Craftzine.com blog: Sewing Machines Archives

Archive: Sewing Machines

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December 6, 2006

Betz White's Sewing Machine

Betz White, crafter of the cutest felt cupcakes and coffee cup pincushions around, shares with us her personal sewing machine which happens to bear her name.

Betz says, "My mom bought me this used/rebuilt machine back in 1985 when I started college for Fashion Design. I have been using it ever since! It's such a workhorse and powers through all of the felted sweaters I sew, which produce an incredible amount of lint. I keep a can of compressed air handy to blast out the fuzz balls from the bobbin case. Did you notice the brand? I've had the machine longer than my married name...perhaps it was some kind of foreshadowing? :)"

Posted by Natalie Zee Drieu | Dec 6, 2006 04:27 PM
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Susan Beal's Sewing Machine

Susan Beal of West Coast Crafty gives us the deets on her sewing machine and serger.

Susan says, "I have a three-year-old Viking Huskystar 215, which has been great for all my sewing projects, from making handbags and clothes to light quilting. It came with a 25-year warranty so I can take it in for free tune-ups once a year, which is a huge bonus. I've bought some extra feet and accessories for sewing vinyl, but besides that it's been perfect right out of the box. I learned to sew on a 1960s Singer, which I loved, but it was a little moody when it came to heavier-weight and stretch fabrics--the tension just snarled up and freaked out, and I had to take it to be serviced over and over again. So the Huskystar has been a dream so far, and it has handled every craft project I've tried beautifully. I'd love to upgrade to a Bernina someday, but in the meantime my Viking and I are very happy together!

I also have a BabyLock Eclipse serger, which is wonderful. I love using it, but absolutely hate threading it, so I cheat by tying my new threads to the current ones and pulling them through. I usually use the 3-thread option for most projects." Link.

Posted by Natalie Zee Drieu | Dec 6, 2006 09:30 AM
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December 5, 2006

Fabienne's Vintage Singer 222K

Fabienne Serriere, Engadget how-to writer and Netscape anchor, got herself a great vintage Singer 222K sewing machine. Fabienne says, "If you learned on a rock solid sewing machine and ever since have lamented the plastic creations that pass for sewing machines nowadays, you will understand why I needed this gadget so badly. A Singer Featherweight, reputed for solid forward and backstitch, can even outlive its owner. All this one needed was a new belt, some oil, a needle, and voila, a stalwart sewing machine for decades to come." Link.

Posted by Natalie Zee Drieu | Dec 5, 2006 05:15 PM
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Not Martha's Sewing Machine

Big thank you to Megan Reardon of Not Martha who gave us the scoop on her sewing machine she uses for her crafty business.

Megan says, "I have a Juki TL-98E, it's a straight stitch machine usually marketed towards quilters. I bought when I was starting The Organized Knitter for purely practical reasons - knee presser foot lift, extra wide and tall area under the arm, a very large removable working surface, and mostly metal body and parts. I got to use a lot of industrial machines in college and trusted the brand. Because it is a straight stitch machine it is very fast and strong, and I have not missed zig zag or decorative stitches yet. I've used it nearly every day for about three years and have had no troubles, which makes me very happy. The only disadvantage is the lack of a free arm which would be nice to have when doing things such as hemming cuffs." Link.

Posted by Natalie Zee Drieu | Dec 5, 2006 12:45 PM
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Evil Mad Scientist Lab - Lenore Edman's Sewing Machine

Lenore Edman of Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories wrote up a great review of her sewing machine as well has how she makes trebuchet slings. Lenore says, "I can't compete with the lovely vintage Singers, but here is mine. I have had it for several years and I even made my wedding dress on it. It is a Huskystar, which is a descendent of the Viking brand. I went with the top of the mechanical line on sale at the end of the model year. (Did you know sewing machines have a model year?) I didn't see a need for computer control since I wasn't planning to do embroidery. This was a good choice and I have no regrets. My favorite feature is the automatic needle threader, with the automatic buttonhole coming in a close second." Link.

Posted by Natalie Zee Drieu | Dec 5, 2006 09:35 AM
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December 4, 2006

Stitch Lounge Recommends Beginner Sewing Machines

Hope Meng from Stitch Lounge and co-author of Sew Subversive was nice enough to give us her expert opinion on the best beginner sewing machines. Since Hope and her two Stitch Lounge co-founders, Melissa Alvardo, and Melissa Rannels teach a lot of beginning sewing workshops, they're the ones in the know for the best ones to use.

Here, Hope reviews four great sewing machines from the most beginner to the most advanced. Take it away, Hope!

