Please recommend a quality, affordable sewing machine.
 

This would primarily be for my 10-year-old daughter who hauled out my grandmother's Singer Slant-O-Matic from the 1960s, taught herself how to use it and has even done some minor repairs on it-- but now it's not working and I'm having trouble finding a repairman who knows vintage machines.

She absolutely loves sewing and is bummed that our sewing machine is currently kaput. I want to buy one for the family (but primarily for her) that will do all the basics and do them well. I'm willing to spend some money to avoid getting a piece of junk but don't need fancy extras. Joann's is an hour plus drive but I can do there, if needed. (But I prefer online).

Thoughts?

---------- Post added 12-04-2014 at 12:00 AM ---------- Previous post was 12-03-2014 at 11:58 PM ----------

What about the Singer 7258?

Re: Please recommend a quality, affordable sewing machine.
 

I myself would look into a quality brand that has been refurbished like Bernina.My mom has one that she got in 1978! She is still using it sometimes and it works perfectly

Re: Please recommend a quality, affordable sewing machine.
 

I sew on a 1954 Kenmore that I love, but Sky wanted something sleeker, easier to set-up, and less unwieldy to use. We bought her the Singer model with 19 stitch options and a 4-step button-hole for $63.00 on a lightening deal on Amazon just last week. I would recommend either that one or the basic Brother machine (which I believe has 25 or 27 stitches). They are both serviceable machines and good for beginners. I'll post back with the model numbers as soon as I have time to look them up.

The Brother is XM2701, and the Singer is 2259 Tradition model.

Re: Please recommend a quality, affordable sewing machine.
 

I love my babylock, but they can be pricy.

Stay away from modern day singers. They are terrible! I would look at brother or Janome. Go to a dealer, and test some machines. They usually also have used machines at a great price that come with a one year warranty.

---------- Post added at 04:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:23 PM ----------

Costco has a brother online that I have heard decent things about. Plus, they have an amazing return policy so if you don't like it you can take it back easily.

Re: Please recommend a quality, affordable sewing machine.
 

this is exactly what I was going to say. I love my baby lock. My brother has a janome he loves and my mom is still sewing on her bernena that she got before I was borne.

Re: Please recommend a quality, affordable sewing machine.
 

I got a Brother that was absolutely awful. The tension is all wrong and the stitching is uneven. I would say to avoid Brother like the plague. I have heard bad things about modern Singers.
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Re: Please recommend a quality, affordable sewing machine.
 

Thanks for all the advice. :ty

Re: Please recommend a quality, affordable sewing machine.
 

What did you decide? :nosy

Re: Please recommend a quality, affordable sewing machine.
 

I'll ask my mom.

Can you buy used in any towns near you?