My Singer died and I called the repairman and he said due to the age and type it would cost more to fix it than it's worth. :cry: I wanted a new machine to FMQ but loved that one to piece. Anyway...I have looked at reviews and researched until I am completely confused. I quilt for fun and as a hobby. Not professionally as some of you. What machine would you recommend for someone like me?

If you would consider a vintage machine, you could read through the Vintage Sewing Machine Shop thread. There are many recommendations in there for vintage machines that FMQ and piece beautifully. They are also all metal parts so last longer, and easy to fix/maintain yourself. No electronics to deal with! Just my suggestion.

I would go for something that you can purchase, get instruction if need, & get serviced in your area. Take fabric with you when you go shopping so you can try the machines out to see what works for you. Like cars now, there are so many bells & whistles that you may or may not want or need.

I wouldn't get a new Singer is all I can say, but I don't know what your price range is, so that's the only recommendation I can give. My personal opinion.

Vintage is the only way to go as the rest last until the final payment or after 4-5 years of having it serviced annually, you have more than paid for it twice over. Any of the Singer 500 series are great for piecing, FMQ, and have lots of fancy stitches. Cost, generally, in my area, less than $100.00.

If you didn't ask Jay Reynolds, I wouldn't be in to big of hurry to replace your singer, PM me and I'll give you his contact info.

Lanny

Oh my gosh! I can't believe I forgot about having this!! When we started talking about vintage Singers it reminded me I have my Grandma's. I've never used it but I know she did and it has a new spool of thread on it so that's a good sign. I had a magnificant treasure right under my nose and didn't realize it. Please ignore the "junk" in the picture. It's called too much stuff and not enough storage room.

Great! I'm glad you found grandma's machine.. let us know how you like sewing with it, please...

I'm in the same dilemna... which machine do I want to purchase? Just too confusing...

Honestly, I have a new singer. I really dislike the thing.

don't cry........my doctor said the same about me.

Look at that!! She is a Jewel!

Vintage go for a 301 or 301A which does FM...feed dogs drop
New Husqvarna Viking...sensor foot that automatically lifts with your foot, no manuel lift handle...Great for privoting...

How fabulous that you found your grandma's machine! I think you will love using it. I have several vintage machines and they are fun to use.

My Grandma kept everything so it was no surprise I found the owners manual. Oiled everything up and cleaned the dust and lint out as well as I could. Plugged it back into the outlet, put a piece of material under the needle and away we went. Wasn't ready for how fast it went. LOL!! Will take some getting use to but I'll use it now that I remembered it.

You tell that doctor I said you ARE worth fixing. :D :thumbup:

:thumbup:

You will be very happy with your new found treasure. They have their own distict purr about them. Don't even look at the new Singers....even the Singer rep says they don't make them like they use to.

Beautiful! There you go! You got an excellent machine to FM with (feed dogs drop), you can service yourself, and it is a gorgeous cabinet and stool.
With the money you just saved on purchasing a new machine, you can go buy lots of fabrics.

Enjoy that all metal machine!

How could you have forgot that beautiful machine?

I like my straight stitcher, Brother Nouvelle 1500s. It has a wide 9" throat and a flat bed, extra quilting table extension and the height and pressure of the foot can be adjusted to accommodate different thicknesses of material The feet and parts are not expensive and it is not computerised.You have to keep oiling it as it gets very loud when it needs some lubrication.

Pretty, Pretty, Pretty, now you have to name her, and she will do you good..

Oh, how true.

Wow, you had a wonderful Singer 15 machine hiding in your house. You can even FMQ on that machine. You just have to loosen a screw. I haven't tried that yet on my 15-90 but one of these days. I just bought mine about two months ago and thought I had found a real treasure. Hope you think so too.

I'm so glad to see your photo. It reminded me that I have my late mother in law's Singer which is just like it. I've been using it as a table and forgot that it was a sewing machine. LOL Thanks!

