I"ve owned a Pfaff for about 10 years now and I love it - especially the fact that it threads the needle for me! I"ve been sewing since 8th grade and my old Kenmore was a real workhorse, but this machine, oh my, it’s so much nicer. And I can do more with it.
Whatever you buy, I’d recommend taking lessons on it. That will help you get the full value of the machine since it is likely that it will have more features than our old machine.
Another recommendation it to buy add-on LED lights for it to increase the illumination around the needle. I just did this for my machine and it really helps - esp when sewing black fabric with black thread.
I got a $99 Singer for my HS graduation. Used it til 8 years ago, when I gave it to my niece. I made four wedding gowns, hundreds of costumes, every curtain in our house, Halloween costumes for S1 and S2, and my work wardrobe on that thing. I am trying to get it back if she doesn’t use it, because I miss it. I have been looking for a similar model on ebay to no avail.
I have an $800 Singer with lots of stitches and it is terrible. All plastic parts, the bobbin tension has been messed up since day one, etc.
I also have two Viking embroidery machines. One uses a smaller hoop and I can’t use it anymore because the software no longer supports that machine. However, I use it as my regular workhorse sewing machine now. Have had it for !8 years. My other one is a larger embroidery machine which I bought slightly used from the Viking dealer (previous owner had it for three weeks, wanted a fancier model, traded this one in). I got it for 1/3 of retail. It still uses a floppy drive to run embroidery files, which I worry will no longer be supported in the next version of the software release. At that point, I’d have no choice but to get a new machine. Am not happy about that, replacing my current machine with a comparable model runs $5000+. The embroidery machines (for those who want to embroider pictures, flowers, etc.) have proprietary software which also costs $$ on top of the machine. The top end of Viking’s software package is $2100. I have the midrange package, which I was forced to get when Viking stopped making software that ran on XP.
If you are looking for a basic machine for quilting, home/garment sewing, a couple of my friends have bought lightweight Janomes that they can schlep to class/quilting meetups without difficulty.
I’m about to add an LED light, too. My bigger Viking has a needle threader, warning for low bobbin, etc.
Dr. Google, I am coordinating a quilting project where we are making quilts for a local women’s shelter. If you go to a local quilt store (i.e., not Hancock’s/Joann’s), they usually have charity quilting bees where folks work on a particular project (baby quilts, quilts for veterans, dog beds, etc.) I like doing this because it gets me out with other people, we have gotten a lot of fabric donations so it’s not entirely on my dime, and I get the satisfaction of being creative while not filling my house with more projects than I can use. I’m finding it’s a nice way to pay it forward. I try to learn a new block with every charity quilt I make, too. I’m also helping to support a local business in the process.
I have heard positive things from folks who have bought inexpensive machines from Costco, just for simple, basic sewing–straight seams and some zigzagging. I have no idea where I bought my basic Singer machine that I’ve had for a few decades now. It’s pretty solid and has done what I need it to do–make curtains, costumes, pillow cases, and basic things. It still works just fine and has no computerized parts for me to have to update or be concerned about. I don’t do any embroidery on machines, so have never had that feature.
I considered getting a simple machine at Costco but when I looked at it, it seemed more complicated than I needed with gazillions of stitch possibilities. Instead, I bought an even simpler Brother machine and it is just fine for what I need. I had a Bernina before that (a basic Bernina) but the bobbin starting jamming in a dramatic way and even though it was fixed several times, it would continue, so I replaced it.
My advice would be to first identify exactly what it is you intend to sew. Are you merely going to use it to do small repairs, hem trousers, etc.? Sew garments using various types and weights of fabric? Quilt? Sew home dec. items like reupolhstry, draperies, and cushions? Make purses and bags? If you’re wanting the ability to sew through multiple layers of fabric, plus piping, binding, interfacing, zippers and linings, you’ll need a machine with a fairly powerful motor that won’t bog down when faced with such tasks. There are some industrial workhorse type machines with heavy-duty metal parts that specialize in powering through many layers like a hot knife through butter, but they might not offer a variety of stitch types (sometimes not even zig-zag). Does the ability to do custom computerized machine embroidery appeal to you?
