Sewing Machine Meme Answers

I posted my answers on my blog: http://wonderment.jeremiahone.net/2009/06/29/sewing-machine-meme/

It's a Singer 5160 (my old machine - just got a new one that I haven't done the meme for, having only owned it 4 days).

What brand and model do you have? Necchi model 4595

How long have you had it? 15 years

How much does that machine cost (approximately)? $400 new

What types of things do you sew (i.e. quilting, clothing, handbags, home dec projects, etc.)? Everything

How much do you sew? How much wear and tear does the machine get? Appox 2-3 weekly

Do you like/love/hate your machine? Are you ambivalent? Passionate? Does she have a name? Hmmm, I do love her but I wouldn't mind a newer machine LOL.

What features does your machine have that work well for you? It is simple, all metal parts, a work horse

Is there anything that drives you nuts about your machine? It is noisy as heck! Even after tune-ups!

Do you have a great story to share about your machine (i.e., Found it under the Christmas tree? Dropped it on the kitchen floor? Sewed your fingernail to your zipper?, Got it from your Great Grandma?, etc.!)? We want to hear it!
Nothing exciting. I did scrimp and save to buy it though.

Would you recommend the machine to others? Why? Yes, it is a good basic machine that has never given me any problems.

What factors do you think are important to consider when looking for a new machine? Quality construction!

Do you have a dream machine? Well I do dream of one of the electric machines that can do all sorts of fancy-pants stitches...ahhh...

So I'm really late... but I wanted to post this in case it could help anyone.

What brand and model do you have?

Singer 7463

How long have you had it?

8 months total, though I've been through two of them.

How much does that machine cost (approximately)?

$199

What types of things do you sew (i.e. quilting, clothing, handbags, home dec projects, etc.)?

Blankets, small handbags, baby gift sets

How much do you sew? How much wear and tear does the machine get?

Anywhere from once a week to several hours a day, depending on how things are going.  The machine is used alot, but I also spend a lot of time on maintenance... vacuum it out, oil it, etc...

Do you like/love/hate your machine? Are you ambivalent? Passionate? Does she have a name?

I loved my machine, but it didn't love me.  In the end, we had to break up.  I kept giving and giving... and it kept taking and taking.

What features does your machine have that work well for you?

I had no trouble with the bobbin winder or drop in bobbin.  

Is there anything that drives you nuts about your machine?

The first one I got was in Jan '09.  It lasted me until June, and I started having a lot of problems with it.  It started making terrible noises, sounded awful, wouldn't sew straight, stitches were inconsistent, tension was messing up intermittently   I had to stop using it for vacation, got back and it was worse than ever.  I sent it in for service (it took 3 weeks) and they sent it back saying they had adjusted the tension and found nothing wrong.  It worked quietly for about 10 minutes, and then started freaking out again.  I took it back and they swapped it out for a new one . The new one started having problems with feeding the fabric and rattling by the second day.  The pressure on the presser foot was off, and there was no way of adjusting it.  No way to lower the feed dogs either.  I ended up returning it for a refund.

Do you have a great story to share about your machine (i.e., Found it under the Christmas tree? Dropped it on the kitchen floor? Sewed your fingernail to your zipper?, Got it from your Great Grandma?, etc.!)? We want to hear it!

I got the sewing machine for Xmas.  It was my first machine and I was really excited to get it.  I was also really excited it was a Singer.

Would you recommend the machine to others? Why?

If you don't use it very often, then maybe yes.  Otherwise, No.  I think the production value on the machine was really low.  It isn't made well enough to withstand frequent use.  It just ended up feeling chintzy.

What factors do you think are important to consider when looking for a new machine?

Features that you know you will use on a regular basis.
The ability to adjust features that might get off, like presser foot pressure, thread tension, etc.
Price
Brand
And most of all:  reviews.  Sew, Mama, Sew is a great resource.  Consumer report is helpful as well.

Do you have a dream machine?

Boy, I wanted to buy that Janome 6600.  It has a lot of really neat features, but maybe in a few years... all the machines will have such nice bells and whistles, we will see.

thanks for the reviews. I just planning to buy a sewing machine and i'm so confused on what machine will fit to my way of embroidering.

what brand/model: singer 15-90 c.1948

how long have you had it?: 3 months

How much did it cost?: $40

what do you sew with it?: bags, sacks, plan on doing a quilt soon

how much do you sew?: about 2-3 hours a week

do you like/love/hate your machine?: i do like it a lot, it is very simple and easy to use and has a beautiful straight stitch.

what features do you like?: the stitch length adjustment is very precise and it has a nice reverse stitch, those are about all the features it has and i like the simplicity, not so many features to distract you.

anything that drives you nuts?: it will VERY RARLY skip a stitch, probably just an adjustment issue.

