Begging for opinions on a sewing machine

[Dreadbelly]

Oh dear.

So have you seen the specific model that I mention though? I really don't want to sew leather, I am not sure how that came up. I just want to sew fabric.

[Kilted X]

For the time being a waystop might be good for you would be a Bernina model #1008. It is the base model, I think my wife paid $600 for hers. But it is all metal gears & housing. I just got leather needles to do my sporrans. I got cow skin about 1/8"-1/4" thick.

My wife got hers because she work in the costume shop for theater in college. They had Berninas that are 20-30 years old that are beat up but in top working order.

Go to a couple of sewing shops around your area & get the opinions of the sales people, be sure to take the Swinger specs with you so you can compare price, guts, & options. JoAnn's & Hancock Fabrics are nationwide chains that have sewing machines. Also be sure to go to the small shops, they tend to have the better quality machines. Sometime at the smaller shops they will have a demo or used machine sales with full warranties. Where someone has traded in thier old machine for a better one.