"you sew too much"
#11
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Centralia, WA, USA
Posts: 4,890
I haven't tried the newer plastic machines. Plastic has it's uses but I don't like it in my tools for the most part.
Besides, the vintage machines with all the attachments (and that I can work on myself) are too much fun for me to look seriously at the newer models. At times I think some of the fancy stitches would be nice so I might get one that takes cams. I doubt I would need more than that for my projects.
Rodney
Besides, the vintage machines with all the attachments (and that I can work on myself) are too much fun for me to look seriously at the newer models. At times I think some of the fancy stitches would be nice so I might get one that takes cams. I doubt I would need more than that for my projects.
Rodney
#12
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 8,091
Rodney,
We have a bunch of machines that do decorative stitches. Both with removable and built in cams. 95% of our sewing is straight stitch. About 4% is ZZ and the last 1% is decorative or stretch stitch. For the most part you just don't need decorative stitching for normal sewing.
Joe
We have a bunch of machines that do decorative stitches. Both with removable and built in cams. 95% of our sewing is straight stitch. About 4% is ZZ and the last 1% is decorative or stretch stitch. For the most part you just don't need decorative stitching for normal sewing.
Joe
#14
What gripes me is that manufactures are pretty much assuming someone will buy the machine, and then get tired of it and stop using it after a bit, and that it's not going to be used as a real workhorse. I suppose they figure if you want to really use one, you'll get a heavy duty professional model.
I've been out of the new sewing machine market for so long- at first I didn't understand all the adds referring to "industrial" with the older machines - I know they aren't any where near the industrial machines I sewed on 30 years ago. But then now you have to buy a special "jean" machine just to get one that will handle a few layers of denim. I am so behind the times!
I've been out of the new sewing machine market for so long- at first I didn't understand all the adds referring to "industrial" with the older machines - I know they aren't any where near the industrial machines I sewed on 30 years ago. But then now you have to buy a special "jean" machine just to get one that will handle a few layers of denim. I am so behind the times!
#15
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 8,091
Does the Elna have a cam that makes cats? Our machines make ducks, swans, flowers, trees, fishes, and all sorts of designs ... but no cats.
Our LSMG has a new Janome that does a cat design, but it's about $6,000 and I would never even consider that.
Joe
#16
What makes me mad is that the new sewing machines keep getting more and more expensive. Computers some down in price as do TV's and lots of other electronics. Sewing machines are a real racket. And I have friends that keep upgrading to the newest machines (that go up $2000 from the previous model! They were talking about a Janome that cost $12,000!)
And I come to the meetings with my $5.00 specials! And they look at me like I am crazy!
Colleen
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: kannapolis, nc
Posts: 392
I was thinking about hunting for an older machine that uses cams. I have 2 Pfaffs that I love but neither have a lot of stitches but they are work horses, don't care what it is, they sew it. I bought one of the plastics for some decorative stitches and overcast stitch. It can't maintain the decorative stitches on thick things (like quilts). If I find one that takes cams, are the cams hard to get? Do you think a Kenmore is as good as a Singer?
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 586
Definately. It's so annoying to pay so much for something that is made of plastic. Dh can't understand why I want a featherweight. "It's so old" That's why he bought me the top of the line machine.... they just don't understand. I'm not complaining that he bought me an expensive present, just complaining about the poor quality and plastic of the high end machines.
#19
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 8,091
I was thinking about hunting for an older machine that uses cams. I have 2 Pfaffs that I love but neither have a lot of stitches but they are work horses, don't care what it is, they sew it. I bought one of the plastics for some decorative stitches and overcast stitch. It can't maintain the decorative stitches on thick things (like quilts). If I find one that takes cams, are the cams hard to get? Do you think a Kenmore is as good as a Singer?
Many of the older Singers in the 400, 500, 600 and up series use cams. If you do some checking and stay to the machines with metal innards, there are lots of them, you'll be good to go. The cams are not hard to come by. GW and eBay have them quite often.
Are Kenmores as good as Singers? Yes. Especially the late 60s to late 70s machines. While Singer was going to plastic junque the Kenmores were still all steel. My Kenmore 158-15570 sews better patterns with it's cams than many of the Singers do. It's all metal except for the cams and sews quiet and smooth.
Joe
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