What sewing machine should I get my mother....help?
12-10-2009, 11:59 AM
#22
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 12,930
Originally Posted by crashnquilt
Buying a sewing machine is much like buying a car. You need to take it for a test drive to see if you and the machine are compatible.
You could call some dealers in your area to see HOW many machines they have in your price range. If they have quite a few then tell them what you want to do and they might have ideas to help you with a surprise for your mother.
OR-you can get a pre-paid charge card, put the money on that card and give that to your mom, THEN the day after Christmas, you and your mom visit several dealers and let her choose the machine she would like. A gift certificate limits her to the one store. The pre paid card lets her choose from different brands. And if YOU take her, then you know that the card money will go on a machine AND it gives you and Mom some quality time together. Trust me, MOMS LOVE THAT!
You could call some dealers in your area to see HOW many machines they have in your price range. If they have quite a few then tell them what you want to do and they might have ideas to help you with a surprise for your mother.
OR-you can get a pre-paid charge card, put the money on that card and give that to your mom, THEN the day after Christmas, you and your mom visit several dealers and let her choose the machine she would like. A gift certificate limits her to the one store. The pre paid card lets her choose from different brands. And if YOU take her, then you know that the card money will go on a machine AND it gives you and Mom some quality time together. Trust me, MOMS LOVE THAT!
I would wrap a large box for the prepaid card and weight it with a brick, maybe covering the brick with pictures of different sewing machines (printed off the net). And the shopping trip itinerary could be wrapped around the card.
12-10-2009, 06:35 PM
#25
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 3,155
Let your mother choose the machine that suits her. Buying a machine and then trying to exchange can be a big hassle.
If there is a local dealer available that will be your best place to start. Plus they will have instructions to assist her in learning
the machine.
The machines that Walmart sells is not the same as dealers sell.
And no one to teach her the machine.
If there is a local dealer available that will be your best place to start. Plus they will have instructions to assist her in learning
the machine.
The machines that Walmart sells is not the same as dealers sell.
And no one to teach her the machine.
12-10-2009, 07:07 PM
#26
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 15,639
I agree with everyone else a.) that you are a total sweety for doing this, and b.) that Mom should be part of the decision. Although I have Pfaff machines, I would recommend that you look at Janomes.
It is very nice to have even-feed fabric travel, needle up/down position, needle and stitch control and a few other bells and whistles. Particularly if your mother has been working with an old machine, she should have the opportunity to test drive the machine to try it out.
You may be interested to know that sewing machine shopping at a dealer has room for negotiation. Don't know if you like that sort of thing, but it is possible to negotiate the price.
Why don't you narrow the search, make some print-outs and wrap those up. That way Mom can spend some time to research and you could go shopping together.
It is very nice to have even-feed fabric travel, needle up/down position, needle and stitch control and a few other bells and whistles. Particularly if your mother has been working with an old machine, she should have the opportunity to test drive the machine to try it out.
You may be interested to know that sewing machine shopping at a dealer has room for negotiation. Don't know if you like that sort of thing, but it is possible to negotiate the price.
Why don't you narrow the search, make some print-outs and wrap those up. That way Mom can spend some time to research and you could go shopping together.
12-10-2009, 09:17 PM
#27
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Live in Littleton, CO via Rapid City, SD
Posts: 2,187
Charbaugh: Hi! What a sweetie you are!! Think I would go the gift certificte route. However, what I might do, if I were in your position is make up an elaborate gift certificate, put it in a large size box, with sewing notions, etc and let her know you will be taking her shopping for a new machine. I would purchase one locally incase she might have an issue with it at some point in time.
Keep us posted - I love surprises and I love to surprise
others also.
QUEEN: Thanks for the web site - just stayed a few min. but will go back.
people. Helen
Keep us posted - I love surprises and I love to surprise
others also.
QUEEN: Thanks for the web site - just stayed a few min. but will go back.
people. Helen
12-11-2009, 03:52 PM
#29
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Iowa
Posts: 8,107
I would stick with buying a machine from a dealer, not Walmart of Target. There are a lot of machines out there reasonably priced at dealers. You get lessons and ideas on how to get the best use of your machine. I love my Pfaff. It is one of the best machines out there. I have had mine for about 15 years and the only thing I have ever done to it is a regular tune up. You get what you pay for and to me, Pfaff is the best there is. I agree, a gift certificate at a dealer would be good. You could make a day of it and take her there and then go out for lunch. Your mom will never forget that day with you.
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