View Full Version : Recommendations for sewing machine
Well, I've energized myself thinking about exercising my atrophied creative muscles and I am going to try to make slipcovers for the two wing chairs we bought.
I no longer have a sewing machine, except for the early 20th C Singer Featherweight I use as a bookend.
I have enough American Express points to purchase a new machine for free--I have about $170 worth and I wouldn't mind throwing in more cash if I have to to get a good quality machine.
It doesn't have to have a lot of bells and whistles. I will never use 600 embroidery stitches, or even 2. I would like an automatic needle-threader, and a good tension-sensor, and the ability to do handle upholstery and/or heavy-weight fabrics.
Any suggestions?
After I use it, my DD and I can share it, so if my enthusiasm runs dry, I'll simply give it to her.
Here is one I'm considering:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003VWXZQ0?pf_rd_p=c2945051-950f-485c-b4df-15aac5223b10&pf_rd_r=AY3BVFMGRVSZAEFNSC6M
Mrs. Hermit
3-2-19, 11:32am
I have an old White Jeans Machine that I love, and it would be sturdy enough for slipcover fabrics. No automatic threader (too old for that!). The White company is now Husqvarna/Viking. My Viking machine is great too, but not quite as good with heavy duty fabrics as the Jeans Machine. And either brand is now pricey! If you are open to a rebuilt model, either of those machines would be a good basic machine.
I have a Featherweight too--they're excellent little machines.
I'd look into the Janome line--maybe this one, which seems to get good reviews:
https://smile.amazon.com/Janome-2212-Sewing-Machine/dp/B003Y5CEJS/ref=sr_1_19?crid=3TRCTCL10YNKZ&keywords=janome+heavy+duty+sewing+machine&qid=1551541698&s=gateway&sprefix=Janome+hev%2Caps%2C218&sr=8-19
I have an antique--circa 1970--Bernina that runs like a dream. If you're lucky, you can find one used:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Bernina-Record-Electronic-830-Sewing-Machine-with-Foot-Controller/264214004411?hash=item3d8461c2bb:g:SZQAAOSwOSBcdCS N:rk:3:pf:0
Have you considered asking a sewing machine repair person? They usually have some for sale or know someone who wants to sell. They also will tell you which is easy to repair or requires a lot of repair.
I had a top of the line Husqvarna that I loved but when the computer died, the cost of repair exceeded a new machine. Watch out for the computer-based machines! At present I have a basic Kenmore made by Janome that seems to be working quite well but I don't know about the heavy fabric ability.
I don't know anyone who had good luck with Singer. I love my Janome. This one is a sound basic: https://www.amazon.com/Janome-Machine-Stitches-Automatic-Threader/dp/B01BKRX7G0/ref=sr_1_73?keywords=sewing+machine&qid=1551543202&s=arts-crafts&sr=1-73
I don't believe mechanical machines have been made for decades. They all have computer drive.
As I recall, my mother made slipcovers on our old treadle machine, so you may not need a heavy-duty model.
iris lilies
3-3-19, 10:46am
Back in the day I made lots of bedroom decor stuff with my Featherwright, and I was sewing through thick velvets and velveteen, double layers. It wasnt great, but it worked. I would think it would sew through double layers of cotton duck, a common slipcover fabric.
Dont discount what your Featherweight will do. It is a workhorse!!! And think about it—getting a sewing machine specifically to make slip covers seems complicated to me. But in my house slipcovers are not for us because
I wash furniture covers so regularly (due to dogs) that I do not want ro wrestle them on and off weekly. I use, as furniture covers, bedspreads I bought for this pirpose in a matching plain color. But
i understand you would want something that looks nicer.
Thanks for everyone's responses. Razz, I took your suggestion and went to a vacuum cleaner/sewing machine sales and service place, and unfortunately the sewing machine expert was not there. They had two old machines for sale, neither of which I would consider buying. Actually, Mrs.Hermit, one of them was a White, and I was thinking about your recommendation, but this one came with a cabinet, which I don't need (my house in VT is so small, it would take up too much space).
