Question for people who know sewing machines

The Coffee Shop
1

I am researching sewing machines for my wife’s Christmas present and have a decision to make. I need a little advice, so I decided to throw it out to the ST crowd and see if I can get some advice.

First, price is somewhat of a limiter. I have about $500 cash to spend but as you will soon see I am willing to go to $600.

There is a local stitching shop that sells Janome sewing machines. They really seem to be the only specialty store in the area so I am pretty sure that I am going to buy a Janome. I am hesitant to get a machine from a Walmart or Sears simply because of the extra perks, like discounted lessons, extended service warraty, discounted fabric, that I can get from the local shop. So Janome it is.

My wife has expressed an interest in learning how to sew. I think she wants to make nursing scrubs, hats, scarfs and so on. It is possible that she may want to quilt at some point, but that is currently not the motivation. She has no experience with sewing machines, she is a very “quick-learn” at this sort of thing.

Here is the dilemma. I had pretty much settled on the Janome Decor DC3018 which is the basic electronic sewing machine. It seems easy to use and the lady who owns the shop seemed to think this would be a nice machine for my wife to start on because it can handle everything that she wants to do, plus if she ever wanted to quilt, she would be able to do that as well. The price of this machine is $369. Included is 2 yrs. parts and labor, a free how-to class, discounted project classes, and some kind of stitching club membership.

Then I see the wall with the used machines. On it is the Janome Master Craft 4800. This is the machine that ranked very high on the Consumer Reports review. It is an older model, currently replaced by the 4900, but is apparently pretty high end. It retails at around $1400. This shop is selling it for $599. The machine is 5 years old, has been used moderately, and has had some service although not at this particular shop. It also has been reconditioned by the store that is now trying to sell it. The main feature that I think is worth spending the extra money for is that it can embroider letters and numbers in different sizes and in 3 different fonts. This is something that the other machine cannot do at all. There is only a 6 month parts and labor warranty on the used machine, and no additional perks.

So, here is the question. Is it worth spending the extra money on the machine to be able to do the embroidery? Or is the extra money better spent on fabric or patterns or something of that nature?

Thanks for any help,

Bernie

2

I know nothing about this, but you may want to PM trailbait. She sells all those cute hats and other accessories and seems to know her way around a sewing machine.

3

Thanks AmyCO. I was kind of hoping that trailbait would see this and give me a suggestion. I will PM her and see what she thinks. You are correct, a lot of her hats and stuff are pretty cool (or warm as the case may be). Her website is good and her new blog does a nice job of showing her wares. I especially like the satellite map that shows where the hats are that she has sent out.

Bernie

4

Is the model you are looking at a commercial type machine or a portable one? I honestly have been very happy with my inexpensive Kenmore from Sears. It’s portable and sets up on the kitchen table easily. My mom has a commercial type machine, built into a table, etc. I think it would be a bit overkill for someone who is not sewing/tailoring for a living. I’ve done quilts (a couple race t-shirt quilts), Halloween costumes and alterations without a problem on the Kenmore. FWIW…

5

slowbern

What a nice gift for your wife! I would go with an entry level machine and then if she really gets into it she can look at other used models later on. Plus the other machine is used and who knows what type of reconditioned shape it’s in.

I hope your wife enjoys sewing!

6

Amy,
Thanks for the advice. No, actually it is not a commercial machine and it is quite portable. I agree that it is a lot of machine, but there is quite a bit of value for that price.

Bernie

7

trailbait,

Thanks so much for the advice. I think that I have just about made up my mind to get the more basic machine. I think there is quite a benefit for her with the free club membership, discounted classes, and discounted fabric that is tied into the new machine. Not to mention that she can “trade up” with the new machine for full value for a whole year. Again thanks for your time.

Bernie

8

A sewing machine for Christmas? Why don’t you get her a mop while your’e at it! You are a much braver man than me.

