Who else knits or crochets or sews?

[critter crazy]

Since you all seem to be experts here, i would like to know what is the best Brand/type of sewing machine to strat on. I have always done all of my sewing by hand, but would like to buy a sewing machine! I have used one before, but it was years ago, so I need a pretty straight forward one, that is easy to use. I have seen tons of Digital ones, what are they for? Pardon me for being dense, but I realy have more clue!

[DrKym]

Maggie ,
A good simple Singer or a Brother are both fine machines for a reasonable price. Walmart carries both and you can get a plain machine for around 100.00.

Once you are way comfortable with them, you can always upgrade to other types.

[critter crazy]

Maggie ,
A good simple Singer or a Brother are both fine machines for a reasonable price. Walmart carries both and you can get a plain machine for around 100.00.

Once you are way comfortable with them, you can always upgrade to other types.

Okay realy stupid question, but how easy are they to thread?? I have a very hard time threading needles, which is one of the reasons I would like a sewing machine. My problem is, I have no sight in my right eye, and becaus of this I have no Depth perception, so I am hoping they are slightly easier. i have one of those Needle threader thingies, but even that can be a challenge.

[emily_the_spoiled]

Start with the "basic" machines and you can always get the fancy ones later. But the basic machines aren't so basic anymore. They will do button-holes, zippers, etc. I remember when all of that stuff was not available on the starter machine

[DrKym]

Okay realy stupid question, but how easy are they to thread?? I have a very hard time threading needles, which is one of the reasons I would like a sewing machine. My problem is, I have no sight in my right eye, and becaus of this I have no Depth perception, so I am hoping they are slightly easier. i have one of those Needle threader thingies, but even that can be a challenge.

The one I bought and was still under 150 has an auto threader on it so I dont thread needles either as my eyes are really bad also!
(20/400 in left eye and 20/200 in right) and since I dont always wear my contacts................needless to say the auto threader was a must for me LOL

[Daisy and Delilah]

The Singer or Brother from Wal-Mart is by far the best way to start. That's what I did. Alot of the new machines have needle threaders on them(although I don't care for mine and don't use it). CritterCrazy: get yourself a little magnifying glass to see the needle better or wear the magnifying glasses(a must for me). Those machines aren't too hard to thread. I think you'll be fine.
A little tip when threading a needle: instead of wetting the end of the thread, wet the eye of the needle. Your thread will go right in. It works for me every time.
Alot of machines are digital these days and more expensive(usually). My Bernina has that and it's just a feature for changing stitches, displaying what modes you're in on a screen, etc. Basically, it's just computerized(hence the higher price) Some machines of course are digital embroidery machines. Most of the time, very costly, but they do awesome needlework automatically. Good luck and have fun!!

[Ceph]

I use the singer from walmart...it covers pretty much everything I need...though I prefer to do the actual quilting by hand.

[Daisy and Delilah]

Great job Ceph!! My son is a Superman addict so I need to make him a quilt. Time is the problem though, as you said Your hand quilting is great! I do hand quilting but I just don't have a whole lot of patience for it. It's almost a lost art these days. Everyone is using the machines and especially the long arm quilters. It's an explosion! The quilt shop thats closest to me has a machine and you can pay to train on it. I keep saying I'll go over and learn it but I haven't found time to go. I have a dozen quilt tops that need finishing

[Ceph]

lol, I would love to use a long arm quilter, but I started that one by hand and I dern well plan on finishing it that way ....I actually sewed about half the blocks by hand before I finally bought the sewing machine...lemme tell you, that was pain...lol. Thank hand quilted webs would prolly be a little hard to do on a machine I think, and doing it by hand gives it a slightly more rustic feel (as rustic as spiderman can get) I think...more love put into it you know ....at least that was the original plan.

I think it's also poofier by hand...lol, mI just love rubbing my hand over it....it combines all three layers so well ...and the bottom layer is a very heavy soft warm fabric

Thanks for the comments too

[Daisy and Delilah]

Hand sewing is very labor intensive. I have a "Grandmother's Flower Garden" that I sew by hand when I feel like working on it. That's usually a hand sewn pattern anyway. With my arthritis, I love to use the machine for everything.

I love the look of hand quilting. There's nothing like it. However , my machine has a hand quilting stitch. So far, I can't get it to work right. It would look pretty cool if I could figure it out. I do quite a bit of free motion quilting too. It takes alot of practice. I love the way it looks. My machine also has a stippling stitch on it too. It's cool but time consuming. I would rather just do it myself.

Did you check out the website I posted for Willie(page 2 I think)? You'll love it!! Marcia Hohn is fantastic!!

[kimboe]

I knit hats and mittens and little accessories mostly. I making wristwarmers right know and a hat. I get most of my pattens for knitting from www.knittingpatterncentral.com .They have alot of good ones there.
But I also sew, right know i'm making curtains for my bathroom and cushions.
I"ve started a quilt but haven't finished it. It's been almost three years and its still sitting there... I should probably finish it already.

[kimlovescats]

I sort of dabble in sewing, crocheting and machine quilting. I enjoy doing simple and quick projects!

[critter crazy]

Thanks for all the info guys! I realy enjoy making things, and cant wait till i get my sewing machine!

[kitten645]

I went to the convention again on Sunday Gave me a chance to go home and find the patterns I wanted to do and make a shopping list so I avoided going nuts and buying everything in site...though I did make a dent in my wallet
Sunday wasn't as crowded as Sat so I got a chance to see things I missed on Sat and booths that were to crowded to manuever. The most interesting thing I saw was a woman that takes your pets fur and weaves it into yarn!! I'd heard of it before but actually seeing her spinning a bucket of ..and I know I'm going to maul this...Alsatian Malamut??? It was so fluffy!
There were people there from all over the country including a lady from Alaska that raises Muskox for their wool! She's got big broom looking things that the ox rub against and that's how she collects their "fiber" (not sure if wool is the proper term.)
Learned alot this weekend...back to my stitching!!