Janome
Janome Jem Gold
Janome Site - Link.
$199 at Sew Vac

We came to know the Jem Gold when Sandra Betsina donated about 6 of these to Stitch (for those of you who haven't heard of Sandra, she is like the Cher of the established sewing world -- a quirky personality with a sense of style all her own who also happens to be a master at her craft). At first I was skeptical -- it didn't have a stitch length or a stitch width selector. Instead, you choose the stitch length and width using the pattern selection wheel, which means that you only get 3 choices of stitch length and 3 choices of stitch width. Turns out that beginners LOVE these little machines. They are totally stripped down, fool-proof, invented for the beginning seamster. Fewer features means less confusion. And the thing is pretty solid! True story: an entire astroturf suit was sewn on one of these so you know it's a workhorse. Nice, even stitches. Definitely not for an intermediate seamster, but if you are just getting your feet wet, the Jem Gold is a great machine.

Janomesewist
Janome Sewist 509
Janome Site - Link.
$199 at Stitch Lounge

We had a great experience with the Janome Jem Gold at Stitch, so when we first decided to sell sewing machines, Janome was at the top of our list in terms of manufacturers. Their machines are great for beginners due to their ease of use, simple design, and light weight (great for people living in small apartments!). The Sewist 509 did not disappoint. Actually, we were rather shocked with the number of features that you get for the price, since the Jem Gold was actually more stripped down but had a higher price point. This machine has everything you need as a beginning seamster--all the basics stitches, stitch length and stitch width controls, buttonhole, etc. I'm not really sure I can say anything bad about this machine--it runs a little louder than some of our other machines at Stitch, but between the features you get and the low price, I think I can live with a little noise.

Necchi
Necchi 4595
$249 at Sew Vac

This was one of the first machines I bought when we first opened Stitch, and it's still around! That tells you a lot about this workhorse. As a seamster who learned how to sew on a vintage machine, the Necchi 4595 was right up my alley. Since it is made by a European manufacturer, it has a front-loading bobbin (rather than a top-loading bobbin), which I prefer because even though they are a little harder to get used to at first, you have a lot more control later on if things go wrong. The machine has all metal moving parts, which means it is built to last (it also means it is heavier than most modern machines). It also means it is well suited for tough fabrics like faux fur, denim, etc.--this machine will sew through anything!. It is not so great for delicate fabrics like chiffons or silks, so it's not the machine for you if you plan on using these fibers. My other complaint about the Necchi 4595 is that it has a completely non-intuitive bobbin winder. You'll definitely need to use the manual to figure this one out, but once you do, it's a piece of cake. Also, it is a pretty speedy machine, which makes it great for intermediate seamsters (not so great for beginners). Overall a solid workhorse and a definite must if you want a industrial-strength machine in a standard sewing machine body.

Berninaactiva
Bernina Activa 220
Bernina - Link.

Everyone knows that Berninas are the Rolls Royces of sewing machines--luxurious, high-quality machines at luxurious, high-quality prices. Our need for beginner machines at Stitch (and my bias towards vintage machines in my home) made me shy away from Berninas for a long time, but the first time I used one, I knew I was in love. I mean, the thing just sewed like there was no tomorrow. I was working on a Burning Man costume made out of vinyl and chiffon (um, could I have chosen two more difficult fabrics to put together?!?), and I was sewing on a standard sewing machine. I had to keep ripping out the stitches because it was just not working. Then I turned to the Bernina. The things just ate that fabric up like it was buttered toast. Perfect, beautiful stitches in a perfect, beautiful straight line. I couldn't believe it--I had spent a full hour trying to sew one straight seam and the Bernina just churned it out like nobody's business. You're paying for that privilege, though--I think this machine retails for around $800. So if the sewing bug has really stung you, start saving your pennies now. The good news is that you won't ever need to buy another machine if you get this one.

Posted by Natalie Zee Drieu | Dec 4, 2006 05:44 PM
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Crafter Heidi Kenney's Sewing Machine

Heidi Kenney of My Paper Crane gave us the scoop on the sewing machines she uses.

Heidi says, "This is my Morse industrial which I got off ebay for around $300. It is great for thick fabrics, but has a few things that make it hard to get used to using. The back stitch button is very hard to push in and you have to hold the machine while you do it (if I installed the machine into a sewing unit this wouldnt be a problem) Sometimes the threading seems to tangle easily, but other then that it runs really great. It also did not come with a manual, and I cannot find an exact match online, yet!"

Europro
Heidi's EuroPro isn't strong enough to take the demands and volume of he sewing projects.

