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From: franci
Date: 03-14-2006, 03:41 PM (1 of 18)
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Hi there people, I'm new to the forum and I'm looking for a sewing machine that's affordable yet can sew thru thick material with ease. I'm not a professional sewer so I don't need one with fancy features, just one that's simple as I mostly use it for hemming. Does your machine handle thick material well?? If so, what brand and model is it? Thank you so much for your help  ,Franci |
User: franci
Member since: 03-14-2006 Total posts: 1 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 03-14-2006, 04:28 PM (2 of 18)
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I have a Pfaff tipmatic 6122. It's a few years old. Tom can probably tell you what newer model is comparable. It wasn't top of the line, but it wasn't low end either. It doesn't have a lot of fancy stitches but this thing will sew anything -- I am convinced. I have sewn several layers of heavy denim with no problem -- just a longer stitch. I can also sew thin and slippery fabrics thanks to the little extra foot attached to the back of the needle. Everybody has their own favorites but Pfaff makes a heck of a work horse if that is what you are looking for. And there are ways to cut the price if you talk to the dealer. Mine was a floor model in the shop and my serger (also a Pfaff) was a re-box used to teach dealers to use the machine. Both came with significant discounts but regular warranties. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: plrlegal
Date: 03-14-2006, 04:34 PM (3 of 18)
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I have Pfaff 2044 that will sew through folded jean seams like they aren't even there but sew will my older Singer Fashion Mate that was given to me. Unless you want a new machine, look around at garage sales, thrift shops, yard sales to see if you can find an older model Singer, Neechi, Pfaff, etc. Those older machines cannot be beat for good sewing and heavy duty sewing. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 03-14-2006, 04:40 PM (4 of 18)
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I killed a cheap Singer with a jean jacket for my daughter. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: Catalina
Date: 03-14-2006, 05:47 PM (5 of 18)
| My Pfaff 1475 does well, but not too good on denim flat-felled seams at intersections- I don't know of any machine that does that well except the industrials. A new denim needle helps. |
User: Catalina
Member since: 01-06-2005 Total posts: 119 |
From: paroper
Date: 03-14-2006, 06:15 PM (6 of 18)
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The Bernies are not bad on the flat fells but they are very low in the shank. Sometimes you really have to do some lifting on the presser foot to get them under the shank at the flat fell seams.
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: Sancin
Date: 03-14-2006, 06:26 PM (7 of 18)
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Sometimes it is not the denim itself that causes problems when sewing jeans, but sewing across seams when hemming causes the problem. I have never had a problem with any machine since I purchased several 'humper jumpers'/'jean humpers' and learned to use them properly. Essentially these devices lift the pressure foot (yet still keep it in the down position) before entering the seam you wish to sew across and then keep it up on the other side. Without assisting the machine across the heavier seam line the machine will skip stitches or break the thread.
*~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
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User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 895 
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From: momof3boysohmy
Date: 03-14-2006, 06:35 PM (8 of 18)
I like my Husqvarna Viking very much and it seems to be able to take on any type of fabric. I think they tend to be more expensive than some other machiens but you can get deals if you look around, ebay can be a good source. I also like the Kenmore machines, which are made by Janome.  
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User: momof3boysohmy
Member since: 03-14-2006 Total posts: 4 |
From: allie-oops
Date: 03-14-2006, 09:27 PM (9 of 18)
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My Viking D1 goes through them like butter, but they aren't cheap. The only other sewing machine I've had is a $100 Singer from Kmart - and it didn't do jeans. You may want to check out industrial machines on ebay, you can get some great deals, dh has been trying to buy me one for a long time. Doesn't understand the space=stuff rules, lol.
