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This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
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From: Sharie
Date: 03-14-2004, 08:20 PM (1 of 19)
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Hi All! I am new to sewing and Iam in the market for a machine. My daughters took sewing in Home Ec, and used a serger. They REALLY want me to purchase a serger in leiu of a regular sewing machine. Is it better to but an inexpensive regualr machine to learn on and then purchase a serger, or just buy a serger? ALso what machines are good to buy? THANKS!!! Sharie |
User: Sharie
Member since: 03-01-2004 Total posts: 39 
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From: pennypins
Date: 03-15-2004, 05:43 AM (2 of 19)
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Hi Shaire...I'd start with the sewing machine, much easier to learn construction and basic sewing methods. The seam allowances can be finished in a variety of ways without a serger, zig zag them or use pinking shears is two different ways. Check out the sewing machine and serger discussion boards. Penny http://community.webshots.com/user/pennypins
was "plcp" at SWN since Jan/01 |
User: pennypins
Member since: 02-25-2003 Total posts: 39 |
From: dmoses
Date: 03-15-2004, 07:39 AM (3 of 19)
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Sergers are great, but they can't do everything. They are meant to be used along with your sewing machine. You really need a sewing machine, first.
Take care,
Donna |
User: dmoses
Member since: 02-22-2002 Total posts: 964 
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From: Sharie
Date: 03-15-2004, 03:47 PM (4 of 19)
| Okay THANKS!!!! |
User: Sharie
Member since: 03-01-2004 Total posts: 39
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From: Sharie
Date: 03-15-2004, 06:49 PM (5 of 19)
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ANy ideas what brands are good?( low- maintenance, easy to use!) THANKS!! Sharie |
User: Sharie
Member since: 03-01-2004 Total posts: 39
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From: MartySews
Date: 03-15-2004, 07:09 PM (6 of 19)
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You may want to visit the different sewing machine dealers in your area. Buying a sewing machine is a lot like buying a car. Each person is looking for something different and has a budget to follow. 1. Don't discount used sewing machines as many dealers will offer a "same as new" warranty. 2. Test drive different models and brands. 3. Make a list of what you think you will need your sewing machine to do; what you plan to sew; what features are important and don't be afraid to ask questions. 4. Don't buy a sewing machine on your first visit. There is the "right" machine out there for everyone who wants to learn to sew. Take your time. Remember the old adage "Act in Haste, Repent in Leisure". 5. Be sure that your are comfortable sewing on the machine without the sales clerk's help. 6. Take your own fabrics for testing the different stitches. I like to buy cheap fat quarters from Wal-Mart for testing stitches. BTW, a fat quarter is about 8 different fabrics cut into 12inch squares for quilting. I spend about $5 for a pack and it is usually a medium fabric. 7. If your budget can handle it, buy a little higher grade than you think you will use right now. Chances are you will grow into it. 8. Find out about free lessons and service for the machine. Most dealers will offer lessons to teach the features of the machine and a warranty. Service on a new machine for the first year of ownership should be at no cost. Some brand names are: Bernina, Janome, Kenmore, Viking, White, Pfaff, Brother, Simplicity, Babylock, Necchi, and Juki I'm sure that there are others but these are the ones that come to mind. Good luck on your search and let us know what you find. Happy Stitching! Marty . It takes one moment to change a life.
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User: MartySews
Member since: 02-23-2003 Total posts: 504 
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From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 03-15-2004, 08:06 PM (7 of 19)
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To add to what Marty said.. ( all good points, by the way) Do NOT buy from Sears.. The initial savings will be long gone when you have to pay for information and lessons... You need to go and buy a machine from a reputable dealer for your first one, so that you will have the support you will need.. A used machine from a reputable dealer would probably be the most for the money right now.. So many people are trading in for more expensive machines.. Get a good medium range machine.. I suggest a variety of stitches, one step buttonhole making, free arm, and, if you may be a quilter, the ability to drop feed dogs for machine quilting. Automatic needle threader is nice, specially if you have reading glasses as I have... You definitely need a sewing machine first, then after you master that, get the serger... I love my serger and I use it as much as I use my machine, but a serger will not do the same things as a regular machine..Get a good machine, and then you don't need a serger with all the bells and whistles, a good old middle of the road one will do just fine... 
