. Some of it is far over my head. What are tension adjustments?

Skeat, thanks, you've given me even more to consider.

sewjoyce. thanks for the link. I'll check it, but I rarely shop online. Definitely won't buy a machine or electronics online.

mamaw, minstrel, anyone else I can't find, thanks for the recommends. This is all going to go into a Word doc, sorted through, etc. Seems like Sears Kenmore and Janome are the most frequently mentioned.

There's a store near me that sells Janome and Baby Lock. The salesman strongly prefers the Baby Lock, even among models at the same price. Any thoughts about Baby Lock?

Another vote here for the Kenmore. I got mine in 1991. Eighteen years and still running smooth! It has 12 stitches, of which I've used 2 (straight and zigzag). No electronics. I mainly sew on cotton, but have also used it for heavy denim, upholstery fabric, and woven linen. Wide variety with no problem. I've machine quilted on it a couple of times, but the space between the body and needle area is not big enough for anything larger than a crib size. Fine with me since I prefer handquilting. DIdn't come with a walking foot, but not expensive to buy separately. Hope this was helpful. Good luck!

I vote for a Kenmore also. My "Kenny" has been going strong for 40 years plus. My parents bought it when I was 11, not much "work" was done on it until the kiddies came along when I was 21 - and has been going every day since. All three of my kids sew - the 2 boys included! A true workhorse! It's specs are: Sears Kenmore 1400 ZigZag Sewing Machine, Model 15814001

I also managed to find a walking foot for it - at our local Sears - for $20.00! :D

The top thread and the bobbin thread have to work together to form an even stitch with the interlock buried in the fabric. To achieve this, the amount of tension on the top thread and the amount of tension on the bobbin thread need to be appropriate for the type of fabric you are working on and the type of thread you are using.

For example, if you want to machine quilt with invisible nylon thread, you want to reduce your top tension because nylon thread is stretchy. Reducing the amount of tension on it makes sure it doesn't stretch too much while you are stitching and pucker your fabric.

Or, if you are doing decorative work you might want to use a heavier thread on top and reduce the tension on it so it goes through the needle without too much drag.

A heavier thread used in the bobbin may require the bobbin tension to be loosened so the thicker thread can flow easily.

All of this information will be in the manual that comes with your machine. If you are always sewing on the same types of fabrics (cotton) with the same types of thread (regular weight), then you may never need to adjust tension.

Oh, and I wanted to mention that the presser foot lifter (you use your foot to lift or drop the presser foot) is available as an add-on for most machines. I probably wouldn't make that a requirement for the machine you buy if you can add it on later. Not sure that machines in your price range come with it anyway.

lisanne, here is another thing to take into consideration: i have nothing against wal mart but they do NOT have a service department for sewing machines or anything else for that matter. i would never buy a sewing machine from any other place except a dealer who has a repair service available to their store. you would not want to have to ship your machine back to the manufacturer in no telling where with today's postage rates. i guarantee you would pay at least $50.00 in shipping one way and possibly more. so if you have a local quilt shop that sells AND services machines, you would be money and aggravation ahead to buy from them. all machines have good and bad features, some you would use and some you wouldn't, but all machines sometimes have a lemon in the bunch. i have 2 Janomes and absolutely love them both. one is a lightweight gem platinum, it was about $300 - only weighs 12 pounds and i can easily carry it to classes etc. then of course have the 6600 for home use that does everything but make your morning coffee.
good luck in your search.
donna

Thanks for the new posts, fokls!

Prism, thanks again for your wonderful explanations. I so appreciate these. I don't want to hope this info will be in my manual. I want to know ir beforehand so I can decide whether to consider it in choosing a machine.

Dojo, your point about buying from a place that will service the machine is something I've been thinking about. That's what I want, because I'm hard on any kind of machine (computer, car, toaster...). it's soooo tempting to buy the $79.95 model, which sounds just fine, but I know for a fact that I'll run into problems.

One thing you didn't mention, but I can see it'd be a big help, is to have a kitty who will hold down the material. :)

oh i know, can you believe that kitty? she is a pest for sure. she can just hear my sewing machine running and here she comes! i rescued her from the street - (homeless and hungry) and look at her now - she's 3 years old and weights in at 14 lbs 8 ozs. she's very smart - she will give you FIVE (when she wants to of course) and knows how to play PENCIL, she gets on the table on top of my newspaper and grabs the pencil and throws it on the floor and i have to say UH OH, pick it up and give it back to her to throw again - u know - kinda like a baby in a high chair when they learn how to do that with their spoon.

Sears should give me a commission. Some of the stitches on mine let me fix bras, edge t-shirt knits, and other stuff. It also does heirloom stitching, which I didn't think I would use, but it makes quick work of darning my roommate's jeans. I don't create a lot of clothes from scratch, but I do a lot of alterations of thrift shop finds. Works fine on any task I've asked of it.

I also like to do some home dec stuff, and it did a great job on lined Roman Shades. Another feature I love is the jam-free bobbin. It will stop and beep instead of developing rat nests, so I think in the long run, that will result in less shop time.

I bought my Singer at wall-mart 12 years ago and it's still going strong!!

Good point about repair service. If you decide on a Kenmore, Sears does do rtheir own epair/tune-up service.

Oops . . . please excuse my little hiccup there. :wink: