Stitches

Can anyone recommend a good sewing machine?

I am wanting to get a solid sewing machine. I don't care about embroidery stitches or anything too fancy. I am also perpetually broke, so something reasonably priced would be good.

Public Comments

1. Simplicity. Reasonable price and good quality.
2. If you can find an old Singer at a pawn shop or fabric shop that sells reconditioned machines, that would be a good investment. My Singer is older than I am (51) and still works perfectly.
3. singer.
4. Find a good sewing machine dealer and see if he/she has a good solid, older machine available. They often have older machines that still work perfectly but customers traded them in for fancier models. They often are far less money than a comparable new machines and in some cases better built than the new ones. If you want to buy a brand new one, then I always recommend Janome machines. They are solid, reliable, they come a variety of models with stitch packages for many different purposes and it's easy to find replacement parts, notions, needles, and accessories for them. The prices of Janomes are quite reasonable, especially when compared to berninas and pfaff machines.
5. Kenmore by Sears is a great machine, prices vary and i've had mine for over 20 years so they last.
6. I have a Brother Innovis 4000 and I love it. It sews and embroiders. It is a fantastic machine.
7. I agree with Linda S but would like to add that a lot of Kenmore (Sear's) machines are made by Janome but cost less at Sears. Not always someone there to answer your questions, though. Also, Sears will allow you to return a machine but most independent dealers won't. Kmart also is now selling a machine that is made by Janome for Sears.
8. Singer is a good brand. Janome. Those are reasonably priced. I don't recommend buying secondhand,mainly because their may be problems you aren't aware of that are expensive to fix.
9. Get a used machine. Singer, Kenmore, White, Pfaff. For about $25, you can get them tuned up at JoAnn's. Honestly, they don't make them like they used to. Today they are mostly cheap plastic disposables from China.
10. Many people have their own ideas as to what a good machine is. It all depends on what they are currently using. These days, the old name brands such as Singer, Kenmore, etc, are plastic and do not wear well, they tend to break and jam. The best quality of a machine will cost you money. You do get what you pay for. You want cheap, you will get cheap and you will become frustrated with it too. I have been sewing for over 40 years and have used a variety of machines. Personally, I own 2 Viking machines by Husquvarna. I had a third but traded it in. These are not cheap machines, but they are well worth the money. I would suggest you look into the machines by WHITEsuch as the machine "The Jeans Machine" This is a good quality machine that can handle the various fabrics. When I worked for So Fro Fabrics, this was one that we sold a lot of. I would also suggest that you NOT purchase a machine from the department stores. Rather, go to a fabric store or a sewing machine repair company and purchase it through them. You will get better support, and possibly lessons on your machine.
11. check a vacum and sewing machine repair shop. them may sell used machines. and most machines are good. a singer is ususally good as is riccar brand machines.