(no subject)

[camwyn]

Contemplating buying a sewing machine on eBay. I can sew masks by hand and fix up seams in pockets, but that's about it, and the pocket thing is fast enough but the masks take forever.

Seems like if I can make my own bread, buttermilk, basic cheeses, etc., knit a moderately respectable Icelandic sweater or pair of mittens, syringe-feed a cat, and so on, I should know how to use a sewing machine, too. Just on general principle.

Comments

[8hyenas]

Oh sewing machines are great! Try to get an older metal machine if you can. They are easier to repair and there are still replacement parts available. I'm personally partial to Singer machines which have both a huge supply of spare parts available online, and manuals. My daily sewing machine is from 1951. The ONLY drawback that I've ever found (I use newer and fancier machines at work) is that the older machines are much heavier, and can generally only do one stitch. No zigzag etc. Although I have another machine just a little older which can do various stitches.

Sewing machines were my first motor, and also my first rewiring.

[camwyn]

My major problem with finding one of the older machines is that they all have shipping rates more expensive than I want to deal with. Which makes sense if they're good solid pieces- you'd need to account for weight and for packing. I may get one of the really small basic craft machines to start with since I'm essentially looking for something to speed up really stupidly basic stuff, and go for a better machine once demand lightens up a smidge.

The closest I've come to a rewiring overhaul on anything was restoring an early 20th century manual typewriter to nearly-working condition. couldn't find a ribbon that would fit the thing, alas.

[8hyenas]

oh that makes perfect sense, now is not the moment for a craigslist meetup. at work we have several of the entry level basic stitch machines and even the ones marketed towards children sew well. still recommending a singer brand!

[camwyn]

Ebay had a Stitch Sew Quick 2 handheld battery operated sewing machine by Singer for $20, with $9 s/h. The reviews on Amazon were of the 'it's dinky but it's a real sewing machine, just be careful it doesn't jam' variety. I'm going with that to start with. We'll see how this goes.

[dogstar]

If you can keep it from jamming, it's workable. I'd actually suggest looking at the newest entry level Janome- it's a replacement for the Janome Jem line and that was a great little machine (I ran mine into the ground when I was production sewing dragons and replaced it with a mid-weight model but the Gem was GREAT) :)