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SM for DD who has no functional use of right arm Need suggestions for features and machines
elizajo   Intermediate LA USA Member since 4/15/05 Posts: 1176	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 7/10/12 7:49 PM My DD is 30 now and in need of a hobby. She has a challenging job and would like a creative outlet. She finds ways to work around her limited mobility with aplomb, but hobbies have always been difficult. She has good function in the left arm and very limited use of the right arm and both of her legs. She's been very interested in my quilting all along, but never thought a sewing machine would be usable for her. My old Bernina 830 certainly isn't. I've seen some machines with a start/stop button that can be used instead of a foot pedal, needle up/down, and a thread cutter. Does anyone have any ideas for a machine that is fairly simple and not ultra expensive? ------ Elizabeth
a7yrstitch   Intermediate TX USA Member since 4/1/08 Posts: 4386	Login to reply to this post In reply to elizajo << 1 member likes this. Date: 7/10/12 8:15 PM When I test drove my Bernina, I asked this question. The Bernina machine I have won't work for you, but the technician's hand operated start stop control worked on other models. The sales manager didn't think it would work on my model but we tried it anyway and it did. I believe the intended purpose is for folks hooking into those monster quilting frames to be able to remotely control their machines. I'll try to locate my old post with the name of the product I was shown. ------ I have no idea what Apple thought I was saying so be a Peach and credit anything bizarre to auto correct.
Aussiemom63135   Intermediate USA Member since 7/9/08 Posts: 56	Login to reply to this post In reply to elizajo << Like this post Date: 7/10/12 8:17 PM I would suggest a Babylock Ellageo or something similar. It has a button to raise and lower the presser foot as well as a knee lever. You can control the speed by sliding a button. It has a needle up and down to easy position the fabric when going around a curve. You have a button to push to go and stop. I would think some one with such a challenge would be able to use it easily. You would select stitches by touch screen. It also embroiders but that over the top. It is easy to thread and thread the needle. The Ellageo is an older tol but still worth checking into. You may be able to find one with a good price. ------ Charlene TOTAL YARDAGE IN STASH: TOO MUCH TO COUNT.
Skittl1321 Advanced Beginner IA USA Member since 9/9/07 Posts: 1043	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 7/10/12 8:25 PM My goto recommendation for beginners is CS6000i. It has the start/stop button and the needle up/down. It is inexpensive, so if she doesn't enjoy sewing, you aren't out much. The price is the main thing. For most people on this site- the machine isn't much. People here like dealer-type machines, this is a Walmart type. However, I know plenty of people who have made gorgeous clothes and quilts on it. (FMQing you won't want to go more than a throw, but I think that would be really hard with only use of one arm.) It also has a drop in bobbin, which I think will be a lot easier for her. Snap on feet will be easier than screw on, though a walking foot will be difficult on any machine that isn't like a Bernina. My Bernina I can put a walking foot on with one hand. It does not have a thread cutter, and I think you will find it difficult to find that without spending much. If you want to spend more- I suggest trying to find something with a knee lift. That basically gives you an extra arm. I've never seen an inexpensive machine with one. I had never heard of one until I got my Bernina. (I just reread and see she has limited mobility with her legs, so test drive before you buy- this may not work for her. For me, it is quite a reach, though I've heard putting a pool noodle on it will help it get closer to my leg.) I think MOST electronic machines have start/stop now. I was not able to use my right arm earlier this year and found that I was still able to thread my sewing machine, so it is doable with one arm but takes some practice. I know there are "needle threaders" that can be bought to assist getting the thread through the needle. That might be better than an on the machine threader (unless it is fully automatic- but again, that is high end), as most on the machine threaders require both hands. -- Edited on 7/10/12 9:10 PM --
andye   Beginner VA USA Member since 5/9/09 Posts: 1529	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 7/10/12 9:08 PM Hmm. Left arm only? I'm probably not the person to ask, because, in addition to being right handed, I have spastic quadriplegia, but, I found it really difficult to use my machine (Bernina 330 with knee lift) with only my left hand. The controls are clearly designed for righties. And lowering the presser foot onto the fabric without the fabric slipping away? Forget about it. Now, if the machine was a mirror image of what's available today, she could probably learn to splay her fingers so that a few guide the fabric, and a few operate the hover controls, start stop,tie off etc. If she can use a knee lift-- finesse is less important than a modicum of strength, then things might be different. PS Bernina's one piece feet are designed to be changed with only one hand-- left or right. There are mouth operated sewing machines, but that sort of interface may be alien to her. -- Edited on 7/10/12 9:09 PM -- -- Edited on 7/10/12 9:27 PM --
Skittl1321 Advanced Beginner IA USA Member since 9/9/07 Posts: 1043	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 7/10/12 9:16 PM I see that the Brother PC420-PRW has a knee lift and thread cutter. It looks like its retail is around $600ish and is under $400 on Amazon. (It also has needle up/down and start/stop). IIRC- this is one of the crossover machines that is sold mass market and through dealers. (My dealer recommends just buying it on your own and they offer a $150 "adopt a dealer" program for support if you want it. They can't discount the way Amazon can.) So that means you could likely go to a dealer and try it. If she has leg control for a knee lift, that will make it a lot easier. I'm not sure if you consider this inexpensive, for me it is starting to get into the pricier range (though certainly not as far as sewing machines go.) -- Edited on 7/10/12 9:17 PM --
bellsew   Advanced WA USA Member since 10/14/03 Posts: 390	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 7/10/12 9:31 PM What about the new Elna Lotus? It has all that room to the left of the needle, all buttons are easily accessible: start/stop, thread cutter, reverse, needle up/down in front, plus it's so cute and lightweight enough to lift with one good arm.
