SCM Discussion Forum

1. 

   missingtheshire
   Member

   I have a very nice Pfaff sewing machine that I brought back from Europe with me and it is a multi-voltage one which is wonderful - however I would like to get another machine for my daughter, nothing as pricey as my Pfaff, but one that does some basic embroidery as well as the regular stitches, it must also have the kind of foot pedal with adjustable speed/pressure like my Pfaff to make it easier for her to use. She has shown an interest in making things and I would like her to have her own machine to work with - so I don't have to stop projects of mine. Any suggestions welcome. Linda

   Posted 1 year ago # Report Post
2. 

   MamaSnow
   Member

   Don't have any ideas...but I'm in the market for a fairly basic but still nice sewing machine myself...so I'll be interested in what others have to say.

   Jen

   Posted 1 year ago # Report Post
3. 

   LyndaF
   Member

   I have a Brother Project Runway and I love it.  I have only had it about two years, but it still works like new.  It has basic stitches, embroidery stitches, and quilting stitches.  I got it at Walmart for about $150.  It is very easy to use and computerized.  I have killed a lot of sewing machines because I love to quilt.  This machine beats a lot of the more expensive ones, hands down.

   Posted 1 year ago # Report Post
4. 

   missingtheshire
   Member

   Thanks Lynda, then that is one I will look at, does anyone else have anything else, so I can compare a few...? Linda

   Posted 1 year ago # Report Post
5. 

   pollysoup
   Member

   The sewing machine Lynda mentioned is Consumer Reports best buy.  It ranks up with Bernina.  Here is a link to it.  I have a Bernina but have considered this for my dd.  A friend of mine has one and really likes it.

    

   http://www.brother-usa.com/Homesewing/modeldetail.aspx?PRODUCTID=NS40#.TmGpruvTL-k

   Posted 1 year ago # Report Post
6. 

   missingtheshire
   Member

   Thanks Pollysoup that is so helpful I appreciate it and will study it this morning. Bless you -Linda

   Posted 1 year ago # Report Post
7. 

   Faith in FL
   Member

   I have to second the Brother. I have the cs6000i and love it! Also bought it at Walmart for close to the same price. Has a start/stop button if you don't wish to use a foot pedal and adjustable speed. Easy enough for my 4yo grandaughter to use (with supervision)! Customer Service was good also...lost my power cord in a move. Responded to an emailed question withing 24 hours and received the shipment exactly when they said I would!

   Posted 1 year ago # Report Post
8. 

   Janell
   Member

   There is a $30 rebate at the Wal Mart website for the Brother 50 stitch Project Runway sewing machine until Sept. 15th. Thank you for the recommendation. I have been meaning to get my daughter a machine as well. 

    

   Posted 1 year ago # Report Post
9. 

   Janell
   Member

   Sorry...the rebate is actually $10. This is also available at the Brother link above for the model CE5500PRW.

   Posted 1 year ago # Report Post
10. 

    missingtheshire
    Member

    Thanks for all the tips, I apprecicate it and can now look and see the ones mentioned. Linda

    Posted 1 year ago # Report Post
11. 

    Rene
    Member

    Thanks to this thread I now have a new sewing machine!  My mom and husband went in together and got me the Brother 100-stitch SQ9050 as an early birthday present.  With free site-to-store shipping and the rebate the total is $180.  We got it this past Saturday and it is fabulous!! 

    The machine I've been using for several years now was a lower-end Janome and I have never enjoyed sewing with it.  It did not have many options and it sewed very rough. 

    This new machine sews like a dream.  I've tried out several of the decorative stitch functions and they work great and are very pretty.  I love that it is computerized, everythng is automatic, and I'm tickled pink over my "needle up/down" button - no more turning the hand wheel!  It also came with a walking foot! 

    I can't wait to get back to sewing!

    Posted 1 year ago # Report Post
12. 

    RobinP
    Member

    Linda,

    Just wondering if you bought a machine, what you ended up with, and if you like it.  I'm looking for a machine.  I don't (as in DO NOT) sew, so I want something easy to use.  I was traumatized in high school when my home ec teacher got in my face and screamed, "You see this gray hair???  It's got your name on it!!!"  LOL!!!  But I want to learn to do some basic sewing. 

    Posted 1 year ago # Report Post
13. 

    missingtheshire
    Member

    http://www.amazon.com/Brother-Affordable-60-Stitch-Computerized-Free-Arm/dp/B000JQM1DE/ref=sr_1_1?s=arts-crafts&ie=UTF8&qid=1329583548&sr=1-1

    This is the machine I got for my daughter, and it is holding up well. She has mild cerebral palsy and we liked the speed control lever it had, and the fact that you can use the button instead of the foot pedal if you prefer. I think Faith has this model as well, (she wrote above)anyway it is suiting my daughter very well. It does everything a beginner could want plus it is also useful for someone with more experience. It is not as good as my Pfaff which was a German built model (not China/Japan) and is very solid and reliable - but if I did not have the Pfaff which was very expensive, I would have been happy with this. The only thing I would say is use good thread - cheap thread is not so good on this machine, I would recommend using a good brand thread on any sewing project though, but it is more important on less expensive machines. My daughter had no prior sewing experience and really got on well with it from the start. It also comes with all the attachments that you could need initially - except for the 1/4 inch foot which only costs about $6.00 to buy, but I would buy it as it is an important foot to have for 1/4" seams.

    This is a machine that a beginner can grow into, there are more basic models out there, but if you become really interested this will take you further than some of those basic ones without busting the budget. Amazon have the cheapest price I have found so far. Hope this helps. Linda

    Posted 1 year ago # Report Post
14. 

    RobinP
    Member

    Thank you, Linda.  I didn't know whether to get a very basic machine since I know absolutely nothing but I don't know if a cheap, basic machine (a Brother brand at WalMart) would be a frustration.  The one you got is about twice the price of the cheapy but may be a better investment in the long run.

    Posted 1 year ago # Report Post
15. 

    missingtheshire
    Member

    Robin, I did look at the cheapies at Walmart, but then I thought well if she really likes sewing and gets reasonable at it, she would not have to buy another for a long time, because this one will allow her to grow with it. It has twin as well as single needles which is a bonus. She and I figured it out pretty fast, and she is not using all the features and feet yet, but she has them for when she gets to that stage...it is hard to know for you, because only you know if you will really find it a worthwhile hobby - whatever you buy I wish you luck and let us know how you get on...Linda

    Posted 1 year ago # Report Post

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