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OT: Any avid sewers out there?

stormabruin's picture

Submitted by stormabruin on Wed, 04/03/2013 - 6:30am

My hobby is primitive crafting. With it, I do do a LOT of sewing.

I've never shopped for a sewing machine. My mom gave me one 17 years ago that is still limping along, but the foot peddle has started getting hot when I use it for longer periods of time.

I've been looking for a replacement, but they all feel cheap in comparison to the one I have. Mine would break my foot & the floor under it if I dropped it, but I feel confident I could put it right back on the table & it'd sew like a champ.

Everything is made of plastic now. Yeah, it wouldn't break my foot or the floor (yay!), but there's nothing to these newer machines. I've been reading reviews & regardless of what brand or model, it seems someone couldn't live without it & someone else absolutely hates it.

I've been watching craigslist & Ebay, thinking maybe I can find an older metal good quality machine, but most of what I'm finding are the old antique treddle machines (which I'd love to have just to have, but don't want to be tied to that manual method) & the newer plastic ones. I'm not finding the beefy heavy stand-up-to-a hurricane quality machines.

So, I'm asking for thoughts here. Got any?

Comments

arjuna79's picture

Submitted by arjuna79 on Wed, 04/03/2013 - 6:48am

I totally get this. My original 40-year-old Singer was the same indestructible beast. (with a "drop-in bobbin" dontcha know). Maybe 8 years ago it just got too cranky and in the pre-craigslist/Ebay days we just went shopping at the repair store. I got a new Singer and while it handles basic stuff ok, it is so damn finicky and wimpers out at the first pin it runs into Sad My quilting buddies have all these fancy computerized berninas that do everything but design your work... but I haven't yet found the solid kind of model that would just do reliable damn sewing for you... where IS our basic, reliable solution?

stormabruin's picture

Submitted by stormabruin on Wed, 04/03/2013 - 7:29am

I'm terrified to chuck hundreds of dollars at anything computerized. They'd hardly be worth the repair bill should the computer go wrong. They seem to be made as disposables rather than fixables anyway.

I need a workhorse machine as far as hours of use, but I don't need all the fancy widgets & stitches. I don't do fancy work. I need a machine that can straight stitch, zig-zag, & backstitch. That's it! I need something with a decent light on it. Not the tiny dim bluish-white LED light. And I need something with some weight (some metal) so that my machine isn't moving around the table while I'm trying to sew.

The reviews keep talking about problems with the bobbins & the tension...the two things that will guarantee high blood-pressure & irritation while sewing. Why pay hundreds of dollars for high blood-pressure? I can it cheaper with fast food. LOL!

arjuna79's picture

Submitted by arjuna79 on Wed, 04/03/2013 - 8:39am

I agree about the computerized thing.. this newer singer does the simple stuff (straight, zigzag and backstitch). the bobbin is ok, the light isn't LED but still sucks, the feed dog and stitch gauge (= tension issues) are the main gripes. And yeah, ask how many table I've gouged out with that bottom screw as the machine moves around Sad

the only thing I actually like about it is: it automatically picks the needle up when you stop. woo hoo.

maybe there's a good sewing machine mechanic out there who can check your electrical system and rewire the pedal?

doll faced sm's picture

Submitted by doll faced sm on Wed, 04/03/2013 - 6:53am

I've been sewing for 17 years. I still have the first thing I ever made, it was a "corset." This thing is hideous; I mean, it is really, really *BAD!* But I still cart it around with me everywhere I move all these years later because it was the first thing I ever created.

stormabruin's picture

Submitted by stormabruin on Wed, 04/03/2013 - 7:32am

LOL! I have my first project too. My mom used to make the knock-off Cabbage Patch Kids & sell them. She used the plastic heads from Ben Franklin Crafts. I made mine out of an old pair of panty hose & yarn. She's anything but pretty, but she's a fun memory of learning to sew & craft with my mom. I keep her on display in my craft room. Smile

Willow2010's picture

Submitted by Willow2010 on Wed, 04/03/2013 - 7:37am

I thought it was an add too! lol

Ummm...I can't sew a button on a shirt much less make anything! But I am VERY impressed with those of you that can. It just seems so hard.

Edit to add...what is primitive crafting?

stormabruin's picture

Submitted by stormabruin on Wed, 04/03/2013 - 7:45am

Primitive crafts are typically distressed, stained & sanded to look worn & old. I do different dolls & small things that display in old wooden bowls. If you google images for "primitive crafts" it will give you a better idea. It's not really country crafting, but stuff from more primitive times.

There seems to be more demand for it in the colonial areas.

My Dh says it just looks dirty, but I think homes decorated in the primitive style feel more warm & cozy than his modern preferences.

oldone's picture

Submitted by oldone on Wed, 04/03/2013 - 10:23am

I bought the top of the line Singer about 35 years ago - after sewing for many years on a 1930s Singer. The foot pedal fell on the floor and broke - it was NOT replaceable. They'd changed the motor fittings and I would have had to get a new motor too for lots of $$$$$$. I've hated Singers since then.

I have a Pfaff that is about 25 years old. It sews like a dream - the once or twice a year that I stitch up a seam.

GoldenGoose's picture

Submitted by GoldenGoose on Wed, 04/03/2013 - 12:52pm

I have been quilting for years. My heaviest machine is the Janome 6600. It's a tank. I have a Janome 10000, but use that for embroidery only. I do know what younmean about the old heavy machines. But, the 6600 is as close to an industrial machine. I have a numismatic industrial machine, but it's so noisy.

New second wife-step-mom's picture

Submitted by New second wife... on Wed, 04/03/2013 - 2:18pm

Have a Singer but it is very finicky so I don't really care for it.

Everything has to be so so to get it to sew and you still may have problems.

It is very aggravating when I am trying to finish a project.

I wish I had one that was sturdy and not so finicky.

oneoffour's picture

Submitted by oneoffour on Wed, 04/03/2013 - 5:12pm

I had a Janome in New Zealand who was my best friend. I LOVED that machine. However when I moved here I had to leave her behind (different electrics). I told DH he OWED me big time. So he bought me a Singer from Walmart. It isn't great but it is good. I am looking at upgrading later this year. Will I stick with Singer? I don't know. I am yearning for a Janome again.

stormabruin's picture

Submitted by stormabruin on Thu, 04/04/2013 - 6:34am

I'd never heard of the Janome brand before I started this search. The reviews I read about them (I think on the JoAnn Fabrics site) weren't great, but the 4 people I've gotten reviews from directly have had nothing but good to say about them.

I was looking at Brothers & Singers, but they seem to have the same complaints in regards to the bobbin & tension issues. The one I have is a White, but I haven't heard thoughts from anyone on that brand to know what their newer models are like.

The idea of plastic makes me feel like they build them to be disposable. I hate the idea of spending hundreds of dollars on something to be thrown away.