Sewing Machines?

I love my Singer machine...it was only 50 more than what you are wanting to pay. I researched a lot before getting mine. I am a beginner as well, but for the money, mine has more in the way of extras than the others I looked at. I like Singers because they actually have stores you can go to for replacement parts, manuals, etc. Mine was $200, but several weeks later went on sale for $20 or so less...argh. Mine is called a Fashionmate and comes with 69 stitch options/button hole settings. I am still a begginer, but have experimented with some of the more elaborate stiches. Look for sales and find out exactly what options you want. I had hoped for an embroidery option, but that is impossible for under $500. Good luck and feel free to message me any time. I would love an online sewing buddy to bounce ideas off of. :-)

I totally understand, when you first start sewing you don't want to spend too much just in case you realize you don't like it and you spent over $150 on it....however FYI...I did the same and I bought a Brother at walmart which was okay but now I really like sewing and I had problems with the machine and they wouldn't help me with it or exchange it and I took it to get fixed and it would cost as much as it was worth to fix it. So, the best thing to do is buy it at a place that sells machines. Google sewing machine shops and buy one from them because most of them will show you for free how to use it and will help you with basic repairs for cheap or free for a certain amount of time, it's worth it but nobody me that and I wish I would have known that. If you buy from walmart, target or online then you are on your own with a manufacturers warranty which is a pain because they want you to ship it to them and pay for shipping coming back.

Also, I would buy a electronic computerized one as a beginner, it has helped me alot since I wasn't familiar with stitch sizes and other info, it automatically sets that for you and I really like it. If you go to tuesdaymorning.com right now they had a Singer that was $500 marked down to $200.....I would get that but I am going to buy locally next so I have a place to walk in to and have them help me with it since I bought it there. Good luck, happy sewing!!

Well, the answer might be in your budget. For $150 you're going to get a very basic beginner machine. For $250 you might get one you can grow with a little more, though the cheap machines can do a lot, too.

I bought my first machine when I was 8 wiht money I earned myself. I sewed many of my clothes in high school, all my maternity wear and lots of other stuff. I now really enjoy designing clothes for my daughter. I have owned a few machines in my life and the best (non-professional), in my experience, are Kenmore. They've lasted and lasted and lasted. If you can get an old metal model, I'd do that in a heartbeat rather than buying a new plastic computerized one. They can always be repaired and will last you a lifetime. I would stay away from low end White or Brother models. Singer and Bernina are great brands, particularly in the high end, but I wouldn't bother looking for a cheap one of those.

Good luck!

I would recommend waiting for the lessons and see how it goes. You may find you excel and need the more options early on. It is well worth the investment if you take to it and do well. I love sewing and have won ribbons at the county fair several times. As you progress in skill you can always buy a newer machine.

I say get something will all the basics, straight stitch, zig zag, button hole simplicity, feet for putting in zippers, stretch stitch, simple, simple, simple to understand the manual.

Good luck in your new adventure.

A good used machine will probably be much better than a new but cheap one. Find a local fabric store (quilter one would be good as opposed to Joanne fabrics or Walmart) and ask who sells and services sewing machines. The servicing part is very important! You can go to the sewing machine store and ask that they look for a trade in that meets your needs. They will probably give you free courses in how to use the machine, too. A friend had a Brother (from walmart) and every time she tried to use it the tension was off. Walmart doesn't service the machines. I think she either had to pay a local store to service it or mail it back in. I have 2 bernina's - one is 10 years old and the other is almost 50. My husband has 2 singers - one is 40 years old and the other is 80+. I have heard good things about old kenmores.

I have always had a Singer, a fairly simple one with just a few settings. I started out with an old one my mom gave , then when it broke I bought a Brother. It always had problems and I ended up taking it back and buying another Singer. I've had it for about 4 years now. I got it at Wal-Mart. I don't remember how much it was, but I do know it was less then $200.

Elna sewing machines were always considered the top of the line. I don't mean to dis anyone's suggestion, but Brother has never been considered a very good machine, unless they've improved a lot lately.

Bernina is also a good one, as suggested below.

Elnas are pretty expensive, so I agree, you should probably get pretty cheap and used until you know if you even like sewing.

I'd suggest you find a local shop near you that sells both new and used machines. I found a basic portable machine (a Singer) for my daughter at such a shop; it doesn't have all the fancy bells and whistles, but it is a good quality machine for basic sewing, and has a lot more stuff on it than the 40-year-old portable I have! (This is the same shop that gives my old machine annual checkups.) If you can find a trustworthy store, a reconditioned machine might be the way to go if you're just beginning. They may even offer classes. As you learn, you'll come to know what other features you might actually need. They all sound good, but why buy features you won't use?

I just started a sewing class a few weeks ago and I bought one on Overstock.com. They have GREAT prices and the shipping is only $2.95. I got a Brother CE5000 (the "Project Runway" model). I used another Brother model that belonged to my teacher that was not computerized, but it was also a really good machine. I just liked the one I got because it had some more decorative stitches that I could use as I got better. It also has an automatic button holer. I had a sewing machine that my mom had gotten for me when I started, but it was a VERY basic machine and did not self thread, so you might want to make sure it does that. You should also be sure it has a "reverse" function on it since that is how you lock in your stitches. Otherwise, you have to tie the knots by hand.

Anyway, I don't know a ton about sewing yet because I just started my lessons, but I really like the machine I got and I paid around $110 for it, including shipping on Overstock.com. I think the one that my teacher had that I used goes for around $89 or so. Good luck and have fun! I'm really enjoying my classes. I made a travel case and it's so cute! :-)

Hi,

We sew professionally. I agree with the PPs that the cheap Target or Walmart-purchased machines are more trouble than they're worth.

It's odd marketing, but Brother and other makers sell very cheap, poor quality machines (at Target) as well as high-end, high quality machines (at sewing shops). I think it gives companies a bad reputation to try marketing at both price ranges... that's why I thought Brother was awful for a long time.

If I were planning for this, I'd look at Craig's List for the best machine you can buy. Secondhand prices are often a real bargain. I could see getting a $500 machine for $150, only slightly used.

We use Singer. We use them professionally and they have worked well for us. I do have a Singer Serger and am not happy with it, but that is another story. I would suggest to get one with a top loading bobbin so you don't have to use a screw driver to adjust thread tension. So do not go for the basic model. You may spend closer to $200 but it is worth it. Have fun!

I have a Brother from Walmart, it was a college graduation gift. I've never had a problem with it. I've made multiple costumes and my wedding dress with it.

I would suggest just getting one from either a vacum and sewing machine repair store or a thrift store. This way you wont be spending a lot in case you find it's not for you, and some of those have been the best machines I have ever had. Seriously. I have a kenmore something or other and it's amazing. Granted the new computerized ones are fabulous but are expensive!! http://new.singerco.com/products/sort/affordability/2
Ones that I learned on are Bernina and Love them!!!
http://www.berninausa.com/product_overview-n2-sUS.html