Date: 11/19/09 9:19 PM

Hi Everyone!
I am brand spanking new to sewing. In fact, I am just in the idea stage of wanting to learn to sew. Never even sewed before or have a machine.

What is a good starter machine that is simple and easy to use? Brand and a model number would be great!

I think I am going to ad on Freecycle for one..

Thank you!

Date: 11/20/09 9:08 AM

I recommend you get a good vintage Singer sewing machine like one of the Fashion Mates from the 1960s. These are dependable, all metal basic machines and quite inexpensive -- I recently bought Fashion Mate 237 for about $25, including a built in sewing table. After you decide you love sewing, you can start thinking about a more sophisticated and more expensive sewing machine.

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The essence of life is statistical improbability on a colossal scale.
Richard Dawkins

Date: 11/20/09 4:10 PM

Thank you so much for your great suggestion!

Reply to littlepearl
Date: 11/20/09 5:34 PM

If you are lucky enough to find a Singer 301, 401 or 500 in your used machine search, snap it up.

The 301 and 401 turn up on Craigslist here in Chicago constantly.

Vintage Kenmores are common and worth considering--especially if one turns up on Freecycle!

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I am going for a level of perfection that is only mine... Most of the pleasure is in getting that last little piece perfect...Inspiration is for amateurs. The rest of us just keep showing up and doing the work.

Chuck Close, painter, printmaker, photographer

Hope has two lovely daughters: Anger and Courage

St. Augustine

Date: 11/22/09 9:48 AM

I was brand spanking new to sewing one year ago. I went to Walmart and purchased a Brother Project Runway sewing machine. This machine, nicknamed "Wally" (since it came from Walmart) has served me well.
Its computerized, does all these fancy stitches (which I don't really use, but nice to have), but most importantly --- it is easy to use. I got freaked out at the idea of using a vintage (or vastly older machine) eventho people said those were better. For some reason, I wanted a new one and one that was inexpensive. I found that with Wally.

Reply to kcstarr49
Date: 11/22/09 12:56 PM

That was actually my experience, as well: my first machine was a very inexpensive Brother I bought at Walmart ($85 on a Black Friday deal! ), and I sewed on it happily for ten years. When I went to upgrade a year ago, I discovered that I really wanted a *new* machine. I looked at a bunch of good quality used and vintage machines, but I couldn't get excited about them.

The problem with*most* inexpensive machines is that they're inexpensive--poorer stitch qualities, more tension issues, no support from the shop where you bought it, etc. For the price of a low-end new machine, it's possible to get a fantastic used or vintage machine that will perform better in the long run.

So look around--if you can find a great vintage machine in your area, it's probably going to perform really well for you. (But if you decide you want a new one, I'm another very happy low-end Brother user!)

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~Gem in the prairie