Sew What’s Up Presents
The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was
retired in August 2007. It is being provided by
“Sew What’s Up,”
which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: Jenn Jesski
Date: 02-28-2005, 11:12 AM (1 of 13)
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Hi Everyone. For the past 2 years I've been having my mom make all of my window treatments, bedding, throw pillows, blankets....the list goes on and on. About a year ago, we moved to NC and it's been hard mailing fabric back and forth to Fl....not to mention expensive. So I think it's time for that I jumped into the sewing world myself, however I have no clue what I'm doing. My mom's machine is very difficult for me to use and has a ton of stitches. I can never remember how to do the bobbin or thread the machine. Can any of you give me some advice on a machine that's very simple to use and does some basic stitches? I'm also looking at possible starting a very small bed linen business for toddlers. Just something I can do in my spare time when I'm not being mommy. Any suggestions you have would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance! Jenn 
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User: Jenn Jesski
Member since: 02-28-2005 Total posts: 2 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 02-28-2005, 11:41 AM (2 of 13)
First and foremost, I get a signal from your post that may not be right, but it sounds like you are someone who will not read directions first.. I hope I'm wrong about that signal.. You have to be willing to read the manual if you are going to use any sewing machine sucessfully..This is a must.. Now , I hope you at least buy a middle of the road machine and not the bottom of the line.. If you start at the very bottom, you will want a new machine in less than 6 months.. Most people buy a machine that will do them for at least 5 or 10 years..My newest one is 11 years old and still satisfies my sewing needs.. I have 3 in all, plus a serger that is 15 years old..They are like family members.. Now, you can laugh.. 
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 02-28-2005, 11:52 AM (3 of 13)
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I usually don't disagree with Libby but here I have to. If your mother sews and you have been around sewing all or most of your life and never had an interest before, you probably aren't going to enjoy it so much and a basic machine will do just fine because you won't use it much. That might nix your idea of going into business to. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: blessedmommyuv3
Date: 02-28-2005, 12:24 PM (4 of 13)
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My 2 cents: I, too, was around sewing all my life, and never really had any desire to learn. But once I had my 2nd daughter, I began to get interested in quilting. I taught myself to sew on a straight stitch only machine from 1955. My dh bought me my first new sewing machine 3 years ago, and now I sew clothes for my now 3 children, myself, my husband, family members, and still make curtains and quilts, too. This machine is one I highly recommend. It is reasonably priced. It is durable. And it has enough stitches to satisfy for some time; without being difficult to learn. It is also extremely easy to thread. http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=APPL&pid=02014052000 My dd who is 12 yrs old began sewing on it 1 month ago, and loves it too! Simple and delightful to sew on. HTH! Jen in CA |
User: blessedmommyuv3
Member since: 05-18-2004 Total posts: 263 
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From: paroper
Date: 02-28-2005, 02:08 PM (5 of 13)
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How about an older Singer Featherweight machine. If you are doing home dec, it is a strong machine. If you are not sewing often you probably won't want to leave it out much, it is lightweight to cart around and they are work horses. They are very basic machines and popular with quilters, they and their parts are in good supply. The machines were made over a long span of years. If you decided that you didn't like sewing, you could probably sell this machine without much loss of investment. The part that bothered me though is that you were confused about threading the machine and bobbins. The fact is that these things are pretty standard from machine to machine. You may have guides in slightly different places but they are still pretty much the same. This is not an effortless hobby. pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: Jenn Jesski
Date: 02-28-2005, 04:28 PM (6 of 13)
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A sincere thanks to Jen and Paroper for guiding me in the right direction in regards to a machine that will fit my needs. While I did grow up with a mom who made almost all of my clothes, I DID NOT have any interest in sewing. In fact it wasn't until about 2 years ago that I did have any interest and it was only to decorate my house because it was cheaper to have mom sew than it was to go out and buy everything already made. Very few hobbies are completely effortless and like most other hobbies I will go through a trial and error process just like some of the posts I read here. As for not wanting to "read directions", my mother inherited my great grandmother's machine and I have no directions for it. My mother knew how to use it and that was that. For me, a person who's first job is to take care of my family, and everything else comes when the time or need arises, just because someone showed me how to thread a machine, doesn't mean I'll remember how to do it 6 months down the road when it's not one of my top priorities. Again a sincere thanks to Jen and Paroper and be assured I will never post another question on this board again! |
User: Jenn Jesski
Member since: 02-28-2005 Total posts: 2 |
From: DragonLady
Date: 02-28-2005, 04:46 PM (7 of 13)
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I just bought my first sewing machine last November. I've been sewing for years, but only by hand. When I finally decided to buy a machine, I made a short list of the features that were most important to me, then found a machine that did what I needed. So you might consider deciding exactly what you'll be using the machine for, then finding out what features will be most helpful. For instance, if you're going to do blankets and pillows, a one-step buttonhole probably isn't important, but quilting stitches probably are. Anyway...I bought the Euro Pro Shark Intelli-Sew, and I absolutely love it. So far, it has done every single thing I've needed to do and I doubt that I will need another machine for years. You can check it out here: http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/ref=br_1_13/601-0221480-0436925?%5Fencoding=UTF8&frombrowse=1&asin=B0002TUVN0 "No more twist! No more twist!"
