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

[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.