Newbie Questions

[marypoppins]

I, personally, would go ahead and get the CS600I.  It gives you so many more decorative stitches including several one-step buttonholes.

Then when you go visit your mother, bring home your old machine.  As long as you have the space for it, an extra machine is always handy.  I have three sewing machines, a serger, and an embroidery machine to accomodate all my needs. 

I would recommend that you take the old Singer in for a servicing when you get it.  It is a machine and they do need maintenance every now and then.  Especially if they have been sitting in storage for a while.

[MooCowing]

Thanks, Mary.

I remember my granny has two sewing machines (her old one, and my mom's), and a serger as well. I never got a chance to use the serger, and it was intimidating at best. But yes, I agree that having two sewing machines is a good idea.

Where would I take a sewing machine to get serviced?

I found an ad on Craigslist today for a Singer that looks like its from the 60s or 70s. It comes with a beautiful sewing table with fold out sides and a full cabinet underneath. It's only $50 for all of it. If anything, the table is worth that much even if the machine is junk. Either way, I'm going to wait for a reply before I run out and buy a new sewing machine.
http://images.craigslist.org/5Z45Kf5Fc3Gb3N83o2c2ff3b16155fd5310ad.jpg
It won't let me post a picture yet, but here's a link. ^

[marypoppins]

You could ask at your Joanns if they have people they recommend.  Otherwise look for a sewing machine dealer or someone who services small machines.  I have a couple of small sewing shops near me and one services Brothers and Vikings and the other services Baby Locks.  There is also a small vaccuum store and they work on sewing machines as well.

[peppersaskatoon]

For the price, I've been really happy with my Kenmore machines (from Sears).

[MooCowing]

Never heard back from the guy on Craigslist.

After much debate and many reviews, I decided on the Brother XL-2600i only to discover that it will take two weeks to ship out here. I'm impatient. So I called around, and the local walmart has the Brother LX-2500, which is a similar model with fewer features at the same price. I will be purchasing the LX-2500 tomorrow, and if in a month or so I decide it's too simple for me I will order another model with more features and return the LX-2500 when it arrives. Although, I don't think I'll need anything other than the basics any time soon, so I'm sure the LX-2500 is going to be great.

Thanks again, everyone for all of the advice! I'll post periodically around the forums so I can show off my progress. I think I'm going to start with simple projects, like my own cloth grocery bags and maybe some small plushies.

[burningpixie]

Thanks for this thread.

[LMAshton]

About the cat...

Make sure that you *always* put the thread away and/or cover the machine so that the cat cannot get at any of the thread. Cats have a tendency to eat thread, and that can kill them.

My cat survived, happily, but it was close.

[JHall]

About the cat...

Make sure that you *always* put the thread away and/or cover the machine so that the cat cannot get at any of the thread. Cats have a tendency to eat thread, and that can kill them.

My cat survived, happily, but it was close.

My cat has never done that!!! However, I will keep that in mind for future cats. (My old man is 14-15 years old ... so there will be future cats)

[ADDCrafting]

About the cat...

Make sure that you *always* put the thread away and/or cover the machine so that the cat cannot get at any of the thread. Cats have a tendency to eat thread, and that can kill them.

My cat survived, happily, but it was close.

I got a Clover Stack and Store Bobbin Holder at my local sewing shop (at Amazon) and it's been a real life and thread saver. Even when I forget to put my thread back in the drawer, it's always clipped in, so I can always find it all. It's a little pricey for just starting out, but once you get enough bobbins that they start becoming cat toys, it's definitely worth it.

[jslcook]

Thanks for this post...I have been really wanting to start sewing. I do cross stitch and i have 3 kids and really want to start learning to make things for them. this post has helped me a lot. i my self are thinking of going with the Brother XL-2600i or the Singer® 3116 Sewing Machine. does anyone suggest which one would be better. just curious!