tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4616157712190875587.post4908719131766154097..comments2024-03-12T06:04:32.091-04:00Comments on Grosgrain: Top 10 Big Ticket Items Every DIYer Should Own: day 1Grosgrainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01708175838803992833noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4616157712190875587.post-83529298695395496212011-02-17T17:35:15.036-05:002011-02-17T17:35:15.036-05:00May I suggest a machine? I'm a die-hard vinta...May I suggest a machine? I'm a die-hard vintage sewing machine lover, but got a brand-new Brother PC420 last year and am soooo glad I did! I still have my ol' trusty Singer Featherweight, but this thing can do buttonholes like a charm, auto-threader, auto-thread cutter, drop feed dogs, adjustable speed, etc. Look on Amazon for reviews. I love, love, love this machine and it was uglybeathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09485263058153047018noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4616157712190875587.post-20815715109047153552011-02-15T16:37:25.442-05:002011-02-15T16:37:25.442-05:00I've been sewing for 45 years. The worst mach...I've been sewing for 45 years. The worst machine I have EVER sewed with was a cheap, brand new machine from a big box store. It wobbled, wouldn't penetrate several layers of fabric; in short, was useless except for maybe sewing 2 layers of cotton. Sadly, this machine belonged to a young 20 something who was longing to sew. What frustration for her! I recommended to her, what I alwaysPamelanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4616157712190875587.post-31536811759193567942011-02-11T23:25:49.721-05:002011-02-11T23:25:49.721-05:00While I would strongly disagree with your statemen...While I would strongly disagree with your statement about not being able to sew anything but small projects without a machine (until last year I spent many years making many wardrobe pieces entirely stitched by hand), it has made life so much easier now that I have a machine. I'm still a bit of an excited kid when I see how quickly I can hem a dress now.<br /><br />I have a Singer (named Shalynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16115642837674747948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4616157712190875587.post-86582484895912555872011-02-03T21:05:16.127-05:002011-02-03T21:05:16.127-05:00Mine is a brother from costco. It's not metal ...Mine is a brother from costco. It's not metal but i like the portability and it has all the bells and whistles and works so nicely. I also think the up/down position for needle is very handy and that it cuts, thread, and has auto threading for the needle. I originally got the cheapest machine at walmart and used it for several years. Others say not but i think it was a perfect beginners Angelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01702745937207929017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4616157712190875587.post-45058694416871760922011-02-03T15:11:54.967-05:002011-02-03T15:11:54.967-05:00I'm excited to see the rest of the top 10! Wh...I'm excited to see the rest of the top 10! When it comes to sewing and machines, my attitude is very much "where there's a will, there's a way." I received the <a href="http://new.singerco.com/products/detail/1337" rel="nofollow">Singer 8280 Prelude</a> as a gift and have made numerous quilts and a slipcover with it! It sews straight lines just perfectly. Similarly to Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15817947448464490584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4616157712190875587.post-57045432936140838632011-02-02T20:04:49.359-05:002011-02-02T20:04:49.359-05:00Buttonholes! One thing the newer machines do brill...Buttonholes! One thing the newer machines do brilliantly, is buttonholes. There are ones that measure against your button to produce a buttonhole that's exactly the right size - absolutely brilliant, and nice, neat buttonholes can really make or break an outfit. And the needle-up feature is definitely a huge plus for crafting especially. Great tips!Zoë Yulehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07112308501324225478noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4616157712190875587.post-8954137697353359412011-02-01T12:37:01.728-05:002011-02-01T12:37:01.728-05:00By chance what kind of machine do you use? I have...By chance what kind of machine do you use? I have an old kenmore that I love but am ready to upgrade to something with bells and whistles!*Emmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16922026497441630676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4616157712190875587.post-79118910241723574192011-02-01T10:07:38.811-05:002011-02-01T10:07:38.811-05:00Leah,
I bought my new one on eBay.