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: plrlegal
Date: 03-15-2004, 08:34 PM (8 of 19)
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By the way Marty, just so you know, a fat quarter is 1/4 of a yard of fabric (18" long x 22" wide. When quilters talk about fat quarters, that's what they are referring to. Packets of fat quarters are anywhere from 3-4 to 10 or more pieces of fabric cut into 18" x 22" pieces. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: Sharie
Date: 03-16-2004, 08:38 AM (9 of 19)
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WOW! Thanks! I appreciate all the help!!! YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!!! I LOVE THESE BOARDS!!! EVERYONE HAS BEEN SOOOO HELPFUL !! 
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User: Sharie
Member since: 03-01-2004 Total posts: 39
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From: wifetod
Date: 03-16-2004, 06:02 PM (10 of 19)
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Sharie, I did buy my machine from Sears. It is a very reputable company Janome, and I have had no trouble with the mechanics of my machine. The savings were big, and I would have had to spend several hundred dollars more to get a similiar machine at my dealer. Mine is an 8080. There are sewing classes around me if I need them and between this board and 3 others I go to when I have a question, I have had no trouble at all. I have had mine since Jan. of this year, and have not put it away. Good Luck, Jolene Jolene
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User: wifetod
Member since: 01-19-2004 Total posts: 149
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From: Sharie
Date: 03-16-2004, 06:38 PM (11 of 19)
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Is a Janome better than a viking? I called Sears and the model number you stated is the same price as what the local viking dealer is having a sale on and they offer free classes for the machine. Thanks for all your Help!!!  
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User: Sharie
Member since: 03-01-2004 Total posts: 39
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From: wifetod
Date: 03-17-2004, 10:02 AM (12 of 19)
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I honestly don't know about the Viking, when I was looking I was told that Janome was considered a "workhorse". A good machine. I just can't help you with the Viking question. Also look and compare the features. Jolene Jolene
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User: wifetod
Member since: 01-19-2004 Total posts: 149
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From: Sharie
Date: 03-17-2004, 10:04 AM (13 of 19)
| Okay THANKS Jolene!!!! |
User: Sharie
Member since: 03-01-2004 Total posts: 39
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From: shirleyp
Date: 03-17-2004, 11:38 AM (14 of 19)
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I used to have a Viking for yrs. I found they were great for heavy work but got frustrated sewing, such as quilting. I have a Kenmore for close to 2 yrs now and love it. The one thing I looked for is that the feed dogs would drop and the top tension could be released. I found that some of the machines don't do both. The rest is your personal needs. Such as how many stitches, so on. The top tension is not for the thread, it's for the foot. |
User: shirleyp
Member since: 02-12-2002 Total posts: 352 
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From: Sharie
Date: 03-17-2004, 11:48 AM (15 of 19)
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O WOW! Thanks Shirley!!! |
User: Sharie
Member since: 03-01-2004 Total posts: 39
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From: wifetod
Date: 03-17-2004, 01:27 PM (16 of 19)
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Sharie, It is also my understanding that some Kenmores are made by Janome and some are made by Singer. I had been told the old Singers were better than the new Singers and a sales person at Sears confirmed that. So that being said, my husband's job is in quality and failure anaylisis in a major tele com company, the research we did for what we wanted in a lower end, but good machine, led us to Janome. Jolene Jolene
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User: wifetod
Member since: 01-19-2004 Total posts: 149
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From: Sharie
Date: 03-17-2004, 04:32 PM (17 of 19)
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oH tHANKS!
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User: Sharie
Member since: 03-01-2004 Total posts: 39
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From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 03-17-2004, 07:41 PM (18 of 19)
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I was not knocking Sears .. I had a Kenmore for 20 plus years.. It still lives at DIL's house and still going after 10 more years.. I meant for a beginner, Sears is not a good place to buy, because you do not have good customer service from them.. If customer service is not a necessity, then of course you can save money buying your Janome there.. I wanted in on lots of low priced seminars when I bought my MC 4000, so I went to a Janome dealer and I am glad I did, because of the courses I was able to take for nearly 0.00 dollars just by being her customer.. Lessons around here are very expensive, and I was preparing for retirement, so I wanted to learn a lot of new techniques. It was well worth it.. I did get a terrific price on my machine also, because I waited till she had it on sale. Best investment I've made in a long time..
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022
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From: Sharie
Date: 03-17-2004, 09:55 PM (19 of 19)
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There certanly is a great deal of wisdom on these boards! Thank you ladies!!!
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User: Sharie
Member since: 03-01-2004 Total posts: 39
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