Great story about the machine: well, i got it at the local rummage sell in need of a good cleaning and a new belt and oiling and lubrication.

factors in deciding a machine: mostly good, high quality, metal parts and not so many features to go wrong or break.

dream machine: this is it!

what brand/model: Singer Simple (Singer 3116)

how long have you had it?: I just sold it last week. I'd had it for about 1.5 years.

How much did it cost?: $100, which I realize now was probably too little to spend on a new machine.

what do you sew with it?: I’ve made aprons, pieced quilts, and sewn bags. It wasn't powerful enough to quilt with, though.

how much do you sew?: Quite often. I'd guess about 10-20 hours per week. However, about half that time was spent fidgeting with the machine to get it to work, and sometimes I couldn't get it to work at all.

do you like/love/hate your machine?: I liked it at first, but slowly came to hate it because of the issues I was having with tension and little nests of thread. I couldn't sew more than a few stitches without having some type of problem.

what features do you like?: I liked the variety of stitches.

anything that drives you nuts?: Tension issues. I'm pretty new to sewing so I thought a "simple" machine would be good. It wasn't.

Great story about the machine: I got it for my college graduation...I guess that's a story?

factors in deciding a machine:
-costs under $250.
-is capable of quilting.
-either comes with a darning foot and an even feed foot, or has reasonably priced feet available for purchase.
-has a drop-in bobbin.
-comes with a variety of decorative stitches.
-has buttonhole feature.
-has automatic tension.
-has adjustable stitch length & width.
-has adjustable presser foot pressure.
-A quilting table would be nice, but isn't a necessity.

dream machine:
A Bernina, one that fits my needs and wants. Someday!

What brand and model do you have?

A Helvetia AF 808 and a Janome, the Helvetia is at least 30 years old and the Janome is 45.
 
How long have you had it?

I've had the Helvetia for about 10 years, it was passed down to me from my mum when she stopped sewing. She received it as a bit of a surprise when an elderly lady down the road passed away, it was left to her in the will. The Janome was my grandmothers, I needed a machine to wind bobbins (as my beautiful Helvetia wont) and she cant thread it anymore.

How much does that machine cost (approximately)?

They were both given to me.

What types of things do you sew (i.e. quilting, clothing, handbags, home dec projects, etc.)?

I quilt, make baby things, use them to make things for my son's school, sew clothes for myself and make toys.
 
How much do you sew? How much wear and tear does the machine get?

I quilt at least 6 hours a week and usually have one or two other projects on the go, so probably 10 to 12 hours a week. I use my Helvetia the most.

Do you like/love/hate your machine? Are you ambivalent? Passionate? Does she have a name?

I adore my Helvetia, she is my baby. I know all of her quibbles. She always makes a good job of anything we're doing and for as old as she is, her functions are quite modern. The Janome is an old war horse, It takes a lot of setting up and my back hates having to lift it. I use it mostly for winding bobbins as my Helvetia has forgotten how. As soon as the quilt I'm working on is finished She's going in for a service.
   
What features does your machine have that work well for you?

It handles very thick quilts wonderfully and all of its stitches are very easy to use, also its easy enough to take apart and put back together.

Is there anything that drives you nuts about your machine?

Bobbins, I just want to be able to wind bobbins! Also it would be great to be able to drop the feed dog.

Do you have a great story to share about your machine (i.e., Found it under the Christmas tree? Dropped it on the kitchen floor? Sewed your fingernail to your zipper?, Got it from your Great Grandma?, etc.!)? We want to hear it!

The Helvetia came to me through my mum and the Janome was my grandmothers. My mum used to use the Helvetia to make beautiful silk dragon kites and heavy duty canvas horse rugs. Grandma used to make my sister and I matching dresses on the Janome.

Would you recommend the machine to others? Why?

The Helvetia, defiantly. She's such an elegant, easy to use machine. Lots of different stitches and I have always been able to fix problems myself, bobbin thingie excluded.

What factors do you think are important to consider when looking for a new machine?

Metal components, they last so much longer. I don't think I would get on very well with a computerized machine so something semi industrial is perfect for me.

Do you have a dream machine?

My Helvetia is amazing but (and its a very small but) I would love a Juki, all those features on a semi industrial machine, long throat and neck, all metal components, a feed dog that drops inside the machine not just a plate that raises. Drool... 

