Back up sewing machine
 

I already have an embroidery sewing machine. However, I need a back up sewing machine for when my embroidery machine is in use. Only thing is, I would like to know if any of you out there could give me some feedback on a machine that would be under $300. I just need a basic stitch machine. Any ideas? Thanks.

i have this one
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Brother-Co...S6000I/4764726
you can't really get a quilt under arm, though

Would you consider a used machine, one with more features but less cost? If so, check your LQS's and quilting guilds.
I have also seen some really nice machines at estate sales.

Personally, I'd take my FW over anything else if I had a fancier machine. and ... it didn't cost that much. I consider it an investment.

ali

A vintage machine would be your best choice. A Singer 301, 401,501, FW etc. ALL can be purchased for under what you're looking to spend. Any other new machine in your price range will not compare in quality. :>

I went to a 2nd hand store and bought a Kenmore sewing machine for $5. It came with instructions and a box of extra feet and parts. It worked great but a month later the 2nd hand store called and said a lady was there looking for an inexpensive sewing machine to use to make uniforms for her son's school. So, I sold it to her for $5. I already have 2 sewing machines and knew this was the right thing to do. But check out 2nd hand stores.

I have a singer 99K as my back up. Does the trick and sews just a nice as my Pfaff.

I use my Featherweight or Singer 301 and love sewing on both. I do have an inexpensive Singer in a box somewhere but haven't taken it out of the box since buying my Pfaff.

You might want to check your Yellow Pages - check for Sewing Repair Shops - we have one about 2 miles from where I live - the man is honest - has great prices & lots of machines to look at & try - I find they have better prices than your local LQS

There are really great used machines. Do some shopping at the dealers, repair shops, craigs list, good will etc.

My favorite is my featherweight! It sews a wonderful straight stitch and does well on multiple layers of even heavier fabrics like denim.

I also like the inexpensive Brother machine from Walmart. I passed mine on to a friend who did not have a machine. I had used it for over 3 years with no problems (other than broken needles from sewing over pins-my bad! or broken thread from letting it get wrapped around the spool pin when going too fast near the bottom of the spool).

Either of these would fit nicely into your budget. The Brother has several built in stitches including zigzag while the featherweight will only do a straight stitch unless you have the zigzag attachment.

My DD has one of these and loves it. Actually all 4 of my girls have brother machines, they all make quilts with them and a couple do other types of sewing too. so far no complaints or problems.

my 'back-up' machine is a 1956 singer 99-K; stitches like a dream- easy to maintain- goes to work/classes with me- cost me $20!
but if you want something new- i recommend the inexpensive brother machines from wally world- you can pick one up between $89 & $139---good basic machines- my granddaugter's have been using them for 6 or 7 years now- no complaints- they do what they need them to

I would look for a Singer 66, or Singer 99.. I love to listen to the way they purr.. I'm not big on cats. I'm a dog person, but these machines really purr..
Barri

I was going to say that the Featherweights are sweet little sewers and very portable, too!

I recently found an Elna Supermatic at our local thrift store for $34 (ok, my husband spotted it). The cord was frayed so I couldn't test it, but a quick trip to the guy who maintains my singer FW and $100 later, and it a dream machine! I love it for piecing, and it came with cams for zigzag and five other stiches. So check you local thrift shop!

If you go to classes, a Janome Gem Gold is perfect.

I have a brother SQ-9050 and a brother XL-3500I I would recommend both, you can get the SQ9050 at walmart

Brother has some nice ones with lots of stitches I have the cs6000i my Mom and Sis have the 9500 and SIL has the 9550 - none of us have had any problems with them, mine is 4 years old , Mom and Sis a year old and SiL just got hers - all under 200.00 when bought new

I went to my fabric/machines store where I had purchased the Brother Innovis 4500 D, and bought a less expensive Brother machine for my sewing room and to take to do projects. I went with a machine that would thread.......been great, and it was a little under $300.

I have the Brother SQ9000 sewing and quilting I got at Walmart. It comes with the walking foot and other extras you use in quilting. I have had mine for a little over two years and love it so far.

Can't go wrong with a vintage machine. Usually inexpensive, and very reliable.

I have 2 brothers I would agree in your price range they are the best! I don't have any experience with vintage machines but they recommend them as well on here

I bought both my machines from my mom. She was going to trade them in for new machines. I just payed her what the trade in would be. My machines have been wonderful. You could go to a dealer and see what they have used. I haven't priced machines in so long, I don't know what a used one would be.

If you can't find a good sewing machine repair person in your area, you are probably better off with one of the newer machines. I've heard great things about the simple Brother machines.

I was looking for a machine for my daughter, who moved across country to Denver, CO and wanted me to give her one of my old machines. Because of their weight and age, I tried looking first online for a repair person online in her new neighborhood but couldn't find one that had a good rating. I told her to check out Goodwill and any of the thrift stores in town to find one. She eventually stumbled onto an estate sale and got a beautiful Singer 15 for $50 with all parts and case. I sent her bobbins from my sewing machine guy in our home town, only to discover she had to move unexpectedly and left the machine behind.

