Cheap machine recommendations!
 

My old Singer works great for piecing. I found it in our basement about ten years ago. The tension has never been right and I can't machine quilt on it. Everything comes out messed up and the stitch lengths are always terribly uneven. I am planning on hand quilting my next project but between full time at school and a full time job, I would never get anything done if it were by hand. Does anyone own or know of a good machine I can look into for maybe $200-400? Pros and cons if possible. I'd go a little higher if I felt it were worth it. I'm a college student on a budget, help! :)

Are you looking for a machine to do FMQ or more piecing? I'm confused... :)

Is there somewhere where you can get maintenance on your old machine? Might be worth it.

If you are only thinking of piecing ... then instead of cheap go for a used machine or a featherweight. Cheap is as cheap is.

If you don't mind time payments then you can go look at what is new on the market. Pfaff, Viking, Janome, and Bernina all have low end machines that are workhorses.

Good luck in your search.

ali

I have the Brother cs6000i and it is an awesome machine- I have never did FMQ on it - but have pieced many quilts on it and quilted in the ditch and such on it - that machine is now less than 150.00

Do you need it to be portable ? If not check out the resale shops for an older machine that last forever :)

I just needed something that wasn't falling apart. I want something for FMQ. Because of student loans, I can't get financed for a nicer machine.

I also have a brother... mine is the xr9000. I bought it refurbished on Overstock and paid a grant total of $170, which included a 2 year replacement warranty and shipping. It is great for piecing and have FMQ two small baby quilts (the one on the left being one of them). It has started to get a little angry when I use a 100% cotton thread on it recently, but considering what I have spent on it it does pretty well. I did have a run in a few weeks ago (you can read about it on my blog) but it seemed to resolve itself. I agree that cheap is cheap, but sometimes cheap is the only option. This machine handles well enough and has 80 stitches plus basic block letter embroidering.
http://www.kenssewingcenter.com/brot...googleshopping

I'm confused. If your machine works fine for piecing, it should be fine for quilting also. Stitch length is determined by how fast you move the fabric, and how fast you run the motor, not by the machine's tension. Perhaps there's someone who can help you sort that out rather than spend money on a new machine?

You can check out machines on craigslist.

I have a Brother PC-420. I use it for making garments, piecing and quilting. The cost is around $400 and the optional extension table (nice to have for quilting) is an additional $50. This machine comes with a ton of feet including a walking foot and a fmq foot. It has a ton of stitches including alphabets for signing your quilt. Other nice features that are handy for piecing and quilting include a knee lift, automatic thread cutter, needle up/down button, adjustable presser foot pressure and of course drop feed dogs.

I also own a Brother ..in fact all of my machines are Brothers and I love them. Walmart sells machines and good prices.

Love my Brother from Wal Mart 10 years ago - has 70 different stitches - I can do FMQ, but it has a small throat. I did wavey quilting on my first quilt - a queen size. Anyway, it was just under $400 on a Christmas special, but I have not had one day of trouble with it. I used Consumers Guide and then started looking. Good luck - there are some nice, inexpensive machines out there.

I agree with Dunster. What model Singer do you have? Does it have a vertical or horizontal bobbin?

I have a "newer" machine (about 2 or 3 years old now) and hardly ever use it...I'll take one of my old vintage machines first!

I've purchased several mechanical machines most for $30. or less. (sorry, one was $43.) They ALL work and do what they were intended for. No frills on most but they do have decorative stitches which I've found over the years I've never had much use for...(hope to change that soon)....one, a Singer, has letters for monogramming. I haven't tried it but that one was $35. Most of your sewing is probably straight stitching....since you are still in school, you could save $170-$370 and buy a garage sale find. If you choose that route, be sure they let you test it out. The ones I bought are 30+ years old...but still sew! Be sure also if you hit the garage sales that even if you don't see any machines out, ask if they have one for sale. I got one that was owned by a relative of the person have the garage sale.....they contacted them and the relative brought it over....I tried it out and it was fine. She just never did much sewing. A couple of machines that I bought were relatively clean for their age and they sew just fine. I've also gotten a couple of sergers....they too work! The very first machine I got at a garage sale was tagged $20.00...I got it for $18.00. It was a Brother that I think sold at Walmart for $79.00....v e r y basic.....it only has 10 stitches and has a buttonholer.....I got it because it was still in the box....and like I said....I really mostly only need it for straight stitching.....good luck with your search.....and.... if you have $400 squirrled away to purchased a new machine, again, consider the garage sale find and keep squirrling away your money for a really nice one one day. (bells and whistles are awesome!!)