I think I'm probably going to go a more frugal route, based on what Jane and IL said about maybe not needing a heavy-weight. I gave my DD an entry-level machine a few Christmases back. It truly is a very basic model, because I didn't know if she'd like sewing or not.
She mentioned the other day that she doesn't use it because her boyfriend has a much nicer machine (he's in the shoe design industry), so she uses his. I think I'll ask if I can use the one that I bought her, and if I really am struggling with working through 4 layers (I'm thinking of the piping) then I'll consider getting my own, and take y'all's advice into account.
Thanks again!
BTW, I can't use my featherweight because I lost some key parts (like the electrical cable) a long time ago. I could buy a new one, but what's the point?
That Featherweight is a valuable asset even without a cord (about $15 to replace the cord). Due to its popularity, almost everything needed is available. I inherited my Mom's which she got in 1953 and used thru all us kids,
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=singer+featherweight+electrical+cord&_sacat=0
So are you going to sell or donate the Featherweight? They're quite popular among quilters.
Wow.. interesting info on the Featherweight. Jane, right now, I'm not considering getting rid of it, because it reminds me of my great-aunt who taught me how to sew, and I used that machine to do all the sewing I mentioned in the "True Self" thread. Now you guys have me wondering if I should recondition the Featherweight and buy the parts I need to get it back in business.
I found the instruction manual for the buttonhole attachment (which is a little more complicated than the ones they have today, to say the least), and the copyright on that was 1939, so I believe this one is the one I have based on the date and the picture:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-1939-SINGER-FEATHERWEIGHT-221-SCROLL-FACE-SEWING-MACHINE-AF167119-W-CASE-/333099962591?_trksid=p2047675.m43663.l44720&nordt=true&rt=nc&orig_cvip=true
iris lilies
3-3-19, 2:18pm
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=singer+featherweight+electrical+cord&_sacat=0
So are you going to sell or donate the Featherweight? They're quite popular among quilters.
I know I was surprised the first time I saw one at a flea market priced aroind $400. That was probably a high price, but it did not occur to me that it would have any worth at all prior to that.
iris lilies
3-3-19, 2:25pm
Wow.. interesting info on the Featherweight. Jane, right now, I'm not considering getting rid of it, because it reminds me of my great-aunt who taught me how to sew, and I used that machine to do all the sewing I mentioned in the "True Self" thread. Now you guys have me wondering if I should recondition the Featherweight and buy the parts I need to get it back in business.
I found the instruction manual for the buttonhole attachment (which is a little more complicated than the ones they have today, to say the least), and the copyright on that was 1939, so I believe this one is the one I have based on the date and the picture:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-1939-SINGER-FEATHERWEIGHT-221-SCROLL-FACE-SEWING-MACHINE-AF167119-W-CASE-/333099962591?_trksid=p2047675.m43663.l44720&nordt=true&rt=nc&orig_cvip=true
ummmm, ok. I should keep my mouth shut about this, and because I am involved with a big house clean out right now I am a wee bit wacko about the issue of STUFF but I gotta shout at you: catherine! Come to your senses! You dont get to keep non functional sewing machines for sentimental reasons AND ALSO move to a 750 sq ft cottage.
Thank you for letting me yell at you so that I can blow off this steam and get back to my friend who is cleaning out her 3,000 sq ft house who cannot make decisions about getting rid of stuff (although with her, sentiment isnt a big pull.) You all will undoubtedly hear more from me about this drama.
haha! I get it, IL, but I truly don't have that many super sentimental pieces that I am going to find impossible to get rid of, and as I said, the sewing machine makes a great bookend. We do have built-in shelving in the cottage. But I'll take your recommendation under advisement.
It is the smallest most useful sewing machine out there. Cute as heck too. There is a featherweight group on Facebook and a company that does maintenance classes and sells all kinds of FW stuff. Here is a laugh. They had a FW cruise this year and it was so popular they are going to Hawaii next year. You bring your FW and get it all fixed up, learn how to take care of it and work on it, and sew of course.
At one time I had about 11 and have sold off all but 4.
