[Nfb-krafters-korner] Buying a first sewing machine
Zimmer, Cindy
cindy.zimmer at nebraska.gov
Thu Jan 5 19:53:43 UTC 2017
Good point Ramona about the costumes being made of heavy fabric. A "featherweight" is a Singer brand of machine that is light weight. It weighs about 7-10 pounds and comes in a small black case. It is very easy to transport and is a good machine. It would sew heavy duty material. I think Joyce might have one.
Some of you might not know or remember that my dad sold sewing machines for a living. I grew up in a sewing machine shop. Keep in mind that sewing is not my favorite craft.
Ramona, I had to laugh when I read "she can carry fifty pounds to a car". That is why I recommended a "featherweight". I could never see me hauling a sewing machine to and from my car on even a semi-regular basis.
Cindy Z.
-----Original Message-----
From: Nfb-krafters-korner [mailto:nfb-krafters-korner-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of walhoframona--- via Nfb-krafters-korner
Sent: Thursday, January 05, 2017 11:52 AM
To: marianne via Nfb-krafters-korner
Cc: walhoframona at gmail.com
Subject: Re: [Nfb-krafters-korner] Buying a first sewing machine
It sounds to me like a wonderful birthday present. A basic machine will be good. Just look inside the case and also check the weight. She can carry fifty pounds to a car, but perhaps not on a school bus. But many machines will weigh less than that. Theater costumes may sometimes be made of heavy fabric, so you may not want a "featherweight" which may be a model name, but meaningful also.
Ramona
On Jan 5, 2017 8:23 AM, marianne via Nfb-krafters-korner <nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>
> I changed the subject to reflect where this thread has gone. We have a
> school for the creative and performing arts and my grand daughter
> wants to go to that school her Junior and Senior year in high school.
> She has to have a talent so she is interested in costume design. Her
> other grandma and mother both sew and they will help her, I am sure. I
> definitely want a portable machine that she can take back and forth
> between her homes. I think a beginning machine would be fine. Joyce,
> thanks for the suggestion to get it from a sewing machine store. She
> and I will be doing some shopping. This is for her birthday, which is
> at the end of February. I would love any other suggestions people might have.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Nfb-krafters-korner
> [mailto:nfb-krafters-korner-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Joyce
> Kane via Nfb-krafters-korner
> Sent: Thursday, January 5, 2017 12:32 AM
> To: 'List for blind crafters and artists'
> <nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: blindhands at aol.com
> Subject: Re: [Nfb-krafters-korner] What new crafting things did you
> get for Christmas?
>
> I first would ask her what she thinks she wants to so? This will
> give some consideration on what to look for. I am very satisfied with
> my Brother 420 sewing machine, but I was in search of a few things and
> I got it in this machine. Funny you caught me tonight just doing some
> finishing work on a couple projects that I embroidered on My Baby Lock.
>
> I paid like $450 a couple of years back and was just recently looking
> up info for my Brother 420 and it is still running at that price. I
> did purchase it kinda online, but I bought it thru the sewing machine
> dealer in Alabama near Jill. It was priced much higher in CT at the
> sewing machine store.
>
> Do not give up on a sewing machine store. Your Grand daughter will
> need to have a place to ask questions on her machine, take some free
> introduction classes and learn how to pick people's minds that have
> the knowledge on the machines they are selling. WalMart sells
> Brother machine and they have some machines running between $200 &
> $300 that have some good extras, but if you need to ask some questions
> or need to learn how to use it, the basket boy won't have any answers for you.
>
> A few must have and make who ever demo this. Auto threader. Make
> them show you more than once, twice, three times, etc. As if it
> doesn't work or misses even once automatically threading it forget it.
> Another feature that I know the lower priced Brother has is an
> automatic thread cutter for the top thread and bobbin thread. When I
> sewed for years there was always thread all over the floor in the
> sewing room and on me and as I walked around the house it followed me...
>
> My brother has a button that you push when done sewing a seam and it
> cuts the top and bobbin thread up close to the fabric with no ends
> hanging or needing trimming When I was a kid at age 11 I started out
> sewing on a Singer treddle machine I would have to pull the thread to
> get them both on the same side of the fabric, tie a knot and trim the
> thread ends. Mom took a tailoring class when I was 5 and you had to
> learn Mom's way in order to sew on Mon's machine.
>
> We picked my Granddaughter up a Brother machine from WalMart and got
> it on sale for around $150. Of course she likes to use mine and she
> had Gram and me to answer her questions and give her the lessons on the new machine.
> Actually, I taught the oldest one and my Mom taught the middle one on
> a Singer Pixie[strickly a toy type machine.
>
> You need to consider her working area, too. As if she wants to make
> clothes that can be done with the machine on a computer table or desk.
> The computer table gives room for cutting out and more room for sewing
> then a desk. I had gotten this extension table top that fits around
> my sewing machine and gives me much more surface for sewing and
> putting quilts together. The nice thing is that the top lifts up and
> it has all these cubby spots for your sewing supplies. That I got
> from the Alabama sewing machine store for an additional $70 and they
> gave me a fancy purple suitcase that my machine fits in and it has a
> handle and wheels on it. That was no cost to me and shipping for all of it was free.
>
> So good luck in the search. Used machines are good, but I would make
> that kinda purchase from a sewing machine dealer.
>
> Joyce
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Nfb-krafters-korner
> [mailto:nfb-krafters-korner-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Marianne
> Denning via Nfb-krafters-korner
> Sent: Tuesday, January 3, 2017 9:56 PM
> To: List for blind crafters and artists
> <nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Marianne Denning <marianne at denningweb.com>
> Subject: Re: [Nfb-krafters-korner] What new crafting things did you
> get for Christmas?
>
> I didn't get any new crafting tools for Christmas. I do have a
> question. My grand daughter may be interested in a sewing machine. She
> is a Freshman in high school and this would be her first own machine.
> First, what is a reasonable price for a beginner machine? Next, what
> would be a good beginner machine. She is sighted, if that makes any difference.
>
> On Tue, Jan 3, 2017 at 5:20 PM, Joyce Kane via Nfb-krafters-korner <
> nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>
> > Let's get back on crafting..
> >
> > Now do tell us about the new looms Santa brought you. Give us a
> > brief description and what your first project you are planning to do on it.
> >
> > I heard a few folks got Accuquilt cutter and dies. Do tell us about
> > what dies you got and if you started using them? What will be your
> > first project? For those who might not know Accuquilt make dies to
> > cut out fabric for quilting and applique.
> >
> > Did anyone get wonderful new yarns?
> >
> > Let's talk crafting...
> >
> > Joyce
> >
> >
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>
>
> --
> Marianne Denning, TVI, MA
> Teacher of students who are blind or visually impaired
> (513) 607-6053
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