Tessb

Hi everybody! Tess here, I have a question about a backup machine. My Bernina is at the "spa" and I still want to sew. What is an excellent inexpensive back up sewing machine y'all can recommend?

Iceblossom

It all depends on what you want to do and what you consider inexpensive. You can get a pretty bottom of the line Brother from a box from Walmart and be up and sewing within minutes, and still have a threading assist, straight/zigzag, and multiple other options. They won't hold up to years of heavy every day sewing, but will last out 3-12 months just fine!

For a portable class machine, I chose a mechanical Eversewn Sparrow as non-computerized but with options and reasonable light weight, plus reasonable cost, biggest drawback is it is not a speed racer It's doing pretty good for me -- my Bernina died and I need to get a new main machine myself. I'm looking at a Juki straight stitch as being perfect for me 99% of the time. For my main machine I have a flush mounted adjustable sewing table and I really want a top drop down bobbin.

Onebyone

I have several back ups. Featherweight, Singer in cabinet, Janome, Brother 1500, and Bernina. I use my Juki as my go to machine. All in good condition. They just seem to multiply after decades of sewing. I gave my Eversewn to my granddaughter and a Brother 420 to my friend. All are good brands.

bkay

I'm a vintage Singer person. I love my old machines. However, even my 301 seemed too heavy to take to class. Besides having to take it out of the cabinet and take all the stuff. So, for a machine to take to class, or a sit and sew, I bought a Brother FB1757X. I got it around Christmas at JoAnn's, so it was a good deal. I like it. It has an extension table. I still need to order a walking foot and a 1/4" foot, but I was pleased with how it sewed..

Still, I'm looking for that illusive "good deal" on a featherweight.

bkay

RedGarnet222

I have three bernina's and an old portable singer that was my mom's. I kept buying a new Bernina when they added the stich regulator and when I wanted a newer machine and the old ones never died. The one I use for embroidery, one for everyday sewing and the other had to be set up in a different room that is inconvenient to use in there. I gave my youngest sister my original Record bernina and I found one at the secondhand store that was pristine shape and gave it to my older sister. She by the way didn't like it. I am not sure why. It had every attachment you could buy.
I tried a janome and it was a nice little machine. I just could not get used to it. So maybe that is why. You get used to the workings of a certain brand and it is hard to adjust. I sold it here on the board.

Snooze2978

I have a couple backup machines. A Singer 221 Featherweight given to me a couple months ago so haven't really tried it as yet. Then I ordered a Brother CS7000X machine to put on my cutting table for sashings, borders and bindings as my regular machine is just too heavy to be moving around in my opinion. The Brother machine comes with a number of feet including a walking foot which I'll be using on the binding tomorrow for a quilt that's taken me almost 23 months to finish quilting due to lost mojo. Didn't cost much more than $240 thru Walmart or you might find it at Costco, both online.

cashs_mom

My backup machines are all vintage. I'd suggest getting something that you can take to bees, sew days or retreats. Unless you happen to find a vintage machine at a garage sale for $20, then I'd suggest that.

Austinite

depending on what you want, a Walmart Brother might be the way to go, my friend has one with an extension table and several stitch options, she's not a heavy sewer but she's getting light to moderate use out of it and it works great for her! several people love the Walmart machines. my lightest "take all over" machine is a Janome 2222, it has zigzag, stretch stitch and a one step buttonhole and i have even FMQed on it although I used my Juki 2010 for that at home.

whatever you choose, be sure to use it at home now and then, I've seen people struggle with a machine they haven't touched in years and that can be very frustrating.

CanoePam

If you like your main machine, get another one of the same brand. If you can buy new or pretty new, get one that uses the same feet. I have a 440qe and an 830 Record. They don’t use the same feet, but they both have the lovely BERNINA stitch.

Tessb

Thanks for all your comments. The person who is looking into a Juki, go for it, I loved my Juki. I really do not want to buy a big box store machine because previous machines did not last. I will continue looking. Thank you for your help.