For Starlight- Sewing Machines

[jeny]

You asked in the Easter thread about sewing machines. I thought I'd just start a new thread down here because I think the Easter thread got too long for this discussion anyway. :)

Good for you Jen. 8)
I used to love to sew when I was taking Home Ec. in school. What is a good sewing machine to buy,that is easy enought to use that you don't have to be a rocket sciencetist to work it?

I got a Kenmore entry level. It's model # 385.15510200. It has 28 stitch functions, 10 built in stitches and a button hole maker. The instruction manuel is pretty straight forward. There are some "lower" level Kenmore machines available, but after asking a bunch of people who know what they're talking about, this machine pretty much has everything you need for basic clothing and home furnishing sewing, which is all I really wanted it for. You're not going to get a decent machine for less than about $150 though.

I'm having a lot of fun making Alexa little dresses and jumpers, shorts and tank top outfits, etc.. I just got a pattern to make TJ some overalls. I'm going to make blue cordouroy overalls for him and make Alexa pants and a vest in the same material for pictures this fall.

Once you get out of the baby/toddler clothes, it seems like all the little girl clothes in the stores is Brittney or J. Lo style and I refuse to dress my little girl like a mini slut so I'm glad I'm learning how to do this. ;)

My mom and I also made curtains for both the kid's rooms. I'm going to make curtains for the front room, guest room and my bedroom, maybe the playroom too, I saw some really cute "Finding Nemo" fabric at Walmart last week. :)

If I stay interested, I might get a serger or an embroidery machine years down the line.

[ponygurl]

I learned to sew on my great grandmother's Singer, that was converted from a pedal machine to an electric machine. My mother now has it.. and actually sewed all of our clothes on it.. for 56 some years. Her Granny was a professional seamstress.
My mother's skill is amazing. She sews lined suits, jackets.. anything. I do not share her love for sewing, but can do it if I have to.
Singer is a reliable name.

[Starlight]

Thanks for the info. Jen. The one that you described is exactly the kind of sewing machine that I am looking for. So I should be able to find a nice one for around $200-$250. :D

Pony, I have an old petal push singer sewing machine.It belong to Sky's mom (I'm not sure how she got it. It either belonged to her mother or Great-Grandmother.) and when she moved she couldn't take it with her. It still has the orginal needles and sewing bobbins that went with it. It still works but since you can't get needles for it anymore, it hasn't been used in years.

Now I have to decide which one I want Kenmore or a Singer. Well, I have until Mother's Day to make up my mind. :D

[ponygurl]

Well, I have until Mother's Day to make up my mind. :D






Oh Dear. You are going to get a Makita ;D

[Starlight]

Oh Dear. You are going to get a Makita ;D


It better not be.
Nothing says I Love You like Black-Decker. ;D

[ponygurl]

It better not be.
Nothing says I Love You like Black-Decker. ;D

;D

[jeny]

Thanks for the info. Jen. The one that you described is exactly the kind of sewing machine that I am looking for. So I should be able to find a nice one for around $200-$250. :D

You should be able to get an EXCELLENT one for that much.

Now I have to decide which one I want Kenmore or a Singer. Well, I have until Mother's Day to make up my mind. :D

Go to Sears and a few sewing machine shops and test them out. Sears carrys the Kenmores and there are usually sewing machine shops in the fabric stores that'll carry the Singers. That will help you decide which one you really want. Write down the model number of the one you want and hand it to Sky.

For mother's day, I told my husband I want an extra large ironing board because it will make ironing bolts of fabric a lot easier. I also want a very small mini table top ironing board so I can press the seams after I get started on whatever project I'm working on. My husband is getting off cheap this year. ;D

[Satan]

Nothing says cheap like Black&Decker. Does DeWalt make a sewing machine?

;D

[jeny]

Nothing says cheap like Black&Decker. Does DeWalt make a sewing machine?

;D



A staple gun would work...right? ;D

[julianna]

Don't forget to visit your local Costco they had a real nice one there a few weeks ago.

[jeny]

Did Sky ever get you that sewing machine? :)

I broke out my sewing machine this weekend. I found some super cute fabric at wal-mart, at the dollar table, of course. I am making a skirt and a dress for my mother in law, a skirt for me and about a dozen pairs of shorts for Alexa, for the summer. :) Maybe I'll post some pictures, someday. ;)

[wendy]

Good grief. I wonder how my mother ever managed to make damned near all of my clothes and a great deal of hers....with a 40 year old singer and a regular ironing board. ;D

[jeny]

Good grief. I wonder how my mother ever managed to make damned near all of my clothes and a great deal of hers....with a 40 year old singer and a regular ironing board. ;D


;D

The big ironing board is SO cool. If I set it the same height as my kitchen counter, I can cut most patterns. My mom and dad took the pool table back over Thanksgiving (moving into a bigger house) so they took my "sewing" table. We didn;t actually like, play pool. ;) But, with the cover on, it was GREAT for cutting patterns. ;D

[Tigerphoenix]

I got a Brother sewing machine for my birthday. I have wanted one so I didn't have to sew little bags by hand anymore (I sew bags for the jewlery I make). I also used it to make pillows for my dogs. For the price of one meduim sized dog bed I made four. I only have two dogs but I know that my weiner dog would dig holes in them so I made extras ;D