sewing machine
#52
Originally Posted by sarahconner
a Brother
#53
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 15,507
It amazes me to look at the engineering in the old machines. They were so intricate and yet they have held up over such a long time. Then I looked at my old Singer 403 of the same time frame. It was all metal even the gears. I also have an old Necchi Nora - it has a broken plastic stitch length adjuster - The Bernina and the Elna have nylon gears. I guess the sewing machine companies were fooling around with plastics and nylon back then - The machine works are a wonder though. Each of them is different in how they work. It totally fascinates me. Then I look at an old Japanese straight stitch. No nonsense there. It is so amazing how these are put together!!! You sure don't see much when you look in the new plastic and stamped metal machines - is it any wonder they don't hold up and you can't get anybody to repair them??? Yeah I have a bunch of old machines. Yeah the DILs think I'm a hoarder... well, they are correct. (AND I hoard fabric too - OH, the shame of it all...) I guess I can't bear to see those old machines discarded by the same people that talk about everything being 'green'... Wanna go green? Get a vintage all metal sewing machine and learn to use it - re-make some clothes instead of discarding them. Ok you might have to piece them together or make t shirt quilts or make some quilts out of old clothes or buy fabric at a yard sale - BUT go green!
#57
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Eastern Indiana
Posts: 241
No matter the name on the machine...I think there are 3 important things. One is that the tension doesn't need a lot of adjustment; two is that the thread doesn't bobble up on the underneath; and three is that it will sew thru about anything.
Test drive the machine. I have noticed that there are some low end machines that you have to keep a lot of pull on the fabric. If you have to keep a lot of pull on the fabric, I would steer clear of that machine. Fabric should feed through the machine with "no hands".
I would go to the top line dealers and see what they have available used first.
Test drive the machine. I have noticed that there are some low end machines that you have to keep a lot of pull on the fabric. If you have to keep a lot of pull on the fabric, I would steer clear of that machine. Fabric should feed through the machine with "no hands".
I would go to the top line dealers and see what they have available used first.
#58
Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 22
I was just at a sewing machine repair store and was told that, although they still sell Singers, the new ones are garbage. Someone buys one and has to bring it in a few months later for repairs.
Seems Singer is no longer the Singer of old. It was bought out and they just use the name. They were good up until then.
quote=butterflies5518]Joann's has a sale on Singers, would make a good start machine[/quote]
Seems Singer is no longer the Singer of old. It was bought out and they just use the name. They were good up until then.
quote=butterflies5518]Joann's has a sale on Singers, would make a good start machine[/quote]
#59
Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 3
I have many sewing machines. Need to get rid of a few. I started with a Kenmore when I first started to sew but then went to a Dressmaker and White. I still have them but now I love the Baby Lock. I have 2 Dressmakers that I'm selling for $125.00 total with shipping. Have fun sewing is a stress breaker when you are up tight.
:)
:)
#60
Originally Posted by sueisallaboutquilts
Have you thought about a used Bernina???
Good luck in you search and let us know what you decide.
Dorothy in PA
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