Heidi says, "This was my newest machine purchase almost $400 and I am pretty unhappy with it. The back stitching is far too slow, and I guess I am too hard of a sewing for a machine like this, after one month of almost daily sewing and I had a jam. Now the timing is messed up and will have to be fixed by a pro. I say thumbs down to the Europro if your a rough sewer."

Posted by Natalie Zee Drieu | Dec 4, 2006 03:24 PM
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December 1, 2006

Sewing Machines: Mid-Range Roundup

It's not very easy to shop or compare for sewing machines online but there are some good resources out there. For the last few days, I've been researching some good picks for mid-range sewing machines. That is, machines that have an average of 20-100 stitches, have some extra automatic perks, are electronic, and range from $200-$400. I've realized that the process of buying a sewing machine is a bit like buying a car. You'll need to head over to a dealer and take it for a test run. For some of the machines I've found, I couldn't even find a price online. When I called a local dealer I got the sales tactic of needing to head over to the store (which I plan to soon.)

Here are some helpful resource links:

About.com sewing machine buying tips - Link.
Buying a new sewing machine - Link.
Tips for purchasing a sewing machine at a dealer location - Link.
FAQ: What sewing machine should I buy? - Link.
Threads magazine - 31 Basic Sewing Machines Line-Up - Link.

My top 3 picks you should check out for a mid-range sewing machine are the following (in order by price):

Brother
Brother CS-6000i Computerized Sewing Machine
$199.99 at Circuit City
brother.com

This little machine packs the punch with Brother's computerized sewing machine. With 100 stitch functions, 60 stitches displayed conveniently on the right, and a larger table perfect for quilting, this could be the machine to investigate. There is a fast needle threader and one-step drop-in bobbin loading.

Singer7466
Singer 7466 Electronic Sewing Machine
$299 on Amazon
singer.com

This machine will help you speed through your craft production with his sewing speed of 750 stitches per minute. You'll also have 70 built-in stitches to choose from, along with a one-step0 buttonholer. More importantly, with automatic tension, you won't have to worry when sewing heavy fabric. Also right now there's a bonus mail-in offer through Decemer 24th for extra feet attachments with the Home Decor Pack and the Quilter's Pack as well as an extenstion table.

Janome5124-Med
Janome 5124 Decor Excel Sewing Machine
$359 from Sew Vac Direct
janome.com

I am really liking this one the best out of the other two picks, if only for it's smart user interface with a horizonal display along the top of the sewing machine. The clean layout let's you see the samples of all stitches the machine can do (24 stitches in all, not much but there are the essentials). The reverse button is nice and big on the right so you don't even have to look away from your sewing. Also the needle will always stop on the "up" postion when you depress your foot off the pedal so you can take out your fabric. Auto-tension also helps for thicker fabric.

Posted by Natalie Zee Drieu | Dec 1, 2006 05:34 PM
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Crafters' Vintage Sewing Machines

Today I've been spotting some beautiful vintage sewing machines in our CRAFT flickr pool. This one is a vintage 1966 Morse Super Dial sewing machine posted up by Cidell. Link.

Whiterotary
From abmatic, "My grandmother's White Rotary from 1913 that she had converted to an electric. Still runs like a champ but boy is this thing noisy. It sounds like a train which is not a good feature for someone who likes to craft into the wee hours. I have put this machine aside in favor of the oh-so-much younger and quieter 1951 Singer 301 but it is still entirely functional and pretty neat looking. I'm pretty sure the thing is indescrtuctable and I would guess that it weighs more than 40lbs. Im in such awe that it still runs so well I plan on throwing this machine a 100 year birthday party when the time comes." Link.

Singer1951-1
Also from Abmatic, "This is a fabulous sewing machine and I really enjoy working with it. It only does a straight stitch so I sprung for some attachments (zig-zag, buttonhole and walking foot) on ebay and the machine has proved worthy of any job i throw at it. The machine runs with gears instead of a belt which is supposed to make it slightly more powerful. I have yet to find a project that is beyond the capability of this machine. I also love the simplicity and duribility of these old machines and the thought that I can figure out what is wrong with it on my own with a little work. It folds up and fits in a carying case like the Singer Featherweight but the 301s cost a lot less, usually in the $200 ballpark (and mine was free!)." Link.

Keep the great photos coming gang! I love looking at everyone's sewing machine. Post the up to the CRAFT Flickr Pool - Link.

Posted by Natalie Zee Drieu | Dec 1, 2006 01:03 PM
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November 30, 2006

Sewing Machines We Use

A few of us from the CRAFT and MAKE team have volunteered to show off our sewing machines and tell you why we like 'em and how we use them.

