A bas yisroel wants a sewing machine for her birthday. What would you recommend?

Well, how much is she willing to spend?
Will she do better to buy a older machine secondhand which was manufactured with metal parts, or a newer machine that is plastic based and might break more easily?
What type of foot will she need? Does she need a freehand foot?
What type of decorative stitches, if any, does she want?

It's for her birthday, duh. There's no limit on cost that the giver is willing to spend.


That's part of the question: What's your recommendation. [Did you look on ebay at the antiques?]


Again, that's part of the question. She needs guidance.


I have no idea. That's worth finding out. But since she's a bas yisroel, I assume there's no need for anything to stitch course fabrics like denim, and no need to stitch anything too decorative that could be attracting.

obviously a lot of research needs to be done before considering this purchase.

Obviously. But what better way to start the research than with recommendations and advice from the h.com membership about what they found successful or not in their experience, and hence the thread.
The question in the opening post was purposefully left open ended in order to invite discussion and not to limit discussion.

Sounds like a good plan to me.

bump

I have a basic Janome. http://www.hancockfabrics.com/gateway/2973.html I didn't get the computerized model because it's just something else to break.

I used to have a Singer, but I got rid of it because I was always having trouble with the bobbin. I know some people love Singers, but I hated mine.

My mother keeps trying to give me her Serger. Sergers are great because they can do overlock stitching giving all of the seams a professional finished look. The problem is there's no way to rip out the seam and sew it again if you make a mistake (and I make lots of mistakes.)

If cost is no issue, I highly recommend getting a higher quality machine from a good brand. I'm a Bernina girl myself (well, I would be if I could afford one). They are serious quality.

I would also be hesitant to go for too many bells and whistles. For instance, the embroidery stuff is not really necessary and just clutters things up. They tend to make the machine not work as well for the basic stuff. I'd say a good quality, minimum frills machine that she will still be able to use 30 years from now to make a bris outfit for her grandson.

a minimally-gadgety europro

What do you think of this? Link
Its cheap and easy to use, which should be good for a beginner.

two features on that one would drive me crazy - the drop-in bobbin and the placement/type of reverse button. it's a matter of preference, but since those are constantly used features for any sewing tasks, i'd base my purchase on them. another couple of things to to look at carefully are the threading mechanism and needle placement. again, since they're stuff you have to deal with on a regular basis, you want them to be set up in a way that's comfortable for you to use. oh, and the foot pedal too.

i wouldn't buy a sewing machine online, at least not until i've had a chance to check the relevant model out in person and make sure it's designed to my tastes. also, if she's already used to working on a certain model, you might want to stick with the same one because every model comes with its own quirks and learning curves.

window drapery and upholstery are generally pretty thick fabrics that even the most aidel maidel might need to work with from time to time.

There are good reviews on Joann.com and Patternreviews.com. I wouldn't buy from Joann, but I've read enough negative reviews there to think many of the reviews are real input . I agree with politico to check out in person any model you're considering.

That said, if young Bas Yisroel is starting on her sewing adventures, I would recommend a mechanical (NOT computerized, NOT plastic moving parts) machine. Stitches anyone will use reasonably often for sewing tsnius outfits, mending, Purim costumes, and beginners crafts would include zigzag (don't get an antique, they only go forward), blind or hidden hem, reverse stitch (don't get an antique, they only go forward), and button holes (if you get an antique against MHO, get a buttonholer attachment so she can make normal 21st century clothing).

The reason I suggest skipping the fancy computerization for a first machine is that you have to go really upscale for them to be reliable, have a decently mild learning curve, and last longer than your typical cheapo hard drive.

I'm one of those Singer girls from a Singer family. I have a Singer 3343, but it's not beng made anymore. Of the huge number of stitch cams, I really only use the zig-zag and hem cams often. I use the 4-step buttonholer a lot, and with the button-stitch presser foot that came with the machine, I machine sew on buttons. I also use my narrow stitch presser foot and zipper foot often.

I've read enough reviews of the really lightweight plastic Singers to not recommend them (usually the under $100-$150 models). There's a new line out called Singer Inspiration, but I haven't perused reviews yet to see if anyone has purchased them and reviewed them yet.

For years I wished I had a serger, though everyone who has one tells me it's quite a learning curve. Besides my deep abiding friendship with my seam ripper, I never had the budget. Recently I've heard enough feedback from serger owners who can't use their home serger on tough fabrics like denim--err, draperies anyway that I'm glad I have the more versatile and (for me and my need to correct mistakes) useful mechanical machine. Seams and narrow hems can be finished with a zig zag stitch.

http://youtube.com/user/sewmarm

Sewing Video Tutorials

Said birthday is soon approaching, and so the pressure is on to make a pick.

My mom's friend gave me a basic sewing machine lesson on her Singer (very basic, the type from Walmart). I was able to do a nice basic straight hem so I feel more confident than before in my ability to catch on. I grasped the concepts behind the threading, bobbin etc, however, no matter what machine I pick I'll have to read the book and learn the system.

My budget is cheap- I'd like to spend $150 tops.

The friend has problems with her inexpensive Singer and strongly recommended I stay away from those. Her recommendation (based on her friends research) for a very basic starter machine was a Brother LS2125I. ( 10 built-in stitches including straight, zig-zag, elastic and blind hem stitches, automatic bobbin winder, an automatic four-step buttonholer, forward and reverse sewing, a light, Free-arm capability)
For a little bit more I can get a refurbished Brother XL 3500, which has all the above features plus more stitches, a bobbin with view of thread supply, a built in thread cutter (which I cant tell if the other machine has) and some bonus Quilt guild for the foot which seems interesting and claims to have some other quilting features.

Obviously buying a machine without trying it in the store isn't so smart, but I don't know of any good retailers in my area and my Joanns with machines closed. Since I don't know too much, testing it out would not do much good- I'll have a big learning curve which whatever I buy.

Are the above machines respectable options for my limited needs? the online reviews seem pretty positive.

I am SO not an expert in sewing machines but I'll say what comes to mind when reading - when you say it cuts the thread - what is the big deal most machines behind the needle you have a catch thingy to to 'tear' the thread.

I've been told, and in school we used, Bernina sewing machines they are supposed to be easy to use, for beginners etc.