I lovemy brother pc420 for both piecing and FMQ. It's $420ish on amazon and comes with lots of attachments. I also love my vintage straight stitch only machines. If you don't need fancy stitches then a singer 15-91 might be for you.

I have a Brother portable I got about a year ago, that does 80 stitches and came with the extension table and all the presser feet and accessories. It weighs all of about 10 lbs so it's easy to tote to classes. Got it on Amazon for about $180. It does really well for piecing and SID on smaller quilts. I also have a Singer 501A that does heavier stuff. You might check Craigslist or your local thrift shops for used (but working) machines. Good luck!

I got my brother SQ9050 at walmart for 200. I have loved mine very much. I haven't FMQ on it but there are some on here who have

There are frequently machines listed on a yahoo group called "Sew its For Sale." I have a computerized machine (an older Janome MC 4800) but have to admit that I prefer to sew on my vintage Singer 15-91. No frills, straight stitch only, no automatic anything - but I love it - and it FMQ's beautifully. It is electric. I got it and the table it is in for $150. Many get theirs for less than that. You just have to check out the machine first to be sure all works (eventually the electrical needs to be replaced on these machines).

I did see a posting for a computerized New Home machine. My first machine was a New Home machine (it is a more basic model than this one). Still works as good as the day I got it, nice stitches, and I also used it for FMQing. Thought I would post a link/details in case this is of interest to you:

Here's a link to the Sew its For Sale site: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SewItsForSale/

Here is the info on the machine:

[h=2] FS New Home 31 Stitch Computerized Sewing Machine HF-3000 [/h] non smoking
no pets
paypal/personal check

I have an 8 year old excellent condition New Home Model 3000 sewing machine that has barely been used. It is totally computerised and is
a very nice little machine with many features. I am attaching the advertising write with its list of features. It is a great little machine for basic sewing and quilting, as it also sews horizontally.
It has been stored as a back-up machine for myself, and, as mentioned
has barely been used. In anticipation of selling it I sent it our for
cleaning and service check last month. This would also be a great machine for a student or young sewer as it is exceptionally complete, easy to thread. It also has a built in needle threader for anyone with mature eyesight.
The features are as follows:
New Home 31 Stitch Computerized Sewing Machine HF-3000
Features:
15 Needle Positions
Easy conversion to free arm
Fail-safe needle insertion
See-through bobbin cover for checking thread supply
One-hand side thread cutter
Easy lay-in threading
Horizontal spool pin for snag-free performance
Extra-high presser foot lift accommodates thick seams and bulky fabrics
SFS Superior Feed System 7-piece feed dog insures precise control of all fabrics
Free Arm for sleeves, cuffs and hard-to-reach areas
Quilting guide for parallel rows of stitches
Drop-feed for free motion applications, darning, attaching buttons
7 mm 1/4" stitch width for attractive designs
Built-in storage compartment
Halogen lamp provides bright swing area
Steady, consistent electronic speed control
Convenient carrying handle
Hard Cover
Touch Panel for stitch selection
LCD message and display screen
Computer Memory Program and combine sequences of up to 50 stitch patterns
Perfect one-step Sensor
Powerful DC motor for extra power
Built-in Needle Threader
Jam-proof
Top loading bobbin system for easy insertion, removal and cleaning
Whisper-quiet
Needle Up/Down Needle Automatically Stops Up for easy fabric removal or Down for quick pivoting your choice
Fail-safe needle insertion
Auto-declutch bobbin winding
See-through bobbin cover for checking thread supply

I am asking $175.00 plus postage. Local pickup is available also depending on your location. I am on the upper coast of Maine.

picture is in July machines folder.

diana thompson
[email protected]

Don't overlook older Kenmores either. I have an older mechanical one (about year 2000) that was under $200 when I obught it new and just keeps trucking along. It is now used to teach little girls sewing and machine use.

