Question for Moms Who Sew...

I really suggest going to a sewing shop and seek their advice. If you are looking to embroider things, a regular sewing machine won't do that. You need an embroidery machine which can be pricey.

If you're on a budget, don't ever sacrifice a good straight stitch. That's what you'll be doing 90% of the time. If you want to make clothes, find a good button hole that is easy for you. The sewing shops should let you sit and try out machines to your heart's content. I like Viking and Bernina, but there are good ones with other brands too.

You can do hand embroidery by dropping the feed dogs and using an embroidery hoop then moving your fabric. It's fun and limited only by your imagination. There are books, videos, classes and even a convention or two.

update: so I googled Viking sewing machines and Uniontown PA and found this: http://www.sew-special.biz/. It can't hurt to look. ;o)

you can go to jo ann fabrics ( i think its just jo ann now) and they have a department that can help you pick one and have classes but i would get a singer that has different stiches build in to it most machines now are stupid simple to use just choice the stich and press the peddle

I have a basic Bernina that I love. It does a dozen fancy stitches that could be used to embellish shirts and gifts but it is not computerized. The computerized machines are expensive to fix so I bought the best metal, knob-controlled machine I could find. It's still going 20 years later.

I also had a computerized embroidery machine that I finally gave away. It was amazing but I rarely used it. It cost a fortune and the templates for new designs and the special thread it required were expensive. Plus, I used it so infrequently, that each time I got it out for a special project, I had to try to remember how to operate the darn thing.

Some sewing shops might be reputable but many are like used car dealers. They do a hard sell on the models they carry. You'll get better advice talking to women who sew. If your town has a quilting guild, give them a call and talk to some of the members. Many of them do all kinds of sewing, not just quilting. They can direct you to the machines and local stores to best meet your needs.

Go to a sewing shop, talk to them, and try out some machines (they usually have some set up you can "try" -- that way you end up with just what you need but not a machine so complex that you are scared to really use it! Have fun! I miss sewing :( No time with a full time job and 2 kids under 4 and one on the way....maybe someday!

I recently bought my first machine, and since Xmas have been too busy to actually use the thing. But I did my research, and if what I learned is correct in my memory(from 4 months ago) you have to buy are REALLY pricey machine for it to do embroidery.. Mine won't do embroidery, and I paid $300 for it. And it is a very nice machine. The ones that did, started closer to $700 and UP, I think ?? Then there are sergers....?

As Liz pointed out, you CAN do embroidery by freehand on machines... not by a computer on the machine. At least on mine. I do recall that, now that it was brought up. I bought a Viking Emerald 116 on sale (regularly $499).

Get a basic Bernina. Bernina's are AWESOME. I have a basic one and it has lots of fancy stitches; mine isn't computerized. They also do machines for "real" embroidery, like logos, pictures, names, etc. but those machines are really pricey. My MIL just got the newest model for Christmas from my FIL and she's taking classes to learn how to use it! LOL :D Keep in mind she already had an older model. And although she loves it, she often complained of how expensive new templates were and updates were up there too. So for crafty stuff, costumes, things like that, I'd start with just the basic Bernina. I really enjoy working with mine. Also, keep in mind that those old Singers are work horses. Those are the best machines to teach kids how to sew on because there's not as much for them to mess up! :D

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There's a website that reviews all stuff sewing and has a great message board
http://sewing.patternreview.com/
I have a Janome 4623LE. It's mechanical not electronic and is newer so has plastic gears. I also have a fewl vintage and antique machines I'm fixing up. I love them, partly because I like fixing them and knowing how they work. (fixing is used loosley, they hold up better than some of todays machines) There's something to be said for the older machines and some of them do have a lot of stitches. Is there something particular that you are thinking of as far as Fancy that you want? The reason I ask is Brother has the exclusive rights to Disney as far as embroidery is concerned.....As far as making a Halloween costume and general sewing a good machine from any era should work. Have fun!

I also recommend Singer brand. I have had one for several years now. I think it does 70 stitch functions? Has several different "feet". I love it :)

My mom has a Singer Futura which does sewing plus embroidery, and you hook it up to your computer w/ their software to design your own embroidery. It's really cool, but pricey :)

I would go to several sewing machine shops and try different ones. I would also see if they have any high end brands that have been traded in. I bought my daughter an embroidery Pfaff machine for $250, where they are over $1000 new. I also would never buy a Singer. The older ones might still be okay, but I would never buy a new one. I bought one 20 years ago, and it kept messing up the stitches. We got it serviced, and it never got any better. The threads would tangle. I wanted to throw the thing out the window. Turns out that is a common problem with Singers. I don't know anyone who sews who recommends a Singer (I'm sure they are out there, but I've never met them.). I ended up with a Pfaff for myself, and love it. Viking is good, as is Bernina. They are expensive, but if you can get one used, it can be a reliable workhorse. Many people upgrade to the newer model and get rid of their perfectly wonderful machine. And, if a dealer has a used machine, don't hesitate to ask for it for less. My daughter's was marked $799 and I got it for $250!

I would take a day trip to Pittsburg and check out the sewing shops. My machine recommendations would be Janome and Brother on the lower end and Pfaff and Bernina on the higher end.

You have mentioned some of the things you want to do with your machine so take some fabric with you and practice with that at the stores. Try out the buttonhole(s), zig zag, straight stitch, and any built in designs to get a feel for the machine. If they won't let you play with the floor models then you don't want to but it there. Ask questions and get answers while testing.

The best thing for you to do is practice on the machine you buy and get good at it. The metal Singers of years gone by are good the plastic ones from the mid 90s are questionable as Singer went through several changes in the company. I have Singers but the newest one is from the mid 80s.

Enjoy your machine and happy creativity to you.

The other S.

I have my Mom's old Husqvarna sewing machine. It's about thirty years old, so it's not as fancy or computerized as most new sewing machines - which is perfect for me because I can actually operate it! It has approx. 24 different stitch options. I'm not a master seamstress and basically use it for the same purposes as you will be. I simply do not require a sewing machine that is as complicated (or expensive) as most of the new ones are. Anyway, I really love my machine and am impressed it is still in perfect working condition after all these years.

(craigslist and ebay are good places to find a similar machine)

I have a brother and I love it, it does not do regular embroidery, like an embroidery machine would, but if you got creative with the stitches you could probably do your son's name with it.

If you look at the basic sewing machine you can get one with all the bells and whistles but just not figure out how to use them until later. Just because you get a machine that has a built in buttonholer you don't have to learn to do buttonholes tomorrow. Learning the intricacies of a sewing machine takes time and patience.

If you can run a basic machine then you can get one that only has zigzag and straight stitch. If you really want the other stitches then by all means go to one of the dealers and sit at a machine and sew. Check the machine out and find one that has easy to understand instructions. Some instruction books are very wordy and have few pictures. I am a visual learner so I find the pictures most helpful.

Sewing can be rewarding and fun. It can also save money if you can find fabric at reasonable prices. Since Walmart stopped carrying fabric the stores in my area have doubled their prices. Look for patterns on sale, if you have a Hobby Lobby they put their patterns on sale for $0.99 every quarter.

Also check out your county extension office and find out about local county fairs. I often enter kids clothes I have made during the year and win prizes.
http://fayettefair.com/index.html

A list of all the ones I could find by goggling sewing machine dealers in PA.
http://www.hotfrog.com/Products/Sewing-Machine/PA

Here is a list of the ones I found in Uniontown.
http://www.yellowpages.com/uniontown-pa/sewing-machines-h...