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antrosari
Bookworm
Posts: 1376
Registered: Aug 2008 |
 Posted November 24th, 2008 11:58 PM IP   
I couldn't find anything else on this subject.
What kind of sewing machine do you all have? What, if the one you have is not your dream machine, do you think would be the best one to have?
Personally, I have a Bernina. ...and love it. Very sturdy machine, although it doesn't have a bunch of fancy "stitches". Had it now for 8 years, and still seems like new to me. No loud clonking, problems sewing, etc.
Now, I would also like to hear tips on how to keep my house and household chores neatly organized while I sit down to sew for a day or week. Do you get up earlier in the morning? What do you do?
For me, when I sit down to sew, I love doing it, but sometimes don't feel like bothering because it results in an added amount of daily chores that have been pushed off and then I get up tight, frustrated, short with the kiddos  and DH comes home to a messy house. All in all, it makes me kinda depressed. And I don't like it. Any advice? Any ideas?
Rose~Anthony's wife
Mom of five
Ariana Pearl~11
Serena Kaylee~9
Brielle Rose~7
Landon Joel~5
Amaya Nicole~6/16/2012
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lovinglife
Bookworm
Posts: 954
Registered: Nov 2008 |
Posted November 25th, 2008 01:52 AM IP
I enjoy sewing sometimes, but I would rather sew things other than dresses. Since we moved here I've done very little. But I think if I wanted to spend a week sewing I would try to prepare a week in advance by making some meals to put in the freezer, and have the laundry all caught up, so I would just have to do a load or two during that week.
I have Bernina, but it's sitting in my mom's attic. I really do like and maybe someday we'll have the same home. It's just a basic stitch, maybe like the one you have. If I was going to do a lot of sewing and had some extra $$ I would get one of the newer ones. But I would definitely stick with a Bernina, I know there are other goods ones out there too.
Tonia
wife to Les
mom to Victor (14), Vincent (13), Juliana (12), Zachary (5) & Anika (2)
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mamaswantz
Bookworm
Posts: 623
Registered: Mar 2007 |
Posted November 25th, 2008 08:21 AM IP
I have a babylock DesignPro, and its served me well, but my dream machine is a Bernina activa 220. I'm hoping in the next year or two to be able to buy that one, but so far I've been stuck with my current one.
Has anyone ever bought a sewing machine or serger off of ebay?
Jasmine- wife to Johnny and mama to Isaiah, Tyler, Katelyn, Cassandra, and Emerson
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grandmotherlois
Bookworm
Posts: 291
Registered: Oct 2008 |
Posted November 25th, 2008 08:49 AM IP
I have worn out 2 Kenmore machines in my life time and then got a Bernina. I am on the second one of those but the other one wasn't really worn out. Natalie fell heir to that one. I know that there are other good machines but I am partial to Bernina sergers and machines.As for how to keep a neat house and sew, I found that possible when my children were older or after I became a grandma. Enjoy sewing and then clean up the mess before daddy comes home.
LJ Grandmother of 8
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jimmysgirl
Bookworm
Posts: 2552
Registered: Mar 2007 |
Posted November 25th, 2008 10:32 AM IP
I have a New Home--my husband got it for me at an auction before we were married. I don't do alot of sewing, but it has worked very well for me in the 5 years that I've had it. His mom has one exactly like it and likes hers, too.
Monica
Wife to James
Mommy to Megan Angelina Delight 7
Jamison Maxwell Cole 5
Dominic Wyatt Blake 3
Brooklyn Vanessa Dawn ~ newborn
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virginiadawn
Bookworm
Posts: 2301
Registered: May 2007 |
Posted November 25th, 2008 11:23 AM IP
I am blessed. I have 3 machines. Well one is a Singer serger. I have a Pfaff that was made before I was and it sews pretty well. My mom fell heir to a couple of them besides her own ( that was her engagement gift from Papa) and gave me onw to use as long as I needed. Then I got a Bernina Activa 240 for my engagement gift. I love it. Really, I like them.
Jessica
Married to My Mike since Oct, 06
Mama to George (8/3/07) and Gilead (6/11/09)
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amoshaun
Bookworm
Posts: 852
Registered: Mar 2007 |
Posted November 25th, 2008 03:41 PM IP
I have a love/hate relationship with my Bernina, but my mom tells me often that I would like sewing even less if I had a cheaper machine. I have been grateful for the one I have, seriously!
Shaunda
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PURPFISHER
Bookworm
Posts: 305
Registered: Jul 2008 |
Posted November 25th, 2008 03:48 PM IP
I have an electronic style ELNA that I really like. My Mom was kind enough to give it to me when I got married! Right now it's frustrating me, though. When I use the zigzag stitch the thread gets tighter and tighter until it tears, almost without fail, unless I adjust the tension every time I switch to zigzag, that helps. But what a pain! I don't have a serger, so I use zigzag quite a bit.
