Test driving a couple machines yesterday made me realize what I like about my own machine right now. Little things like just popping the bobbin in the bobbin winder without having to pull the thread through the little hole first... And a cutter right there at the bobbin winding site... no need for scissors. And a thread cutter right at the bobbin cradle... no need for scissors again. And the built-in thread cutter after sewing... Hmmm. It sounds like I have something against scissors.On my test drive I realized how annoying it is not to understand the threading path... and actually some of those machines didn't have such clear instructions on the machines. I decided right away that if the store clerk and I both couldn't figure out how the threading system worked or what the buttons meant without looking at the instruction booklet, then this was not a machine I wanted.
I guess I'll have to take my friends with me on my next jaunt. They really need to try the machines out themselves. It's THEIR money!
5 comments:
I think they should go with you too! I test drove many machines before deciding on mine. Maybe you could do lunch afterwards!
My dear 5 yr old neighbor girl is popping in once-twice-three times a day now...to do "something fun"..but everytime I mention the word "sewing"..her eyes get great big and I see some uncertainty there...so, thinking I could smooth that over...I bought a build-a-bear kit, head already done, you just stitch by hand, in the fabric already prepared by holes being punched where you stitch..and she wasn't interested at all...even the the bear is pink and the little dress that goes w/ it is purple..her favorite color...so she decorated a small purple purse w/ sticky-gems, then I gave her a new purple bandana, put it on her head...and she went away happy as a clam...singing to herself as she went on her way home (just across the street and little traffic) (I"m the crossing guard for her..like we need one...giggle) So, guess I'll put away the sewing for now and stick to painting (a little birdhouse) and "easier" projects..tho I believe once she got started in sewing she'd love it...I was 5 when I did my first project..a "handkerchief"..hand hemmed by me..for my Grandmother...who gave the hankie back to me before she passed...at the age of 90..wow, she must have thot I did realllllly good work..or she loved me...which she didn't say to me until she was on her deathbed..as I was giving her tiny sips of coffee, she lay her head back, and a very weak voice...she cleary said, looking at me w/ eyes that no longer saw...I've never told you how much I love you...the last words she spoke...passed the next day...now, I've gone on way too long, but it was something I was remembering b/c of sewing and wanted you to know about it...hugs, Pat in IN
I have been wanting a a new sewing machine for a while but can't really decided either. I don't want to pick the wrong one and I need for it to do decorative stitches. I agree I think they need to know how each one works in order to sell it. I mean what if we get home with it and don't understand something. They need to be able to tell us over the phone or in the store. If i'm going to spend 500 or more I need to know how it works.
I haven't looked at new sewing machines since I got mine over 10 years ago (Husqvarna) for $1000. It has never needed any repairs in all that time, just an occasional spa day for fine tuning. I do use it constantly and I think that helps keep things running smoothly The thread path thing is annoying, for sure. My sister has a Baby Lock and loves it---she has those cutters and automatic needle threaders on her fancier machine. I didn't like the automatic cutter when I used her machine because there would be a curl of thread end stitched into the edge of the pieces I was working on, but that's just me! I agree your friends should sit at the machine themselves and look at all the features.
Well, working for a high end sewing machine company, I can tell you what our educators insist on: test drive, test drive, test drive. So yes, bring your friends with you next time and let them try it. Also, bring along some scraps of quilting cotton (if that is what they'll be sewing with most of the time). It will make a big difference if they bring their own fabric to try.
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