Help! Basic sewing machine for mom...

[CanuckAmok]

So (sew), with nine shopping days before Christmas, my mom has announced she wants a sewing machine. She has never had one before, and she wants a really basic, easy-to-use model.

I'd like one that doesn't cost lots, because (I thought) I'm done shopping.

Any suggestions?

[LuckyTheDog]

1. Go to Sears

That's what I do whenever I have to buy any kind of machine or appliance (well, except cars, but if Sears sold cars, I'd be there). Not that I love Sears. But it's easy and I don't like to shop.

[havocmom]

4. Especially if Sears brand still made by White, which makes good machines

I still love my 23 year old Kenmore (made by White) machine and I am a professional seamstress who has used LOTS of different machines.

Avoid the temptation to go for lots of computerized bells and whistles too ;)

[VenusRising]

2. I got a machine at Wal-Mart (I know) for my birthday

and still haven't taken it out of the box. It scares me. I think I would go with one of those little EZ sew machines for like $20 as a starter. I wouldn't care so much if I screwed it up and would use it more, maybe.

[XemaSab]

7. Go to the fabric store and get some cheap, remaindered

$4 a yard stuff. Go home, get some wine, put on some music, and just mess around with it.

Trust me, there are moments of frustration, but if I can do it, anyone can. :)

[VenusRising]

9. Thanks for the encouragement.

I would be happy just making a pillow at this point. How hard can it be to sew two squares together?

Famous last words. :rofl:

[Shakespeare]

3. You should be able to get a very good basic sewing mach9ine for about $150

Singer, Europro and Kenmore are good brands (there are other brands that are good, but I don't think they have anything in that price range).

I have a really basic Europro (18-stitch model, I believe), and it's been a great, tough machine.

[silverojo]

5. Avoid Brother sewing machines

Cheaply made, and the "stretch" stitches don't stretch! I went back to using the old Kenmore we got in the late 1970's.

Everything was good then...even Presidents! :D

[CanuckAmok]

6. I've owned a few Brother appliances over the years....

...and they're all crap. I'll visit Sears tomorrow.

Hmm... now that I think about it, I'm not sure we have a Sears here.

[iverglas]

10. go to sears.ca

type in "sewing machine". The first one up is $150 -- $10 off until 21 December. If it won't come in time for xmas, order it and print out a colour pic of it and put it in a gift bag. ;)

If there is a Sears in town, go there too. The thing with Sears is *never* to pay full price; everything is on sale sometime. You can often get a better model of something for less than the normally cheaper model. And always see whether last year's model is on sale -- again, you can get the better thing for less than the newer-model cheaper thing.

I have a Kenmore, a couple of steps up from the most basic ... not the $2800 one! ... and I'm perfectly happy with it. Tell her to have fun!

[LeftyMom]

8. Go to a local fabric/sewing machine store.

The machines sold at discount stores aren't reliable or easily serviced. The models sold at real sewing stores are better made, and often are packaged with classes for the beginner.

I have a few New Homes that I like (one I bought new and an old one I fixed) New Home is rebadged Janome. Viking/Husquevarna is also good. Low end Brother and Singer machines are junk. I also like the quality of my Pfaff serger, but I don't know if they make a entry-level priced sewing machine.

[likesmountains 52]

11. Buy one at a sewing store...they can help your mom if there are problems..

Sears etc. are not going to have people in their stores that can actually help her with issues like...problems threading or skipped stitches etc..

[Kali]

12. Beware of commissioned sales people.

Keep the term "bait and switch" up front in your brain if you think you find something on sale that you want.

[Whoa_Nelly]

13. My son got me this one for my birthday this year

and I LOVE it! Easy to operate, has a self-threader, and the change to stich types and stitch lengths is computerised and so simple! Also has a free arm for sleeves and pant legs. I don;t make a lot of clothing, but do make a lot of window treatments, so this one is fun for me.
(of course, had been sewing for last 30 years on my mom's old 1951 Singer portable Featherweight, so this new machine is a real dream to use.)

http://tinyurl.com/yeqv8k