I'm so glad to see your photo. It reminded me that I have my late mother in law's Singer which is just like it. I've been using it as a table and forgot that it was a sewing machine. LOL Thanks!

tha's a beautiful machine

I LOVE my new Viking "sapphire 875 quilt"..classes at Joann's so you can learn how to use it...fun!

When Grandma moved to live with my aunt about 3 years ago she asked if I'd keep her sewing machine for her because there wasn't really room for it and she couldn't use it anymore because of her eyes. Told her of course I would and when she wanted it I'd bring it to her. Didn't really consider it "mine" so guess that's why I'd forgotten about it. I don't think she'll be using it anymore because her eyes have gotten so much worse and I'll let her know it's in good hands and will be taken care of just like she did. I cleaned it up some yesterday and oiled everything. Can that machine sew!!!! WOW!!!! It's like getting out of a Volkswagen and into a race car! :thumbup:

Her name is Margaret....after Grandma. :thumbup:

So what screw do you loosen and for what reason? There's no doubt in my mind I have a true treasure and every time I sew or quilt with it I'll think about her. :-)

Don't feel bad. I forgot about having it too. Aren't we just a pair. LOL!!

Been there. I run my own business, raising my 11yo DGD, make 4-6 quilts per month, every month, visit 3 hospitals a week, feed 5 in the family,all home cooked. I am 72 yo and dear DR says, "I don't think you have the strength to recover from an operation on your back, so just continue taking pain pills, after all, youndon't have that many more years to worry about". Off to find a new DR, I fired him!

If you really, truly love your current machine, take it to another repairman. You may get a different cost. Probably whatever you replace it with will not be as well made unless it's vintage.

I wouldn't recommend the Brother CS6000i for quilting even though it is advertised as a quilting machine. I purchased one just for quilting and it just simply has a hard time going thru several thicknesses of fabric and batting. I also have an Vintage Singer 201 and 301 both of which I feel are excellent for quilting. I also quilt for charity and make doll dresses for charity. Just my opinion.

I loved reading this thread, and I'm so happy for you that your grandma's machine is such a gem. Happy quilting!

Oops.

You go girl!! Don't let some idiot doctor talk you into an early grave!

That looks exactly like my mother's Singer that I now have. I don't sew on it at all, though. Perhaps I should. She got it new when I was about 5 years old so that would make it 59. Pretty old!

It depends on what your price range is and what kind of quilting you do, there are simple straight stitch machines like the brother 1500or juki 98 run about $600, but if you want fancy stitches but more high end I recommend the babylock symphony or brother laura ashley. I have the older model the espire, and have never been disappointed with the quality or how it handles. Me I always recommend the brothers, some people don't like them others love them, I have had my cheap ones for a long time, one I had for 13 years and gave away to my MIL, Have had my other one for 5 years , still runs great. Had my Espire for a year and a half , no problems with it ever. Also If you are sewing constantly not occasionaly, I recommend something more heavy duty and high end, some of the cheaper machines are not meant for heavy constant sewing, I just sew occasionally. If you want heavy duty it will cost you more. I see people complain about certain machines breaking down, but they are cheap in price to begin with so you can't expect for it to be heavy duty for that price, you have to be willing to spend the money for the higher end machines, look to spend over $500 for something that will last, and even then I have heard of some of those not working after 3-4 years with heavy use. One lady who sews a lot on hear said she purchased a new Janome Jem every 3 years and those run about $400. If you want something built with more metal parts look to spend in the thousands unless your buying vintage many machines have a lot of plastic now, but I suspect that is to make them more lightweight and portable than the all metal machines which can be rather heavy

If you really liked your Singer, there is a repair shop in Dallas, TX that restores embroidery Singers. The reason I know this is that the same thing occurred to a friend of mine. She had her embroidery/sewing machine (Singer) repair for $200.00. Otherwise check out the Husqvarna embroidery/sewing machine. Good luck.