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From: coloradoanni
Date: 05-16-2004, 01:58 PM (1 of 14)
 Hi All*! I am the (a) prim dollmaker that joined last month~~ artist more than a sewing person, and admire you all *tremendously*! (I will be working on a baby rompers and a one-pc. country dress for me this year only) Mostly I hand-sew / I hand-sew small cloth character dolls, & body parts sew up rather quickly. WELL, my hands get raw and rough after all the craft paintinng and sewing, so I have been sorta looking around/ and Lo & BehoLd!~~I found this small portable (?) "Dressmaker Sewing Center" (as seen on TV |
User: coloradoanni
Member since: 04-24-2004 Total posts: 50 
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From: coloradoanni
Date: 05-16-2004, 02:10 PM (2 of 14)
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Here is info.on this little heart-breaking CuTiE that I just posted about. Owner's Manual says DRESSMAKER 998B > EURO-PRO< ...has a guarantee in manual for defects resulting from imperfections in manufacture of parts ...blaa,blaah ...assembly ...blaablaah... for a period of one year.... Repairs or replacement SEND to: (U.S.) 178 w. Service Road, Champlain, NY 12919 ~also has Quebec, Canada address.
ScRaPs!*sTuDio
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User: coloradoanni
Member since: 04-24-2004 Total posts: 50
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From: sewbot
Date: 05-16-2004, 02:35 PM (3 of 14)
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You shouldn't be embarassed but you should return this machine. It is a toy and will never perform adequately. Return it and get the coffee press. You can most likely find a simple machine at a yard/garage/tag sale or thrift shop for $30.00 or under. Good luck, Jeffrey |
User: sewbot
Member since: 05-30-2003 Total posts: 2 |
From: Saydee
Date: 05-16-2004, 05:05 PM (4 of 14)
| I would have to agree with sewbot on this one. Look around for a proper sewing machine at a garage sale or the local paper, you will be surprised what you can pick up for so little. |
User: Saydee
Member since: 05-07-2004 Total posts: 68 
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From: coloradoanni
Date: 05-16-2004, 05:19 PM (5 of 14)
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Okay, thanks Junior members~~ I appreciat the input. I am giving this POST a little bit over 24 hours--won't take it back till Monday afternoon or Tuesday AM. I would appreciate any comments --has anyone ever used or purchased one of these little models? ========== I noticed that there may be no "speed cotrol" either --the foot attachment is VERY light-weight.
ScRaPs!*sTuDio
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User: coloradoanni
Member since: 04-24-2004 Total posts: 50
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From: Aimee S
Date: 05-16-2004, 05:26 PM (6 of 14)
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Get a used machine from a dealer and he might toss in free sewing lessons. It cant hurt to ask what is the worse they can do but say no. I do know that my dealer gives free lessons with the purchase of a machine used or new. Who knows you might our grow the used machine and want to get a better one with more options. Best of luck The more you disaprove, the more fun I am having!
http://photos.yahoo.com/aimeehs29 |
User: Aimee S
Member since: 02-23-2003 Total posts: 488 
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From: coloradoanni
Date: 05-16-2004, 05:45 PM (7 of 14)
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Thanks Aimee*! I just went to Shopping.com, where there is more info. on this item...... The company (Euro-Pro) makes larger sewing machines; it sells a lot of household products in small sizes also. ==== Everyone: I am not trying to get this little machine IN PLACE OF a machine - I already have a WHITE machine (portable? Heavy *!!) from the 1960s that probably needs "re-furbishing"/ cleaned ~that would cost AT LEAST the same amount of money, I'm aware. It is in my doll studio now, not being used. === As far as this item I only have the GIFT CARD (now receipt) from TAR-GETTE'*!* I will have to use real $$ at the regular Sewing Machine dealer stores. LoL* --By the way, this Euro-Pro DRESSMAKER has a horizontal bobbin placement / AnY OpiNiOns??
