Chasing Hawk

Yeah you could say......

Your Grandmother picked out this cheap machine.......I wanted to get you a better one.

LOL

Dolphyngyrl

I probably wouldn't have bought the 50 dollars one, but I do have the more expensive brother from walmart that i love, I would just feel that for 50 dollars the machine probably doesn't have many features and she might out grow it really quickly as opposed to the 139 dollar one. I would sit down with SIL/MIL and ask why they didn't want to get a nicer machine that she can grow into instead of buying something they might be replacing later. Chances are they don't know much about sewing machines or why you want to buy her that model

Grannyh67

Sorry, but if it were me I would buy the machine I wanted to buy. It is your money, your gift and your choice. If She was younger I would say that machine would be ok but She is old enough to get a better machine. If I were you I would take it back and get the one you wanted to buy. Say nothing and do it, you will feel better afterwards. Just my HO, lol........sounds like you have a mother in law I would not get along with. I have a mind of my own. Merry Christmas

roadrunr

It would probably be a good starter sewing machine, but don't expect it to last long with a lot of use. This kind of sewing machine is only meant for occasional sewing. Although Brothers does have a good reputation, the good machines go to the dealers. The sewing machines that go to Walmart and other discount stiores are not built the same as the ones that go to the dealers. I would definetly spend a little more money on a sewing machine (even more expensive ones from Walmart would be a better choice).

Michellesews

I teach sewing and my last class had two 11-year-olds. One had a cheap Singer Simple...and other a very low end Brother, not sure if the Brother was a $49.00 one, but it was close. That little Brother outsewed that Singer like crazy! Brother has a good name and probably what everyone is thinking is that she may not like it and stay with it, and then you have invested money for nothing.
When I was 12 my mother (this was 1962 BTW) spent $300. ( a fortune then) on the first Singer Touch and Sew, just for me because she hated sewing. I took the free course that came with it and it was the best thing she ever did for me....I have been sewing like a mad woman ever since, and have often reflected on how different my life would be if I did not have sewing, quilting, and all, to turn to and to enjoy. It enriched my life beyond description...and hopefully, this little machine will do the same for your recipient. She can always upgrade. Now if you told me you purchased a $49.00 Singer, these days, I would say...WORRY! lol. The only bad thing about Walmart cheap sewing machines is they have a lot of plastic in them and they are not meant to be run hard and often. But for learning...I am sure it will be just fine. Blessings to you for sharing your love of sewing.

kydeb

Hopefully she will have better luck with it than I did. I bought a Brother from Walmart some years ago, took it home, and after a couple of days of sewing, the needle was hitting the bobbin case every stroke it made. I took it back and told my husband I was going to buy a "real" machine! I've worked at JoAnn's in the past and was told that machines are made for different markets - the machines at Walmart are not the same ones sold at JoAnn's and the ones at JoAnn's aren't the same as the ones at other venues. You can't really do anything about your mother-in-law! Maybe it will be okay....

Friday1961

I would keep it. Brother is a reliable brand and this machine will be fine for a beginner and is inexpensive enough so that later, if/when she wants a more sophisticated machine, she won't feel bad replacing this one. You're an experienced sewer and feel you've gone the "cheap" route but in a way, your MIL may be right. No one knows if the niece will actually LIKE learning to sew, and if not, why spend more on something that will just gather dust?

coopah

What Chasing Hawk said would work for me, too. I am SOOOO glad my MIL was not like yours. I hope you don't have too have much contact with her...sounds like a drain on good spirits (and I don't mean alcohol when I say spirits) and energy. You DEFINITELY have my sympathy. I would also do my own thing and not include them in any more discussions of who buys what for whom. (Yes, I went through that with my own mother. I just get what I want for people and don't give a rip what SHE thinks. It is, after all, a gift from ME.)

quiltmom04

Well, it seems to me if they wanted you to buy it yourself, the gift is from you, and not them, so you should be able to buy what you want. I'd try it out, like others have said, but if it doesn't measure up to what you want, I'd exchange it, regardless of what MIL says!

BellaBoo

Relatives like this is the reason DH and I just send Christmas cards and say hope you have a great Christmas at home.


Every cheapskate, buy crap to save a penny person I have ever met were joyless souls. I stay far away from them as possible.