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Posted by BEI Design on July 21, 2008, 3:28 am
Garfield wrote:
> Bring it on folks -
>
> I'm a Newbie to sewing, and since the wife won't let me
> touch her machine (I wonder why...) I thought I would
> come on here and ask for a suggestion... if I am new to
> sewing, and am looking to purchase a sewing machine, what
> would you suggest for a man who has not really done any
> sewing, but would like to give it a shot?
First, read the "what machine should I buy" FAQ:
www.cet.com/~pennys/faq/smfaq.htm
It was compiled by one of the regulars "here" and has a
great deal of useful information.
> Some background for those interested, if it helps:
>
> I have worked with computers for years, and feel
> comfortable working with mechanical devices... I have
> several power tools, but do not have a 'shop' per se. I
> have worked with my wife (years ago) helping snip threads
> and prepare items for a multi-headed embroidery machine,
> and enjoyed the process...
>
> recently she ran a few baby blankets through the
> embroidery machine she has here at home (Singer Futura
> CE-200) and I have worked with her to snip threads, pink
> edges, and package them for sale.
>
> I enjoy working with the computer, and embroidery aspects
> of sewing, and would like to do some sewing of my own,
> since she has started quilting, and after doing some
> legwork for her, I am finding there are many men who are
> accomplished quilters... I figure I would like to try it
> out.
Good for you! No reason at all to let us women have ALL the
fun... ;-) Thee are several men who post to this newsgroup,
maybe some of them will chime in.
> I think my main concern is, should I purchase a new or
> used machine, and is the drop-in bobbin all it's cracked
> up to be? My niece has a Brother machine (low end) that
> has the vertical bobbin, and my sister-in-law and my
> wife both hate the thing with a passion... they just
> spent over 4 hours (over several days) searching high and
> low for a mechanical version of the singer with drop-in
> bobbin for the sister-in law... it is similar to my
> wife's other machine in that it is a Singer, and it is
> drop-in bobbin, and mechanical... other than that, I
> didn't look too closely at it.
>
> I guess what I am looking for in a reply here is this:
>
> 1 - what machine would you recommend
My personal reomendati0on: Singer 401A (used). I still own
my first one (bought new in 1960) and two others of that
model, and use them constantly. But you will want to test
drive several machines before making a decision.
> 2 - why? please spell out the pros and cons, pricing
> concerns, etc. 3 - new or used? your opinion, and a few
> ideas as to why this is the case.
Depends on your budget. Used if under $500, probably new if
the sky's the limit. I love my new (in 20034) Singer Quantum
5000 which is both a sewing machine and an embroidery
machine. BUT, I sew on my 401As and embroider with the
XL5000. If I had to replace one of the 401As for any reason,
I would seek another of the same model. I also own two
sergers (first one bought used, second one a prize at the
state fair) and a coverstitch machine. As you get farther
into sewing you may discover you want/need additional
machines.
> 4 - any/all links are appreciated - reviews of
> recommended machines are especially welcome, as I would
> like to make a decision sometime over the month of
> August, and then purchase a machine in September.
>
> Also- if appropriate - if you know of any cycles when
> sales on machines seem to happen, please - let me know,
> this is not an area I have shopped before, so it would
> take me over a year to even get close to anticipating any
> kind of sales... I know that there have to be some
> standard months that sales happen folks - please, give me
> a heads up so I can at least anticipate whether or not
> this is a decent time to purchase the machine.
If you are buying used, I doubt there is any cycle to be
concerned with, it will just depend on when a model you want
becomes available. I don't know about cycles for buying
new.
> ok - to those who have taken the time to read this far -
> THANK YOU for your time, and Patience.
>
> Sincerely -
> -}-
HTH,
Beverly
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