What brand and model do you have?
Pfaff Expression 2.0

How long have you had it?
3 months

How much does that machine cost (approximately)?
I paid $1400, they retail for about $1499 to $1600

What types of things do you sew (i.e. quilting, clothing, handbags, home dec projects, etc.)?
Mostly handbags and clothing, some home dec projects, and I have just started quilting

How much do you sew? How much wear and tear does the machine get?
I sew at least 2-3 times a week now, after the summer is over, I tend to sew more

Do you like/love/hate your machine? Are you ambivalent? Passionate? Does she have a name?
I love my machine! Haven't named it yet 

What features does your machine have that work well for you?
love love love the integrated dual feed, love the speed control, the digital display is easy to use, and I love that it came with so many accessories, I think the only extra I bought was a teflon foot. The extra room that the long arm provides is fantastic.

Is there anything that drives you nuts about your machine?
It is a bit heavy, but I don't move it often, so not really a huge inconvenience for me.

Do you have a great story to share about your machine (i.e., Found it under the Christmas tree? Dropped it on the kitchen floor? Sewed your fingernail to your zipper?, Got it from your Great Grandma?, etc.!)? We want to hear it!
Nothing exciting, I "courted" it for about 2 months before I purchased it. It was such a huge investment for me, I have never bought a machine so expensive, but I like the idea that I will have it for many years, and that I don't have to go far to have it serviced.

Would you recommend the machine to others? Why?
Yes, but I recommend trying all brands before you settle on one to buy. Just because I love my machine, doesn't necessarily mean that it is right for you. I tried machines that a lot of people love, but they didn't feel good to me...everyone is different.

What factors do you think are important to consider when looking for a new machine?
What kind of sewing you do, and how long you sew in one sitting. Also, don't be pressured into buying more machine than you really need. If you don't see yourself using 200 different stitch patterns, then don't allow yourself to be talked into spending the extra money for them. If you purchased from a shop that does trade-ins, you can always trade when you are ready for more machine.

Do you have a dream machine?
I would love to own the Bernina 830, but that is WAY out of my league! I would say this is my dream machine...not really in want of anything else!

What brand and model do you have?
 
BabyLock BL6300 Pro Line
 
How long have you had it?

9 years
 
How much does that machine cost (approximately)? $
 
$375
 
What types of things do you sew (i.e. quilting, clothing, handbags, home dec projects, etc.)?
 
Bags, little girls' clothing, baby gifts, accessories, home dec, costumes, just about everything!
 
How much do you sew? How much wear and tear does the machine get?
 
6-8 hours per week, although the machine got very little use for the first 6 or 7 years of its life!
 
Do you like/love/hate your machine? Are you ambivalent? Passionate? Does she have a name?
 
I like her.  She's fairly reliable and only gives me fits when she's in need of a good cleaning.
 
What features does your machine have that work well for you?
 
automatic buttonhole!  Otherwise, it's a pretty basic machine with a few decorative stitches.
 
Is there anything that drives you nuts about your machine?

Had to replace the reverse lever because it's plastic and it broke.  It will happen again, I'm sure.  Also had to replace the foot pedal because the wires came loose.  Sometimes it eats the fabric.  The stitches aren't always consistent so it's sometimes hard to get really straight topstitching, and it's not exactly quiet.
 
 
Do you have a great story to share about your machine (i.e., Found it under the Christmas tree? Dropped it on the kitchen floor? Sewed your fingernail to your zipper?, Got it from your Great Grandma?, etc.!)? We want to hear it!
 
After we got married and moved into our 1940's-era military base house, I decided I needed curtains to make the house less depressing.  My mom had taught me to sew, but I didn't have a machine of my own.  I went to the only sewing shop in the little town we lived near, and bought the machine they suggested because it was on sale.  It turned out to be a good, reliable machine and I proceeded to make some really terrible curtains (though that was my own fault).  Thankfully, my BabyLock has been patient with me and my skills have improved!

Would you recommend the machine to others? Why?
 
Yes,if you're looking for a basic machine.  The newest version of my machine is computerized (mine has a dial-selector for the stitches)
 
What factors do you think are important to consider when looking for a new machine?
 
reliability, and the ability of the machine to "grow" with you.  I have outgrown my machine in some ways, so I've been looking to upgrade.

Also, look for as little plastic on the inside as possible.
 
Do you have a dream machine?

Husquvarna Viking sewing/embroidery machine.  I used my Mom's Designer 1 and loved how smoothly it operates.
 

