Help a poor girl buy a kick-ass sewing machine.

May 24, 2007 12:52 PM

What's a good sewing machine for a beginner quilter (and sewer, but at the moment I really just want to quilt)?

I've read the past askme's on sewing machines, but I'd love advice more targeted to quilting and affordability. I did some hand piecing, but quickly got frustrated with how long it would take to finish anything. I'm taking an intro to machine sewing class and the zippy fastness is so awesome that my sewing machine lust is in full bloom and I want one ASAP.

If it's at all possible I'd like to avoid spending an arm and a leg on this machine--I don't have a lot of spare income (berninas look awesome, but I can't afford them). So, if you're an experienced quilter, what do I really have to have? What can I forgo? Can I buy something good for $300-400? Should I go into debt to get something more expensive? (By expensive I mean $400-600. Anything more than that would be very irresponsible of me.)

Bonus if you're in NYC and can tell me where to buy one in this neck of the woods.

posted by Mavri to sports, hobbies, & recreation (16 answers total)

I spent $160 for my sewing machine, which I use for quilting. I'm happy with it. It's a Pfaff Hobby -- I can't tell you the exact model, because it's in the room with the sleeping baby (napping under a quilt I made her, actually). It was on sale, but as I recall it was under $200 to begin with.

Don't get a more expensive one. You don't need it yet. If you stick with sewing, you'll figure out what you want in a machine and get a better one down the line. If you don't stick with sewing, you won't feel guilty about having spent the bucks on what's become a big ol' doorstop.
posted by The corpse in the library at 12:59 PM on May 24, 2007

If you stick with sewing, you'll figure out what you want in a machine and get a better one down the line. If you don't stick with sewing, you won't feel guilty about having spent the bucks on what's become a big ol' doorstop.

I got a used sewing machine, for that reason. Mine was given to me by a relative, but I'd check Craigslist and try to get a used one as a starter machine.
posted by donajo at 1:35 PM on May 24, 2007

When you say "for quilting", does that mean that you're looking for a long-arm quilting machine?

If not (and I've quilted big things on my ancient Singer, it just requires some creative folding) I recommend spending fifty bucks on an old (pre 1970) Singer on eBay and taking it to get serviced, which should run you under 100 dollars.

Old Singers, which are heavy and have all-metal parts, are excellent, intuitive, indestructible machines. The "beginner" sewing machines you can buy new at big box stores are lighter, have lots of plastic parts, and are in my experience not as durable.
posted by thehmsbeagle at 1:36 PM on May 24, 2007

not martha recently posted her thoughts on getting your first sewing machine. The comments have lots of good info as well.
posted by mileena at 2:01 PM on May 24, 2007

Not a long arm. I'm afraid to buy used b/c it might not have the machine's guide, which I think I'll need very much. Also, I have some unfinished stuff that I am now super-eager to get done, and I think second-hand shopping might take a little too long. But I'll look into it.
posted by Mavri at 2:21 PM on May 24, 2007

Many machines are versatile enough to accommodate quilting and regular sewing projects. This White Quilter's Star looks promising. You might want to get in touch with these people from Make Workshop, I bet they'll have good recs on where to look for a sewing machine in NYC.

Also, when you go to check out sewing machines you'll want to test different ones out. If you're at a reputable store, talk to your salesperson about that types of projects you might be working on. Test out several weights of fabric, practice winding a bobbin and inserting it into the machine, try quilting several layers of fabric and batting together. Make sure you can use the foot pedal and that you feel comfortable with the set up.

Ask questions about what types of thread and needles you'll want to use for different projects. With sewing machines needles and presser feet matter a lot. Find out what presser feet come with your machine and what kinds you can purchase as accessories. If your machine doesn't come with a walking foot, you might want to get one, they're very helpful with quilting.

