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Is this a good sewing machine for a beginning quilter?
Singer Inspiration 4205 Mechanical Sewing Machine |
Did you use the search feature and see what people have said about it?
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Originally Posted by Candace
Did you use the search feature and see what people have said about it?
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My advice to new quilters who ask me that question... ANY sewing machine that runs, goes forward and backward and does not jam, knot up, or clunk loudly is a good machine for a beginner! Just get started as soon as you can and as you sew and get to know quilters and see, read about or hear about other machines, sooner or later you'll trade up! (more than likely several times!!)
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My first machine was an $89.00 Brother. Can we say bottom of the line. It served me well for four years and is still my back up machine. It's not the price but if it does what you need.
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Many quilters have posts about Singers as bad machines.
But so far for cheaper machines Brother seems to come out ahead. I also have a cheap Brother as my backup and it has not givin me any trouble at all. |
I love old Singers but I wouldn't buy anything that was made after the 60's or early 70's because they went from the all metal gears to the plastic gears.
When I bought a sewing machine about 18 years ago, I bought a New Home machine. It is all metal gears but I've heard that the company has been sold to another company so I can't really recommend a newer sewing machine from them. |
I am not sure how much that machine is, but I bought a singer and though it served me well enough for 2 years I would not recommend it to anyone. If you are going to spend money on a machine, I would buy a Kenmore from Sears (I just picked one up and the board gave it RAVE reviews). It was $250. If you were looking to spend less than that I would go with a Brother over Singer, I have heard better things about Brother. But having a Singer myself and now using the Kenmore, I cannot tell you how much better it is. Yes my Singer sewed a straight line and did well enough for a few years, but the Kenmore feels like a high end machine in comparison and it only cost me $250.
Rachel |
Personally I won't buy another Singer. They just don't seem to be as good as they once were and the service is worse. Go to several dealers of different machines and try them out. Decide exactly what you want on your machine--needle down option, feed dog lowering, thread cutting, decorative stitches, blanket stitch, etc., and then buy one with as many more options as you can afford. Trust me, you'll end up using them and be happier with your machine much longer. Also, if you purchase a reputable machine from a reputable dealer that also services them you'll save yourself a lot of headaches in the long haul. My next machine will be a Janome.
ps. Also check out the price and availability of the accessories such as additional feet. Hope this helps. |
I think I'll check out a Brother. I'm looking for a good machine but with a low cost. I'm even looking on freecycle. Thanks for the help! I really appreciated it!
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I had a little Brothers that I bought on an auction for $15. I LOVED IT!!! That is until my DH accidentally knocked it off the table. No it no longer zigzags but I still have it for straight sewing.
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Originally Posted by Alu_Rathbone
I think I'll check out a Brother. I'm looking for a good machine but with a low cost. I'm even looking on freecycle. Thanks for the help! I really appreciated it!
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Originally Posted by brushandthimble
Originally Posted by Alu_Rathbone
I think I'll check out a Brother. I'm looking for a good machine but with a low cost. I'm even looking on freecycle. Thanks for the help! I really appreciated it!
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You may want to invest in a machine that has a blanket stitch on it. Some do not and personally I would never buy another machine without it. If you are going to do any machine applique, you will want it unless you plan on using only the satin stitch. Welcome to this Board and welcome to Quilting also. You are in the right place if you need help and want to learn, the ladies here are fantastic.
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Originally Posted by littlehud
My first machine was an $89.00 Brother. Can we say bottom of the line. It served me well for four years and is still my back up machine. It's not the price but if it does what you need.
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Originally Posted by Oklahoma Suzie
Originally Posted by littlehud
My first machine was an $89.00 Brother. Can we say bottom of the line. It served me well for four years and is still my back up machine. It's not the price but if it does what you need.
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I've been looking at new machines (what an ordeal) and for a beginner with a few options Brother does have a nice one that you can get at Wally World!! I'm not sure of the Model #, but its a project runway and does a little more than go forward and backwards. Go to the www.brother.com and you'll see all their machines for comparison purposes. If you find something there do a search for that model # and see what is the best pricing you can get for it.
One piece of advice, if it is at all possible, find something that you like and then go up a bit. You'll find you'll have something to grow into and not have to replace so soon. Good Luck!!! |
I found a wonderful brand new little Janome at a garage sale last year. The people were moving. It hadn't even been taken from the box ... $40.00. Gave it to my granddaughter as she had been learning to quilt on one of my machines. Of course, she is no longer interested in sewing anything!!!
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Originally Posted by Alu_Rathbone
Is this a good sewing machine for a beginning quilter?
