Friday, March 19, 2010

Sewing Machines

I am on my 2nd sewing machine.  When I was 13, my grandparents gave me a brand new Bicor.  I loved it.  About 14 years later it started acting up.  I'd clean and oil it and it would be fine for a few more months...then I'd have to do it all over again.

It finally quit on me in 2008.  There are so few places that actually repair sewing machines that I figured it would cost an arm and a leg.  So I borrowed my mother-in-law's (MIL) sewing machine.  She hardly uses hers so I had to clean and oil it before I could use it.  It worked, but it wasn't the same.

Then my birthday rolls around.  Hubby had been asking me to recommend a sewing machine for someone he works with who wanted to buy one.  He gave me a choice of a few and I gave him my honest opinion of them.

We get together with Hubby's family to celebrate my birthday back in January and out comes this large gift.  I was hoping for a bunch of new teas for my Keurig, but it was even better because it was a sewing machine.

Hubby had me pick out my own present...and I didn't catch on!

I have a Kenmore and I love it.  I do have one complaint:  I miss the option to select a long stitch.  My old machine had an option for what was about 1/4 of an inch, I used to for things like stay stitching and decorative stitching.  However, it has an automatic button hole feature which I love.  I could never get the hang of doing a button hole free hand.

My old machine would break the sewing needle if it hit a straight pin...now this one.  Below is a picture of what this Kenmore can do to a pin!


Some things to consider when selecting a sewing machine:

-What do I want to use this for?  This way you know what features you need and what features you don't.

-How much do I want to invest into this?  Are you just learning?  You may want to consider a less expensive machine with less features until you know whether or not sewing is for you.

-How much will the "extras (replacement needles...bobbins...etc)" cost me? 

-Will I set this up and leave it in one place or will I have to sew on my kitchen table and put it away when done?  You don't want to have to lug a heavy machine around.

These are just a few things to consider.  Make sure you read reviews and ask questions, too!

Happy Sewing!

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