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sewining machine for my 81 year old mom!
betsey Beginner NJ USA Member since 2003 Posts: 33	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/18/12 8:19 AM Hi Everyone-- here's the dealio--my parents are in their early 80's....and because of my dad's health, my mom won't leave the house for an extended period of time. Add to this, her sewing machine (a 1960's singer) lives upstairs, and well, Dad kinda likes mom where he can see her. I'd like to get her a small, portable machine that she could use on the dining room table. It might help her from going stir crazy . I could easily give her my featherweight...but I do think, oh hell, i KNOW she'd love some of the "newer" features out there. (she enjoys sewing on my viking 350). Can anyone offer up suggestions? to be honest, it would be used for mending, maybe some quilting/piecing. I'm on a budges, so no multi hundred dollar machines/thousands of dollar machines please. thank you! Betsey
Invisigal Intermediate Member since 2009 Posts: 521	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/18/12 8:28 AM Isn't it great that our mothers are still sewing a little? I recently loaned my 81-year old mother my Viking 150e, a 1985 basic, non- computerized machine. Perhaps a used machine would fit the bill for your mother, too.
Jannerie Advanced OH USA Member since 2009 Posts: 94	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/18/12 8:45 AM My mom got a Babylock when she was in her 80s and still sews on it at 92. Babylock has some basic models that might work but on any machine I would be concerned about the weight if she is going to be moving it around. My MIL on the other hand sticks with Singer heavy duty machines. Again the weight is a problem for a dining room table. Good luck with your search. Your parents are fortunate to have you nearby to help. ------ Pfaff creative Sensation, Singer 15-91,237,221,328K,301,301a,401,403,404,500,503 Bernina 630, 125jubilae Viking 6020
tgm and Kittys Advanced Beginner WI USA Member since 2010 Posts: 5051	Login to reply to this post In reply to betsey Like this post Date: 1/18/12 9:14 AM I really like my Janome 2212 mechanical. It is though about 12 pounds. It does nice with everything I have asked of it so far... fleece, flannel, cotton. It has a very nice straight stitch, zig zag, stretch stitches & the knobs are easy to turn. It is a vertical bobbin but if your Mom is used to the older models I do not think that would bother her. I use Organ needles & Janome bobbins which are both easy to order online or some stores also carry them. This model is running between $119 to $169 depending on where you buy it from. I hope she would like it...; ) .......... My Mom is 86 on Friday, she is not a sewer but does some handcrafting now which is nice. To add; I bought a walking foot for my Janome & it does work well too, you need the 5 mm feet for this model & they are readily available & not real pricey too. I also bought the open toe foot for it. It does come with some nice feet already I just happen to like having those 2 particular feet to work with... -- Edited on 1/18/12 10:37 AM -- ------
PhaVic   Advanced Beginner Member since 2011 Posts: 131	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/18/12 10:46 AM I love the mid-range Brother sm, they are not too expensive, are easy to learn, very easy to use, not heavy but not too light either and loaded with features for their price. Their entry level sm don't have as good a reputation though (never tried them myself). I have a Brother Innovis900, no problem with it, no thread jam, no bugs ; I like this machine a lot, it's a pleasure to use. Minor complaint is that you'll need a hump jumper to go over thick side seams. That's all. ------ Always a novice
Mufffet   Intermediate VT USA Member since 2005 Posts: 7075	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/18/12 2:15 PM Is there a reason she can't have a small sewing table and a regular sized machine downstairs? If she could why not splurge on a regular size computerized easy to use Janome or Babylock or whatever? I am getting on up there though have a few decades to go before that age, but I would love a new machine to use on ground level if I were her! A Sew Steady table is a better height than the dining room table anyhow. ;) Plus, if it were my sewing space, I would leave it on the dining room table if that's all I had and use the other half of the table for meals.All sorts of possibilities other than a used machine come to mind. Life is too short. ------ "Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." --Dalai Lama ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Blogging at http://eyeletsintheseams.blogspot.com/
Maia B Advanced Beginner IL USA Member since 2010 Posts: 1855	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/18/12 2:17 PM My kids' Brother HS 2000 (I overpaid $250 :(, but I've seen them for less than $200) weighs about 9lbs. I wrote a review on PR, so just look for it under Brother machines. I don't know how long it will last, but it's been fine so far with light-duty, occasional use. ------ Berninas 820 QE, Artista 630 PQE, Aurora 440 QE, Activa 240, 930 Record, and 731 Baby Lock Quest Plus, Featherweight 221s...
betsey Beginner NJ USA Member since 2003 Posts: 33	Login to reply to this post In reply to Mufffet Like this post Date: 1/18/12 4:08 PM hi Muffet-- the problem is, really no room on the first floor to put a sewing table (i thought about that one too....). and yes, life is too short, and she's too good of a mom .
tgm and Kittys Advanced Beginner WI USA Member since 2010 Posts: 5051	Login to reply to this post In reply to betsey Like this post Date: 1/18/12 4:28 PM What is Mom's limit for the weight of the sm? I'm sorry I think I missed that. ................ I too am limited to what I can lift ... I can move the Janome 2212 a bit but it would be too much if it has to be lifted very far or probably very often. ... It does quilt also....I missed that you had mentioned that originally. ------
diane s   Intermediate OR USA Member since 2002 Posts: 3345	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/18/12 4:56 PM I gave my mom my Viking Lily and she sent it back and bought a basic Brother. She didn't understand the top loading bobbin, let alone the electronics and didn't want to learn. She was 73 at the time and had been sewing since her teens. So my advice is give her something that works similar to what she has. ------ My grandmother taught me to sew when I was 10, and I've been sewing ever since.

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