ScRaPs!*sTuDio
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User: coloradoanni
Member since: 04-24-2004 Total posts: 50
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From: Pudge99
Date: 05-16-2004, 10:26 PM (8 of 14)
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my dad has a similar machine from White. It is junk! The stitch is very poor and often skips. You constantly have to readjust the tension. I think you would do better to keep hand sewing. But since you have the machine already and it was basically free I would whip up a doll with it and see how it holds up. You have something like 30 or 60 days to return it. I would see if it works for you. I don't know how familiar you are with sewing machines but with these little ones you generally have to tie off the end of your stiching by hand (there is no back stitch on these Cuties) or try to turn your fabric around like you would on a treadle. As for the bobbin thread do you have the bobbin wound correctly and do you have it in there in the right direction? Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures Pfaff 2040 Janome Mylock 134D Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch |
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001 Total posts: 1375 |
From: coloradoanni
Date: 05-17-2004, 12:37 AM (9 of 14)
 The bobbin I was using is EXACTLY the bobbin that was in the brand new machine.... in fact, the machine comes threaded, but no warning on speed (this is without the foot petal operating!) The machine just "turns on" with a button to press, and regardless of foot pedal attachment~ whether it is hooked up or not. /The manual says that there is a speed adjustment, but I haven't found one yet. So I cannot sew until I can get the bobbin to go "up" into the throat plate ---this "Sewing Center" packaged deal comes with a lot of accessories: bobbins,spools of thread, etc..in little baggies. It "should" be ready o Go..& SeW! I AM embarrassed...!!
ScRaPs!*sTuDio
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User: coloradoanni
Member since: 04-24-2004 Total posts: 50
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From: marianne_hess
Date: 05-17-2004, 09:18 AM (10 of 14)
| I'm not sure about the exact model you are working with, but I do have some expereince with "toy" machines. With my daughters, the bobin thread never did come up, it just stitches a little chain stictch and, as was previously mentioned, you have to tie it by hand (or the whole thing will unchain. For what it's worth, I would return it and get something else with your FREE money - I don't think you'll ever be satisfied with the stitch quality! |
User: marianne_hess
Member since: 07-10-2001 Total posts: 48 |
From: Pudge99
Date: 05-17-2004, 12:52 PM (11 of 14)
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I did a little research last night on this machine and I found a few customer coments that said this product was definately not for beginners and that the thread given is of very poor quality. Can you fill your own bobbins with this machine? If so then you should go buy a spool of high quality sewing machine thread and rewind one of the bobbins and then try it with that bobbin and thread. Just a side not as I do not know how much knowledge you have on sewing machines. Do you have a tail of the bobbin thread pulled loose and the slide plate not shut all the way? This is how I pull all my bobbin threads up on every machine I have ever sewn on. Also maybe you could take this machine to your local Joannes or someplace and they could help you look at it and see if it is all set up right. I think if i was looking at the machine with you I might be better able to help you. Good Luck! Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures Pfaff 2040 Janome Mylock 134D Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch |
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001 Total posts: 1375 |
From: coloradoanni
Date: 05-17-2004, 07:10 PM (12 of 14)
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You are absolutely correct, Gina**!! You could help if you were with me...well,come on over*!* heeeeeheeeee ~~ I'm pretty sure that I have some bobbins (they have to be metal) at my studio for my White (regular old vintage portable) machine. The thread in those is definitely better! Yes, the thread looks very inadequate on these "Chinese" bobbins (ho,ho --MaDE in China/ "out-sourcing" again*)! I can try those bobbins, but chances are that I may be returning this little "sweet heart" of a trouble-causing baby machine!! I do have some time---I may play around a little bit more this week with it. Whew!! THANKS Again everyone....
ScRaPs!*sTuDio
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User: coloradoanni
Member since: 04-24-2004 Total posts: 50
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From: MartySews
Date: 05-18-2004, 08:14 PM (13 of 14)
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Don't be embarrassed. Get out your older model White machine and have it cleaned and tuned, add fresh needles, new thread and have fun stitching those dolls. Less aggravation than the toy machine. Even TARGETTE sells Singer sewing machines in their home decor department. Cannot comment on the quality but you will enjoy your coffee press more than you do this headache of a machine. Definitely more for decoration than actual sewing. 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: coloradoanni
Date: 05-18-2004, 09:20 PM (14 of 14)
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Originally posted by MartySews Don't be embarrassed. Get out your older model White machine and have it cleaned and tuned, add fresh needles, new thread and have fun stitching those dolls. Less aggravation than the toy machine. Even TARGETTE sells Singer sewing machines in their home decor department. Cannot comment on the quality but you will enjoy your coffee press more than you do this headache of a machine. Definitely more for decoration than actual sewing. Happy Stitching! Marty GoTcha, Marty! I quite AGREE.......THANKS EVERYONE!!
ScRaPs!*sTuDio
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User: coloradoanni
Member since: 04-24-2004 Total posts: 50
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