Burda Style For people who sew

Right guys, ive just started university and my sewing machine seems to have failed. Can anyone recomend a brand who are reliable but well priced! Alot of my course seem to use janome. But theres such a big market i just havent got a clue. It would be good to have all the feet like zipper, button hole etc. But also a drawing foot if possible! Oh and not somethin too big because i have the smallest room in history! Ha. Thankyou for your help :)

Nov 14, 2009, 11.11 AM by grace_eliza

5 Posts

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  Nov 14, 2009, 11.18 AMby katensew

  I had a Frister Rossman Cub at one time as it was so portable, not heavy and packed away neatly in the bottom of a wardrobe. Wonderful variety of stitches and lovely buttonholes. However I don’t know if they still produce this model as it was some years ago. They advertised it being carried on the back of a bicycle !!
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  Nov 14, 2009, 09.21 PMby KateXXXXXX

  Take a look at my sewing machine essay: http://www.diceyhome.free-online.co.uk/On%20the%20care%20&%20Feeding%20of%20sewing%20machines/on_the_choosing.htm

  What do you mean by a drawing foot? I wish my sewing machine could draw… ;)

  For smaller machines, look at:

  http://www.sewingmachines.co.uk/fristercub_info.htm

  Also look at the little Bernina:

  http://www.berninasewingshop.co.uk/01-sewing-machines/bernina-activa-220-sewing-machine-free-extension-table-p-257.html

  This Toyota is very good value for money:

  http://www.worldofsewing.com/shop/toyota-quilt-and-couturier.html

  The Janome Jem has a good rep:

  http://www.sewingmachines.co.uk/Janome720_info.htm

  For older small machines, take a look out for the Elna Lotus machines, and the Frister & Rossman cub series, particularly the Cub 4.
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  Jan 13, 2010, 05.40 PMby CarolinaM

  I prefer the bernina, it is top quality machine and it makes the best button holes. If you sew on a bernina or a pfaff or husqvarna viking, you hear the engine do a soft zzzzzzzzz. Many other machines make a lot of noise and start chaking when you sew faster. The bernina 1000 series are not very expensive but very good. You could also look for a second hand one. But buy it at a store for sewingmachines, this way you will know it is repaired and works well. My first machine was a second hand singer, had lots of problems with that one because it was not bought at a store. And always ask to sew in the shops, then you know what best for you.
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  Today, 06.06 AMby BallerinaWanabee

  well, I have a singer confidence 7467 which is a little on the pricey side, but my best friend got a new brother project runway edition machine for about 150 dollars at malmart! and I must say, I’m jealous! it has just as much as my 400 dollar machine plus extra feet aside from the standard ones :) seriously! it’s a great machine :)

  check it out!
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  Today, 04.50 PMby oscarthegrouch108

  most machines should have a button hole foot and a zipper foot standard (unless buying used…then they sometimes get lost).

  the best advice is to look around at different sewing dealerships. go in with a budget and a list of things you expect the machine to do. then talk with the salesperson and see what they offer. ask to sew with the machine (some shops will let you bring in your own fabric to try, others have swatches for you to use). also many of these places have used machines that are great buys.

  it’s not so much about the brand. most brands make machines in the low, mid, and high ends of features/price. ask 10 people what their favorite brand of machine is and you’ll most likely get 6-7 different answers (and lots of stories of why they will/will not buy a certain brand).

  my 2 cents:
  -i prefer Pfaff and Vikings. i like their features, i haven’t had many issues, they usually include new technology (like touch screens), and their brands quality has gotten better/stayed the same.
  -I don’t like new Singers. they feel cheap/features aren’t worth the price tag, the machines seem to have more issues, they are a bit behind on technology, and the quality they used to have isn’t there. (now an old Singer from the 50’s-70’s……that’s another story!)
  -what am i sewing on now? a basic White machine that i bought for under $100. when i say basic, i mean basic! it’s not electronic and uses a four step button hole with few stitches. i like it because it works well and does what i need it to do. however, i would love to trade up to a mid range embroidery machine!