How much are you willing to spend? Cost can vary wildly, from a few hundred to upwards of twenty thousand! Uh…yeah.
If you’re looking to fork out more than a few hundred, I would highly suggest buying from a local dealer that stands behind the products it sells, offers parts and service, and classes on how to operate and maintain your machine. There are a lot of online resources that will aid you in comparing brands and options that best meet your needs (YouTube alone has a wealth of information), but you’ll have to slog through a crap ton of it depending on what kind of machine you’re looking to buy.
I had a high end Bernina for years and then my son started making clothes for his significant other. (He also weaves the fabric. He’s a Renaissance engineer.) I gave DS the machine. I just bought myself a Viking 116–very basic machine–for $350. It has ten stitches and it does those ten very well indeed. But that’s all it does. It’s also all I need.
I still have my Singer that my mother/sister bought in the 60’s when we were all learning to sew; I was the only one who stayed with it. It was $179, but in the 60’s. Used that (still a better buttonhole than my newer one) for 25+ years, then got my Husquvarna, $1000, in 1995. Used it for everything like Halloween costumes, sewing the badges and patches on Girl Scout vests (not just my kids, the entire troop), household things, more costumes, my brother’s patches on his referee shirt (on/off/on/off drove me crazy).
My biggest complaint about it is that it is metric, so no 1/4" 1/2" 5/8" designations for seem allowances. I don’t always care, but sometimes I do. I’m currently away from my belongings, so asked a friend’s mother if I could borrow a sewing machine. She gave me one, also Husquvarna, but seems to be a few years older than mine. I don’t even know if it still works, but I’m sure it will be fine for fixing seems and sewing on those damn patches on my brother’s shirts.
I lust after a serger and an embroidery machine. Maybe after tuition. Maybe when I have cute little grandchildren and I can embroider cute little things for them.
My youngest machine is a 1960s Montgomery Ward one that was my mother’s. I have a 1907 Singer 66, a 1916 Singer 127 and a 1952 301A. They are all indestructible and sew beautifully. They will sew through multiple thickness of heavy fabric with no problems at all.
What project is everyone working on now?
I am working on new pull drapes for our 1961 home’s rods. We have plaster walls. Way easier to make new drapes then to change rod hardware.
My first machine, a Kenmore, was given to me as my college graduation present from my parents.
My mom was a home ec teacher, so I have loved sewing since shown how I could design and make way cooler Barbie and Ken clothes on my mother’s Singer.
I upgraded to a Baby Lock a dozen years ago. Easy machine to learn.
Then two years ago. I was working at a store, who stopped doing customer alterations, who was putting out there commercial industrial strength sewing machines to the dumpster, to make room for graphic storage in the former alteration room.
I told the store manager I would pay for the machines. The manager told me if you take them today they are yours.
So I have 3 power stand with lighting mounted industrial machines for a free bonus of being at work on the right day.
My treasures are a blind stitch hemmer serger, a longarm double needle lock stitch, and a keyhole round Button hole machine. Plus they gave me two wall displays of every color thread and bobbins and a ton of zippers and the most outstanding button collection ever!!
My sewing machine is your basic White. I would not suggest it for a serious sewing person!
I should have kept and gotten repaired my 1960’s singer. Big mistake to get rid of that.
I also have a singer treadle sewing machine with a gazzilion attachments including a ruffled and a pleater, and a rolled hemmer. It can sew through any kind of fabric…no electricity or motor to foul up the works.
My first machine was a Kenmore. My step father who was pretty macho used it to repair his work clothes. I remember him making bedspreads for my corner group in my bedroom including the back pillows. That was a great workhorse. When my 2nd was young I purchased a Singer from Costco. It was not expensive and did not last. About 15 yrs ago I went to a local dealer and bought a fairly simple Pfaff machine. It was worth the money.