It can be chea...Leah,<br />I bought my new one on eBay. <br />It can be cheaper than buying it retail. Although my previous sewing machine was purchased on eBay and I DID have to take it into the repair shop shortly after purchasing it.<br /><br />I think I could have gotten a refund but I threw away the box or something. So if you do purchase on eBay I suggest keeping all the things that came with the purchase Grosgrainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01708175838803992833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4616157712190875587.post-65843344987712415022011-01-31T22:57:50.797-05:002011-01-31T22:57:50.797-05:00I have the same Singer you posted as your first ph...I have the same Singer you posted as your first photo! It was my Mother's first and only machine. She bought it when my father went to Viet Nam and thought she could sew her worries away! I got it when my daughter was a little girl. I have a mid priced machine now and love it. I also have a Serger and Embroidery machine! Love them too. When my baby graduates from college, I will step Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01542918863237046287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4616157712190875587.post-622398338925290352011-01-31T16:25:19.846-05:002011-01-31T16:25:19.846-05:00When I went to get a new sewing machine back in 20...When I went to get a new sewing machine back in 2003 in Australia the sewing shop said that 25 years was no longer standard. Apparently now we basically get one year here. Cherriewillywagtailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04161501326916060091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4616157712190875587.post-22586944217241882292011-01-31T14:23:45.975-05:002011-01-31T14:23:45.975-05:00Edgy K, you beat me to it. I have a $300 Janome a...Edgy K, you beat me to it. I have a $300 Janome and I am very happy with it for the money EXCEPT it has no automatic needle-down setting. It has a button for needle-down, but I have to press it each time (or use wheel). Which makes free-motion quilting hard -- at least for me, a newbie.Tennjennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01397113148008290316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4616157712190875587.post-83925202339856830702011-01-31T14:13:00.749-05:002011-01-31T14:13:00.749-05:00Trina, I adore vintage machines! Most were defini...Trina, I adore vintage machines! Most were definitely built to last. My sister has a really old Pfaff and I love to just look at it. I know that's weird. <br /><br />Sometimes you can go to a machine dealer and find refurbished machines for a few hundred dollars and they are better than the big box stores. My mom is always finding machines at Goodwill but she is one of those people who EdgyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05024388515137702879noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4616157712190875587.post-21771385391920161972011-01-31T13:52:24.114-05:002011-01-31T13:52:24.114-05:00Question: Where do you buy your sewing machine? My...Question: Where do you buy your sewing machine? My father bought me one at Sears 11 years ago, a very basic Brother. Since I only recently learned how to sew it's been fine, all the basic stuff is there. However, it has very few of these features, no different stitches, no buttonholes, so I'm coming to a point of surpassing my machine and I think I need a new one. So where do you get one?Leah Franquihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03486291322862758156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4616157712190875587.post-57824303397151979832011-01-31T13:50:02.427-05:002011-01-31T13:50:02.427-05:001) Try not to buy the cheap (<$100) ones at Tar...1) Try not to buy the cheap (<$100) ones at Target or the like. All sewing machines break. These ones break faster and cost more to fix than the price of the machine.<br /><br />2) I have a $300 Kenmore I bought about 10 years ago (with my first grown-up tax refund) and it's a good machine. When something goes wrong I can pull my Kenmore apart, clean it out, check all the bits, and Marienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4616157712190875587.post-27298530738355538782011-01-31T13:48:24.606-05:002011-01-31T13:48:24.606-05:00Thanks for all your tips and feedback! I should ad...Thanks for all your tips and feedback! I should add that the suggestions I mentioned are simply my personal preferences. If something works better for you then by all means keep doing it! Every person is different.<br /><br />I have to agree about the cost issue. When I was in high school I joined the track team as a freshman and I remember my father telling me that we'd wait to get the Grosgrainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01708175838803992833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4616157712190875587.post-58282525868671385932011-01-31T12:11:40.371-05:002011-01-31T12:11:40.371-05:00what timing! I just placed my order for my new ma...what timing! I just placed my order for my new machine over the weekend. Luckily my new one will have all the little things that you mentioned so that makes me feel a little less nervous about my big purchase :)Maleahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02635615905808820758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4616157712190875587.post-89675024995805792442011-01-31T12:05:50.806-05:002011-01-31T12:05:50.806-05:00I sew on a 25+ year old Montgomery Ward machine. Y...I sew on a 25+ year old Montgomery Ward machine. Yes, it lacks many bells & whistles, but it does have stretch and blind stitches, and -- most importantly -- it has lasted through my abuse and neglect. A good needle and a little cleaning occasionally is all it needs.<br />But I do yearn to upgrade for a newer model...LoisJnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4616157712190875587.post-60077901276529269542011-01-31T11:50:05.569-05:002011-01-31T11:50:05.569-05:00To EdgyK, thanks for the needle tip, I didn't ...To EdgyK, thanks for the needle tip, I didn't know they had a life on them. I always use them til they break LOL. Of course I'm self taught so I'm sure there are plenty of things I have no clue about. I've been sewing off and on for about 20 years on my mom's vintage Singer {1970s model}.Trinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14328823688208661097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4616157712190875587.post-74270431348072295052011-01-31T11:27:01.423-05:002011-01-31T11:27:01.423-05:00I love your site and all the tips on a sewing mach...I love your site and all the tips on a sewing machine are great. I have been sewing for about 25 years. About ten "professionally" so the only thing I might change would be that metal parts are definitely better. It will make your machine heavier but it will last so much longer. I have a self oiling machine so I never have to oil it and it only needs servicing when something goes EdgyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05024388515137702879noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4616157712190875587.post-44819115879104530882011-01-31T11:26:29.517-05:002011-01-31T11:26:29.517-05:00What a great idea!What a great idea!Anahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09667937164445506246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4616157712190875587.post-54800905178179942942011-01-31T11:16:12.687-05:002011-01-31T11:16:12.687-05:00I'm excited to see all the top 10! Can I add o...I'm excited to see all the top 10! Can I add one more hint? I climbed the sewing machine 'quality ladder' over the course of 3 years. I started with an inexpensive one from Wal-Mart, then moved on to a slightly more expensive one (it was a gift) and then finally bit the bullet and bought one with all the bells and whistles that I wanted. I wish, now, that I would have invested a An Art Nesthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12089228654897330829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4616157712190875587.post-23865290334422146212011-01-31T11:10:06.449-05:002011-01-31T11:10:06.449-05:00I have a Singer that was a hand me down from my mo...I have a Singer that was a hand me down from my mother and it is very portable... I never thought I would use it BUT I use it ALL the time now for crafts.Cheryl Mariehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04352479321178128565noreply@blogger.com