Sewing machine gloat...

[llyd]

Anne, I think part of hte problem there is our disposable materialism..and the fact that skils which were once common are not now, and most folks don't know good machinery when they see it.

[MNlad]

Agreed. The other problem with today's consumers is they get swayed by the "latest and greatest" features of today's sewing machines, and fail to look at the mechanical elements of the machines themselves. Self-threading, 100 different stitches at the touch of a button, etc., etc., are great, but many of the machines themselves are built to be disposable, like today's cell phones. They aren't built to last several generations, because they aren't expected to. Only when you get to the industrial models is that kind of construction found today—and you pay dearly for it.

[Mikilt]

I have a workhorse Singer 774. It's solid as a rock and has been for nearly 40 years, though I just learned to sew 3 years ago. I make myself vests, hats and bow ties.

[brewerpaul]

Anne, I think part of the problem there is our disposable materialism..and the fact that skils which were once common are not now, and most folks don't know good machinery when they see it.

Agreed with this statement. Mass marketing, cheaply made goods and big box stores has removed the mom and pop stores that not only sold you quality items but either repaired them or knew of someone who did. Repair has been replace by "toss it and buy a new one." All the new bells and whistles just make new items more costly to either replace or repair and create more problems than needed. Ok off my soap box on consumerism and mass accumulation.

Here are my shopgoodwill scores. I always keep my eye out for machines on shop goodwill and have two workhorse machines that cost me 20 bucks each.

My Dressmaster work horse. This will sew through anything.



For all those fancy stitches, well all 14 of them, my Brother machine.




I have a Familylok serger I bought from goodwill and need to get it figured out. Found a reproduction of a Babylok manual so just need to spend some time messing with it. Jennifer just bought a working Singer foot treadle style machine that still works, has the old leather belt that runs from treadle to sewing machine and has a table that is in near perfect shape. At an estate sale she got that for 60 bucks.

I was told by a gentleman who has a Janome shop that the Singer featherweight is in high demand and you will be fortunate if you ever get one under 300 dollars. Ive seen them on shop goodwill at minimum 350. They must have been quite a machine. He said they were popular because they were portable, light and bombproof. Here's to quality workmanship and craftsmanship.

[llyd]

Sewed about three short test stitches amd the motor died....so, I tore the bloody thing apart and cleaned a half pound of lint out of it, and oiled everything, tore the motor apart and honed the armature and cleaned it, broke the glaze on the carbon brushes, and re assembled it...threaded, and played with the tensions a bit amd got it sewing pretty good...I am well pleased with it.
I am digging that pink Dressmaker....that is a fine machine...
The newish singer we bought has like 69 stitches...like I need all that...lol.

[Bill aka Mole]

And to think that some of us look at files and hammers in this same regard sometimes.

[brewerpaul]

And to think that some of us look at files and hammers in this same regard sometimes.

Along with the sewing machine is my years in cabinet making and millwork. I think what is present here is the use of the hands and the mind to create regardless of the medium. I spend time teaching Jennifer woodworking skills and she helps me with sewing. We all have our tools, some of us more than others.

[Dixiecat]

I think it's a mistake to compare older machines with newer machines. You get what you pay for in either era.

For instance, the Bernina 830 was never a cheap machine. Maybe in Germany where it was made, but here in North America you'd be lucky to find that machine when it was brand new for less than $800. My aunt bought one back in late 70's and it cost more than their car. That machine was head and shoulders above say a Featherweight or Dressmaker and it's price reflected that.

There is no comparison today between a bottom of the line older machine and a bottom of the line new machine. Of course the older machine is better built. It was cheaper then to build them. Today, in order for someone to afford the equivalent, the machine has to be built with cheaper materials. I'm not trying to excuse the quality, but if someone of limited income wanted to buy a new machine, they'd have to get one of the cheap models. Top of the line machines are still made with high quality parts and high quality control even if there's more plastic and electronics in them and their price reflects that. Having plastic in a machine doesn't make for a low-quality machine.

In order to match the quality of an older mechanical machine of the Bernina 830, you'd be looking at say a Pfaff Select 3.0 or a Bernina 330. Both of which are about $700-$800.

What's really interesting is that ALL the top brand sewing machine companies use the same factories in Asia. The bottom line Bernina, Viking, Janome are made by the same factories! Only the branding and small features changes.

Btw, I've taught sewing on both kinds of machines, and it's far, far easier to teach and for a student to learn on a newer model machine. Especially one that has a drop-in bobbin, automatic needle stop in up position, easy lock and easy threading.

[seumasFinn]

I (ab)used a Kenmore for years. A year or so back I got a Bernina on sale, forget the model, but it is like night and day. My only concern was that it is 'computerized' so I keep it unplugged when not in use and use a surge protector.

Funny you mention needle stop as it lets me set whether to stop in up or down which I find very helpful.

[Katia]

Man, lucky. I'm hoping to find an older Singer or Kenmore to hone my skills on, and people around here are nuts-- that includes Craigslist AND the thrift stores. The thrift stores always mark things way up-- a local one had a Singer 66 not long ago; it wasn't in bad shape though it had few accessories tucked away in the cabinet (and when I saw it again a week later, the accessories had mysteriously disappeared... inc. the needle plate...). They wanted $150 for it. I know of people who talk about getting machines for 5 or 10 bucks at a thrift store (and one who even found one for $2.99... and got it for 15% off...). You gotta be kidding me; not any thrift stores *I* know. I doubt they'd consider that kind of change to be worth dragging it out to the sales floor.

Around here on Craigslist, people commonly want $100-$200+ for machines that... just aren't worth that. Half the time they can't be bothered to even take pictures. They all say "ooh it's old it must be worth something!" and run with it...


I'll be hitting the flea markets and yard sales and crossing my fingers, and also calling the repair places...