Maine Nesties
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Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Sewing machines?
I'm interested in getting a sewing machine and really have no idea where to start. I'm getting into basic quilting so would like some good stitches to choose from. A friend of mine recommends a Babylock, Viking, Bernina or Pfaff...
Anyone have one you recommend? Thoughts on what I should be looking for?
Thanks!
Re: Sewing machines?
How much money are you willing to spend? Those are all good brands but they're not cheap. I have a low-end Babylock (the Crafter's Choice model) and it was $600. The other brands you mentioned are more expensive. Janome is another good choice and it also starts at a few hundred dollars.
If you want a beginner machine to just do at little bit of sewing, I think the Brother and Kenmore are worth looking at. I've had terrible experience with Singer machines -- they used to be good but have gone far downhill in the last 20ish years.
It depends on what you're doing with it. Like Kimberly said, if you're planning to become a full-on quilter or start making all your clothes and have several hundred dollars to spend, those brands are all great. You could check out BF deals or Craigslist to see if there's anything out there.
If you're just doing a bit of sewing or trying it out and not sure how much you'll do, I've had Brothers and Kenmores that were all fantastic.
I am a beginner but I'm also in the mindset of getting something worth it to have for a very long time and really get into it. My parents are being very generous and helping me with the purchase for my big 3-0 so although I don't have an unlimited budget (the $2500 machines are certainly drool-worthy), I can look at some of the higher end models. I've looked at a lot of Babylocks online but right now I'm leaning towards the Viking Sapphire based on reviews I've read and it's specs. Plus, they make tools which makes my dad happy and when he's willing to shell out some cash for it, it's always good to find something he likes too;
Jackie, I was hoping you'd respond because I knew you'd be the one in the know! I've also heard great things about Janome but haven't done as much research on them yet - do you have a specific model that you'd recommend?
I'm hoping to go to a few sewing shops in Maine when we're up this weekend so I'm pulling as much info as I can to bring along with me!
Thank you so much for your help!
For my girls group that sews. We just started to use these:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000JQM1DE/ref=asc_df_B000JQM1DE1791596?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=asn&creative=395093&creativeASIN=B000JQM1DE
They are really easy to use and the girls love them.
My advice is don't get caught up in the bells and whistles of sewing machines. You don't need all that stuff and that's the stuff that makes it expensive. Mine isn't fancy at all, but it works awesome. Like I said...there's about 50 Janome sewing machines with the quilting crew I hang with from time to time.
I have this: http://content.janome.com/index.cfm/Machines/Retired/4623_LE_Plus
It does all I need it to do (straight, zig zag, zipper foot, button hole). In all that I've made I haven't needed anything else. The one thing I really like about this one is it has a rabbit and a turtle speed. I used to do sewing lessons for kids and it was perfect for them to learn on.
I don't know where you're going in Maine, but Tony's Sewing in Biddeford (1/2 mile off the highway) is having a sewing machine sale on Saturday. I didn't see my model there, but I did see some that are similar. Here's his link to his Janomes.
http://www.tonyssewingmachine.com/sewing-machines/janome.shtml
Looks like there's some good models that aren't too expensive too! Good luck and keep me posted!