Sewing machine?

[chargirlgenius]

Can anybody recommend a decent, cheap, sewing machine? Something that will do the job, but doesn't have to do your laundry and make coffee too? I'm asking for a friend, but I know if I were looking, I'd want straight, zig zag, and auto buttonhole. I'm happy with my Kenmore, but it's the only one I've ever had, and it was over $200, I think.

Comments

[cute-evil-bunny.livejournal.com]

walmart has one for 139 that is really nice. I have the one before the current one (which I think is the project runway one) it is nice and I love it. Auto load bobbin is so worth it.

[chargirlgenius.livejournal.com]

I've heard good things about those.

[tudorpot.livejournal.com]

I bought the Project Runway one when I was at Pennsic last year- love it.

[reabhecc.livejournal.com]

Brother makes very reliable machines, and there are some listed on amazon which are less than $100.

[alienor.livejournal.com]

Might look for a used machine? That's how I got mine when I was a poor college student. The quilting shop in town sold used machines, and they'd let you try them out.

It was less than $100 (in 2000) and has taken a BEATING over the years (sitting in the back of the SUV and I slammed on the brakes so it went flying up and hit the back of the driver's seat... it still worked fine!).

[chargirlgenius.livejournal.com]

That's a good suggestion too. I think it'll depend on the availability of a shop like that in her town. :-)

[alienor.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I suspect that mine has metal gears (because of age, weight, and how well it's held up to abuse). Depending on what it's being used for (fashion sewing vs reenactment) it may or may not be worth looking for something like that (I think a modern low end machine would be fine for fashion sewing, but not rapier armor).

ETA: I did once pick up a second low end machine to have a spare, but I took it back because I wasn't happy with it. I don't remember the brand, but it was a Walmart machine.

[quodscripsi.livejournal.com]

atleast here people also look at thrift shops. Some of those older machines don't die.

[happy-emmie.livejournal.com]

I have to agree with the Brother machines at Walmart.

[teffan.livejournal.com]

Wal-Mart sells the low-end machines for under $100 I think, and should do all those things ok. And with the upcoming sales, should be easy to find a cheap one.

[teffan.livejournal.com]

Wow, look at me read the other comments before posting the same thing ;)

[chargirlgenius.livejournal.com]

The recommendation is just that much stronger. :-)

[ladybirdkiller.livejournal.com]

both of mine are Kenmores and I love them but I just looked up how much the one I use cost and almost had a heart attack. So I'm no help. =)

[rustmon.livejournal.com]

I told you! :)

(Walmart is the shizzle or Target for something under $200)

[maggiebowgirl.livejournal.com]

I also have one of the Brother machines for right around $100 and have been quite pleased with it.

[jemala-malvada.livejournal.com]

I'll throw in a vote for Brother from Walmart as well. I was brutal to mine for 5 or 6 years. Hard-core SCA sewing for several people. Whole wardrobes. It did the trick beautifully.

[noxcat.livejournal.com]

I adore my Elna 2002. It's the basic model, and I've had it over 10 years with no problems. It does need some help with the heavier fabrics, like hemming jeans, but other than that, I'm completely satisfied with it.

[tattycat.livejournal.com]

All three of mine are Brothers, of varying levels of bling, bought from WalMart. I love them all, and would highly recommend a good basic model.

[lorebubeck.livejournal.com]

Huh, I must have gotten lemons with my brothers. I had two fail utterly when they were only about 1 year old. I'm now a devoted Singer fan myself. Singer has a referb web site where they sell various machines for about 1/2 price. Hit or miss selection, but very good prices!

[cariola.livejournal.com]

I have a Brother from Walmart and everybody that I've loaned it to says that it's a great little machine. It was a graduation gift and I've never used it, goes to show how much I sew. DBF got his mother's Bernina, that needs to be serviced, so my machine is sitting in storage waiting for the next friend that needs to borrow it.

[ichseke.livejournal.com]

I got a Husky? Husqvarna? at Joann's -- just walked in, told them I wanted a low-end but reliable basic machine, and walked out with that one. It's done well for me and as a plus has a built-in handle and is lightweight. But then my demands on it are lightweight too, so ymmv.

[isabeau-lark.livejournal.com]

I have a Brother as well, and I have to get it serviced...for the first time since I got it 23 years ago. It was a gift from my folks and it's taken a huge amount of beating in the intervening years. It's a great basic machine.

[alienor.livejournal.com]

Here's (http://pics.livejournal.com/alienor/pic/0003327t/) Consumer Reports March 2009 ratings of sewing machines.

[hazebrouck.livejournal.com]

I think $200 IS cheap, so I obviously cannot relate. I buy good tools and good shoes; I think it pays off in the long run.

[pinkleader.livejournal.com]

I've got the 12 year older version of this and it works well:
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02018221000P