Any sewers out there? (Page 2): Haven't had anything to do with any school since 69-70. There is a local repair place that I'm going to check out sometime this week. The one I was...

cameranut Loc: North Carolina

Triple G wrote:

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.

Haven't had anything to do with any school since 69-70. There is a local repair place that I'm going to check out sometime this week. The one I was trying to use froze up as tight as Fort Knox. It was the first time I tried using it after it came back from a repairman with quite a few years experience. I'm a bit leery of anything refurbished.
Thanks for your responding and suggestions.

llamb Loc: Northeast Ohio

I use a Brother CS7205 sewing machine and a Brother 1034DX serger. They replaced my old White treadle sewing machine and an ancient sailmaker's machine. The CS7205 has a lot of what you say you do not want. I was skeptical of all the stitches and features but started to use them and found out my 73 year old rode hard and put away wet carcass found them useful. It is strong and durable enough to mend denim and Carhartt's. It is NOT as strong as the machine that it replaced.

The serger finishes edges and is a joy to use. Brother made it pretty easy to thread the four or three threads with a great color-coded guide printed right where all of the threads belong. I use polyester thread with it; strong and very affordable (four 6,000 yard spools, around $15.00 online.)

I do all the mends, repairs and fabricating because my wife has arthritis in her hands. I enjoy it and it keeps me productively busy.

I suggest you visit a Joann Fabric store see what is available in your price range and has the features you want. Good luck and watch your fingers...

~Lee

Burtzy Loc: Bronx N.Y. & Simi Valley, CA

Watch your choice of words. Sewers has two meanings.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

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.

I got a Brother ...9550... last year for $191.

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

cameranut wrote:

I'm not getting out much any more due to the virus... (show quote)

If you lived closer I'd send you to our friends in Hyde Park, Sewing Machines sales and repair, if you want I'll get you in touch with them, they have been selling a lot during this pandemic, people making masks were the start of the rush.

Jake the snakeman

I would use a 301, 404, or 500 singer vintage machine. They are gear driven and built to last. .
Jim Sorrell in Seminole, Ok sells and services these machines and I guarantee you will not be disappointed! His number is 405-382-5925. His email is sewman@sunset.net He has over 50 years experience

buckwheat Loc: Clarkdale, AZ and Belen NM

My wife has a "Tuff-Sew" machine that she uses for heavy duty that sews even leather. It has no computer, does one stitch and she remembers it cost less than $200.00.
I just checked the site and they are now in the $400 range but added a zig-zag stitch.

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

Second time I read your heading and immediately thought of drainage conduits for waste water...

edrobinsonjr Loc: Boise, Idaho

I'm not a sewer but my wife is - in term of sewing fabric. She has a small Singer that her father bought to sew conveyer belts back in the 60's. It hasn't worked for years and was doing pretty much what you describe.

We decided to, by darn, make it work a few weeks ago. I found a users manual on the web and we went about working on it.

The solution turned to be simple. We adjusted the upper and lower tensions until the stitch turned perfect! The task was not difficult but you need to sneak up on it.

I also adjusted the belt tension as it seemed loose.

Hope this helps.

Ed

gray_ghost2 Loc: Antelope, (Sac) Ca.

I've been married for 44 yrs and I must say that if it wasn't for Bernina, this relationship would of ended much earlier. Not that our marriage was based on sewing BUT, sewing is her comfort. When we met she was sewing on a Singer treadle machine and making beautiful clothes. She's used several Singers and a Kenmore that had cams for various stitches but that was the wose. She'd lose a stitch cam and all hell broke loose trying to find it. But it wasn't until she got her Bernina that my life has been a bliss in regards to her sewing. To me Bernina means peace of mind and peace in my life. Can't go wrong with Bernina. Good luck and enjoy the peace.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

cameranut wrote:

I'm not getting out much any more due to the virus... (show quote)

My first wife drove a Bernina and did a fair amount of stuff. When she died I had to learn to sew my own stuff or pay the money to buy new stuff. The most-used stitch for me is the darning attachment. I gave up darning socks -- didn't like to walk on the glob of thread I usually left but it works on my denim pants. It's probably 35 years old now and aside from oiling it every decade it has had minimal maintenance. I have jammed it up several times but aside from needles, I never broke anything important.

Got another wife but using the same Bernina.

PS: I remember my mother's machine. A foot treadle version.

gastech1949 Loc: Imperial Beach, CA.

My wife uses a Brother LX2500 machine to do all kinds of sewing including repairing my heavy denim work pants. Bought it at Wal Mart about 10 years ago. Wife says it is the best, most trouble free machine she has ever had in the 53 years we have been married. Think I paid less than $200 for it. Quality product for a very reasonable price.
Looking on walmart.com similar machines (LX2500 not shown) are $200-$300 for non computerized

radiojohn

You beat me to it.

gray_ghost2 Loc: Antelope, (Sac) Ca.

I've been married for 44 yrs and I must say that if it wasn't for Bernina, this relationship would of ended much earlier. Not that our marriage was based on sewing BUT, sewing is her comfort. When we met she was sewing on a Singer treadle machine and making beautiful clothes. She's used several Singers and a Kenmore that had cams for various stitches but that was the wose. She'd lose a stitch cam and all hell broke loose trying to find it. But it wasn't until she got her Bernina that my life has been a bliss in regards to her sewing. To me Bernina means peace of mind and peace in my life. Can't go wrong with Bernina. Good luck and enjoy the peace.

insulator Loc: JASPER, ALABAMA

I forgot to mention about the two singers my wife has the only problem she has had is after several hours of use I had to do a complete service( oil, grease, & clean ). They do not do a really great job on lubrication at the factory but after I did that they worked great and ran a lot quieter. She said that Amazon has these machines at a good price. Good luck and have a very Merry Christmas.
Jerry