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User: DragonLady
Member since: 11-10-2004 Total posts: 152 
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From: paroper
Date: 02-28-2005, 04:48 PM (8 of 13)
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I'm sorry, I did not mean to offend you. Truly I did not. The older Featherweight machines are wonderful machines and that is not a bad steer. There are a lot of excellent lower end machines on the market. However, I don't feel that the quality of the newer machines is necessarily as good as the old ones because many of them have nylon and plastic parts, along with computerized systems that don't necessarily wear as well. There are lots of manuals and machines out there in Featherweights and they are a little stronger machine in terms of power. Almost every line has low-end machines that are current available (definately NOT to be confused with low quality). If you are looking for straight sewing, perhaps a zig zag stitch, there are plenty of machines out there wearing almost every brand name and in every price category. Bernina, Brother, and Janome barely touch the major brands who have good base-line machines. However, for weight, construction, durability, etc. the Featherweights are truly gems. If I were to look for a machine to enter the sewing world and my primary interest was home sewing and I didn't think that I would need or want a machine with lots of stitches, embroidery, etc., I wouldn't hesitate to look at an older machine, esp. the Featherweights. They can be absolutely marvelous and reliable machines and can sometimes be purchased for a very good price. We welcome you to the board and please, again, accept my sincere apologies! pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 02-28-2005, 04:58 PM (9 of 13)
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I didn't mean to offend you either. I just didn't want to see you go out and spend a lot of money on a machine before you knew you would use it a lot. If money isn't an issue -- go top of the line. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: blessedmommyuv3
Date: 02-28-2005, 05:36 PM (10 of 13)
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One more thing that has helped me prior to purchasing my machines and sergers was to visit: http://sewing.patternreview.com/SewingMachine/ and check out their sewing machine and serger reviews. It gives you an idea about the features, prices, and a general overview of how well they performed. Kind of a "consumer reports" for sewing machines. I think the most important part of purchasing a sewing machine is finding the right fit for you. Try to decide what the most important features are for you. For me they were: Free arm Easy to thread Fed lightweight to heavyweight materials well auto buttonhole Then after 3 years I added to my list: Needle up/down Buttonhole stitch More decorative stitches and last year my dh bought me: http://www.epinions.com/content_130070646404 Hope this is helpful, and I wish you luck in finding YOUR perfect machine Jen |
User: blessedmommyuv3
Member since: 05-18-2004 Total posts: 263
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From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 03-01-2005, 12:25 PM (11 of 13)
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I sincerely apologize to you.. I did not mean to hurt your feelings.. Yes, i assumed you had a manual and would not take time to read it.. I am truly sorry.. Now , if this machine has a ton of stitches, it cannot be too old.. The internet has manuals for almost every machine on it.. I suggest you search for it by name and 'manual' on Google or whatever search engine you use.. A lot of the machine sites even have threading diagrams online... I hope you reconsider about posting on this site.. It is an extremely valuable asset to anyone beginning to sew...
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022
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From: MartySews
Date: 03-01-2005, 06:37 PM (12 of 13)
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To me, buying a sewing machine is much like buying a vehicle, there is one that will meet your needs. If you're planning to start a small business, I recommend that you visit several dealers in your area and test the machines until you find one that you're comfortable using. These are the features that I feel would help you ... Basic zigzag and straight stitches Some decorative stitches One step buttonhole Easy wind bobbin Needle up/down and left, center and right position Ability to sew several layers of a thick fabric Availability of accessories Availability of needles that fit the machine Good warranty and repairs as needed These features can often be found in a previously owned sewing machine. Different major brand names to consider are Pfaff, Viking, Bernina, Brother, Janome, Kenmore (found at Sears), White, and Singer. By going thru a dealer, often free lessons on learning to use the machine are provided with the purchase. Hope this helps. Good luck and do come back and visit again. 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: Hippiegirl
Date: 03-21-2005, 05:16 PM (13 of 13)
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First and foremost, I get a signal from your post that may not be right, but it sounds like you are someone who will not read directions first.. I hope I'm wrong about that signal.. You have to be willing to read the manual if you are going to use any sewing machine sucessfully..This is a must.. Now , I hope you at least buy a middle of the road machine and not the bottom of the line.. If you start at the very bottom, you will want a new machine in less than 6 months.. Most people buy a machine that will do them for at least 5 or 10 years..My newest one is 11 years old and still satisfies my sewing needs.. I have 3 in all, plus a serger that is 15 years old..They are like family members.. Now, you can laugh.. You are so right on that. I bought a basic basic brother 16 years ago with the intent to learn. It was a lemon and never worked right and I got fustrated and never fixed it. Now, I bought a Pfaff and love it but within 4 months of sewing finally I need to upgrade it. I totally agree about out growing a machine and that if you are going to actually use a machine instead of letting it sit, to buy at a local deal who has a trade in program so you can upgrade as you upgrade your skills. Now that I have been bitten by the sewing bug and this time with a machine that works, I don't have the desire to even go to the mall to buy clothing. I can make it if I want it. I was bitten badly by Brother even though they make good machines - they say, but I will never buy another. |
User: Hippiegirl
Member since: 03-21-2005 Total posts: 77 |
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