Any suggestion for a < $200 sewing machine?

[Sumner]

....It might be true that all you'll need to be able to sew would be a few layers of Sunbrella, and that's what I originally thought. The last project was a simple sunscreen with D-rings at each corner resulting in three layers of fabric and four layers of webbing where the webbing for the D-rings crossed over. Three rather than four layers were achieved by a single fold-over hem and mitering the corners. Had the hem been a double fold, the corners would have been four layers with mitering and six layers without mitering....

The above is a very good point. It is easy to think you will only be dealing with 3-5 thicknesses of material, but that won't always be the case.

Yesterday I was finishing the dodger up and I had one area where I was going through 17 layers of material, 3/8 th of an inch thick. This was were I had reinforced an area and a number of hems were laying on top of each other. I couldn't get the foot over the area directly and had to sew into it from an area with less layers. Now this isn't normal, but there are a number of places on the dodger with 8-10 layers of material with the 30 gauge window also in the mix.

Good luck,

Sum

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

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[Tejas]

Sumner,

Perhaps you are already aware of the Jean-a-ma-jig for sewing over a hump of fabric. They are priced at less than $10.

http://www.dritz.com/brands/showcase/details.php?ITEM_NUM=915

 

[Sumner]

Sumner,

Perhaps you are already aware of the Jean-a-ma-jig for sewing over a hump of fabric. They are priced at less than $10.

http://www.dritz.com/brands/showcase/details.php?ITEM_NUM=915

Thanks, we will look into that,

Sum and Ruth

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Our MacGregor S Pages

Mac-Venture Links

 

[Cherie320]

The walking foot is the right choice if you find one for a price you will pay.

You might also look for a Bernina 830 - the old one, not the new electronic model. While not industrial rated, they are heavy duty.

Good luck with your project.

 

[Tejas]

A quick check on google, and a walking foot Bernina 830 seems to be a walking foot attachment which from what I know is not the same as a walking foot machine.

http://www.berninausa.com/webautor-data/528/At-A-GlanceGUIDE-to-FEET.pdf

 

[CrawJac]

I ran into this site today, it's the auction site for Goodwill and they have a TON of old sewing machines on there that you can pick up for almost nothing. They do come "As-is" but at that cost you don't have to worry and you know they are good ol' metal machines. Give it a try and let me know how it goes.

http://www.shopgoodwill.com/listings/default.asp

 

[Island Girl 34]

Island Girl,

I've owned three Phaff machines, I currently use a 230 which I had serviced from this link.

http://sewingmachinesteve.com/default.aspx


You can call and email with his guy, additionally he made suggstions and sent me pictures.

I got this link initially from this site, just a satisfied customer, no other vested interest.

Steve

Thanks again to all for your comments and suggestions. I ended up spending about 2 hours yesterday with Sewing Machine Steve in Portsmouth, VA. Master sewing machine techs like Steve are rare to find indeed. We had talked on the phone mid last week setting up the Saturday appointment. He asked questions about my level of experience (none) and what I had in mind to use a machine for.

When I arrived yesterday, he had already selected what he knew was the best choice for me knowing my requirements. He went through the machine with me step by step. We aslo took a walk around his home workshop where he showed me a plethora of machines in all stages of refurbishment. He indeed lives and completely inderstands those machines.

I drove away with a 1967 Kenmore 148.420 straight and zig-zag machine. The thing is built like a tank at about 35 lb. It had been completely restored by Steve and runs like, well, a sewing machine! It has a double lift pressure foot and will pretty much sew through anything you put under it.

Thanks Steve_Catalina for refering me to Steve. I too am now a very satisfied customer. Here is a link to his website in case anyone else here may be interested in getting in touch with the master. http://sewingmachinesteve.com/default.aspx

So now when the supplies arrive from Sailrite, I will be on my way.

Cheers,
Ken

 

[Stephen Trapani]

Ken, You didnt say what you paid.

 

[Island Girl 34]

Ken, You didnt say what you paid.

You are right Steve. I paid $200 for the machine. Completely refurbished with several extra feet attachments and a half dozen bobbins. For the difference in a machine like this that has been completely disasembled, cleaned, and restored to as new condition, over an unknown on Craigslist, I think I got a very good deal. For what I see doing with this machine, it is perfect. Steve has several other machines ready and for sale now. Some are more expensive, some are less.