My first sewing machine I bought in college. It was a cheap Brother. I sewed lots of Frostline and Altra kits. (Down comforter I still sleep under, 2 down sleeping bags, several winter down & fleece jackets.) It’s tensioning was awful and the bobbin was a nightmare.
When Dh & I got out of grad school and we had a house and actual incomes, I bought a mid-line Pfaff with walking foot. All mechanical and all metal gears. It was a workhorse. I taught 3 troops of Brownie how to sew using it. It took tons of abuse and never balked. I sewed draperies, quilts, fine tailored clothing, upholstery, jeans’ hems, tents and backpacks–everything but leather–on it.
About 5 years ago, I was getting frustrated with the buttonholes on the Pfaff and its limited stitch choices. (The Pfaff had 4 step buttonhole, but they never looked professional. I used to take my clothing to a tailor and pay him to sew the buttonholes.) I bought a Brother computerized machine and I love it. It’s designed for quilters so it has an extended bed and stitches diagonally. It also has 4 different built-in 1-step auto-buttonhole styles and a limited amount of decorative embroidery-type designs, including 5 alphabets so I can do monograms.
One word of warning about Pfaffs. The original Swiss company sold its sewing machine business about 15 years ago and the new Pfaffs now have nylon (plastic) gears. The nylon gears aren’t as durable as the old metal ones used to be.
@VeryHappy: sounds like you love to sew and that you used to be quite accomplished and can easily return to that level, so why not just spring for the best model that meets your needs. I agree with Wellspring. Men go out and buy the best tools for their projects and women try to make do with less. Go for an expensive machine and renew your passion for sewing and don’t worry about the cost. You can pass the machine on to future DILs. Life is too short --enjoy what you love todo. Most people don’t have a talent or interest in anything! You do, embrace it and get the best machine that works for you.
If one were to rate the sawing machine what would you rate them. I’m interest in finding the equivalent of Bosch and trying to avoid buying the KitchenAid brand for the kitchen, but the is for sawing. I know it depends on price. But let’s say the price range is between $500-$1000. But no more. I want the capability to do embroidery from a picture or photo.
I have a 20+ year old Bernina that I absolutely love. It is still working perfectly and in all that time I have only had to have it serviced once. I’ve made lots of clothes and costumes for my kids over the years. Am currently working on drapes for our bedroom. It is great at being able to sew through many layers and some tougher fabrics without a problem. It has quite a few embroidery stitches and I have used it in the past to edge baby blankets with an embroidered stitch though I haven’t done that lately. A few years ago I was helping with costumes for my D’s HS choir program and I was able to use it to stitch on rows of rhinestones to trim the costumes without breaking needles. My machine doesn’t do the programmable embroidery but I think they make Bernina’s that do that. It was pricey at the time, about $800, worth it though- I doubt I’ll ever have to replace it.
@Bromfield2, you make a very good point about buying a good machine that will help me enjoy my hobby and even enhance my skill. As I mentioned earlier, I did spring for the good staple gun and good air compressor and good fabric shears. If I buy a new machine, I will definitely spring for a good one – whatever that turns out to be.
I’ve learned from you all that the WalMart/Costco machines that cost less than $200 – even if they are “name brand” and even though I don’t need the embroidery features – are not what I want. I’ve also learned from you all that I should find a store that lets me try different machines out and provides training on my machine, and I found a place right in the next town over.
Someone upthread made a good point, however: I should get my current machine cleaned and oiled and then decide if I need a new one. I’d rather spend ~$90 or so to see if the machine is still good instead of ~$1000 or so to buy a new one! And someone else suggested I use a new needle. Simple idea that should help a bit.
I’ve also learned from my upholstery project that there’s no way I can do it as professionally as the pros do it. From a distance, the chair I’m still working on will look fine, but there are numerous boo-boos that I made and numerous spots where it just doesn’t look good. (It’s only for a guest room and only gets sat in maybe four hours a year, so that’s not a problem.) I now know I won’t be doing the living room couch or the family room chairs; those will go to the pros. But I’ve now got confidence to do the cushions for the This End Up furniture, which is a big step forward from where I was before.
