For the sewing machine ignorant

[James MacMillan]

I'm sure that you'll get some good recommendations from the more experienced sewing members. I just wanted to toss in a comment on my observations on sewing machines. Hopefully this is more-or-less "on topic"; I think it is.

The biggest problem that almost everyone I know has had with sewing machines is that they get put "out of adjustment" and the machine owner has to find a sewing machine expert to re-adjust them. I assume that the problem is that the machine user has fiddled with the various tensions and what-not and can't get them back to the factory specs. Getting a repair person to set the thing back up seems to get to be expensive and a long wait...there aren't so many sewing machine repair people around anymore...when the repair guy shows up at one of the local fabric stores he gets treated like a visiting head of state.

Thus, I would suggest that just finding a good, reliable machine may be just half the battle and that being able to get that puppy tweaked up by a repairman might add significantly to the cost. I'd be interested to hear from some of those with wider experience on this.

Best

AA

All the above is true, and one of the best places to find a good machine is in the repair shops themselves. Go to your local yellow pages or BBB and search out Sewing Machine Repair.

They often have machines that have been brought in for repair, and then abandoned.

They are often willing to sell them for just the cost of the repair bill.

[mexpiper]

All the above is true, and one of the best places to find a good machine is in the repair shops themselves. Go to your local yellow pages or BBB and search out Sewing Machine Repair.

They often have machines that have been brought in for repair, and then abandoned.

They are often willing to sell them for just the cost of the repair bill.

I agree talk to the repair shop, tell them what you want to do with it. Almost all of them will tell you the truth. Do you have a family member who sews? Ask them to go with you to the repair shop. Also some of the older machines are easier to clean and oil, and repair (if parts are available). Just think of them as cars... newer models need and electrical/computer degree to repair and the cost associated with it!!

[Pleater]

If you do have the chance to try before buying, take along some samples of the fabrics/materials you want to use.

If the demonstrator can't get the machine to do a good job on a some scrap it is more than likely you will not get a good result on the real thing.

[LadyGriffin]

Ditto on going to a repair shop. The one here local has LOTS on his shelf that people forgot to pick up. Nice bargins, too.
He knows how to run every one, as he has to test them all.
Manuals are on the web for most machines. Heck, just post what machine you find and some X-mark member probably has it and can copy it for you.

When you finally get to trying to sew, here is a trick my sewing teacher used to get us kids to sew in school. ( I am not telling how many years ago that was! )

1. Buy some cheep early childhood coloring books. The really simple pictures
2. Put the needle in the machine. DO NOT THREAD IT
3. Practice stitching the lines in the comic books. YES, use the comic book like it was fabric and follow the lines with the needle. Hey, it works.
4. Give the "stitched" pictures to some kids to color and put on their windows. The stitching holes look cool with light coming through. ( no waste! )

5. Draw some simple drawings on fabric of choice
6. Put thread in machine
7. Repeat step 3.

By now you should have the technique of follow a seam line licked and not be to intimidated by the machine.

Good luck.

P.S. is owning 9 sewing machines to many? My x-husband thougt so.

[ehiker]

Another option to consider, as far as learning how to sew goes...

You live in Springfield, MO, right? Are you a student at Southwest MO State? (Well, this would probably work, even if you aren't...)

Go to the art department and post something on bulletin boards there indicating that you're looking for someone to teach you sewing lessons. Or find out if there is a Fibers professor and ask them for assistance. Or go as far as to take a Fibers art class. If the state school doesn't have any, check the community colleges.