Then I started thinking I need a 1 step buttonholer, then I started thinking how nice some decorative stitching & lettering would be. And maybe I could finally learn how to do some more advanced stitches like blind hem, machine button sewing, etc.
In my price range I considered:
Singer 7470 ($399 online, I love my Singer Mechanical, so I felt a little loyal to this brand)
Brother NX-450 (around $450 locally, I test drove the NX-650Q which is double the price for a few more features, what a dream! the damn thing nearly sews for you!)
Kenmore 19233 ($399 online, I just found out Cidell has this one!)
Today after shopping around and viewed and seeing demos I came home flabbergasted. Which one???
I looked at my current machines and decided to play with them a little more, learn some thangs.... I never could get the one step to work on my Brother XL-3027. But after re-reading the instructions about 10 times playing with it for an hour, I did a one step button hole!!!! It wasn't as perfect as that new TOL Brother but nice enough. I can just re-adjust my patience level and keep on practicing. Why was I letting this machine sit on the shelf for so long!?!?
Also I had never ever tried a simple blind hem. I always thought I needed special feet for it, so I never bothered. Shame on me. I did a *perfect* blind hem on my second try. Duh me.
I feel so.... MUCH BETTER that I don't have to spend another $400 on something I pretty much had. Of course the bells & whistles would be awesome, but I have all I need to make a solid garment. I probably wouldn't have done all that fancy stuff anyway. That's just extra thread - lol!
I am going to play some more tonight with the stitches on both my machines, I'm excited about my "new" features.
8 comments:
You can still get bells and whistles!! Just get new feet!! It seams like there is a foot to do everything these days....like a stitch in the ditch foot,rolled hem foot, topstitching foot, the list goes on!
You know, I have an extra Singer buttonholer that might also work for you. You use different templates for the size foot you want. I actually used it last with my vest because it made a better buttonhole than my auto.
my sewing machine doesn't really have so much going on but I get by,cindy is right getting a couple of new feet will give you more versatility in getting more done.
I had a similar experience when I "upgraded" to a computerized machine. After using it for a while, I realized I liked my old mechanical better. Eventually I ended up getting mechanical Kenmore with a few "nicer" features on it (including a one-step buttonhole!)
Glad you were able to make what you already had work...I have considered the Brother machine for a back up machine so I can understand your attraction to it!
The next sewing machine I will get is the Singer 7470.It is in my price range and it seems to have most of the things I am looking for in a sewing machine.
Nice to see you found "new" features and are happy with what you have :) I agree new feet are a great way to go to add on.
I agree with everyone I was thinking about upgrading my sewing machine I have a Berinia which I bought about 20 years ago The Bernina 1080. I went into the Berninia dealer and I saw a machine that I liked and I asked if I could use the feet I have on my present machine I have about 25 different feet The sales lady said no I would have to buy all new feet. I took that as a sign from above I will keep what I have. So glad to hear you are keeping what you have also.
Barb
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