I have a young (high school age) friend who is sewing and quilting and she has received $300 (approx.) to buy a sewing machine. Her father is trying to get her to buy the $650 Singer sewing/embroidery machine and she is asking for my opinion. What should I tell her? I have no experience with this machine. I use a Pfaff and my longarm machine. Her dad is really into computers, etc. and thinks she would like the embroidery feature as she is learning this in school. Any help, ideas and advice would be really helpful. Her sewing and quilting she is doing, she is paying for herself, so she is on a limited budget and right now she is sewing on an old, old Singer that only goes forward and backward.
Thank you,
Replies
The Singer requires a computer to use when embroidering. Perhaps she would be better off getting a good used machine at one of the sewing stores and really learn to sew. And then buy one of the stand alone embroidery machines or the Singer later. Just an idea.
Dennis
I think that if her dad is willing to help her withall the computing bits and possibly with some funds , then she should get that machine as afterall she can always just use the machine for plain sewing whereas if she goes for the cheaper option she may regret it. Its also a chance for father and daughter to have quality time together and that so important . I think though that dad needs to really committ and daughter needs to want him to do it!!!
Threads and many other magazines have articles rating sewing and embroidery machines, maybe consumer reports. Prices range from hundreds to thousands of dollars. My 3 grandchildren all sew, ages 9 to 14 years. The boys are quite satisfied using an old mechanical machine,as they like to quilt. My grand daughter, 12yrs, loves the embroidery aspect but actually does better on the less complex computer model than on the top of the line with all the bells and whistles which intimidates her. She is perfectly happy with one hoop size and fewer choices.
I think it is very important to find a sewing machine dealer who has free classes on how to use their machines if at all possible! ( The problem with most Singers is there is no support for all those questions that pop up or when you think there is a problem and all you really need to do is change to a fresh needle, adjust tensions, clean the machine, etc.) I've been sewing for 35 years. When I was 16, my Dad bought me the top of the line Necchi which is a great machine and I muddled through, ( mechanical machine)
Nowadays with the high tech machines and computer programs and built in software that may or may not be user friendly or compatable with what she may really want to do it maybe overwhelming for her to start out with something too complex. Embroidery choices may include dongle, d cards and reader writer, disks, cds, etc. Some connect directly to a computer, some are independant.
Maybe she will love quilting and will end up better off with a quilting machine or longarm quilter in the long run.
In a nutshell, tell the girl's father to do lots of homework, go to websites for the specific brands, go to dealerships even if a little driving is involved. Set up a support system for training on the specific machine ie dealership is paramount! Start with a used/reconditioned machine that may have never left the dealership and just been used for classes. If she knows Daddy invested alot, she may feel obligated and nervouse instead of creative and free to take risks and take her time. Who knows she may progress, start and stop as many of us have, or lose interest alltogether?
Also, some dealerships allow you to trade up. Some will give you full purchase price back on a trade up if you do it within a year! Hope this helps!
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