I did, and would again, look for a used machine. You can get a "better" machine for your money!

I am glad someone agrees with me about cheap being the only option. I'm so broke. I have dipped into my grocery money to buy fabric. If I had more time I would get a second job, but until school is done its not plausible. I don't mind spending $200 on something that will last me a year or two and I can upgrade when I have the means to.

And thank you to everyone for all the great ideas, I just need to explore a little bit more. Thanks!

When I am piecing you can't see the stitching in the finished quilts. But when I do the quilting, you see EVERYTHING. And I feel like I need to make my first machine purchase to start getting a feel for the market for web I eventually do step up and spend good money on a machine.

your machine may just need to be tuned up. think about what and how you use your machine before you purchase anything really cheap. i got one of those cheap computerized brothers (around $200) that are sold on amazon and walmart and did not have the best experience with mine. it came to a grinding halt and the brother repair shop told me it would be cheaper to get another machine than to have it fixed. so goes my venture into cheap machines. i purchased my machine from a wholesale auction house which sells clearanced merchandise from amazon, shop nbc, wal mart, etc.

but you can also get some great buys from craigslist. i got a free one the other day and there are 2 free one's on cl today but they are in cabinets and i do not have the space. however if you do decide to spring for a new machine, buy the best that you can afford now. spend you dollars wisely and do your research. you can also get good used machines (trade-ins) from your lqs or a dealer. just do the research and buy what you can afford.

my free cl machine. i haven't had time yet to tinker around with it.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]349486[/ATTACH]

I agree with everyone who said see if your machine can be tuned to perfection, and I also agree with those who praised a lower end Brother. I sew on three different versions of lower end mechanical Brothers and they are great machines. Not fussy about thread, fabric, etc. None of them has ever gone out of tension.

Ditto!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Brother Machines are wonderful. Walmart has them. Kenssewingcenter.com has nice refurbished machines, many brands. I've purchased 3 machines from that site. Sometimes he has free shipping.

I don't know what you want your machine to do, but I purchased a Brother Project Runway Limited Edition CE8080PRW at Walmart for my future daughter in law and liked it so much that I bought one for myself. It was well under $200.

I recently bought the Singer 401. It's over 50 years old but is a workhorse. I just love it. I also have a Bernina1008 but I still favor my Singer. I was able to purchase it on EBay, no extras, for $120.00 total.

I am not a big fan of the new machines; like many others, I vastly prefer the older mechanical workhorses. Whenever I have a machine serviced or when I'm talking to an OSMG, I ask them what their favorite models are. The Kenmore 158 always comes up along with the Singer Slant-o-Matics (301, 401, 500). I love the vintage Vikings of the 6000 series. I hear the old Pfaff 130s are good and I recently scored a Pfaff 1222e for $200. If you want to do FMQ, look for a vertical bobbin. You won't need fancy embroidery stitches.

Where to find them? I would most certainly start at a dealership for a good brand and look at the machines they have taken in on trade. I got my wonderful Pfaff 1222e at a Bernina dealer. It came completely tuned up, with accessories, and included the dual feed system that does not require a walking foot. But you have to be firm and look only at their used machines. Perhaps someone else can check them out while you study. ;-) Craigslist can be good but you'll need to have a SMG lined up and if you do, you should enlist him to help you with your research and search. They often have trade-ins available for sale too. Items from CL often must be serviced and you may have to pay for shipping if it's far away. I'd still prefer a nearby dealer anyday.

