Basic sewing machine info

I have a friend here in SC that wants to buy a basic machine that she can make pillows and curtains on etc.  I've had my Bernina for quite a while, so am not up on what is current.  I told her I think Brother is better than Singer now.  I had a good Singer, but that was 30 years ago.

Advice anyone?

Janome! They have several basic or home dec models or you could get the Gem Platinum which is a small machine.

Husqvarna still makes good ones but are pricier than Brother. You could help her write a list of what she really wants and then she could do research on prices. Doesn't sound like she needs to go super fancy but it is worth looking to the future so if she wants to do other things, her machine will handle the job and not need replacing.

Singer is now made by Husqvarna, so not sure how good they are now, but should be better than they were.

Brother machines seem to be pretty light weight...I would look at a Janome or Bernina..they both have real good basic machines for a low price

I'd go with a Janome. Good little machine. I don't even have a Janome and would recommend it. I have a Pfaff and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it. However, if she's looking for a less expensive one, Janome would fit that with a good maintenance/service record.

I have a Janome and I really do like it, but it tends to have a hard time going over seams... Brothers are now the makers of Bernina and I have heard they are good machine... If she wants to haul it around she want to look at something less than 14 pounds... whatever machine she decides on make sure their is someone close by that can service it... and maybe give her lessons on it..

Brother is now the maker of Bernina???? what   when did that happen and where did you get your information?

I got the info from a past Bernina dealer...

It seems that just the company name isn't the only consideration. The same company can make some good models and some that aren't good. After lots of internet research I got my DGD the Brother XL2600i, under $100.00. We've done lots of sewing together and Ellie has done lots of sewing on her own, and it really seems to be a great little workhorse. Just today I saw at Superior Threads website that they're promoting a $250 Janome as a basic beginning machine.

I generally tell people to go to garage sales and insist on trying a machine. Generally the price is very good,

Janome! I have 2 of them and love them! I just helped my friend purchase a Janome from Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/Janome-2212-Sewing-Machine/dp/B003Y5CEJS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1384500723&sr=8-1&keywords=janome+2212

My friend loves her new machine! She is a beginner late in life (65) I helped her figure out the machine.....she's in love!

Thanks guys....she is coming over this evening....I'll show her all these posts! 

Alicia - your wording could have been better here:  "She is a beginner late in life (65)" . . . late in life?!?   

Now don't you go taking me seriously. I'm just having fun here.

I wonder late for what????

I've always had a hard time being on time. Therefore, I was late in life at 20.

Oh my... Oh my..... Oh my...... Oh My     

shock:        


One of those open mouth and insert foot moments.... I'll take all the punches you want to throw my way ladies.... Love you all!

  

       Good one Alicia, thanks so much for the laughs!!

Nancy, my Elna is acting up and needs to go in to the repair man so I dragged out the spare machine I bought 8yrs ago, Ive never used it but its up and running and doing ok so far. Like QBee I just went for something basic, I paid $80 for mine at Kmart back then, it does a fine straight stitch and I just used the zig zag, worked fine, its a clunker but for basics its great. I guess it depends how much she wants to spend and jsut how much sewing she is doing but maybe starting out with a walmart special might be a good idea or a 2nd hand better quality machine for the same price. Have fun when she visits!

I have a couple of Janomes. One made in 1963 for New Home, the other is badged as Viscount. But my everyday machines are a 1956 201 Singer and a 1941 Singer 15.

Sorry, can't resist a chance to brag on my old machines.  

On the other hand, ya'll have seen my piecing so its not empty bragging. 

  I have a late thirties or early 40s machine...haven't tried it lately....need to oil and run it.  It has the long skinny bobbin....does yours have that one?  It is electric and not converted I think.

Janome makes Elna now.

LOL Alicia, we knew what you meant but it's fun to have a little tease.

   

It's all good.... after the day I had yesterday at work, it brought a smile to my face when I got on the forum.

so it would seem, if we boiled it all down there are only a couple of companies manufacturing sewing machines now under various labels

Janome - makes Elna, Kenmore & Necchi, its owned by Toyota. (Janome means 'snake eye' in Japanese and they named it that because the bobbins looked like snake eyes.)

Brother - Made in China and Vietnam ( which is the biggest sewing machine factory in the world)

Bernina - still its own company, has factories in Switzerland & Thailand. Also makes a brand Bernette

SVP Worldwide - makes Singer, Pfaff and Huskvarna Viking

I think thats right from what I found

Pfaff - now owned by a Chinese company, making who knows what else apart from Butterfly machines