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Hello all, I'm going to have to finally buy a sewing machine. I usually have my MIL sew what I want but, I hate to have to ask. 1) I don't sew. 2) I don't plan to become a master at this. I just need a simple machine that I can put a hem in with, and do easy projects. Any recommendations as to which machine to start with? TIA

You will get all kinds of suggestions here. We are all partial to our brand of machines.

I suggest you go to as many dealers as you have in your area. Try many brands and models. Tell them what type of sewing you want to do. If you are planning on doing some home dec, make sure your machine can handle the weight of home dec fabrics. If possible take some of your own fabrics to test drive the machines.

IMHO, it is almost as important to find a dealer that you like as a machine you like. Look for a dealer that offers user classes that show you how to operate your machine, wind bobbins, clean and oil it, what stitches it will do etc. Also offers tech support. User classes are usually free. Do they have classes for various projects that might appeal to you? Also, will the dealer take the machine back if you want to move up to a nicer machine. If you find a dealer you like, you might find good deals on gently used machines, where someone traded up.

Do some research on line with the brands available in your area. Is needle down up a feature you might like? Does it have good light? Is the area between the needle and the right side of the machine. Can't think of the term right now, Might be harp. If you are going to quilt or make large drapes, you might want a machine that has a generous area there.

Get the best you can afford. That said, don't over spend beyond your budget. Shop around and don't impluse buy. Take time to shop around.

I happen to be partial to Berninas and have several. I have also bought used machines and have no problems with them.

Others here are very happy with their machines that are other brands. Get what fits your needs.

Have fun.

Since you don't plan to be a master at this point, I would suggest you go for the traded in machines or the mid-entry level machines of a brand.

You mentioned hemming pants/jeans, etc. for that job I would really recommend checking out the Pfaff machines. I have used them and some Bernina machines for jeans hems and the Berninas always needed to be messed with for the thick seam crossing. My Pfaffs go right up and over those thicknesses without a problem. I have done plenty of thick to thin layer zigzag with Pfaffs and the stitches have been great.

No matter what brand you are checking, see if they have a dual feed (a feeddog foot at the back of the needle bar). That will help keep you layers of fabrics in the right position without the pressor foot pushing the top layer longer than the bottom one.

The needle down feature will be one that will be good when you are fixing those hems, etc so the needle will stay in place when you need to adjust the garment.

Good luck. Stick with a good dealer that you want to work with. The cheaper machines at Wally world, etc. don't seem to be made as strong as the same level machine at a dealer.

You might check with your MIL since she's the sewer in the family. She might actually like to buy herself a new machine and give you her old one. I've done that three times for my kids. I LOVE that my old machine gets a new home and I have a wonderful excuse to buy myself a new model. We all love new toys. My children are that way about new phones.

My Bernina went through multiple layers of fabric and batting at the same time as going through the plastic part of a flat flower pin.

Jeans aren't too much trouble if you level the front and then the back, so the dogs can move the fabric.

I've given 2 Bernina Bernette machines to beginning seamstresses. There are several models available, starting around $150. If you have a Bernina dealer in your area, check them out -- and definitely take along your own fabrics (different weights plus denim) to see what happens.

Same thing for whatever brand dealers you have in town -- try them all. Actually put your hands on the machines and see which ones you feel comfortable with. You'll need somewhere to take this machine for routine maintenance (lint gets places you can't clean or oil at home), so see if you like the dealership, too. Ask if they do repairs in-house or have to send the machines somewhere else. Ask what the turnaround time is for Clean/Oil/Adjust. If they let you go in the back to have a peek at the workroom or meet the tech, that's a good sign.

I think Strings said it all. The most important part of buying a machine IMHO is your relationship with your dealer. I have had top ofthe line...Viking, Pfaff and now Bernina. I am truly a Bernina girl now. I have also purchased a used Bernina I am EXTREMELY happy with. I bought it on this site Sew it's for sale. This is a yahoo group you must join to access. If you google this site it will come up and you can join. Only sewing stuff on this site. Most dealers will service machines, but if you don't have a good relationship with the dealer you will not be a happy camper. Trust me on this one. For the amount of sewing you want to do I'd invest in a used one. DO NOT buy one from Wal-Mart etc. Only because they cannot be serviced. Any dealer will tell you they are cheaply made, parts are not available and when something goes wrong you need to purchase another machine. Save yourself that headache. I agree with the others take your fabric to the store and try them out. If you can't try them out then that is probably not a dealer you want to deal with. Good Luck!!

Hey Strings: if there were a LIKE button, your post would get one. Well done!

Having just gone through this process of figuring out what I want and buying a machine, I fully agree with the tips given. Homework is essential, or you could wind up with something you're not happy with, like I did 6 years ago Taught me a good lesson about doing your homework!

So I started my homework a few months ago for what I would like in a new machine. I wanted needle up/down, thread cutter, among other things. I looked at all my local dealers around, and had them show me their machines in my price range. And I too asked about classes, service and extras that came with the machine.

When the opportunity presented itself for me to jump on a great deal I was ready! I wound up with the machine of my dreams ... Janome 6600 ... her name is Jenny, and I absolutely LOVE her, and I'm SO happy I did my homework! She has all the bells and whistles I wanted, I've dealt with the dealer before when they serviced my other machines, and their customer service is what got me there ...

Good luck in your journey and your purchase. I hope you are as happy as I am with my new friend Jenny

I bought my DGD her first machine when she was 5 - found a refurbished Brother machine that was a demonstration model - built to be sturdier than the ones "normal" people buy since they are intended to stand up to a lot of abuse. This young girl looked at things and broke them - similar to how her daddy was when he was young......You can get some great deals on wonderful machines to use for your "learning" machine....it will also identify what features you absolutely want when you move "up". Have fun with it.

mainly depends on how much money you have to spend and if the dealers in your area are good!
i have the Janome 6600, $1,500) Jem Platinum ($600) and i have had a Juki (around $600 i think) ..loved them all. at least 7 or 8 years old,all of them.
Sears used to sell a little blue machine..sturdy and goes for around $100. we have them on hand at our quilt group, in case someone wants to use it. this one goes on sale for about $60 bucks occasionally) i am not sure if sears has them, on line.
Good luck with your purchase!

Very good advice from all above. For a good plain sewing machine you might check out the Janome machines. They are from plain to a little fancier. The one I saw being used, travels easily and sewed very quiet. Very good machine for simple sewing and then some. But be sure to check out several. I am lucky to have the Baby Lock Ellisimo and love it. But I love doing embroidery and do a lot of it. I am thinking of getting just a straight sewing machine for making the quilts and doing just sewing. Then I could do sewing while the embroidery machine is doing its thing. But then I have to think of price as I already have a Singer (old) and a 15yr old Kenmore that also does some embroidery. I loved the simple Janome I saw Diane using. JMO Maggie

Auntie Reba, thank you for the compliment. I have seen too many ladies buy a machine without carefully checking them out to see what machine would fit their needs best. I am very lucky that I like the dealership here. They have been very good to me and I have spent a lot of money there.

Came close to buying a Viking. Glad I didn't since the dealer ship closed soon after that. It was a long time before the JoAnn's added a Viking section to their store.

Mountainbeach, sure hope you can find a machine that will give you many years of sewing enjoyment.