Also, it's important to budget for accessories: a good quality cutting mat, rotary cutter, grid ruler, and pair of fabric scissors can be pricey, but are absolutely necessary. Also, while you don't need a fancy sewing table to start off with, a sturdy workspace of a good height is important.
posted by nerdcore at 2:22 PM on May 24, 2007 [1 favorite]

Honestly, if you've never had a machine, and you're dead-set against used, I'd pick up one of those $100 Singers you can get at any Target/Walmart/etc.
They're just fine for the basics, which is really all a brand-new user needs, and they're about the cheapest thing you can get new.

My first machine was a mid-50s Kenmore table model. I love that thing. I did upgrade eventually, because I wanted to do things like buttonholes and have more than two stitches, but it gave me a good idea of what I wanted and didn't. I prefer used, to be honest, and only got new because it was a gift, and I'll be back to a vintage machine eventually.
posted by Kellydamnit at 3:00 PM on May 24, 2007

Don't forget that you can often find old machine's handbooks online - ebay or otherwise. If you go to a place that actually repairs the machines, they may have some for sale that have already been serviced - no waiting.
posted by blackkar at 3:36 PM on May 24, 2007

A few thoughts:

Singer has all of their product manuals online. It looks like some of them are free and downloadable, and some can be ordered for $15 or so.

Try to find a shop that has floor models of their machines for sale so you can try them out, ask questions, etc. before you buy. Some shops will also offer free classes to anyone who purchases a machine from them, so if this is something you'd like to take advantage of, it would definitely be worth finding a shop with this kind of policy.

Lastly, a couple of folks have recommended getting a cheapie machine first. I have a machine that I believe came from Target and was around $120 (it was a gift), and it's okay, but if you're willing to spend more, I think you should. It gets the job done but it jams often. I tried to use it to sew some heavy, upholstery weight fabrics and the machine did not like that. I haven't used it for quilting but a friend of mine borrowed it for that purpose, and I don't think she had the greatest time with the machine. My mom gave me her Singer from 1970-ish, and it still works great. So if you can find an older, used machine that you're comfortable with, I'd say go for that.
posted by kitty teeth at 3:58 PM on May 24, 2007

Sewing machine service places also tend to be pretty friendly, and more than likely would be willing to give you the ten-minute lesson on how to thread and such.
posted by oats at 4:06 PM on May 24, 2007

Lovely Wife (Who works in a textile field and goes through a serger every three years) recommends a trip to a local sewing machine store to 'try a few out' and see what you find the most intuitive.
posted by Orb2069 at 4:49 PM on May 24, 2007

We just went to Sears and got a middle-of-the-road low-end non-electrical model (so: in the middle between $90 and $140). We are perfectly content with it in all ways.
posted by misterbrandt at 6:54 PM on May 24, 2007

My high-school home ec (excuse me - "consumer studies") teacher told me that, as far as used machines go, Sears (also known as Kenmore) beats Singer any day of the week. You can still order any manual for any model from Sears, as well, unless things have changed recently.

I can't stress enough how much a good used machine will beat a new machine in your price range, especially for quilting. Think cheap, plastic, and complicated versus solid, metal, and simple. When you find your used model, your local shop will give it a clean-up and tune-up for around 30$ (might be a little more in NY) and almost certainly throw in a quick lesson for free.
Before I moved to the UK, I had an avocado green Sears, circa 1974. It would sew through two double-layers of denim without complaint, and somehow no matter what fabric I used, the tension almost always magically adjusted itself. I loved that thing. I used it all the time for ten years, and the friend I gave it to says it's still going strong.
posted by cilantro at 12:37 AM on May 25, 2007

I think you've all convinced me to force myself to be a little patient and explore the used option. Thanks all!
posted by Mavri at 7:24 AM on May 25, 2007

I don't know if anyone will check this post again, but I am now the proud owner of a 1950s Singer.
posted by Mavri at 1:53 PM on May 26, 2007

Congratulations!
posted by cacahuete at 12:59 PM on July 12, 2007