-Violet
(Wife of Matt, Mom of Lexi 3/30/04, Kyra 8/3/06, and Keri 5/7/09)
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justadaisy
Bookworm
Posts: 777
Registered: Aug 2008 |
Posted November 25th, 2008 04:02 PM IP
Bernina's are really nice . . . until you want to buy extra feet or have to replace a part . . . My husband fixes and sells sewing machines . . . and yes, we have bought my serger off ebay, but then he knew what to look for - me, I would be lost!
-Aimee
Wife to Japheth
Mama to Japheth Jr., Jeremiah, Loraine, Wayne, Jaden, Lynne, Violet and Lily (all 11 and under :-) )
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Jenn
Bookworm
Posts: 1494
Registered: Mar 2008 |
Posted November 25th, 2008 05:01 PM IP
I have a plain old Kenmore, and I like it very well. My serger was used when my mom gave it to me, but it too has served me very well; it's a Babylock Proline.
Jenn
wife to Gabriel, mommy to Morgan (in heaven), Bronwyn and Gregory
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Jillee
Bookworm
Posts: 1718
Registered: Oct 2008 |
Posted November 25th, 2008 06:11 PM IP
I have a serger and sewing machine and they are both baby lock and I love them both...wouldn't trade either one. I'm sure allot is what you get used to, Mom had a computerized New home and loved it...
I've heard of people keeping special toys for their children to play with while they sew. Otherwise they are put away, to keep them special and fun. With babysitting it works the best if I sew over nap time, and do some several days instead of pushing it all through in a day. For meals on those days I especially like to use my crock pot. You can put something in in the morning and have it on low all day if ya want depending on what you make.
Larinda High
Mommy to~
Taigen Chaun(4/13/09)
Javier Grant(4/7/12)
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Momof2
Bookworm
Posts: 3010
Registered: Mar 2007 |
Posted November 25th, 2008 10:23 PM IP
Quote:
mamaswantz wrote:
IHas anyone ever bought a sewing machine or serger off of ebay?
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I had a bad experience with buying a serger on ebay and haven't tried since...the ad said that it ran, which i took to mean that it sewed and 'he' meant it to mean that the 'motor ran'. It didn't sew.  I found that out after I bought it for a couple hundred bucks and he was ready to ship it. Long story short, we filed complaints with ebay and paypal and finally got the money back, minus the $60 shipping.
I sitll want a Bernina serger someday...I have a Bernina sewing machine and love it. I'm glad to hear the tips on supper on sewing days, that's usually the worst thing to think about!
Amber
Mama to Carson, Brooklyn, Avery & Alena
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emicow
Bookworm
Posts: 416
Registered: Dec 2007 |
Posted November 25th, 2008 10:27 PM IP
I have a Singer sewing machine, a very basic model that I've had for 15 years. It has sewn hundreds of dresses....I'm not exagerating. I came from a family of 5 girls, and my mom. My oldest sis and I are the ones who love sewing, so I usually sewed for the rest of the bunch. For us it is relaxation, and enjoyable. Not so relaxing and fun with a toddler. I've finally come to the point where I basically never sew when he is awake. When he naps, I sew as fast as I can!  I got an ELNA serger used off ebay that has been wonderful! A few people warned me not to buy one off ebay, but I knew it would be years till I could afford one, so I took a risk. And so far I haven't been sorry, it's in perfect condition.
Emily
Wife of Durlin, Mom of Demetrius & Alexander
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damar
Bookworm
Posts: 880
Registered: Feb 2008 |
Posted November 25th, 2008 10:43 PM IP
I have a older model viking sewing machine & a janome serger. Both are just basic machines, but they work great & have sewed hundreds of dresses. [serious! I do sewing for other people, I have been doing it for about 10 years & have no idea exactly how many dresses I have sewed]
Tips for sewing days? I am blessed with a little sewing nook off the dining room & my machines & ironing board are always set up. So once it is time to clean up the house before DH comes home, I can just leave my sewing projects where they are till the next sewing day.
Mariann married to the love of my life ~ Dale ~
Mom to Micah, Briana, Shane, Ashlyn, Cole & Sierra
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Momof2
Bookworm
Posts: 3010
Registered: Mar 2007 |
Posted November 26th, 2008 09:07 AM IP
Quote:
damar wrote:
Tips for sewing days? I am blessed with a little sewing nook off the dining room & my machines & ironing board are always set up. So once it is time to clean up the house before DH comes home, I can just leave my sewing projects where they are till the next sewing day.
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Not all of us are so lucky, Mariann! 