It is the smallest most useful sewing machine out there. Cute as heck too. There is a featherweight group on Facebook and a company that does maintenance classes and sells all kinds of FW stuff. Here is a laugh. They had a FW cruise this year and it was so popular they are going to Hawaii next year. You bring your FW and get it all fixed up, learn how to take care of it and work on it, and sew of course.
At one time I had about 11 and have sold off all but 4.
Wow... sure enough I went on Facebook, and I see what you mean... and a cruise?? That's amazing! Actually, that Hawaii cruise sounds like fun!
iris lilies
3-3-19, 6:46pm
It is the smallest most useful sewing machine out there. Cute as heck too. There is a featherweight group on Facebook and a company that does maintenance classes and sells all kinds of FW stuff. Here is a laugh. They had a FW cruise this year and it was so popular they are going to Hawaii next year. You bring your FW and get it all fixed up, learn how to take care of it and work on it, and sew of course.
At one time I had about 11 and have sold off all but 4.
A cruise! That IS funny!
Catherine, I do encourage you to refurbish the featherweight if you want to keep it. It will serve you well instead of a new machine. As a quilter, I can tell you YES, quilters drool over them on a regular basis.
If you need to do a quick heavy duty project, rent an industrial machine for a week.
Another funny: You can get your FW painted and new decals added. Any color or color combination. Just saw one in a two tone red and gold with a longhorn decal on the bed and a saying on the back.
They have been done in pink, purple, red, etc. Any color a car can be painted. I have also seen the Texas flag reimagined on a FW.
Too much money for me however but I have lots of ideas for a paint job.
iris lilies
3-4-19, 8:28am
Sweetana, why do quilters like these machines so much?
Speaking for myself, because they're reliable, uncomplicated, and portable. Also, they have a long history, from way back when Singers were solidly built and dependable. They take up very little space. There will be a studio on your property, won't there, Catherine? :D
Small, portable (very important for many of us), reliable, easy to maintain, cute as heck. They make a beautiful stitch and some of us like that it does not have a lot of bells and whistles. They are solid metal which adds to their longevity.
Today's machines are full of plastic and are not made to last. Much older Berninas were solid metal but weigh twice or more than a FW. Way too heavy to carry all over.
Oh, another thing is they fit under the seat of a plane and can fly with me.
iris lilies
3-4-19, 11:23am
Small, portable (very important for many of us), reliable, easy to maintain, cute as heck. They make a beautiful stitch and some of us like that it does not have a lot of bells and whistles. They are solid metal which adds to their longevity.
Today's machines are full of plastic and are not made to last. Much older Berninas were solid metal but weigh twice or more than a FW. Way too heavy to carry all over.
Oh, another thing is they fit under the seat of a plane and can fly with me.
ok, thanks! I sure like my Featherweight machine for its reliability and metal-yet-light bulk. Any bells or whistles would put me right off sewing. I wondered about “the beautiful stitch” for quilting, wondered if there was something special about it. It is the only sewing machine I ever used except for the ones in Home Ecomomic class in jr high school.
The idea of custom paint jobs is crazy!
...
Today's machines are full of plastic and are not made to last. Much older Berninas were solid metal but weigh twice or more than a FW. Way too heavy to carry all over. ...
I can attest that the all-metal Berninas are way too heavy to schlep around. I took mine to a class once. :0!:help:
I can't believe the prices of machines now; I don't think there's an upper limit. I could buy a decent car for what Berninas go for--why, I'm not sure.
Speaking for myself, because they're reliable, uncomplicated, and portable. Also, they have a long history, from way back when Singers were solidly built and dependable. They take up very little space. There will be a studio on your property, won't there, Catherine? :D
haha! That would have to be outbuilding #5: we already have one lean-to for the wood, one "she-shed" for my overflow stuff, one work shed for DH, one "garage" for the riding mower. I don't think the neighbors could tolerate another outbuilding!
I decided last week that I'm going to keep DH's favorite piece of furniture: an old rustic farmhouse table, and I'm going to use it as a multi-functional piece in my office. It can be a great utility table for a desk, for dining, or for sewing slipcovers!
I love a good, all-purpose table.
I'm sure one of those can be repurposed--maybe the "she-shed?" :devil:
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