09 March 2006

I need your help...

I've always been an artsy-creative kind of person. I've drawn, painted, used pastels. I like to make cards and do scrapbooking/memory books. I've done some things with beads (wooden, plastic, glass). I've used rubber stamps and embossing powder. I've done counted cross stitch & even latch hook rugs (the rugs, I did when I was young). Now, knitting. Spinning and weaving really interest me, too but I don't have alot of space or alot of money - so those two things are kind of on hold. Lately I've been thinking that I should have a sewing machine (mainly because my hand-sewing sucks and a machine would be quicker and should look nicer!). But sewing machines nowadays are kind of...scary. I mean, there are sewing machines that run on Microsoft Windows!

Here's where I need help. What should I look for in a sewing machine? What bells & whistles do I need? And what brand(s) are good? I just want a basic sewing machine. One that, well, sews. You know. Straight lines. One that's pretty simple to use (I've never used one!). One that doesn't cost a ton of money. Oh! And one that's not huge (remember my space issues). I know alot of you sew...so, any suggestions????

By the way, a quilting magazine was given to me. I looked through it, at the sewing machine ads, thinking they might help...they were NO help! In fact, I'm more confused now than I was before!

Lent-Along Update: I haven't been doing much knitting. My arms/wrists/hands have been hurting me (even when I'm not knitting), so I've been doing minimal knitting. Maybe my tendons (or whatever) are still healing from the Killer Shawl??? I refuse to think that it's some kind of serious damage. Because, really, some days, I think knitting is what keeps me sane and calm - so I refuse to think that perhaps I won't be able to do it!

Enjoy the weekend...and MAKE it a great day!

4 comments:

Carole Knits said...

What you want to look for in a sewing machine depends on what you want to sew. If you just want to make quilts you really just need a machine that will go back and forth. however, if you want to finish quilts on the machine, it's nice to be able to stipple and for that you need a machine that will let you drop the feed dogs and attach a special foot. A walking foot is also nice for quilting. If you're doing clothes, a blind hem is essential and also something that makes nice and simple buttonholes. Those are the basics, I think. I can tell you more if you want. My bestest friend in the whole world works with sewing machines.

Maribel said...

Thank you for all your beautiful birthday wishes, they helped make the day even more special !

Anonymous said...

My best advice to you is to go out and ask lots of salespeople. Tell them your needs and hear what they have to say. Don't be pushed into anything and tell them you are just trying to get some info first-so they won't be dissapointed when you don't buy anything right away. I bought my machine last year and love it, but it's an expensive one we're still paying off. I love to sew and this was my dream to have a fab sewing machine. Mines is a Pfaff which is popular here. I went with one that I could get fixed quickly because you know everything breaks at some point and you don't want to be without a machine for too long. That's what I did-I hope it helps. You just need to look at as many machines as you can and make a decision based on that.

f. pea said...

Angelia, let me know what you learn! We're in the market for a sewing machine too - I have a tinny old one that my partner has been using as he becomes a quilting addict, but it's really not up to the job. So I think there's a new machine on the horizon... gulp!