machine died, need a cheap/good one
 

my bee machine died the other day. I use this one at my friends house.
I need a new one and was wondering if anyone here knows of a cheap
one that does a zigzag for applique. anyone have any suggestions?

This one seems to be popular.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/4764726?wm...766632&veh=sem

I use a Bernette when I'm on the go. It was $184. It has a really nice quality of stitch, but of course, few bells and whistles. The appliqué stitch is sort of a combination buttonhole/zigzag, but it has a regular zigzag too. I'm very happy with mine.

My first response was you need a FW for a back-up. But they do not have a zig-zag unless you buy the attachment (and that is a royal pain.) I have the Europro - not sure of the model and I don't believe it is made anymore. Got it from HSN many years ago and it is my travel machine. It was only $100.00. A friend of mine got hers from Target. It has the little extension table which is nice. And very light weight. But you may want to check out HSN. They had a couple of light weight Brother machines and Janomes.

But that little Brother at Walmart has the extension table too and everyone I know that has a Brother machine has been very happy with them.

I'd get one of the old Kenmore's if I were you. They run forever, are all metal, and can still be found at yard sales, on craigslist and ebay, etc. (I have several. :) ) I also have the Kenmore "featherweight" which has a stronger motor than the Singer featherweight and does zig zags.

What is cheap for you? Depends on the price range.

I have an older Janome Jem. It has never given me a problem. The new ones have all the features you need.

Oh Lynnie, I am so sad at the passing of your DSM. I would suggest that you find a large quilt show in your area that attracts a lot of vendors. Then you can check each vendor and see what DSM fits your preferences. Especially on the last day of a show, the dealers are more than willing to make discounts since they don't want to have to pack up all their machines to take back to their shop. You can also check out resale and dealers stores for used older machines. So many inexpensive machine are just full of plastic parts. They just don't make them like they use to. Good Luck !!

If you want one fast, then go for the Walmart Brother. If you've been reading a lot about inexpensive machines on here, they are very popular. We have had a lot of threads on them. I have three of them myself, at different places, and they are workhorses and are not fussy about thread. Even the Coats and Clark made in Mexico zips right through them. They do have a zigzag function.

Vintage are fun to have, but, you can't always count on walking into a thrift store and finding one in good enough shape to start sewing. If you have plenty of time to look, that's another story.

Shows are good too, if there is one near enough to you soon enough, unless you can't wait til the next one. Where I live now, no shows are close. Have to travel. That adds to expense.

If you've read on the vintage forum here, you can see that sometimes eBay or shop goodwill don't pack well sometimes, which means you have to look for a machine you like, win the bidding, and then trust the seller to pack well. Not impossible, but, if you want something pretty soon, that doesn't seem like a good option.

Good luck on your quest and let us know what happens!!!

If it were me, I'd get the Walmart Brother. You can always return it if it doesn't do what you want it to.

The one in sibram17's post from Walmart is a very good machine. I have purchased two of them because I want to have a backup if one stops working. Very light weight and east to handle.

I think I may try to look at the Walmart brother ones. I want it lightweight too.
looking for something smallish if possible. thanks everyone.

Hi Lynnie,
I know they sell machines at hancockfabrics.com or if you have a hancock store near you, you could go and look what is on sale. They often put them on sale, so you might luck out. I bought one on HSN once, off the t.v. during their craft day sale. A Janome quilter's edition. It was a really nice machine and the specialty feet were so reasonable to buy. Just a thought.

I agree! It has an adjustable buttonhole/blanket stitch as well as "regular" zz. I've done some applique with it and like it very much.

I know, it does seem to be popular. I have even thought about picking one up myself.

Serita

I'm pretty sure it will be lightweight. I don't think the Brother I mentioned is available at the store, only online. But it will be free shipping or pickup at store possibly. And you can return it if you hate it.

The Walmart Brother that was mentioned with a link is super for the $150. price. I bought it online, delivered to Alaska, back to Okla. and I use it all the time. Has needle down, dogs down and mine came with the extended table and feet and about 60 stitches. Meanwhile my $600. fairly new Singer sits in the corner waiting to go for repair again!

I really like my Janome New Home JW7630, it is manufactured for WalMart and costs $299.99. After I saw it at my local Walmart, I checked it out on line. It had really good reviews. I enjoy the speed control, needle up/down and other features not on my vintage machines. It is easy to use.

You will never be sorry if you buy the BEST machine you can possibly afford. Cheap machines seldom have the features that make sewing so much fun!

I have a Brother SQ9050, from Walmart, $200 couple of years ago, 100 stitches, light weight, sews everything. Really love it, would buy another if I had to.

I like the Janome Jem and also the inexpensive Brothers at Wal Mart. I have used both and they are worth the money.

Check Amazon too, they offer some really great deals with free shipping.

Have you checked at your local Goodwill? We sell our machines for 10 to 20 dollars. I have serviced so many wonderful machines there. If you don't see any on the floor ask the staff. We always have some in the back room. If your looking for a new machine both my daughter and I recommend the Brother CS6000. You get a lot of machine for your money. We have both had ours for 6 years and no problems.