Singer Inspiration 4205 Mechanical Sewing Machine Good luck!!! |
About the HEW HOME> I got mine in 1987 I still use it all the tine. All it ever has needed is cleaning and oiling. I love it. I also have a Janome but still enjoy my new home better so far. Howerver I just wanted to say that New Home was bought by the Janome company I found out when I went to buy a 1/4 inch foot and found that the machines can use the feet interchangably so I had to only buy one.( I lost my other mv one in our last move.) I bought it cause of it being all metal. I don't care for the plastic ones still.
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I was at Walmart last night. The had a Brother that was $199. It had 120 stitches, needle up and down and included all the quilting feet. I came home and decided that I am going to go buy one this weekend. It would be a great backup for the money. I cannot remember the letters but it was a brother ?? 9000.
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sure wish I could help you. Penny
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I got a Singer about 2 years ago and it was horrible! Not the very low end one either!
Check out overstock.com My hubby just got me a little Brother CS4000 (refurbished, but with 20yr warranty) It is amazing for the price! I use it for my backuo machine. They have a ton of different machines and right now I think shipping is $1.00. |
I got my first Kenmore in 1965, top of the line (paid it out forever) and had it until '96, only one repair all that time and never paid anything on the 25-year warranty. then I got a computerized Kenmore about '95 no repairs, my girlfriend bought it about '05. Then found out these were made by Janome, both were great machines. Bought my Innov-is 4000d in '05, great machine, and then won a Project Runway limited ed in '08 or '09, great machine for carrying around. So I have to vote for Brother and/or Janome. oh yes, also have the brother 1500 novelle for use on my handi-quilter frame. Now that one is really a workhorse.
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I have a Singer 132q featherweight, I bought it at Wal Mart for a $100 8 yrs ago. It is my back up I haven't had any issues with it at all. Try Overstock.com, the Janome 11543 I received for Christmas was under $60.00. They have several machines for sale:
http://www.overstock.com/Crafts-Sewi...82/subcat.html |
Just for your information Janome took over the New Home machines.
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My Walmart Brother machine is wonderful. I wouldn't trade for anything. My more expensive machines usually left me in the lurch. I would really like to inherit my mother's PFaff someday, but for now, I do everything I want to do, and more, with my Brother.
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Originally Posted by mcdaniel023
I was at Walmart last night. The had a Brother that was $199. It had 120 stitches, needle up and down and included all the quilting feet. I came home and decided that I am going to go buy one this weekend. It would be a great backup for the money. I cannot remember the letters but it was a brother ?? 9000.
Even in a basic machine, you always want to have the ability to infinitely change stitch length and stitch width; you do not want to have only pre-programmed stitches. I would think that a Brother with 120 stitches would have this feature, but I'm not sure, so check for that. Being able to adjust your stitch to any length and any width becomes important as you get into more advanced quiltmaking, machine applique, etc. Also check to see if you have multiple needle positions. Often you want to be able to move the needle to the left or right of center to get a scant 1/4-inch seam. |
Originally Posted by Prism99
Originally Posted by mcdaniel023
I was at Walmart last night. The had a Brother that was $199. It had 120 stitches, needle up and down and included all the quilting feet. I came home and decided that I am going to go buy one this weekend. It would be a great backup for the money. I cannot remember the letters but it was a brother ?? 9000.
It is a brother SQ 9000. It does have Even in a basic machine, you always want to have the ability to infinitely change stitch length and stitch width; you do not want to have only pre-programmed stitches. I would think that a Brother with 120 stitches would have this feature, but I'm not sure, so check for that. Being able to adjust your stitch to any length and any width becomes important as you get into more advanced quiltmaking, machine applique, etc. Also check to see if you have multiple needle positions. Often you want to be able to move the needle to the left or right of center to get a scant 1/4-inch seam. I am going to do a review search when I get home from work today. Thanks. |
I bought a Kenmore machine about 35 years ago and gave it to my daughter who still uses it. My next purchase about 15 years ago was a Babylock. That machine is wonderful, have never had a problem with it. I also have a Hummer (featherweight) that I use all the time for repetitive sewing (strips). I am now looking for a machine that has lots of features that I don't have, but in the end I may keep the Babylock in mind when I buy a new one. As the other quilter suggested, try them out. You will ultimately make a choice and I'm sure you will be satisfied with your purchase. Sew with it ,if you don't like it, take it back and get another!!
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Originally Posted by kapatt
I love old Singers but I wouldn't buy anything that was made after the 60's or early 70's because they went from the all metal gears to the plastic gears.
When I bought a sewing machine about 18 years ago, I bought a New Home machine. It is all metal gears but I've heard that the company has been sold to another company so I can't really recommend a newer sewing machine from them. |
I bought a lightweight Brother so I could carry it to quilt classes(my Bernina is just too heavy). I wear ear pads when I use it. It sounds like a threshing machine. Ugh!
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I was gifted a Brother from MemaThomas which I am very greatful for ! Thanks!
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