However, before I do anything at all, I would find out what model Singer you have, come back here and tell us what's going wrong. There are MANY people here who can help you solve your problem(s), and the older Singers were made to last and were easy to maintain. As an alternative, you can always take it to a repair guy, but he'll charge you for the service, of course. But it will certainly be cheaper than buying another machine ... and probably faster too.

Just my 2¢.

You might also check your local sewing machine stores for a nice trade in. You can sometimes get a very nice machine that way. Also they will be there to help you learn to use it. Good luck in your search.

wish you lived closer, I have a couple of older machines that are amazing for less than $100! Also look into the Janome Gems Silver. Usually found on ebay now, it is a newer machine, but my what a work horse!
AND get your old machine serviced. It might surprise you! Unless it is the 1970's touch n sew...OY...

I also have a Brother CS6000i machine. I used it to make over 100 denim quilts in the past 3 years, plus other sewing, both clothing and quilting, including Crazy Quilting with velvets and silks.
I thought I broke it. Took it to a Brother dealer who tried to sell me another machine.
When I took a Singerthat I inherited, for service at an old style service center, I mentioned the Brother, I was told "Bring it in. The estimate is free." They fixed my Brother CS6000i for $89. It needed adjustment, that was all. Before you give up on your current machine, try a GOOD Sewing Machine Service Center.
I highly recommend the Brother machine, though.

I also have a Brother CS6000i machine. I used it to make over 100 denim quilts in the past 3 years, plus other sewing, both clothing and quilting, including Crazy Quilting with velvets and silks.
I thought I broke it. Took it to a Brother dealer who tried to sell me another machine.
When I took a Singer that I inherited, for service at an old style service center, I mentioned the Brother. I was told "Bring it in. The estimate is free." They fixed my Brother CS6000i for $89. It needed adjustment, that was all. Before you give up on your current machine, try a GOOD Sewing Machine Service Center.
I highly recommend the Brother machine, though.

I had a Kenmore which was about 15 yr old and needed cleaning and adjustment. LQS started servicing these and selling Janomes-they wanted $98 to service it or would give me $20 as trade in on new Janomes which were on sale. I paid about $49 and got a new machine! It is very basic,but I already have a computerized machine and a serger,so it is used for straight stitching and as back up.

I think students get 20% off at Joanns!

I wouldn't buy a cheap machine, you would just have poor stitching/sewing same as you do now.
Save $$$ until you can buy a good machine. Search for a used, name brand machine.
I suggest Bernina, I have had Berninas for years and haven't had any problems.
I have a 150 QE that I piece with and I love it. I bought it used, about 10 years old.
You should be able to get one reasonable priced and it will last you for years.

I have two thoughts depending on how old your Singer is, if it is a vintage machine or just an older one. Does your feed dogs lower to FMQ? Are you putting the presser foot down to FMQ? Also when adjusting the tension on older non computerized machines the presser foot has to be down to adjust the upper tension. You know if the one you have is worth fixing. I agree with everyone here, there are lots of good machines out there that don't cost an arm and a leg. Good luck and happy Quilting.

I agree on this, I have been using it for everything including FMQ, the throat space isn't large and I wouldn't do a king size quilt on it but its perfect for throw, crib, or twin size and still purrs like a kitten! Can't beat the price!

this is the brother i have that just died. hmmmm... if that is approximately the repair cost, maybe i will get it repaired. i had looked the complaints for this machine up online and several have come to a grinding halt. i wonder what the problem is.

Trad-ins
 

I would look into trade-ins at local stores.....and or on ebay. I personally am very gun-shy of Craigslist because of everything I have heard....How about local Goodwill, Salvation Army and even Humanity stores.....and then find a GOOD local repair person, (worth his weight in solid gold)......I would go with an older Singer or Kenmore (Sears repair) old old companies worth their weight........or an old Palff or how about a solid Bernina......