Marie367   Intermediate OH USA Member since 5/28/11 Posts: 1360	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 7/10/12 9:45 PM Wow, again something that is geared toward right-handed people. I never thought about that before as I am right-handed. There needs to be one nice machine built the other way so that it would be easier for left-handed folk. Suggestions? Well, I had the Brother 420-it is a solid machine has a thread cutter, knee lift, start/stop button, speed control-all the bells and whistles. I am wondering about some of the Janomes too. I bet there are several that would work. -- Edited on 7/10/12 10:22 PM --
iSewQuiltArt Advanced AUSTRALIA Member since 4/4/08 Posts: 3210	Login to reply to this post In reply to elizajo << Like this post Date: 7/10/12 9:49 PM I am a Bernina girl and would say you could do well with a 3 or 5 series machine but you won't get thread cutter until higher end 5 series machines- but you may not want to spend that much to get the thread cutter at the push of a button. If the thread cutter is not truly essential then you have a lot more options open up and and a lower pricepoint as well. If you must have the thread cutter then you might want to consider buying a used machine that is embroidery capable because then you get the thread cutter on most models- but do check it has it if this is essential to you. Some of the more modern machines with big throat plates making moving fabric around easy might be nice but you should know some of them have reported tremendous issues with thead cutters being unreliable, jamming up requiring a full strip down of the bobbin area to clear threads out before resuming...read the reviews well to avoid these models. Also good idea might be to look at a machine that can have the stitch plate popped off with no need for any screws whatsoever. Berninas will give you that from the Activa line upward and if you go to the 350 up you can add knee lift, but it can't be put onto the 215 Activa. There is start stop button on any of the machines with the sliding speed control but it works without the foot pedal being plugged in. The sliding speed control is what controls sewing speed. You might still find a used Aurora 430 or 440 and that has all you need except not built in thread cutter. It has ways to cut thread in bobbin area and on the head of the machine near the needle, and for winding the thread but not push button cut at the needle type of cutter. Lovely solid machines. The Husqvarna Sapphire 875 has a thread cutter and it gives you a sensor foot that will raise and lower with what you pre-program and it is push button presser foot control from the front of the machine, so no reaching around to the back for pressure foot lift, would be easier with only one hand. When you put fabric under the foot and step on the foot pedal the foot drops first before it begins to sew. I'd avoid the earlier Sapphire series ending in 'o' for reasons that will be come apparent if you read plenty of reviews. I believe the new line is supposed to have addressed the problems of the earlier models. Husqvarnas also have some models with no screws in the stitch plate, but not the low end machines such as the Emerald line. Janome appear to have screws in most machines I've ever seen as do Brothers I have seen. I don't know about their TOL models though, and these might be beyond your pricepoint? I just mention this because often removing screws is realistically a two handed job and she will need to regularly clean out the machine- had she considered this? Otherwise a magnetic screw driver might be worth a try to see if she can manage it if you find a machine that does screw down the stitch plate. I wish you good hunting for the machine just right for your daughter. ------ Quilting up a storm Bernina Girl
Skittl1321 Advanced Beginner IA USA Member since 9/9/07 Posts: 1043	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 7/10/12 9:49 PM There are the straight stitch machines like the handiquilter sweet sixteen that sit sideways compared to a normal machine. And I think that has the option of not using the presser foot (not sure). But I don't really know if you could piece on it, and you can't really do garment or craft sewing. It is meant for free motion quilting. But something to look into. (Also- not inexpensive, at all.)

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