STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

greendiamond · Marc Jacobs

sewing machine

Kelly · Hermes

FWIW my mom has a Kenmore that has been going strong for 25 years

Sibeski · Dooney & Bourke

Are you looking for a serger or a regular one?

alagirl · Kenneth Cole

I have this Singer CG-550 which I have been using for about 3 years now. It is commercial grade and has plenty of power for sewing through lots of layers. There are more fancy models that have lots more stitches than this one, but I've never needed to use anything that this one doesn't have. I would definately get a free arm machine and one with a buttonhole feature.

Yana · Dooney & Bourke

I'd bet on SInger. Also, look for semi-industrial or industrial: it's a bit more expensive, but almost all the parts or all the aprts are metal, not plastic - this way it'll grab fabric better, won't slide or miss sewing heavier weight fabrics, like denim ( especially 2-3 layers of it), corduroy, etc...Also will hold very light materials better, steadier.

greendiamond · Marc Jacobs

I don't know the difference between a serger and a regular. I learned to sew on my Grandma's old Singer. I have no idea if it was a serger or not.

Is buying used or remanufactured a good option with sewing machines, or should I just buy a new one?

Hermes

greendiamond wrote:

I don't know the difference between a serger and a regular. I learned to sew on my Grandma's old Singer. I have no idea if it was a serger or not.

Is buying used or remanufactured a good option with sewing machines, or should I just buy a new one?

I don't think a serger is right for you. A serger does a looped, kind of zig zag on the edge of the fabric (most raw fabric edges are finished this way.) I think you'll want a machine that does more than one stitch, especially a straight stitch.

I bought a nice one at Costco - if you're a member there, you might want to check it out. It was a little over $100 if I remember correctly.

When you buy a machine, take it to JoAnn's or another fabric store to get it adjusted and ready for use. JoAnn's has a guy that comes in once a week to do this.

Also check craigslist. Sometimes people receive them as gifts, so you could get a good deal on a new one that way.

Brother and Singer are good brands. I actually have extra sewing machines, if you're interested (free for you.) That way you can have something handy for little jobs and decide if you want to upgrade later.

clothes_horse · Dooney & Bourke

my sister and i both have Brother sewing machines, and while i don't use mine a whole lot, her's gets tons of use and she loves it. my mom has a Singer, which she's had for YEARS and it still works great.
you can get Brother sewing machines at walmart for around $100.

greendiamond · Marc Jacobs

I had no idea sewing machines were so inexpensive. If they are about $100 I think I'll go buy a new one and get aquainted with it. Thanks for the offer D!

Hermes

greendiamond wrote:

I had no idea sewing machines were so inexpensive. If they are about $100 I think I'll go buy a new one and get aquainted with it. Thanks for the offer D!

no problem! yeah, you can get sewing machines fairly inexpensively. start with an "entry level" machine, then spend more on a nicer machine later if you decide you need it.