Any sewers out there? I'm not getting out much any more due to the virus and also because of my bum left knee, so I'm going to try to get some sewing done. Problem is----------- my...

cameranut Loc: North Carolina

I'm not getting out much any more due to the virus and also because of my bum left knee, so I'm going to try to get some sewing done. Problem is----------- my sewing machine is beyond repair, and it won't sew anything thicker than thin cotton. I'm looking to buy a good heavy duty machine for repairing and altering jeans, etc. Just wondering if anyone has a favorite new/semi new machine they would recommend. I'm not really interested in any computerized machines. I've been reading reviews online and I'm pretty disappointed in the so-called heavy duty ones that keep coming up. Any suggestions would be appreciated very much. Don't need 10,000 stitches either.

scatman Loc: Waterbury, CT

Septic tank.

hankm1 Loc: Mount Prospect IL

https://www.bernina.com/en-US/Machines-US

dancers Loc: melbourne.victoria, australia

I hada Bernina for about 45 years.......for sewing jeans one uses a special needle , thick enough for denim.

I have used the same machine to make wedding dresses. It is NOT computerized.

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

A good machine is made by Singer. There are plenty of different models. When my wife was sewing merit badges on to my sons’ and daughter’s uniforms and sashes, any machine will Do most work. But, a thicker needle is necessary to prevent jamming.

By the way, when you said sewers, I thought you meant those underground.

cameranut Loc: North Carolina

dancers wrote:

I hada Bernina for about 45 years.......for sewing jeans one uses a special needle , thick enough for denim.

I have used the same machine to make wedding dresses. It is NOT computerized.

I checked them out online and it seems as if the cheapest thing they have is about $2,000.
If I did sewing for a living I might invest that, but I just want to repair some seams, do some hemming, etc.
I appreciate your quick response and info though. Thank you.

cameranut Loc: North Carolina

Scruples wrote:

A good machine is made by Singer. There are plenty of different models. When my wife was sewing merit badges on to my sons’ and daughter’s uniforms and sashes, any machine will Do most work. But, a thicker needle is necessary to prevent jamming.

By the way, when you said sewers, I thought you meant those underground.

Lol. I knew I was going to get that. I figured someone might respond with a " Nah, I just go to my nearest creek out back". Or, "The old outhouse is still standing with some pages left from Sears catalogue".

cameranut Loc: North Carolina

scatman wrote:

Septic tank.

Yep, me too. Went with one after the johnny house was blown over.

ORpilot Loc: Prineville, Or

I have a heavy duty Singer that is gear driven. My father gave one to me and one to my brother when we were in the Boy Scouts (1960s). It is quite capable of sewing leather, tents, back packs, jeans, fingers and anything that fits under the foot. His plan was that we would learn to sew and repair our camping equipment, and we did. This machine is made of all metal. It is slightly larger than a standard size home machine. It isn't fancy. It goes forward and backward. There is a button hole attachment too. It will fit in a standard sewing cabinet. If you want it. PM me and we will work something out.

insulator Loc: JASPER, ALABAMA

My wife has been sewing for 50+ years and she has about 10 or machines from reasonable priced to to several thousand. Her recommendation is either a Singer 4432 or 4411. They are priced in the $300 range. I hope this will help. She has two of these and uses them more than all the rest.

dancers Loc: melbourne.victoria, australia

cameranut wrote:

I checked them out online and it seems as if the cheapest thing they have is about $2,000.
If I did sewing for a living I might invest that, but I just want to repair some seams, do some hemming, etc.
I appreciate your quick response and info though. Thank you.

that IS a great deal of money........as I said mine is old.....

cameranut Loc: North Carolina

insulator wrote:

My wife has been sewing for 50+ years and she has about 10 or machines from reasonable priced to to several thousand. Her recommendation is either a Singer 4432 or 4411. They are priced in the $300 range. I hope this will help. She has two of these and uses them more than all the rest.

I was reading the reviews on these two and a couple others, including the 4452, when I read a bad, very bad review on them. Of course, these could have just been lemons. Or the users could have been doing something wrong. I can easily afford any one of these machines but I wanted to get some good reviews from someone who has actually used them. From the horses mouth, so's to speak. Does she do any sewing in denim or thick knit fabric?

cameranut Loc: North Carolina

ORpilot wrote:

I have a heavy duty Singer that is gear driven. My... (show quote)

Thank you, but I'm going to hold out for a new machine. If I could sit down in front of your machine and try it out I would probably get it in a heartbeat.

Triple G

cameranut wrote:

I checked them out online and it seems as if the cheapest thing they have is about $2,000.
If I did sewing for a living I might invest that, but I just want to repair some seams, do some hemming, etc.
I appreciate your quick response and info though. Thank you.

Most Home Economics classes had good sturdy sewing machines which are no longer in use. If you have any contacts at your school district, check in with them. Also, go to a local sewing center and see what they gave in the way of trade ins. Many times, they refurbish them to send to Dominican Republic, etc., but may be willing to sell one. There’s always eBay...but they’ve been in big demand this year.

ORpilot Loc: Prineville, Or

cameranut wrote:

Thank you, but I'm going to hold out for a new machine. If I could sit down in front of your machine and try it out I would probably get it in a heartbeat.

If you would like, I can send you a short video of it sewing jeans or what ever. It is definitely not an old worn out machine.