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Posted by Myrna on December 21, 2005, 3:33 pm
HI, All,
I just tried to wind a bobbin on my 30-year-old Sears sewing machine
and the winder will not turn. I took the thing apart and can't see what
might be wrong. The local repair place says it will probably cast
$60-$70 to fix. I'm wondering if I should just go buy a new machine. So
here's my question to all of you: what do you recommend for someone who
uses a sewing machine for repairs/minor alterations? I don't need a
huge number of stitches. The only thing I'd like to have is a bobbin
that is not underneath the machine. Do you have any advice for me as to
brand, cost, and where to purchase? I need to fix a skirt for a party
in early January.
Thanks much,
Myrna
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Posted by Melinda Meahan - take out TRAS on December 21, 2005, 6:04 pm
I think spending $60 to repair a 30-year-old Kenmore machine is a VERY
wise investment. They still had decent machines then, and the new el
cheapo machines can't touch them. Your old mechanical Kenmore could be
passed down to your grandchildren if you care for it properly and will
still work like the day it was built.
Myrna wrote:
show/hide quoted text
> HI, All,
> I just tried to wind a bobbin on my 30-year-old Sears sewing machine
> and the winder will not turn. I took the thing apart and can't see what
> might be wrong. The local repair place says it will probably cast
> $60-$70 to fix. I'm wondering if I should just go buy a new machine. So
> here's my question to all of you: what do you recommend for someone who
> uses a sewing machine for repairs/minor alterations? I don't need a
> huge number of stitches. The only thing I'd like to have is a bobbin
> that is not underneath the machine. Do you have any advice for me as to
> brand, cost, and where to purchase? I need to fix a skirt for a party
> in early January.
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Posted by Myrna on December 21, 2005, 7:00 pm
I'm very surprised to hear you say this. I always felt that my Kenmore
machine left a lot to be desired. The bobbin is underneath and very
hard to insert. There is no way to sew a sleeve or other narrow area
and I always missed this feature. When the bobbin is wound, the needle
assembly is not supposed to move. After servicing the machine 3 times,
I gave up and used it the way it was with the needle going up and down
when I made a bobbin. So I guess I'd disagree on this particular
machine. I want a free-arm, with standard stitches with a bobbin that
is easy to reach. All that I have been missing for a long time.
I was looking at an inexpensive Brother online but it seems to indicate
that the stitch width and length are not adjustable. I must have this.
Anyone else have suggestions?
Myrna
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Posted by Kate Dicey on December 21, 2005, 7:19 pm
Myrna wrote:
show/hide quoted text
> I'm very surprised to hear you say this. I always felt that my Kenmore
> machine left a lot to be desired. The bobbin is underneath and very
> hard to insert. There is no way to sew a sleeve or other narrow area
> and I always missed this feature. When the bobbin is wound, the needle
> assembly is not supposed to move. After servicing the machine 3 times,
> I gave up and used it the way it was with the needle going up and down
> when I made a bobbin. So I guess I'd disagree on this particular
> machine. I want a free-arm, with standard stitches with a bobbin that
> is easy to reach. All that I have been missing for a long time.
>
> I was looking at an inexpensive Brother online but it seems to indicate
> that the stitch width and length are not adjustable. I must have this.
>
> Anyone else have suggestions?
>
> Myrna
>
I don't usually like any Singer built after 1964, but I bought one of
these for my mum recently, and was very impressed:
http://www.singermachines.co.uk/Machines/Singer/singer_117.htm
Not up to the type or volume of sewing I do* (and you wouldn't want to
make jeans or curtains or do much quilting on it), but a neat bit of kit
for the price. I bought it after trying LOTS of different lower priced
(under £400) machines, and this was the best of them all.
If you DO want to sew heavy duty stuff, look seriously at
this:http://www.jaycotts.co.uk/acatalog/Bernina_1008.html
Will quite happily sew through tin cans!
*I have one of these:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8243490312&category=28167
...but then I work as a dress and costume maker! This is NOT my
machine - I've still got mine, and it's been hard at work almost every
day since 1999!
--
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 Myrna on December 22, 2005, 1:30 pm
Kate, how did you try all of those machines? I wonder if there's a
place near me in NJ where I can try some out. The Bernina looks very
nice as does the Singer you mention. I don't do heavy sewing so it's
hard to decide if a light weight is good enough or if I should go for
more. Thanks for your help.
Myrna
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> I just tried to wind a bobbin on my 30-year-old Sears sewing machine
> and the winder will not turn. I took the thing apart and can't see what
> might be wrong. The local repair place says it will probably cast
> $60-$70 to fix. I'm wondering if I should just go buy a new machine. So
> here's my question to all of you: what do you recommend for someone who
> uses a sewing machine for repairs/minor alterations? I don't need a
> huge number of stitches. The only thing I'd like to have is a bobbin
> that is not underneath the machine. Do you have any advice for me as to
> brand, cost, and where to purchase? I need to fix a skirt for a party
> in early January.