My machine is dead. The turning wheel on the right side has been getting harder and harder to turn. Now it has stopped all together. I tried to take the cover off to maybe oil it but I seriously would never be able to get it back together. Oh, and did I mention I was finishing my sister's Christmas present when this came to a head? Serves me right for waiting until the last minute...
Anyway, my current machine was a gift and I have no idea where to go to find a good deal. There's always the local fabric store but I'm sure I could get a better price online. Amazon has a good looking Singer - Confidence 7470, for under $400. Does anyone have this machine and like it? Is that a good price? Where do I buy feet that don't come with the machine? Aaaa! I need help! Any suggestions would be very appreciated.
Oh, Merry Christmas too!!!
***Edited to add that I currently have a New Home 2022, which was put out by Brother. It's about 9 years old and is very loud. I've been meaning to replace it for awhile, but I've been intimidated because I don't know what to buy as far as brands, price, where to get one, etc. ***
Oh no! What kind of machine do you have now? Is it worth it to take it in to have repaired? I just upgraded from a Singer to a Bernina (I found a great deal on a used machine). I'd recommend trying out several different brands/models. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI just received a Singer 7467 as a Christmas gift and love it. I think it's the same as the 7470, just has less decorative stitches. You can buy more feet at Singer.com (along with the special bobbins- it takes a 15J) or Sewvacdirect.com.
ReplyDeleteI'm also interested to know what kind of machine you have now. I have pretty good old New Home and it would freeze up like you describe. I would just take it in to have it serviced so maybe that's all yours needs. I now have a Singer 7463 "Confidence" and it's good for what I want, but I have had some difficulty sewing fleece and thicker fabrics. The other thing that bugs me is that I have no control over the pressure on the presser foot. But, if I had your skills and if I sewed as much as you seem to, I would move up to the more heavy duty models. Just my opinion though. Maybe you can get Santa to come back! ;). Merry Christmas!!
ReplyDeleteI just visited Rummage Heads and they have a some good deals.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.rummageads.com/
I also went to AllBrands and found this Viking in the $400 range. http://www.allbrands.com/products/abp10189-0111.html# It has their highest popularity rating. A link at the bottom of this page lists several other brands in this price range. I have had good experience with Viking and also Babylock. You could visit a Babylock and Viking dealers for floor models on sale. My best advise is to test the machines on your fabric, test the buttonhole function particulary, and buy the best you can afford going just above the features you currently use. You never know. The better the machine, and cost does reflect this to some extent, the easier it will be to use. Avoid machines with licenced embroidery designes because part of the price is the licencing fees for those designs, and you cannot use the designs for sale. I have also had some good luck on eBay, but you must get in writing from the seller, a guarantee that you can return the machine if it is a dud. I just got a coverstitch NIB at a very good price.
Oh no! How painful. I'm sure your sister will accept an IOU :) I bought my machine from a local sew & vac shop because they have great customer service. If you do something similar, know that you should bargain!
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your machine.. I just bought a new one yesterday. I don't know if you have a sears near you but you can order online. www.sears.com. They have a sale going on right now. All the machines are on sale, plus you get an extra 20% off the sale price.....
ReplyDeleteOh, how frustrating for you! I bought a BabyLock Decorator's Choice recently (my first computerized machine) and LOVE it! Very quiet, and had all the features I wanted at a price I could almost afford (with birthday gift help from my Mom). I got a great deal at a local dealer: you're just in time to take advantage of end-of-year closeouts.
ReplyDeleteGood luck getting the old one fixed, or finding the new one of your dreams at a great price.
It looks like you've gotten some good advice. With the amount of sewing you do, I'd suggest getting an electronic model if you didn't have one already. I found that Singer doesn't back its products, so I'd say no to them. I had good experiences with Brother and my current Elna, but I think I'm one of few who has an Elna. I think presser feet are pretty universal... except for Elna (grrrr). I don't know your finances, but if you can afford a serger I have the popular $200 brother 1034D from Amazon and I don't know how I sewed for 10 years without it! With all the binding and French seams you do, It would cut your sewing time in half. Then you could make even more great stuff!
ReplyDeleteI second the Kenmore suggestion above. There are a couple of great machines in your price range. Janome used to make Kenmore machines, and they were fabulous! That was my first "big" machine. I loved that one! I upgraded to a Viking, then a Bernina (because I'm a junkie). I'd highly recommend any of them! I actually don't use the Viking anymore, poor thing. It's a beautiful machine, I've just got 3 and only really have time to sew on 2. So it's boxed up.
ReplyDeleteMy vote is on an electronic or computerized Janome or anything made by Janome, like Elna and Kenmore, that is priced at $400+. Even if you're decided on buying it online, I highly recommend visiting a dealer, and tell them you're still undecided. Test out the brands of machines you are interested in, so at the very least, you have an idea of what you're buying online. You sew a lot! I highly recommend a good, inexpensive serger. I would also recommend test driving sergers. Serge different fabric weights and thread it at the dealer's as some models might be cumbersome to thread.
ReplyDeleteI started out on singers, and I think the only singer that I had really great luck with was my Grandmother's featherweight...not sure why but the singers were always skipping stitches, no matter how I adjusted, changed needles, etc. I bought a used Viking Rose about 6 years ago and it has been a revolutionary experience. I actually loved sewing again, and I blame that on the reliability of the machine. I have heard similar from friends who went up to bernina, pfaff and baby lock. I do believe that price equals reliability. I have two vikings right now, one is a standby that I use with my kids for homeschooling, the other is the main one I use for everything else. I would suggest getting to know your sew/vac shops and find one with great customer service and try out the brands they offer. You will probably get a few free sewing classes and they have payment options too. Hope that helps!
ReplyDelete