Sewing machine recommendations?

EmiBird

Hi crafty nesties! I am beginning to learn how to sew... however, right now I am using my MIL's 35+ year old Montgomery Ward machine. I am not the most proficient sewer, but I'm thinking the machine isn't helping? 

My question for you all: What machine would you recommend? I don't need one with all the bells and whistles, but I don't want a cheap one without any features at all, if that makes sense. I would LOVE to hear what you guys use and what you would suggest for a beginner!

Huge TIA! 

adhdfashion

Check the FAQ's at the top of the board. It'll point you in the right direction.

EmiBird

Thanks!

ETA: What a great resource!! I'm going to bookmark this for lots of future references! You just saved me lots of cursing and hair pulling...  

Shortcake2675

Honestly, I loved my 70s Brother.  It took a lot of beating and at first I thought it was the problem with my sewing. As I get better, I realize it was probably me.

I have an 80s New Home now that I like well enough, but I miss my Brother.  

Has the Montgomery Wards been serviced lately?  That might help.  And if you don't have an owner's manual for it, try ebay.  They are pretty handy to have. 

EmiBird

Shortcake2675:

Honestly, I loved my 70s Brother.  It took a lot of beating and at first I thought it was the problem with my sewing. As I get better, I realize it was probably me.

I have an 80s New Home now that I like well enough, but I miss my Brother.  

Has the Montgomery Wards been serviced lately?  That might help.  And if you don't have an owner's manual for it, try ebay.  They are pretty handy to have. 

I'll need to check out ebay for that manual, becuase I definitely don't know how to work all the features (if you call knobs and dials 'features'... ). Thank you!

mjkern

I just bought a brother cs 6000, and I'm liking it.  It's pretty good for a beginner (even has diagrams on the machine to help with threading etc but has lots of nice options.  I'm really liking it so far and got it after lots of good reviews on here.  I got it from walmart on sale and there was (might still be) a rebate so I think before tax but after sale/rebate it was 135.

Rock-n-Voll

EmiBird:

ETA: What a great resource!! I'm going to bookmark this for lots of future references! You just saved me lots of cursing and hair pulling...  

Glad you like it!

Johlise

I say either a Husqvarna or a Janome, both are good machines. Whatever you do, don't buy a cheap machine for $100-200, I've heard from so many people that they hate their machine because it doesn't work right. Almost always they've cheaped out and gone with a low quality machine!

Justinlove

EmiBird:

Hi crafty nesties! I am beginning to learn how to sew... however, right now I am using my MIL's 35+ year old Montgomery Ward machine. I am not the most proficient sewer, but I'm thinking the machine isn't helping? 

My question for you all: What machine would you recommend? I don't need one with all the bells and whistles, but I don't want a cheap one without any features at all, if that makes sense. I would LOVE to hear what you guys use and what you would suggest for a beginner!

Huge TIA! 

Don't get rid of the MW machine.  Chances are it is made of metal and much better quality than many you will find on the market today.  I have my GMIL's old Kenmore.  It needs to be serviced, but that thing is a workhorse!  It doesn't have all the fancy features, but that puppy can sew!