"onward through the fog"
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User: allie-oops
Member since: 10-25-2002 Total posts: 282 
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From: Chrysantha
Date: 03-14-2006, 09:41 PM (10 of 18)
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ALL my machines go through denim AND leather like 'butta'...but they're all TOL's and cost a lot...sorry... Sometimes you can find an old METAL Singer that will sew through ANYTHING. Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: beachgirl
Date: 03-14-2006, 10:06 PM (11 of 18)
| My 2 Janome's will sew though anything but they are high end ones. I have 3 old singers that will do the same thing. As someone said, the hump jumpers are great if you have a problem getting over the double seams. All 5 of my sewing machines are work horses. |
User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004 Total posts: 615 
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From: Tom Land
Date: 03-14-2006, 11:15 PM (12 of 18)
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My Pfaff 1475 does well, but not too good on denim flat-felled seams at intersections- I don't know of any machine that does that well except the industrials. A new denim needle helps. Catalina, get your machine to the shop. Any Pfaff (true Pfaffs. I don't mean Pfaff Hobbys) should sew through any flat-felled seam with ease. I suspect your feed dogs are set wrong or your presser foot height is not right. Other than the buttonhole flaw I have never seen a machine I liked better that the 1475. Have fun or don't do it, Tom
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User: Tom Land
Member since: 09-21-2005 Total posts: 514 |
From: Kylnne2
Date: 03-15-2006, 01:58 AM (13 of 18)
| Both of my machines seem to sew through anything that I have asked of them. I have a computerized Kenmore 19365 and a mechanical Pfaff 1530. I really beat up on my Pfaff and it never disappoints me. |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: Clarkia
Date: 03-15-2006, 09:35 PM (14 of 18)
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I had a White 5500 that was advertised as the Jeans Machine. I sewed probably miles on it and it was all they said it would be. I finally gave in and got one with more bells and whistles but my daughter in law still uses it for all her farm mending. If you can find one of those models that hasn't been overused, you should be OK. I also had a Singer XL1 that never refused anything I asked it to do. Another couple of hints: Your machine will appreciate it if you keep the presser foot more or less level. You can use a hump jumper, or a piece of denim folded to the same thickness of the cross seam. Go fairly slow. Don't pull on the fabric. Shortening jeans is kind of hard on your needles sometimes. What ever machine you get try it out first. And a sharp jeans needle is essential. I sometimes hammer out the thick areas on a jeans cuff to flatten them, and amazingly it helps. Just fold the hem up once. You have to do something to prevent the denim from fraying though, like use one of your stretch stitches around the cuff a couple of times. Then press the hem up, using lots of steam. Then take a hammer and a piece of 2 X 6 or some piece of heavy wood, and hammer out the outside seam where it it the thickest until it is nice and flat. Also I have heard you can rub the seam area with soap to aid in sewing jeans cuffs. Never tried that. I love my serger for the first step in shortening jeans. I have often wondered how they put the hems in during the manufacturing process. Kay
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User: Clarkia
Member since: 05-05-2003 Total posts: 23 |
From: Helen Weiss
Date: 03-19-2006, 12:51 AM (15 of 18)
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I picked up a terrific hint on the forum about using a Leather Schmetz needle for sewing denim instead of a denim needle, and it works like magic!
sewhappy
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User: Helen Weiss
Member since: 10-16-2003 Total posts: 69 |
From: Clarkia
Date: 03-19-2006, 02:32 AM (16 of 18)
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I tried that, too, but I noticed a little fraying around the needle holes, then I read somewhere else that the leather needles actually cut through the threads instead of going in between them....don't know if that actually weakens the seam or not.
Kay
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User: Clarkia
Member since: 05-05-2003 Total posts: 23 |
From: Tom Land
Date: 03-19-2006, 03:14 PM (17 of 18)
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I tried that, too, but I noticed a little fraying around the needle holes, then I read somewhere else that the leather needles actually cut through the threads instead of going in between them....don't know if that actually weakens the seam or not. On denim you do want to actually "cut" throught the fabric. So that would not be a concern. I have never tried the leather needles on denim because I have never needed anything other than the denim point. Bill might know of a reason to or not to use the leather point but I really don't know of one. Have fun or don't do it, Tom
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User: Tom Land
Member since: 09-21-2005 Total posts: 514 |
From: bridesmom
Date: 03-19-2006, 10:43 PM (18 of 18)
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In the workshop with Ron Collins that I did, he said almost any machine can do denim, he suggested YLI jean stitch thread and a hammer for hammering down those intersections! Plus a jeans needle, size should be 2 plus the weight of he fabric IE: 12oz denim uses a 14 needle and jean or topstitching thread in the top with regular thread in the bobbin. Also denim should be washed and dried 3 times before sewing. And stretch denim shouldn't be put into the dryer as the heat breaks down the fibres.
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
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