Please recommend a quality, affordable sewing machine.

Soliloquy · 12-04-2014, 01:00 AM

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?

mamacat · 12-04-2014, 07:45 AM

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

kklibrarian · 12-05-2014, 07:56 AM

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.

ctab · 12-05-2014, 03:26 PM

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.

knitlove · 12-05-2014, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctab

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.

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.

Little Forest · 12-05-2014, 04:18 PM

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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Soliloquy · 12-05-2014, 08:40 PM

Thanks for all the advice.

mommylove · 12-20-2014, 03:03 PM

What did you decide?

ECingMama · 12-20-2014, 03:21 PM

I'll ask my mom.

Can you buy used in any towns near you?

12-04-2014, 01:00 AM	#1
Soliloquy Administrator Why climb a mountain? Because it's there! Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Selkirk Mountains Posts: 52,454	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? __________________ Lisa, 49. Married to the love of my life for 25 years! Moderator in Theological & Doctrinal Issues, Drawing Closer, Bible Study, & Educating Our Children Mom to 5 wonderful kids, ages 6, 12, 13, 15, 18. My Instagram Certified Corrective Exercise Specialist and Personal Trainer..

12-04-2014, 07:45 AM	#2
mamacat Rose Garden Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 26,473	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 __________________ ~Catherine~ Mama to 5: C W C J S And Grandma to 3: A ,K and baby C

12-05-2014, 07:56 AM	#3
kklibrarian Moderator to Adoption & Foster Care, Cloth Diapering & EC, Gardening, Infertility, Large Families, and WOHM's The Famous Belladonna Took Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: In Bilbo's Heart, Formerly of Bag End Posts: 7,788	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. __________________ Beloved wife to my hubby since December 2002. Blessed and grateful adoptive mommy to my three beautiful dds and two wonderful ds', collectively known as "The Kidlets" Presto (ds) - age 20 almost Sky (dd) - age 19 ish Jolie (dd) - age 18 and holding Jilly (dd) - age ditto Sigh (ds) - age 13 or "thereabouts" Last edited by kklibrarian; 12-05-2014 at 08:05 AM.

12-05-2014, 03:26 PM	#4
ctab Rose Bouquet Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 784	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. __________________ Mom to A born 2009 B born 2010 and M born 2013 baby #4 due June 2015

12-05-2014, 04:18 PM	#6
Little Forest Rose Garden Rich in girls. Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Perth hills, Australia Posts: 6,882	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. Posted via Mobile Device

12-05-2014, 08:40 PM	#7
Soliloquy Administrator Why climb a mountain? Because it's there! Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Selkirk Mountains Posts: 52,454	Re: Please recommend a quality, affordable sewing machine. Thanks for all the advice. __________________ Lisa, 49. Married to the love of my life for 25 years! Moderator in Theological & Doctrinal Issues, Drawing Closer, Bible Study, & Educating Our Children Mom to 5 wonderful kids, ages 6, 12, 13, 15, 18. My Instagram Certified Corrective Exercise Specialist and Personal Trainer..

12-20-2014, 03:03 PM	#8
mommylove Rose Garden Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 9,120	Re: Please recommend a quality, affordable sewing machine. What did you decide? __________________

12-20-2014, 03:21 PM	#9
ECingMama Rose Garden Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 16,278	Re: Please recommend a quality, affordable sewing machine. I'll ask my mom. Can you buy used in any towns near you? __________________ ENFp Wife who is thankful to be in love....17 years Homeschooling Mom of three....15 DD dancer and 12 DS mountain biker and 5 DD calico critter and dolly mommy 12/2014 8/2015 11/2015 9/2016

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