I recently cleaned out our closet and found this:
The t-shirts, they were taking over. But after going through them all, we only found three (count ’em: THREE) with which we could bear to part.
So I want to make this:
But first, I need one of these:
And I have no clue where to start. Singer used to be good, but I’ve read reviews that say they’ve gone downhill since out-sourcing production to China.
I don’t want to spend a fortune, but I’d like one that sews through heavy material like jeans.
If you’ve got a machine you’d like to brag to me about, please do so <here>. I very much appreciate any and all advice!
The newer machines (that are reasonably priced) are a lot wimpier, because most parts are plastic. I once bought a new machine (over $200) and returned it because it sewed so poorly. I have a 30+ year old Viking I got used for a high school graduation gift that goes through several layers of denim. I love that machine. I’m over having a new one. So find something used preferably over 20 years old. That’s my advice. Oh, but make sure it still has all its attachments and do-dads.
Oh, by the way T-shirt (stretchy knit) can often be really annoying to sew on. Just a warning.
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My husband got me this Singer 7462 as a surprise last summer:
http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog.jsp?CATID=cat3199&PRODID=prd38174
and I LOVE it. I had a White brand that I bought upon graduating high school that had pretty much died after four years of mild to moderate use. My Singer cost $200, the same as the White. However, the warranty is “25 year limited warranty including 25 years parts, 5 year electronic and 1 year labor.” The White has a 90-day warranty. The lady at the sewing machine section at Joann’s fabrics said that Singer did have a bad run in the 90’s, but now they are really good again, but the prices are still low as their reputation tries to recover.
I have also heard great things about old machines, but they tend to weigh a ton and I did not have any connections. I adore my beautiful Singer. I love the fancy stitches.
Oh, and I also made a t-shirt throw quilt with hubby’s shirts last year. It was very frustrating, but it is really cozy (I used the backs of the shirts for the back of the quilt). I tied the quilt instead of quilting because the jersey was uncooperative.
I have a Brother sewing machine and I love it, we got it for a wedding present from my grandma (a long time sewer) this is the brand she recommended.
I made a t-shirt quilt in high school. I’d recommend using iron on interfacing on the back to avoid the frustrating part of sewing.
Have fun!
I have a Singer Quantum & I love it. If you plan on sewing frequently, I’d recommend you get a sewing machine that costs at least $400. That’s the base price for a good machine that you’ll really appreciate as you sew.
$200 machines are not worth the hassle, in my opinion. Sew on one of those for a while, then try a higher model. You’ll see what I mean.
(I don’t mean to be snobby – it’s just how I feel)
I have looked at sewing machines, and I asked around to several frequent seamstresses that I know. They all said a Kenmore would be a good buy – my mom has one and loves hers. They said it’s reasonably priced ($150 I think?), with enough features that allow you to do a variety of things without being overkill. That’s what I’ll probably get when I finish saving up my money for one (it’s on the list!).
I agree that a good machine that will last a lifetime will cost in the $400-500 range. Viking is an excellent choice. I have a Pfaff. It has lasted me for over 20 years and is still just as sturdy as ever. It will sew through 16 layers of denim (4 rolled seams of 4) – just be sure you use a needle made for the job!
A Pfaff for a Zapf. Now there is a partnership for a lifetime!!
Love ya!
My mother swears by her Janome. But she has spent thousands on sewing machines and sergers. Me? I’ve got a $120 Wal-Mart job, but it works fine for what I need.
Hi there,
New to your site. Great idea! It’s on my sewing list of to-do’s with my son’s baby clothing! You wouldn’t believe it but I have the Singer you have pictured!!! It works like a champ too! My husband’s Grandmother owned it but we inherited it after she passed last year! It’s such an antique that I won’t use it. I’m using my mom’s Kenmore…have no idea the model or year but it’s definitely from the 70’s! It works great too and get’s through jeans….I just made a jean purse for my mom using a pair of jeans she had from pre-preg days!!! Great site…we use Bum Genius diapers too!! 🙂
I have a Shark and like it just fine. My mom in law bought it at target for me for like 80 bucks or so a few years ago. (although I’ve really only started to use it recently) It has lots of fancy schmancy things like auto thread needle and a little razor on the side for cutting the thread at the end. It will do jeans but I broke a needle once trying to sew through the seams (a double layer) One day I’d love to buy one of those really expensive super heavy duty ones, but I know I’ll never use it enough to justify the cost. And that’s beside the fact that most my money goes into the gas tank right now!
I have a three-decade-old solid metal sewing machine from Sears/Kenmore. I LOVE IT. Thrift store, half-price day, for $17.50 plus tax.
And being able to sew through denim really depends on the needle–different sizes for different projects. Otherwise you’ll break a dozen of them in no time flat, and that’s just a pain.
I have a kenmore plain jane I bought when I first got pregnant. It does the basics, the needle is easy to thread and replace, but I don’t like the reverse on it much. It does a nice stitch, a good buttonhole, and has a moderate variety of stitches. Certainly everything I need.
I hated my old singer. Totally sucked. Except the reverse. That was easy.
Just wondering, if there’s someone like me at church, that has a not bad machine, and they don’t use it. (I made lot’s of baby clothes, and have considered making diapers, but superstition of a next pregnancy will probably result in not buying a single thing until that baby comes home from the NICU won’t let me)
I wonder if there is someone who might loan you a machine?
I have a basic Singer that I like and get a lot of use out of, but if you can afford it I would go for a Bernina. They seem very durable and they sew like a dream!
Yeah, Bernina is the Queen of sewing machines. Both my mom and my sister-in-law recently bought Berninas, and they swear by them.
I had a Brother=junked
I had a White=junked
I bought a Janome and found out that I could really sew!
I caught one on sale, called Quilter’s Delight(Janome), For less than $150 and its been my dream machine! I am so thankful for it!!!!
We are sewingmachine co., ltd
sometimes the things that are waste to us maybe transform into useful material again by such doing this.
I have a 40 year old Kenmore. Built like a tank and weighs just as much. I sew denim on a very regular basis and have no trouble-just use a denim needle. Yearly maintenance is key to long life. Every January my serger and sewing machine go in to tuneups. They are happy and healthy!