What brand and model do you have?
singer 201-2 and a singer model 15

How long have you had it?
my grandmother had the 201-2 from 1951 until 2000, then my mom held it for me until 2006, when i got it. so 6 years. the treadle (model 15) i got four and a half months ago

How much does that machine cost (approximately)?
no idea. based on how well they both work, probably a lot now

What types of things do you sew (i.e. quilting, clothing, handbags, home dec projects, etc.)?
clothing, occassionally accessories

How much do you sew? How much wear and tear does the machine get?
most of the time i'm minding clothes, every two months or so i make a full garment on the electric. haven't had a chance to make anything on the treadle yet

Do you like/love/hate your machine? Are you ambivalent? Passionate? Does she have a name?
love both my machines. the electric is named lillian. haven't gotten a feel yet for the treadle's personality to name it

What features does your machine have that work well for you?
the main presser foot is very narrow on the left which helps with tiny seam allowances and basting. they're also really sturdy so when i'm making my heavy-duty projects they're not over taxed

Is there anything that drives you nuts about your machine?
on the electric if i want to do anything other than a straight stitch i have to replace the needle attachment instead of just flipping a switch or turning a knob

Do you have a great story to share about your machine (i.e., Found it under the Christmas tree? Dropped it on the kitchen floor? Sewed your fingernail to your zipper?, Got it from your Great Grandma?, etc.!)? We want to hear it!
already told it  electric was a hand-me-down from grandma (with all the original attachments and sewing table and everything else), the treadle was a gift this last christmas

Would you recommend the machine to others? Why?
very much so. most machines have so much plastic in them that they can't handle heavy sewing. my machines can do (almost) anything

What factors do you think are important to consider when looking for a new machine?
reliability and materials used in the moving parts. i actually have broken a previous machine of mine and a machine of my mother's as well as destroying the bobbin thread tension and foot pedal on my boyfriend's. except for the bobbin tension, it was plastic parts that broke.

Do you have a dream machine?
i would love to have one for every major stage of sewing machine history (can we say nerd  ) including a hand crank, and one of the early electronics. singer's current anniversary model is also gorgeous

What brand and model do you have?
Viking 990

How long have you had it?
18 months

How much does that machine cost (approximately)?
Not sure, it was given to me. I  saw one once on ebay for $350, I think.

What types of things do you sew (i.e. quilting, clothing, handbags, home dec projects, etc.)?
I mostly make bags and purses but I do work on some other fun home projects, too.

How much do you sew? How much wear and tear does the machine get?
I was sewing almost every day. I just recently moved so not as much right now.

Do you like/love/hate your machine? Are you ambivalent? Passionate? Does she have a name?
LOVE my machine! It's heavy duty and sews through many many layers. She also has some fancy stitches. I believe she was built in the 80s and she works great!

What features does your machine have that work well for you?
 It's heavy duty, self oiling, has different programmable stitches, the feet interchange easily, you can adjust the pressure of the presser foot.

Is there anything that drives you nuts about your machine?
No, not really!

Do you have a great story to share about your machine (i.e., Found it under the Christmas tree? Dropped it on the kitchen floor? Sewed your fingernail to your zipper?, Got it from your Great Grandma?, etc.!)? We want to hear it!
A girl I sort of knew gave it to me. It was her grandma's and she wanted a newer machine. I don't think she realized what she was getting rid of because this machine is GREAT! We were stationed in Italy and over there the electricity runs off of 220v instead of 110v like in the States. If something isn't dual voltage you'll need a transformer. I started up a sewing club that met every other week. In this particular room we actually had 110v plugs and 220v. One meeting we had a bunch of ladies show up and were short on 110v plugs we could use. I noticed that on the bottom of my pedal it said 100v-240v which means dual voltage. But, when I plugged my machine into the 220v outlet it immediately fried it. I should have looked on the bottom of the machine and not the pedal. Needless to say I was super upset. I called a Viking dealership but they couldn't help me because it was over 25 yrs old. But, I ended up finding a repair place about an hour away that fixed it! I picked it back up on my birthday!! I couldn't have been more excited to have my machine back. I searched and searched for the same machine on ebay and could never find one.

Would you recommend the machine to others? Why?
Yes! I just love this machine!

What factors do you think are important to consider when looking for a new machine?
I need a heavy duty machine because I usually sew bags and need to sew through about 12 layers material and about 1/2 of those are interfaced. I've had 2 Singer Curvy's and the tension got messed up on both of them. I like my machine to have a free arm, a presser foot that can be lifted, one step button hole, feed dogs that can be lowered, needle position that can be adjusted from left to right and that can stop up or down.

Do you have a dream machine?
Not yet, I think I want an embroider machine next, though.