just for fun, recommend me a sewing machine for under $100 that would be good for a beginner (but also good once I get better!)
-
I hear the Brother ones are pretty good, I have a Kenmore but I don't think it was cheap. It was given to me by my grandma.
-
I have this one and it works well for what I need. I don't do a lot of sewing, just some basic hemming and small projects but I havent had any issues.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000F7DPEQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1414107745&sr=8-2&pi=SX200_QL40 -
My first sewing machine was the brother from costco which is what @aria is pointing to. It's a little more at costco because costco's version is for quilting so there are some attachments that come with it. It was a fine machine... I did a ton of sewing with it and still have it... but I have since moved on to a janome platinum 760 which I use everyday now.
-
I bought a Singer Simple several years ago at Walmart. It was fine, but it couldn't handle a lot of big jobs. Now I sew on a Janome Magnolia and it's so much better. It was about $250, but the quality and ease of sewing is totally worth it.
-
@avivoca: we have a singer and get frustrated with it easily. I was wondering if it was us or the machine. My DH used to live with a lady who runs a quilting shop and was used to higher end machines so Im thinking between your comment and his it must be the machine.
-
@jetsa: the newer Singers are not that great quality-wise in my experience. I have a 1960's model that worked well until the motor went out.
-
@avivoca: yea its a newer model, I've had it 5 years or so.
-
@jetsa: @avivoca: Yeah being kind of into sewing for a few years... it was well known that singers went down hill recently... if you get an older one you are usually go to go.
Go Janome!
My new york friend swears by juke but I don't see that brand on the west coast. Most of my quilting friends use viking ... which is kind of pricey.
-
This is a little over $100 but it's what I have. I didn't know how to sew when I bought it and I've taught myself. It comes with 9 different feet and a table to attach for bigger projects. The walking foot alone is pretty expensive. (I broke mine and had to find a replacement, I'm sure I broke it doing something wrong) It's great for beginning sewing but has more advanced things too, like button holes, decorative stitching, etc.
Heres the link.... http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000JQM1DE?pc_redir=1413928600&robot_redir=1
-
I have a cheapy Singer, and I really like it. I got it for my birthday 2 years ago, and have had zero issues with it. But, keep in mind, I'm a novice and I don't quilt. I actually just made Sadie's Halloween costume with it! It's a little over $100, but the price may go down as Christmas approaches:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Singer-5400-Sew-Mate-60-Stitch-Sewing-Machine-5400/20573406
-
Brother, FTW!
-
Brother!! Great starter machine and easy to use!
-
Honestly, I'd pay a little more and get a better machine. You are going to outgrow the abilities of a $100 machine so quickly.
I have a Janome Sewist 500. My mom bought it for me and she went to a specialty sewing machine shop to buy it. This is the kind of store with plenty of machines in the 5-figures - they know their stuff! They recommended the Janome Sewist 500 as a great beginner machine that you'll be able to grow with. I love it!
http://www.amazon.com/Janome-Sewist-Machine-Built-In-Stitches/dp/B003AXXWAE
-
I also have a brother similar to what @HappyBluebird: posted. I got mine quite a few years ago so the exact model doesn't exist anymore.
I started doing basic stuff on it, but have worked up to make kids clothes and quilts with it. I'd spend just a bit more over $100 if you plan to learn how to do more than just a simple hem.
-
@Mrs.KMM: Ehhh, not necessarily. My current (Brother) machine was purchased for $100 at WalMart in 1989. My mom used it for 20+ years and Ive been using it for the rest. Its a completely adequate, although slightly outdated, machine. My mother has been sewing for 50 years and I have been sewing most of my life. My mom just bought me a new one for Christmas and Im going to pass my 80s Brother on to my BFF.
-
@HappyBluebird: I have the same one and like it very much!
-
@loveisstrange: Yeah - but what you could buy for $100 in 1989 would not cost $100 now. It isn't really comparing apples to apples.
-
@HappyBluebird: This is very similar to my new machine!
-
I'm going to agree with @loveisstrange:
The brother machine that I have appears to have the same functionality as the one you posted (it actually looks more like that one than like current brothers) and I think it was about $130 and I've it for 15 years.
If you treat a machine well (keep it covered to keep dust out, oil it, clean it, etc.) I don't think it necessarily matters if you don't spend that much on it.
-
@loveisstrange: It is also probably better made than one you could buy now at the same pricepoint! I wonder if the guts of the machine are metal, versus plastic. That would make a huge difference in terms of longevity.
-
@Mrs.KMM: I disagree... but Im really not going to argue with you about it.
-
@mrs. bird: @loveisstrange: It really is a great machine for learning and then the next steps beyond. I'm still learning so I don't know about making anything super difficult on it but I've made lots of things from clothes to quilts to stuffed toys.
-
@looch: Its definitely heavier duty, but it's basic features are similar or maybe even less than what a $100 model would have today.
-
I think the biggest problem people have with cheaper (or even any) sewing machine is understanding that you cannot use the same needle, thread, and tension for everything. Understand tension, and you'll be able to sew on anything. (My machine is a Singer, more than five years old, and baaaaaare bones. No fancy features. And it gets the job done. I've sewn curtains, quilts, canvas tool rolls, and clothes.)
-
Brother! I am also coveting a Janome ....
-
@Espion: I totally agree! I think it's all about knowing what you have and respecting what materials are appropriate
-
@HappyBluebird: I have one similar to this, and I LOVE it!! I got it at Costco and it was right around $150. I'm a pretty novice sewer and this one has been great.
-
I've got a second hand Singer from the late 60s and it works great! The only issue I've had is the plastic button you need to move to wind the bobbin is brittle, so I need to have it replaced. That will cost me $50. My MIL got it for me at an estate sale in a table for less than $100. She got a ton of things with it like a button hole maker.
-
I just taught myself to sew with the Brother LS2125i. It took me about a week to figure it out, but now I'm sewing away!
-
@Boheme: Come to the dark side! You'll never look back once you have a Janome.
-
@Leialou: I wonder if we have the same machine? I also have a Singer from the late '60's in a table. I wish mine still worked, but it's a beast to haul in to the shop. When I have a bigger car, I want to get it fixed.
-
@avivoca: we might! Mine is a touch & sew. I forgot the model number but I have a pic from Instagram.
-
I also have a vintage Singer, my grandmother's from the 1950s (and still have the receipt!)
Nothing beats it for sewing straight lines. But I'm pretty afraid to use it for anything other than basic darning. For the most part I keep it put away with my new machine on top of the closed sewing table.
(similar to this)
-
@Leialou: Mine is pretty similar to that. It's a Singer Zig-Zag (I think the model is 416, but I'm not at home to check). I love that it has its own table, but right now it's my entryway table since its broken.
-
My grandmother was a professional-level sewer and quilter. All of her machines were Pfaff. She got me the entry one (Pfaff Smart 160s) about 10 years ago as a Christmas gift. It's been awesome! My mother had an old singer for years. It worked well, but she also has a Pfaff now too that she loves. I did purchase the entry-level Brother at Target in a pinch 3 years ago (long story), but it was returned really quickly because it didn't really sew through even the thinnest cloth very well. It seems like some of the newer entry-level models that you can buy at the big box stores aren't as durable. Good luck!
Reply
Subscribe to our newsletter
- Google Plus
- Stumbleupon
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- Favorite0
35 comments