help with new machine

frayed tank made from salvaged linen pants

i am going to buy a new machine, upgrading from a viking husky to a janome ( my local janome/singer shop is where i have made friends )

mostly interested in art to wear, fabric and design, i wanted to ask more experienced sewers what type of machine would suit me best.i am hovering around the $300 price range but am willing to go higher. i am a no pattern, scrap cloth ' see what i can do with this' type of sewer-known to find a coat with a fabric i love at the thrift store- deconstruct it, add ruffles and dye it green' kinda person.

Pattern or design used: My Own Design - frayed tank

m_poisson, member
Posted on Jul 28th, 2009 in sewing, tools & supplies, fundamentals, reader's closet

Comments (3)

10isdzinr writes: Another place to get great machine reviews and advice is patternreview.com. They have great discussion boards and you will get some practical advice. You sound very artistic, creative and talented. Hopefully, you will find a machine that lets you bloom!
Posted: 9:29 pm on September 13th

amm writes: Go to Gatherings (in the reddish band at the top of the page), and ask the advice of the sewers who frequent that discussion board. You'll get lots of helpful opinions there.

I bought my first sewing machine in college when I couldn't tolerate not having a machine at my fingertips. My mom couldn't shop with me because school was too far away. Her only advice was to buy the best machine I could afford. She told me it would be unlikely that I would buy a new machine for many years, and she knew I didn't want to be disappointed. I didn't buy the top of the line (it had lots of fancy stitches that I didn't want), but I bought the one just under. That was in 1966, and it is still my machine of choice. I have 2 other machines now, but they are only used when my original machine is at the shop for a tune-up or repair (rarely). When it is fixed, I'm always told my machine is fabulous, and I shouldn't get rid of it. "They don't make them like that anymore!" is what I'm often told.

So, I'm passing on the same advice. Buy the best machine you can afford to buy. Look for the features you know you can't live without, and get some that you think you might like someday.

I didn't buy my second machine until my husband and I moved to a new state. The movers packed the sewing machine foot pedal in with boxes of basement stuff, so I didn't find it for a couple of years. I bought the new machine out a desperation to get me by. I didn't spend a huge amount on it, and I got what I paid for. It has some of the bells and whistles my old machine doesn't have (a removable bed for sewing sleeves), but it just doesn't sew as smoothly and evenly. You can tell it's all plastic, because it's light as a feather, while my old machine is very heavy because the inside is all metal.

Good luck! I hope you end up with a great purchase.
Posted: 2:32 pm on August 11th

ejlee writes: I have been sewing for at least 41 years. Over that time I've acquired at least 10 machines for my home and business use. For the usage that you've described I would at least go for a machine with embroidery, decorative stitch and general stitch capabilities. Nothing with extreme bells and whistles, but, this will at least give you room to grow if you change your mind. I have the first embroidery machine New Home(now Janome) made and I'm still delighted with it. And it does all that I described. There are plenty of machines out there that meet this criteria with a decent price tag. Hope this helps... :)
Posted: 7:41 pm on August 6th

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