Sheepish Designs McCarthy Sampler (with glass reflections)
Simply Samplers Hannah Gibson (27 x 17 on 28 count). Hannah doesn't really have much stitching for as large as she is, certainly doable for impatient stitchers.
Haven't started anything yet. By the time my eyes clear enough to see, 15 minutes have passed and it's time for more drops! I really wanted the leather board for the pony pouch but wrapping and gluing the edges is just too tedious for my vision right now. I think machine sewing will be feasible if I have Mark measure and square the fabric so the presser foot can follow the edge.
My machine is an older model Kenmore, heavy and metal, minimal specialty stitches but still working fine. Damn. I should not have said that. I've considered a new machine for a number of years but as with all my procrastinating, no action has been taken. Brother? Janome? The Brother HC1850 is $200 on Amazon with 130 stitches, 8 presser feet (or foots - you decide), 25 year warranty, and excellent reviews. Rated the best for beginners to experts. Do you base quality on price? Some cheaper models outperform the very expensive, but not always the case. The closest service center is in Warren Ohio (about 40 minutes) and although they only carry Baby Lock, all models can be repaired. Reliability is more important to me than special features I would probably never use.
Hope your week is going well..
thanks for visiting
*********************************
13 comments:
I grew up sewing on the Kenmore, even got one for a High School graduation gift in 1973. I upgraded my Kenmore machines over the years and then Sears stopped carrying them. I did some research and discovered that Janome made all the machines that Sears put their name on. So two years ago, I bought a Janome and love it so much. It has a few decorative stitches and that's fine by me. I didn't want a machine that had too many bells and whistles. Plug it in and find the foot petal and away I go. Just my two cents. :)
Robin Elaine
I will be so anxious to read comments from other folks. I need a new sewing machine too. My previous one was a Kenmore. Like a dummy, I stored it under my utility room sink for a while and, unbeknownst to me, the sink developed a leak. By the time I discovered it, the machine was locked up in rust. Truly sad. I am about to retire and like to think I am going to make time for sewing again.
If you want a GOOD machine, consider a Juki TL-2010 purchased through Primitive Gatherings quilt store. During The Twelve Days of Christmas they usually run a special $100 off for a price of $899. Better machine than my Pfaff or Bernina!
I have a nice little Elna but I remember my Kenmore fondly. Both were a step up from the Singer treadle machine I learned how to sew on downstairs in our family room. That old machine had a beautiful stitch...and it gave your legs a bit of a workout, too. LOL
Robyn
I have a portable Kenmore that I bought when I was sewing dolls for craft shows. It still works fine, has a few fancy stitches and will be the last one I will buy.
Don't do much sewing anymore, only to finish cross stitched pillows.
I hope you'll find the machine of your dreams for a good price.
Charlotte in Va.
I also have a heavy metal Kenmore I bought many years ago second hand from a woman upgrading to one with a bunch of gizmos. I was happy with a button hole attachment and a zigzag stitch. My girlfriend’s mother advised I buy it since it had metal gears and newer models were being built with plastic gears that would sooner or later start to wear. For $125 it has been wonderful. I’ve only recently been disappointed when I had to send back the 32 piece presser feet kit because my Kenmore could not be adapted to attach them.
I have sewn on a treadle Singer, featherweight Singer, Kenmore, and Bernina. If you are only going to get one machine, get a Bernina. Bernina is not belt driven. It is gear driven and is almost impossible to lose timing. I have owned 2 Berninas in 40 years. They are workhorses. I taught quilting and basically told my students to get any foreign-made machine and always spend just a little more to get a machine that is a little more than what you need. Good luck and test drive before you buy!
Those big old girls are so pretty!
Your big old gals are certainly able to turn a few heads. Love them! I think the machine you get depends on what you will be using it for. My SIL has about 8 different machines, but she is a huge quilter. I have, and love, my Bernina. It’s an older model and has bunches of speciality stitches that I don’t use, but it’s the best machine I have ever used. Pricey, yes, but in my opinion, worth the investment. Let us know what you decide.... ~Robin~
Whatever you do, keep your big old gal!!! I traded my beloved all metal Pfaff on a newer Pfaff that did machine embroidery. She performs well but I don't like the buttonhole feature-my Featherweight makes better ones with it's attachment. I love my 1948 Featherweight and just bought a walking foot for her. The embroidery function was nice on the new machine while I had Windows XP but when I got a new Windows 7 machine the software was incapable. There was no download for a newer version. The quilt shop I bought it from said I could buy a software package for $ 2000 and even add to it for more money. What a rip off. Pfaff should have put out a software download to make the old version compatible with newer versions of Windows. I'm still upset over it. The machines with built in embroidery were about 10 grand. Good thing I love hand embroidery because I'm not going to buy a new machine. You have many suggestions above and I hope you find something you think you will love from among them but keep that old reliable machine. The plastic gears will never wear as well as the old machines.
My machine is an older Kenmore too (almost 40 years). Every time I take it in to be cleaned/oiled/etc. everyone loves it and says to never get rid of it. I love it too. No reason for me to get something new, and I don't sew as much as I used to anyway.
I love looking at your samplers - so glad you shared these big girls again.
Sewing machines ... I have an old Singer, bought in 1979, I think, and it weighs about a ton. Straight stitch, and zigzag, that's it - needs the attachment to make buttonholes. I *LOVE* this machine. It's very basic and a complete workhorse. After my mother died, I ended up with her Bernina which I fought with nearly every time I used it (though it did get me through a couple of Christmas projects when my Singer was ailing). I know it was a good machine because she loved it, but apparently I was not suited to it or vice versa. I ended up donating the Bernina to Katrina relief and am still using my old, weighty Singer.
I have an 30+ year old Kenmore. Like yours, it's metal and heavy. My first sewing machine... I bought when I was 18 or 19 years old. Then same one my Mom had and I learned to sew on. Last year, I splurged and bought a Janome 9450. I love it! I also bought a Janome 3160... less expensive and much lighter. Has many of the bells and whistles more expensive machines have.
Post a Comment