Does anyone here sew?

[JenT 0]

My sad, tired machine is 18 yrs old.... and is not as precise as is needed for the kind of sewing that's in my near future. (I never have been able to properly adjust thread tension.) Horse show outfits are SO expensive (i.e. $150-300 for one shirt) that I've decided to make my daughter's on my own. EVENTUALLY (hopefully 10+ yrs from now), I want to make my older daughter's wedding dress, so whatever I purchase will have to last a good decade/plus.

I don't need a ton of bells and whistles.... I don't know what they are these days anyway. I do need a machine that will sew through a double layer of suede or leather and can sew intricate appliques.

Does anyone have any recommendations of machines or perhaps even online purchasing options? Anything to stay away from? I talked to one woman to JoAnn Fabrics the other day and I was practically drooling at what she said some of the newer machines can do. Makes my old one seem like a true dinosaur.

How about active web sites/bulletin boards for sewing tips, etc???

Jen

[a-jeanne 2]

Mine is a Janome and here is the link - there are many different price ranges for what you are looking for.

I love mine and use it for everything from hemming jeans to quilting. I too love to sew and this is by far the best sewing machine that I have ever had.

http://www.allbrands.com/products/abc0851.html

[Jasman0717 9]

Claudeth was just dying to have a sewing machine so I bought her a very nice singer from Sears and it is still sitting in the box

[Marilyn. 340]

I think my mom has a Janome and it works great... she has had it for a long time now.... she sewed my wedding dress on it....

[a-jeanne 2]

Oh no - that's a shame. Once you get started, it's hard to stop. I have been sewing since I was 8 years old.

[Nessa 23]

Claudeth was just dying to have a sewing machine so I bought her a very nice singer from Sears and it is still sitting in the box

send it to me.

[JenT 0]

Oh no - that's a shame. Once you get started, it's hard to stop. I have been sewing since I was 8 years old.

Me too. My mother taught me on our dining room table. I was so proud when I wore one of the shirts I made to school and got compliments on it.

Most recent years, I've only sewed Halloween costumes (very detailed ones) and stuff for around the house like bedskirts and window treatments. I really need to get a dress form so I can make things for myself too. wonder if they make dress forms small enough for my daughters.... size 0 and 1...?

Jen

[Fandango 1,440]

I would love to really sew, and I've been talking to my mom about us taking a sewing class. We look at machines from time to time and they seem so cool lately! She only sews hems Put it this way, her machine is avocado green

A friend of ours got a great machine, and made a pillow or something small and then stopped. Her husband says 'yeah my wife wants a machine where you put the fabric in on one end and a dress pops out the other'

I dunno, but even now, that makes me LOL.

Keep us posted Jen! I'd love to hear about what you find!

[a-jeanne 2]

Oh no - that's a shame. Once you get started, it's hard to stop. I have been sewing since I was 8 years old.

Me too. My mother taught me on our dining room table. I was so proud when I wore one of the shirts I made to school and got compliments on it.

Most recent years, I've only sewed Halloween costumes (very detailed ones) and stuff for around the house like bedskirts and window treatments. I really need to get a dress form so I can make things for myself too. wonder if they make dress forms small enough for my daughters.... size 0 and 1...?

Jen

Joann's is having a big sale - http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog.jsp?CAT...CFQ6CPAod-VZ9Kg.

Also try Ebay - I do know that they have had forms for sale.

Good luck...

[Amby 490]

I wish I could sew. Neil's mom taught me how to knit last year and I'm addicted to knitting.

[JenT 0]

Mine is a Janome and here is the link - there are many different price ranges for what you are looking for.

I love mine and use it for everything from hemming jeans to quilting. I too love to sew and this is by far the best sewing machine that I have ever had.

http://www.allbrands.com/products/abc0851.html

Huh. I've never heard of Janome.... how can I tell from the description that the machine can handle leather?

[JanaknJanet 0]

Hi.. My mother is the seamstress in this family... she makes heirloom christening dresses with lace cutwork and beautiful embroidery.. .. her machine is a fancy Pfaff creative machine.. it connects to the computer and all kinds of bells and whistles. woaaaaa.. too fancy for this one... soo instead .. I was lucky to be given her older machine... augh... still has bells and whistles.. still a pfaff.. does some embroidery stuff.. but not as foofy..

Take a look at Pfaff http://www.pfaffusa.com/21.html..

here in oregon is a place that we go to .. Montavilla sewing. montavillasewing.com they have classes and such... you might try sending them a email and see what they can suggest for what kind of sewing you hope to do..especially if you are doing thicker sewing work..

have fun....

[a-jeanne 2]

Mine is a Janome and here is the link - there are many different price ranges for what you are looking for.

I love mine and use it for everything from hemming jeans to quilting. I too love to sew and this is by far the best sewing machine that I have ever had.

http://www.allbrands.com/products/abc0851.html

Huh. I've never heard of Janome.... how can I tell from the description that the machine can handle leather?

This is the one that I have and it goes through anything. I just love it.

Mine is a Janome and here is the link - there are many different price ranges for what you are looking for.

I love mine and use it for everything from hemming jeans to quilting. I too love to sew and this is by far the best sewing machine that I have ever had.

http://www.allbrands.com/products/abc0851.html

Huh. I've never heard of Janome.... how can I tell from the description that the machine can handle leather?

This is the one that I have and it goes through anything. I just love it.

http://www.allbrands.com/products/abp08906-1586.html

[Nessa 23]

If I could afford right now I'd buy a Singer. I'm used to have my pants modified and it's so dang expensive. It would be nice if I could do it myself.

[JenT 0]

[http://www.allbrands.com/products/abp08906-1586.html

Wow.... that's one that can probably run itself. I'm drooling now.