Amber
Mama to Carson, Brooklyn, Avery & Alena
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candlemakermom
Bookworm
Posts: 251
Registered: Jan 2008 |
Posted January 20th, 2009 12:02 PM IP
I have a Elna sewing machine and serger, both very basic models, but I love them both. I got them used but they were in new condition. I've had them about 5-6 yrs.and have never had any problem with either one of them and I sew alot!!! I make over 100 slips a year plus sew for myself and 3 girls.
As for sewing with toddlers, its a lot easier to sew when their in bed, but when I have a bunch of slips that I have to sew, sometimes I make my school children clean up when they get home from school.
My DH just remodeled my sewing room for me so go to my xanga to see pictures, candlemakermom is the name of my site.
Dinah
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rallyjan
Bookworm
Posts: 2767
Registered: Jun 2007 |
Posted January 20th, 2009 03:37 PM IP
I have a Janome 7061NX now, compliments of my dear husband who got it for my birthday in '07! It's computerized, with a number of fancy stitches but not all the stitches that they put on some of their machines. I really like it! Before that, I was using an old singer that I got at a yard sale for $10, then paid $60 some to have it serviced. But it worked! I sold it on yard sale again. I also have my first simple singer but don't use it much now. And have a singer serger that's about 10 years old. It works, but wouldn't mind upgrading.
OK, I'm all ears, and my brains are working after reading a few tips on sewing days here. I badly need to sew!!! I've been wearing the same 5 everyday dresses and the same 2 church dresses for almost three months now, since baby was born. And no in-between dresses except a few I could dig out if I'd need too. Am not sure what will fit! Have been trying to sew a church dress for about a month now, and it seems I have to open and redo too much. It's been over a year since I last sewed up a regular waist dress for myself. And my little girl needs some sewing done for, too.
A sewing room??? In my dreams! In our basement house, there is one area in the middle here, that serves as laundry and sewing area, with a scrapbooking table setting there. Maybe someday......we have a roof over our heads and four sturdy walls around us so that serves the purpose!
Off to my crying baby again....
Jan
Mama to Zachary, Leandra and Kandace
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cherylburk
Librarian
Posts: 826
Registered: Dec 2008 |
Posted January 20th, 2009 05:43 PM IP
I have a Pfaff sewing machine and a Bernina serger. I love them both. My mom was always sold on Pfaff. She still has her machine that she got when she got married and that was 40 yrs ago. I guess that's why I went with a Pfaff sewing machine.
Cheryl ~wife to Tom, mom to Kit
Weight Loss Center - Your Online Weight Loss Support Group
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mother21
Bookworm
Posts: 473
Registered: Oct 2008 |
Posted January 21st, 2009 11:03 AM IP
I have a very basic Bernina sewing machine and love it-would like to upgrade one of these years but until then it does the job. I have a Kenmore serger that I got at sears for two hundred bucks and it serves me well. I only use it to finish edges-not any of that other fancy stuff I know it can do but have never figured out how =-( My brother works at the Bernina store fixing and selling Bernina's so he was appalled that I got one at SEARS -but I had $200 not$600!! As for the mess, I sew upstairs in the loft of our log home so I can just leave everything till next time.Spoiled I know!
Beth
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ervro
Bookworm
Posts: 776
Registered: Mar 2007 |
Posted January 25th, 2009 05:06 PM IP
love this thread! I need a new sewing machine! I have a New Home, very basic machine. got it for my 18th birthday...which is um, a few years ago!  it is almost worn out. I'm hoping to be able to buy a new one this coming year....
My Mom had good success with Husquavarnas, and that is what our local Joann's sells, so there is a good chance that is what I'll get...
Serger--I bought a used one from a sewing machine store, over 10 years ago, and I have not had one bit of trouble with it--it is still as good as when I got it!! It is a White Super Lock.
~rosalyn~
mama to four daughters, ages 4, 7, 8, & 10
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ervro
Bookworm
Posts: 776
Registered: Mar 2007 |
Posted March 18th, 2009 03:23 PM IP
well, just came and dusted off this thread, as I am now "shopping"....hoping to find one at Joann's tonight, I've also been browsing ebay...
does anyone have any do's or don'ts when it comes to buying a sewing machine?
~rosalyn~
mama to four daughters, ages 4, 7, 8, & 10
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antrosari
Bookworm
Posts: 1376
Registered: Aug 2008 |
Posted March 18th, 2009 05:47 PM IP
I don't know any dos or don'ts. I just have my preferred brand...... I'm sure you do too. Let us know what you get and how you like it!!
Rose~Anthony's wife
Mom of five
Ariana Pearl~11
Serena Kaylee~9
Brielle Rose~7
Landon Joel~5
Amaya Nicole~6/16/2012
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