Economic and basic sewing machine?
 

Hello,

I currently have a 1950's White sewing machine in a cabinet. It works great but I want something portable. Any suggestions on an economic and basic sewing machine? By economic I mean worth the price but won't break the bank. I don't need a computerized machine or anything like that. Thanks!

you could look for a featherweight... their popularity has caused the price to rise. but they are very portable and cute, too

Walmart has a Brother for $199. that many quilters around here are liking. (I think it is a Brother.) It even comes with a 1/4 inch foot!

Dina

I, too, would look for a FW. They can be had for a reasonable price if you are willing to be patient and diligent! Barring that, a small, cheap WM (or other big box store) machine would fit the bill. Then again, there are other vintage portable machines (99's come to mind) in bentwood boxes/cases that can also be had very reasonably and would also be a good choice.

I really like my little featherweights but before I got them I got a little Europro. It came from HSN and I have had it close to 5 years now. It doesn't get a lot of use but it is light weight, portable and has a zig-zag stitch and has the extension table. My sister has a portable Brother machine she got from Costco. She has had it for at least 15 years and uses it a lot. I asked her what the model was and she just said it was the quilting version Bother that Costco sells.

any low end brother would fit the bill. I have had several but love my walmart model the best.
Its a little workhorse

I really like my Singer featherweight and take it to classes or to 'sew in' days with a group of ladies I sew with for the benefit of a community organization.

I'm not sure if this is in your budget, but for value for money, the new(ish) Pfaff Passport is a lot of machine for the money, with added advantage of IDT - the built-in walking foot.

Most of the people I know who have featherweights love them although their owners seem to me to spend an inordinate amount of time fiddling with repairs/adjustments of some kind or taking them to the shop. Saying that will not make me a popular poster! If I needed a portable, I would go to WalMart for a Brother. There are several models at different prices and the people who bring them to sewdays, workshops, etc., seem to enjoy them. My machine is a Janome 4800 and I love it. froggyintexas

If you want a full-size machine, Singer 301's are designed to be portable and some have beds that fold up like the Featherweights do. I haven't sewn on one myself but everybody I know who uses a 301 just loves it.

I'm trying to wheedle one out of a coworker right now but so far she isn't budging, LOL. She almost never uses it, but she still won't let go of it!

I bought a Babylock Anna for use while traveling. It's a great little machine and was under $200.

I love my 301A machine it is a great machine and definitely lighter than the feather weight machine, that being said I also use a Brother computerized machine that does the job as well. If I am not mistaken my 301A is lighter than the Brother it also has a larger harp space which I love and you can FMQ on too.

For something you can get quick, I too recommend the low end Walmart version of Brother machines. Mine have worked right out of the box. I have one at each of the son's and one here. All find and dandy. Take any thread, thickness, etc.

I also have several vintage machines, including a Featherweight. But, those are not something you can usually get quick, at least around here. It isn't like you head into the thrift store and pick it out. It takes some hunting around for lots of us.

Highly recommend the lower end Brothers.