So now I'm looking for her birthday, probably to send her one through an online source! There are a lot of good machines out there. Take your time and you will be surprised at what is available.

If you can find a Japanese 15 you can work on it yourself if you can follow directions in a manual. There are parts for them. They are CHEAP - they free motion and piece very well. Great machine. They do need a case or a cabinet. You catch and we'll help you clean it down at the Vintage Sewing Machine Shop - the only dumb question is the one you don't ask. http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...ml#post5049306 that's a link to the shop
Here is a link so you know what a Japanese 15 or a 15 clone looks like. http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...p-t164361.html On there, you can find pictures, manuals, repair manuals, videos - all kinds of info. The bobbins are cheap and easy to find - it takes regular needles. Do a bit of home work before you buy anything. You can find replacement motors, foot pedals, lights, bobbin winder tires, slide plates - what ever. They are heavy to haul around but they won't dance all over the place when you sew.

Also the Viking emerald 116 or 118 is nice sold one in your range. But definitely check out vintage or eBay or Craig list

I got a fantastic machine from Sears; it's a Kenmore/Janome. It has just enough fancy stitches and now that I have the fancy machine (Viking Ruby) this one I'll still keep for when it's busy and for taking to classes. It's so much lighter to carry. The good thing about with Sears; you can buy a warranty for it which includes maintenance on it.

GARAGE SALES!! believe it or not you can get a machine for as little as $5.00. I bought several machines at GSs and all but one worked and the one that didn't just needed a new switch which my DH fixed and with a little oil she was off and running!

I have a Brother CS6000i and really like it. However, I would go with a machine that is manufactured by the maker of your embroidery machine because their measurements are going to be identical, or closer to just a stand alone sewing machine. I learned the hard way many years ago to NOT use more than one machine when sewing blocks. The reason is that not all machines are equal, and even though you think you have a 1/4" seam, it might be just off enough to make it impossible to get the blocks sewn together without them being a bit wonky.

As to the CS6000i and not being able to quilt on it... Yeah, the area from needle to machine head is only about 6.5", but you can quilt in there if you want to. I use a Flynn frame on this machine, and can get the frame really loaded with quilted fabric in that tiny area. I also use the plain old, use the hands to stretch lightly and move the quilt.

I have the Janome 11000 Special Edition embroidery/sewing machine. It is too large and heavy for me to take to my quilting bee. I purchased a Jamone AQS2009 machine about 2 years ago. I LOVE THIS MACHINE!!! It is no longer available because it was a special edition machine made in 2009. A good friend of mine is getting back into quilting and she is looking at the Janome DC11050 which sells for $299.00. Check this machine out. It is small and compact. Has 30 stitches and feed dogs drop. It can sew through extremely thick fabric. My friend is ordering hers next week. Good luck with your choice!

Find a FeatherWeight! I spent $350 on mine but it is in pristine condition with attachments, manual, case and extras. It has been worth every penny I spent and then some.

Look at www.shopgoodwill.com . You'll be surprised what they have. There are 2 Featherweights on there right now for less than $300.00

My good sewing machine broke and I just bought a Brother CS-6000i sewing machine and it is really nice for the money. You can't beat it for the money. I am very pleased with it. It sews thru several fabrics and several battings at a time with no problem. The decorative stitching seems to work great too.

I have a Pfaff 2144 embroidery machine and I too wanted something for a back up machine. I chose a Singer 500. It does beautiful straight stitching, several combination fancy stitches by dialing different combinations and also has several cams that you can just pop in and make some very nice stitches. I chose it because it is the last of the machines that are all metal and no plastic parts to lose tension or break. I bought it on E-Bay under 200.00 and it has served me fantastically well.

Once you narrow your choice to the type you want, FW, 301 etc. check craigslist for your area. You can get some great buys and many have no idea about what they are selling, just want to be rid of it. I got a Viking Freesia for 110 from a fellow who was moving out of the country. I gave it to my DD and she is happy happy happy.

I have been using one of my Featherweight machines as a back up. However,I just bought an inexpensive Bernette 46 to take on trips with me. Still love the FW though!!!

the light weights (Walmart Brother) doesn't do very well with quilting. Janome makes really good Jems,

I use my FW a lot. Not much can go wrong with a FW. Think about what it will cost for the yearly tune up before buying.

I agree. Vintage machines are going out last any new one, and the stitches they sew are really really nice! new machines cannot compare to them.

I have a Pfaff 2054 (fancy stitches) - bought a Brother SE350 (sewing/embroidery) and then bought a larger Brother PE770 for the 5x7 emb field. The machine I use the most? - the little SE350 - it is light enough to carry around, has the automatic thread cutter, easy to set for that 1/4" seam, can "pop on" the embroidery unit if I want, uses any kind of thread I can throw at it, including bobbin, and the one I find myself turning to most often. I would especially recommend it for a young person just starting out.

Marysewfun