This is my sewing machine, a computerized Euro-Pro 9120 I bought this back in 2001 for around $499. I had a mid-range Singer before (and still have that) but as a gadget girl at heart, I wanted all the cool computerized functions for embroidery and stitches to play with, but wasn't looking to shell out over $1000. This sewing machine also looks like the old iMacs with it's clear blue flip lid top. Maybe that's why it was calling to me? I love the programmed stitches though. There's about 300 and you can program it to remember up to 100 settings. My favorites are not just the type (only an Arial style and a script style font), it can also embroider fun borders like hearts, flowers, curly circle shapes and more. Everything works well on this machine and nothing has ever broken. I've sewn thick jean material to light silk and its' worked with all fabric perfectly. My one annoyance is that it beeps everytime you take your foot off the pedal, but I've really gotten used to it by now. Heidi Kenny of My Paper Crane had the same issue. I've made a lot of things on this machine everything from making a skirt or totebag to hemming pants. I am in the market to upgrade from this to a better machine possibly one where you can attach a laptop to in order to do custom designs, but I'm in no rush. This sewing machine continues to serve me well for my craft projects. Link.

Arwen Sewingmachine
Arwen O'Reilly, Staff Editor
My parents got me this portable Singer at an antique store when I graduated from college because I was moving around so much. It drops right into this little carrying case with all the attachments and the original instruction booklet. I love it because it's absolutely gorgeous (who wouldn't love the gleaming black metal with gold lettering?) but also because it's so old-fashioned. It's electric, but otherwise so simple I've been able to figure out how to fix it every time something's gone wrong (which isn't often). Plus I like the idea that I'm somehow connected to the people who owned it before me. It's in great condition, so they must have loved it, too. Link.

Terrie Sewingmachine
Terrie Miller, Online Manager
This is a teeny sewing machine, the Euro-Pro Shark. I bought mine at Target for around $20-30, and they're available on Amazon, too. It was perfect for doing some simple sewing to make a dog bed. I had every expectation that I'd return the thing, but I decided to try it before buying something more expensive, and I'm glad I did. I thought I'd need to bungee-cord it down to the desk to keep it from moving around, but it worked just fine. It only does simple stitching, but for sewing parts of projects for someone who doesn't plan on doing lots of fabric work, it's been great. Link.

Bre Sewingmachine
Bre Pettis, Media Maker
I love my old singer. It's a hand me down from my step-grandma and it's been through a lot and if something ever breaks, which has never happened, I could just go to the goodwill, buy another for 20 bucks and be good to go. I had a second one as a backup for a while, but never used it so I gave it away. It can be a bit fussy if I don't get the bobbin tension right, but I made a few hundred rag dolls and hand puppets on this thing to support myself as an artist back in the day and it shows no wear. This one has all the bells and whistles and there are a bunch of pattern disks available, but I gave those away since I never used them. I took it apart once to see how it works and there is actually quite a bit of clever mechanics in this thing. Link.

Posted by Natalie Zee Drieu | Nov 30, 2006 06:14 PM
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Let's Talk about Sewing Machines!

An article in Time.com this week, "Circling Back to Sewing", declared the sharp rise in popularity in sewing. Ok, we knew that already! Next was an article where I was interviewed for in the Washing Times called "Sewing the threads of CREATIVITY" which talked about sewing machines and technology. I also got a big holiday mailer from Bernina where you could buy one of their sewing machines and get a free iPod. This got me thinking more and more about sewing machines as the holiday's approach. These handy machines help us create our latest craft project, from sewing plushies, clothes, handbags, totes, to fixing hems, and more. With so many machines on the market and with more touting computerized technology, where do we go? Which ones do we choose? Which ones do we like?

Starting today on the CRAFT blog we will start this interesting discussion and I invite everyone to help participate. For the next few weeks before the holidays (and ongoing), let's talk sewing machines! We'll show you the one's we use, talk to sewing crafters and makers about their own machines, see what's out there...and we want to hear from you too!

So upload the photo of your sewing machine to our CRAFT flickr pool and write a little blurb on why you like it (or hate it). There's also a Sewing Machine topic in our CRAFT forums. You can also email me as well. I'll be posting up the interesting finds from those places to the blog. So just know as you post, that your comments and photos could end up here to help everyone. Most people nowadays are looking to upgrade sewing machines (I know I am) and this would be a great resource. Who knows, maybe you'll find the sewing machine you want under the Christmas tree!

(Photo of the Singer Symphonie 300.)

Posted by Natalie Zee Drieu | Nov 30, 2006 05:20 PM
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