<p>I’m considering buying a new sewing machine, primarily for household projects, hemming things, repairs etc. Does anyone have any recommendations?</p>
<p>Singer, there is one Singer dealer near Winchester, San Jose I think.</p>
<p>If you want the best, my wife would probably say Bernina. The Bernina, Pfaff, and Elna brands are all up near the top. A less expensive brand that’s still good I’ve heard is Janome.</p>
<p>Disclaimer - I don’t sew at all but my wife does endlessly.</p>
<p>I sew a lot. I would recommend a Bernina. There are different models with a wide range of features and prices. Although Berninas are foreign, there are many Bernina-authorized technicians across the US.</p>
<p>I have the Bernina 153 QE. It’s a workhorse!</p>
<p>Thanks! My sister has a Singer Quantum something or other, which she really likes, but I’d like to get ideas from other people. Thanks for the input.</p>
<p>I have a Pfaff and I am very happy with it. It is a simple model. I replaced a Singer and I enjoy the Pfaff much more.
If your not going to use it much you might check Costco and see what they have.
If you have an independent sewing machine store they can be helpful in fitting you to a machine that meets your needs. They also usually provide a few free lessons to learn to work the machine.</p>
<p>Whatever you buy and where ever you buy it, be sure that it’s from an authorized dealer with great customer service and support. Berninas are indeed considered the premier machines by a majority of quilters and seamstresses in the U.S. Husvarna Vikings and Pfaffs are considered high on the list too. I own a mid-level Janome, and am very happy with it. So happy, that I would seriously consider a higher end Janome when I look to upgrade. </p>
<p>There was a time when Singers were considered second-to-none. But, they squandered a lot of their consumer capital years ago with inferior machines made from inferior parts and materials. Once your reputation goes, it’s awfully hard to regain it. But it appears Singer is trying hard to do just that. I think I’d have to start hearing a lot of random praise for the new Singers from a number of random sewing hobbyists before I would hazard a Singer purchase, though. There are just too many other wonderful alternatives out there.</p>
How about Brother SE 400, is it a cheapskate machine? I found one online for $315. I was frustrated with Pottery Barn outdoor cushion covers, the one that I ordered can’t function, not as the design as is and thought I could get a machine and whip these cushions out in no time.
Costco has Brother machines around now for xmas. Plus, they warranty the products beyond the manufacturer’s warranty, so you get added coverage.
Stay away from the Singer! Bernina makes a great machine, beautiful stitches, finely engineered, however they are expensive. I agree with the Pfaff, Viking, Elna and Janome recommendations. I would add Babylock to the list. No matter what brand of machine you buy, buy it from somewhere that will also service it.
Post #8? I want all the embroideries stuff. I’m going to Joan Fabrics to test them out.
Post #9, I read those are good brand but one of the Bernina on Amazon is $8800, that’s too much for s a sewing machine.
Just wanted to add that you get what you pay for- I have three Berninas from 3 different decades. All still work beautifully.
If you are looking for a reliable machine that sews and embroiders for not much money, look into a Babylock Sofia2. You get a lot of bang for the buck.
Thread from just two months ago:
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/1792607-sewing-machine-p1.html
One thing I do not like about my Husqvarna is that the guides are in metric, not inches. If you want a 1/2 inch seem, you have to measure it out. It really annoys me.
This thread is from 2007 and the OP hasn’t been active on CC since 2008!
You can buy a plate in inches. I saw some online for Viking/Husqvarna machines. My gripe is that onmy Husqvarna machines, 1/4" is in the middle of a feed dog. Real pain when quilting!
Even though this generated some action, I am going to close since it did start in 2007 (although not like there were pages of old replies) and mostly because there is that much more recent thread. As always, please don’t revive really old threads.