choosing a new sewing machine

Posted by pamelacastle@roncastle.com on March 19, 2006, 9:55 pm

Hi there,

It's been a long time but I'm about to get back to sewing after a 25 to
30 year absence. Starting out doing new stuff for our 9th grandbaby
including sewing on cotton and some knits. Just remember from the past
the "hell" of sewing on stretch fabrics and want to be sure that the
machine I choose will be able to do this. Since we have to
grandaughters so far, one who is 21 months and one who will be 7 next
week would like to be able to do some really fancy and unique things
for thier clothing as welll. So... the ?? is what machine to buy. Any
and all suggestions will be appreciated.

Cheers,
Pamela

Posted by Kay Lancaster on March 20, 2006, 5:42 am

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Seriously, this is a very personal decision. What have you got now, and
what, besides knits, would you like it to do better? Maybe you really
want a serger (overlocker) instead or in addition to your sewing machine?
(I'm quite addicted to serger methods of construction!). If you're going
with a new machine, I'd seriously consider an electronic machine at least:
the stepper motors used give you full "needle force" without stalls, unlike
the old mechanical White and Singer straight stitchers I learned on.
But go and try and test and see what's out there... even the ones that are
way out of budget -- it's the only way you can really evaluate how things
have changed. But a good, well-overhauled old mechanical can be a good
choice, too. Depends on your style.

Some sewing machine and serger help:
http://www.cet.com/~pennys/faq/smfaq.htm
http://www.taunton.com/threads/pages/tvt046.asp
http://www.taunton.com/threads/pages/t00130.asp
http://www.taunton.com/threads/pages/t00162.asp
http://www.cahe.nmsu.edu/pubs/_c/C-203.pdf
http://www.cahe.nmsu.edu/pubs/_c/C-218.pdf
http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Publications/PM1581.pdf

I'll toss in a mention of a pattern company I really like:
KwikSew -- their books have a whole wardrobe of basic patterns, and lots
of ideas: http://www.kwiksew.com/books/BookFrameset.cfm

And a book that I found quite useful in improving my skills:
Carol Ahles' Fine Machine Sewing:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1561585866 -- chapter 1 and Appendices A
and C may be especially useful to you right now. It's commonly available
in public libraries.

Kay

Posted by pamelacastle@roncastle.com on March 20, 2006, 8:49 am

Morning, Kay,

Thanks for a great response. I'm going to go try some machines and
take some sample fabrics with me to see which one feels best to me.

I'll have to do some research on the serger/overlocker as I don't have
a clue what this is or does. I'll go to the websites you suggested and
see what I can learn there. I'll also go take a look at the book.

Thanks again and have a great day.

Pamela

Posted by Pogonip on March 20, 2006, 5:33 pm

Kay Lancaster wrote:
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Some of us have one of each.
--
Joanne
stitches @ singerlady.reno.nv.us.earth
http://members.tripod.com/~bernardschopen/

Posted by BEI Design on March 20, 2006, 6:36 pm

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Or, two...or three..... ;-)

Beverly

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