This included a few hours of his time teaching me what I needed to know, a warranty and the offer to call him anytime I need help.

Cheers!
Ken

 

[Ross]

Many of those old machines will sew through anything you can get under the pressor foot. Put a # 16 or #18 needle in them and a thread of the right size and let them do whay they were designed to do.

 

[Tim R.]

My old singer had no problem sewing through anything I could get under the foot. The problem was no walking foot. It simply could not move the mass of fabric and eisenglass through the machine. I opted for a Sailrite and the walking foot made a huge difference. unfortunately, they are not under $200. But they are worth the money if you plan on doing your own work.

 

[Tejas]

Congratulations Ken,

A couple tips that might be helpful if you don't already know:

Basting:

First choice is an ordinary paper stapler, and the next is basting tape.

http://search.sailrite.com/?freeText=basting tape

Long runs with basting tape can gum-up your needle. Dan at the now closed Annapolis Sailrite store suggested a thread lubricator that seems to solve the problem.

http://search.sailrite.com/?freeTex...yName~Accessories^subCategoryName~Accessories

Sewing guide

http://www.sailrite.com/Deluxe-5-1-2-Magnetic-Sewing-Guide

 

[Island Girl 34]

My old singer had no problem sewing through anything I could get under the foot. The problem was no walking foot. It simply could not move the mass of fabric and eisenglass through the machine. I opted for a Sailrite and the walking foot made a huge difference. unfortunately, they are not under $200. But they are worth the money if you plan on doing your own work.

I understand what you are saying about the Sailrite Tim. Perhaps after a few years of cutting my teeth on this Kenmore machine and making a few covers, bags and such, I may consider an upgrade. I am just having fun learning right now.

Cheers,
Ken

 

[Island Girl 34]

Congratulations Ken,

A couple tips that might be helpful if you don't already know:

Basting:

First choice is an ordinary paper stapler, and the next is basting tape.

http://search.sailrite.com/?freeText=basting tape

Long runs with basting tape can gum-up your needle. Dan at the now closed Annapolis Sailrite store suggested a thread lubricator that seems to solve the problem.

http://search.sailrite.com/?freeTex...yName~Accessories^subCategoryName~Accessories

Sewing guide

http://www.sailrite.com/Deluxe-5-1-2-Magnetic-Sewing-Guide

Tejas,

Thanks for those tips. They look good things to try indeed. Appreciate the advice!

Cheers,
Ken

 

[Tim R.]

I understand what you are saying about the Sailrite Tim. Perhaps after a few years of cutting my teeth on this Kenmore machine and making a few covers, bags and such, I may consider an upgrade. I am just having fun learning right now.

Cheers,
Ken

Exactly how I did it Ken. Just beware, once you are hooked, you will eventually want that Sailrite

 

[oreana123]

My soon to be ex husband picked up a sewing machine a few years back called a "Canvas Tentmaker" sewing maching. It was pretty heavy duty and came with a walking foot. He made cushions, a bimini and a dodger with it. You might get lucky and find one on craigslist or ebay.

I too sewed with one of these machines. Lots of jams and could be knocked out of time. It was explained to me that the gears on the shafts had only one set screw- quality machines have two set screws on every gear.

I had sewn with my canvas tentmaker for year before I bought my Bernina 217. What an incredible machine.

Note that there are some terms concerning sewing machines that are relevant: words like heavy duty are only of value if the manufacturer makes that statement. There are light duty industrial machines (think of someone sewing lingerie for an 8 hour shift). One important measurement is the largest needle allowed on the machine. Another might be presser foot max pressure.

Of course there are terms for fabric feed. My Bernina sews fine with feed dogs alone up to medium weight fabric. Walking foot machines are often touted, needle feed machines are even more positive fabric feed, and my Juki 2 needle has all three fabric feed types on one machine: feed dogs, walking foot and needle feed.

 

[Bad Obsession]

I know Sewing Machine Steve and done business with him. He is a fellow cruising sailor. He has in depth knowledge on anything related to a sewing machine and has the years of experience behind him. I bought my machine from him. He is a good person who stands behind his work.

Does he still have his Pearson 424 or did he end up selling it?