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Posted by Masha on March 14, 2006, 12:52 am
I need to buy a sewing machine for basic needs but it must be able to
sew denim. I just want to make a few items of clothing for myself--
nothing fancy.
I don't want to buy a new Brother or Singer because many say they are
made cheaply and will either not sew through denim or break when you
attempt to. Instead, people recommend that I get a working Singer or
other model that was made before the 1970s since that's about the time
they stopped making quality sewing machines. Problem is, I am clueless
as to what models of these old machines would suit my needs. I can't
pay more than $150.
I'm also willing to consider a new machine as long as it is below this
price and won't break on me.
Experienced seamstresses, please help! I would appreciate it so much.
Masha
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Posted by Kate Dicey on March 14, 2006, 4:54 am
Masha wrote:
> I need to buy a sewing machine for basic needs but it must be able to
> sew denim. I just want to make a few items of clothing for myself--
> nothing fancy.
> I don't want to buy a new Brother or Singer because many say they are
> made cheaply and will either not sew through denim or break when you
> attempt to. Instead, people recommend that I get a working Singer or
> other model that was made before the 1970s since that's about the time
> they stopped making quality sewing machines. Problem is, I am clueless
> as to what models of these old machines would suit my needs. I can't
> pay more than $150.
> I'm also willing to consider a new machine as long as it is below this
> price and won't break on me.
> Experienced seamstresses, please help! I would appreciate it so much.
>
> Masha
>
My take on this:
Pre 1964: Singer is OK. Look for bargains with the cam stacks and a set
of cams for USEFUL household stitches. Can't remember all the model
numbers...
'60's/70's/'80's: Elna, Necchi, New Home, Viscount (look for metal
bodied machines like the Viscount 2000 I have on my web site, and avoid
the new Silver Viscount - they are full of sand! Literally - my dealer
sent a whole bunch back and no longer stocks them because of the sand
problem!), Frister & Rossman (the Cub range were excellent and there are
still some about), Bernina (always the Bernie!), and Husqvarna (not many
about, but damned good when you find them). If you want to sew denim,
avoid anything new under $500, and even then you might be pushing it for
regular use...
Contact a few local Old Sewing Machine Guys/Gals (yellow pages are your
friend) and see what they have in stock. My latest purchase was an Elna
Lotus, but they have a premium price because they are tiddly and ever so
cute! ;) Bit like the Featherweight in that.
--
Kate XXXXXX R.C.T.Q Madame Chef des Trolls
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
http://www.katedicey.co.uk
Click on Kate's Pages and explore!
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Posted by IMS on March 14, 2006, 7:33 am
>I need to buy a sewing machine for basic needs but it must be able to
>sew denim. I just want to make a few items of clothing for myself--
>nothing fancy.
>I don't want to buy a new Brother or Singer because many say they are
>made cheaply and will either not sew through denim or break when you
>attempt to. Instead, people recommend that I get a working Singer or
>other model that was made before the 1970s since that's about the time
>they stopped making quality sewing machines. Problem is, I am clueless
>as to what models of these old machines would suit my needs. I can't
>pay more than $150.
>I'm also willing to consider a new machine as long as it is below this
>price and won't break on me.
>Experienced seamstresses, please help! I would appreciate it so much.
>
>Masha
The vintage Singers are awsome machines.
Straight stitch only or zig zag? If straight stitch, consider a Singer
201-2 or 15-91, or 404 -- full size machines with a large harp
area...they are all metal and gear driven (no belts). Powerful
machines! A smaller version of the 404 is the 301.
If you want built in zig zag be prepared to pay more, look for a Singer
401 or a 500. These are also all metal, gear driven (no belts) models
that wills ew through anything you can get under the foot. They will do
many decorative stitches which are built in. The 403 and 503 are other
considerations, these don't have the decorative stitches built in but
take cams instead.
These models take regular size needles and the bobbins are common,
available at Walmart, JoAnn Fabrics, etc. You can probably find most of
these for $150 or less, but keep in mind as a used machine you should
probably take it in for a tune up and cleaning to insure it's in top
notch condition, unless you are able to do this yourself.
If you want to know what these models look like, check out my the ISMACS
site:
http://www.ismacs.net/singer/models.html#household
-Irene
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You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.=20
--Mae West=20
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Posted by Miz Spike on March 14, 2006, 11:22 am
Irene, I agree that the Singer 404 for straight stitch is wonderful. My
SIL has one that was found in a house when she moved in. It had no
presser feet and the thread guide was bent, but I cleaned the machine
inside and out, bought a zipper foot ( the only the the local fabric
shop had), unbent it, and used a chopstick for the thread spindle
until I could locate the proper stuff. Wonderful machine. It can be
dropped and its timing will recover.
My favorite Singer is the 328, a zigzag that takes cames to do fancier
stitches. It still has the metal body. In fact, this year when my
brother was looking for a machine, I mentioned that one like mine would
be perfect. Lo and behold, we found one second hand, and it had the
zigzag cam.
Older metal bodied machines are wonderful.
Miz Spike
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Posted by Miz Spike on March 14, 2006, 11:23 am
Irene, I agree that the Singer 404 for straight stitch is wonderful. My
SIL has one that was found in a house when she moved in. It had no
presser feet and the thread guide was bent, but I cleaned the machine
inside and out, bought a zipper foot ( the only the the local fabric
shop had), unbent it, and used a chopstick for the thread spindle
until I could locate the proper stuff. Wonderful machine. It can be
dropped and its timing will recover.
My favorite Singer is the 328, a zigzag that takes cames to do fancier
stitches. It still has the metal body. In fact, this year when my
brother was looking for a machine, I mentioned that one like mine would
be perfect. Lo and behold, we found one second hand, and it had the
zigzag cam.
Older metal bodied machines are wonderful.
Miz Spike
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