I have a Brother SQ9000 fromWal*Mart. I think it's been replaced by the 9050. In any case, it has lots of stitches (more than I'd use), and is self threading. I think I paid $200. It's light weight, which allows me to take to class or on vacation without breaking my back.

Go to Wally World and look at the Brother machines. They come with different features and lots of different prices and everyone I know who has one likes it. froggyintexas

i loved exploring the +/- $200 machines and feel janome and brother both have good ones. The Brother models do have a LOT more features for the same $$. I chose the MyStyle 100 and like it very much, but DO MISS needle up/down and variable needle positions. The trade-off there is I believe its a quality machine w/ metal frame and metal hook that should last a long time. Its important to know what your non-negotiables are before buying a basic machine. I have adjusted to the lack of needle up/down and also to the fixed center needle position but going this basic may not be for everyone and that includes some of the vintage models that also lack those features as well as adjustable foot pressure and ability to vary stitch width/length. These are the important things that many of the inexpensive machines don't have that can be deal-breakers for some people.

I have just researched machines for my granddaughter and the reviews on the following brothers have been good.
Either the CS6000i
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000JQM1DE/...I2SC01VOA2I4R3

Or the PC420
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000XE3FGO/...2BNN9VYC&psc=1

Good luck and let us know what you decide.

I have a brother I got on Overstock.com for under $140.00. I has 80 stitches and is a good little machine. Not sure I would try and quilt a large quilt on it, small harp but could QAUG. It has a table and seems two work with any thread. Depends on what you want to do with it, I have some older ones including a 1970's Kenmore, 201 singer so this is my mending machine too.
I would stay away from new singers, not hear good things about them.

The Brother SQ9185 that sells for $300.00 is on sale for 182.06. I have that one and I carry for class, has 130 stitches. I love it.

Lynnie, you are on Long Island, right? Are you anywhere near to or can get to Sew Right Sewing Machines on Union Turnpike in Bayside? Harvey, the owner, is amazing. He has many "pre-owned" machines, too. I have bought a used Husqvarna from him, two other Husqvarnas, the basic Husqvarna for my daughter when she was 10, and I think a Bernina way back. His repair work is fabulous. He has a great reputation, too. He is also very nice.

I have the Brother CS6000i and absolutely love it. It weighs about 14 lbs, is compact and a real workhorse. I take it with me to retreats and sew alongs, but I use it mostly when piecing and watching videos. Without the extension table it sits on a 12" wide portable table I can pull up to my favourite chair. I bet I put 8 - 10 hours a week on that puppy. My Janome 8900 is jealous as I don't use it even half as much.

I have both a featherweight and Singer 301, but rarely use them as I like the automatic needle up/down and the precise 1/4" seam I can make with the Brother using their regular sewing foot and the piecing stitch (no. 37). It even comes with a walking foot and FMQ foot for no extra charge. Puts on zippers so easily and make great buttonholes. Did I mention that I really like this machine?

This is the one I have, and I love it. It may not be metal, but I have a metal one my mother gave me and it's sitting needing something done. It's my back up though. It is a good idea though with the light ones using also to carry around with you.

Both of those machines look to be a good bang for the buck, wow.

All of this talk makes me want to go buy another machine! Like I need another one.lol

what do you think is cheap? There are many machines in the $200 to $300 range both Janome &a Bernina that is under $200

I second the vintage Kenmore. Get one with an oscillating hook system instead of the drop-in bobbin. Very dependable machine. You can probably get one for $75 or less.

I researched machines and bought it on reliable consumer advice. It was terrible, could not hold tension- over $2200! So I became a vintage sewing machine person. Learned how to maintain them, clean them (mostly online forum help) and have never looked back. I do not believe any current machine can do a straight stitch for piecing as a vintage one for mechanical reasons like the main shaft being in bore holes and metal gears. They do not jump around and are forgiving of lint and thread. I have Singers 15, 201, 301, 401 (zigzag), and 99 (3/4 size). When I needed a portable one for demos and workshops, I bought a Kenmore 1040- 3/4 size, does zig zags. It is all metal, strong motor and will run for the rest of your life. Comes in a cute white plastic clamshell case. I bought it for a little over $100. Any cheap new machine is a disposable and electrically finicky (circuit boards). I can do without needle down, self threading (had that part replaced 3 times in one year on the expensive P machine), so long as I have a powerful motor and flawless straight stitch. Just keep it oiled and clean. Really.

I've looked at a few machines so far this weekend.
my friend has amazon prime and i'll talk to her.
the machine is for her house, when I go to bee.
I can have it delivered to her house. I'll look there too.
thanks everyone.

Let us know what you end up with. My vote is for a Brother!! Good Luck!

You can't go wrong with a Brother from Walmart. If you don't like it, they will take it back. It is worth trying.

I have a Brother CS6000i. If you aren't planning to quilt anything big on it, it is a great machine.