9

Sid,

What can I say? My wife is pretty hard to buy presents for. I got this idea because she was saying how she wanted to start making clothes and hats and stuff like that. If she wants to do that she will need a sewing machine.

Still, I guess I see your point. It could be misconstrued as sort of a sexist present. But, you know, I am such an enlightened male that I never even recognized that possibility.

There is this guy I work with who bought his wife a gas-powered weed whip for her birthday. He justified by saying that it was an upgrade from the corded electric one she had been using for the last 2 years. Now THAT is a brave man!

Bernie

10

I would get the less costly ones and get her into the class. Yes I (as a man) own a sewing machine and have made my own curtains, blankets, and on and on…I would have been better served with lessons on how to do things as opposed to the ability to do things I have no idea how to do.

11

That’s what I plan on doing for my wife this Christmas…She likes to decorate, a lot, so she wants to be able to make her own custom stuff.

Now, having said that…Your post made me chuckle…I just picture you with thimble on finger, those little glasses, and a tape measure around your neck…Kicking someones ass…

:slight_smile:

12

Bernie–i bought a janome a couple of years ago, one that was around 900 bucks, on sale (memory craft 3500). i didn’t even know how to sew yet, but knew i wanted something that would keep me happy for a long time. it was a good decision, i love the machine.

janome is awesome. they make a model, maybe it is the 415 (can’t remember), that is around 400-450 bucks. i considered that machine. i remember it had like 14 stitches and could do lots of things. a good first machine. i encourage you to go this route, spend as close to your budget as possible, because it will make her experience much better and she will continue with it. also, she will able to do more, so if she wants to upgrade, she can put that off longer.

my machine has 50 stitches and is computerized. well, after learning the basics, i was doing everything possible, even though i was a beginner. it’s very fair to say that once the basics are learned in class, she will use everything on that machine, you can believe that. (don’t listen to chip…lol)

also, will the shop buy back her machine if she wants to upgrade or anything like this somewhere down the road? if not, try to find a shop that does, alot of them will do that and it is a good deal.

when you buy the machine, there might be an opportunity for free classes. my shop offers that, and some of the ladies in there have been in the monday night free class for years! (if you buy a machine you get to a free class for as long as you like). make sure to check into that!

have fun shopping, i’m sure she’ll love it!

kc

13

also, bern, don’t be afraid that you’re going to send a backward message by buying her a machine. it has become cool again to make things. that’s why knitting is so popular now and sewing is making a huge comeback too. it’s not about sewing for the family, but about being creative and having fun, doing what she wants. if she is talking about making her own things, then i think you are offering a terrific present.

just don’t get her “old lady” scissors.

14

(reply) There is this guy I work with who bought his wife a gas-powered weed whip for her birthday. He justified by saying that it was an upgrade from the corded electric one she had been using for the last 2 years. Now THAT is a brave man!

This reminds me of my 12th birthday. I got a new lawn mower because the the electric one I was using was dying. Boy did I love that mower, best present I ever did get;)

15

I’m late in on this, but get the basic machine. In fact, I would recommend an even more basic mechanical machine with a good motor and non-plastic parts even more than the Janome. The embroidery functions and computerized bunches of stitches are nice for someone experienced, but the more complicated machines have a lower life expectancy, plus are in the shop more often, and often have a weaker feeder/motor system and are thus not able to handle thicker or heavier fabrics. Depending on what your wife is planning to sew, a really basic mechanical machine is all she needs, and may enjoy more, since it is less complicated, plus they tend to be sturdier and break down less often. If you are choosing between those two models you mentioned, definitely go for the basic one! Otherwise, if your wife is planning to use the machine for either home decorating projects or for projects using more technical materials, you may want to look into a really basic 20-or-so stitch mechanical machine, (old-school style, where you set stitch length and stitch choice by hand with knobs, so no computer system, and with a stronger motor, and preferrably metal parts) as those last longer and are much more multi-functional. She can always get an embroidery machine or overlock later when she figures out her sewing needs through experience.