KBtotheBB

I've been thinking about getting one for awhile now, and I think now's the time to do some serious research and make a purchase. So, if you could answer a couple questions for me, that'd be great.

What kind do you have? (brand, model, etc)

Do you like yours? Why/why not.

Why did you get a sewing machine?

What do you primarily use it for? (sewing clothes, quilting, etc)

What features do you use most? Features you've never used?

**I looked for a sewing machine "review" thread, but couldn't find it. If you can find one, please point me in the right direction!!

8marie

What kind do you have? (brand, model, etc) Kenmore...don't see a model #

Do you like yours? Why/why not. Love it, simple to set up, use and take down.

Why did you get a sewing machine? My mom is an expert...I just wanted to do simple tasks instead of running to her.

What do you primarily use it for? (sewing clothes, quilting, etc) Make burp clothes, sew patches on.

What features do you use most? Features you've never used? It isn't full of bells and whistles, so I use it all. My mom bought if for me from a used sewing shop because she has had her similar Kenmore for many years...It looks like brand new and the guy (her sewing buddy) said the lady traded it in along with her old serger for a new fancy one. It is LIKE NEW!

symesa

What kind do you have? (brand, model, etc)
Brother XL 2600 -- similar to this one:
http://www.brother-usa.com/HomeSewing/ModelDetail.aspx?ProductID=XL2600i
But, I got it from Overstock.com so it was technically this one:
http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Brother-XL-2600-Sewing-Machine-w-Free-Bonus-Feet/2667435/product.html

Do you like yours? Why/why not.
Yes. I do basic sewing...and this is a basic machine. However, I would like it slightly more advanced for some of my work.

Why did you get a sewing machine?
My old one (a cheap Kenmore) was not able to deal with the specialty fabric I was sewing on when making cloth diapers. It absolutely could not handle it, so I had to get a new one. Unfortunately, my budget was just a little more than $20!!! Hence, my el-cheapo Overstock.com $85 purchase!

What do you primarily use it for? (sewing clothes, quilting, etc)
1. Isabella clothes
2. Diapers
3. Quilting
4. Home interiors -- curtains, bed skirts, pillows, shades, etc.

What features do you use most? Features you've never used?
I've never used a LOT of the stitches machines often come with. Mostly, I just use straight stitch, zig-zag, elastic stitch, and buttonholes.
I have to say, the "features" I like most are really accessories -- like my hemming foot or my quilting foot. Those you can get for any machine! Really, a simple machine is likely more than enough for most purposes...

Carol in Maryland

My Singer is 40 years old. The only thing I don't love about it is that the bobbins screw apart into two pieces (supposedly to make it easier to reuse them) and the thread frequently gets caught between the two halves and jams the machine. Other than that, I have made everything from basic curtains to complex Vogue designer patterns (like a 18 piece Ungaro pattern that was like a jigsaw puzzle with all curved seams) to pretty much all of DD's clothing throughout her childhood. I have sewn on everything from silk to lace to heavy denim and corduroy. I never used the decorative stitches much, but used the zigzag all the time to finish seams, and the automatic buttonholer.

jandj-2002

Mine's a Brother. I received as a gift about 15+ years ago. Not a ton of bells and whistles but enought to let me do curtains, some clothes and a slipcover (my most complex project) with piping.

anamcharas

I'm in the market for a new machine (or used) too and was going to ask the same question,. I know my mom got a basic model Kenmore a few years ago and loves it. She traded in her much more advanced Singer b/c she could never get the hang of it and it constantly needed tune-ups. I would be using mine mostly for household stuff (curtains, table cloths, etc) and clothes for DD and LP. I'm going to do some research on this today.

j

MissPitchy

Mine is a 30 year old White hand-me-down and it is still going strong! My sewing teacher and the Sew-Vac guy who tuned my machine say the plastic cased machines are terrible. If they are left in an attic during summer, they will warp and you won't be able to use it...so if you are looking for something to hang on to, they both suggest the metal case. The girls in my sewing classes who had the plastic cases always seemed to be having problems. But they are inexpensive!

A good friend of mine just bought a really good machine on craigslist for $50 and then she just had it tuned up (about $75). The guy who did my tune up had some used machines for sale, too.

KBtotheBB

Let me know what you find, k? So far, I've found a Singer that got great reviews at both Target and Amazon. The Target website says it's in-store, so I'm going to go take a look during lunch.

anamcharas

Good to know about the plastic-saced ones. My MIL gave me her's (an old Kenmore) several years ago, but I could never make it work. I'm guessing this could be the problem...plastic cased. Hmmmmm...

j

bls05

Why did you get a sewing machine? My mom had 3 so she gave me one of hers. I'm not sure of the brand. It's in a plastic case, but it works great. Maybe because I don't use it all of the time? The guts of it are all metal, pretty basic, but has worked well. I do have to oil it up every once in awhile and it works even better. But the guy that repairs them told my mom that every machine needs that from time to time. She got it at Walmart for about $100.

What do you primarily use it for? (sewing clothes, quilting, etc)I've made a few simple pillowcase dresses for DD, I made all of the curtains at my old house, hemming things, pillows, etc.

What features do you use most? Features you've never used?
I use the basic features.

Sorry-somehow I deleted half of your questions and DD is crying. Long story short-I like it for what I use it for. I never thought I'd like sewing, but I now wish I had more time because my list of projects is growing a mile long!