the IKEA machine
 

anyone lucky enough to get one yet? what is it like? how does it sew? is it noisy?

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60208974/

I heard it has an oscillating hook?

it is a child's machine...and it sews so good that the stores can't keep them on the shelves...BUT, they don't offer it online..sigh....I want one for my neighbor girls...their dad is raising them alone since mom turned to drugs 3 years ago....and they want me to teach them to sew...they are 6 &10 this summer!

It also looks like a Singer brand machine by the shape of the casing.

If it's made as well as their furniture and other accessories it should last a few months:< I was just there with a friend and didn't see this for sale. Honestly, I don't know why you'd want to give that to a child? IMO it looks like a cheap piece of plastic.

To be honest, I would look for a Singer 99k.. It's not as cute, but it will continue to work for them.. Forever...

What is an oscillating hook?

I would look for vintage machines for your neighbor girls. I just don't trust the itty bitty plastic ones. If you really want to get one of the itty-bitty machines--I would check out the little Janome that Hancock Fabrics sells or even one of the cheap Brother's that Walmart sells. That way, if you keep the receipt and have a problem--you can take it back. I've thought about the little Brother at Walmart that has the extension table to take on vacation instead of lugging my trusty old Euro-Pro, especially when we fly. I bought a cheap, plastic White mini-machine just for a plane ride vacation and it is extremely loud, vibrates more than my Harley, plastic feed dogs and can't sew a straight line--really--even paper piecing on it was a challenge. Now I am too embarrassed to even give it away! Maybe my non-sewing MIL? No, she'd spend days calling all the aunts, uncles, cousins and neighbors telling them what a piece of crap I gave her and she's never sewed a day in her life. I doubt she has even sewed a button on.

I was able to examine this machine at my Ikea store a while back. IMHO I would say to steer clear of it. For $60 it just does not look like it would last through a single project!!

I am considering to buy one when it becomes available at my local Ikea ONLY IF it is similar in construction & durable as my other present ones. I use & own 2 of those "plastic" sewing machines. They are both from Janome & retailed for about 100 dollars each. Remember the most important thing about those "plastic" ones. Do not be so "hung up" on the outer plastic casing. That is mostly for decoration and covering the innards. The most important is the innards attached to a metal frame within that plastic outer casing. If they are made up of mostly durable metal with minimal plastic, I buy. Otherwise I pass.