Sewing Machine recommendations?

[MustLoveHens]

So, I thought I'd post this here in the "hobbies" section so I hope it's in the right place!
Well, after many years, I've decided to take up sewing again. It has been many years since I've sewn. I honestly thought my old Singer (pre-computer chips) made my many moves with me. But alas, no it did not. I have no idea where it went actually....

Anyway, so that all being said, I am in the market for a new machine. It's been more years then I can count since I've used a machine. So I'd place myself in the beginner category and I'm signing up for some sewing classes at the local fabric store to kick start my brain into remembering all I've forgotten!
After reading reviews I think I can say I'm honestly more confused. Sadly, some of the terms escape me....

I'd like to stay under $200 and the machine I've been eye balling is the Brother CS6000i Sew Advance Sew Affordable. I started on manual machines but have no idea if they are the smarter choice now-a-days...
Here is the machine I'm looking at:
http://www.amazon.com/Brother-Affor...TF8&colid=2YLQ7YQDN63FN&coliid=I2WU3P653XCVKN

Sooooo, does anyone have this machine or can anyone give me some ideas at to whose machines to look at?

Thanks in advance for any help!!!
Cheers!

 

[wyoDreamer]

First question: What are you going to sew? are you looking for a machine to sew clothing or something to sew crafts with different fabrics? or a machine you can use for quilting.

If you are going to sew mainly quilts, I will advise against a free-arm machine. I had a free-arm Brother sewing machine and now have a free-arm Kenmore, love them both. I bought the Brother while in college and used it for 8+ years, it was a very dependable machine. The newer ones don't seem to built as sturdy though. I gave it to my sister after DH saw me drooling over the Kenmore in Sears and upgraded me. The new one has 3 alphabets and 99 different stitches.

The problem I have with the free-arm machines is that if you are sewing fast, they will bounce because to make it free-arm, they must remove the support for the table. I noticed that when it starts to bounce, the machine will not sew right and the bobbin thread knoted up under the piece. I had to sew slow on it. My remedy was to get a Juki Mid-arm machine for running on my quilting frame.

Are you able to borrow a machine from the store for the class? Some stores have machines you can try out. If so, that may be a good way to try a couple of different makes or models to see what will fit your needs.

 

[MrsRodgers]

Actually, the bouncing has nothing to do with the free arm. All my machines are free arm, and not one of them bounces. Machines bounce because they are not heavy enough to hold themselves down when the machine gets to going fast. For $200...your machine is going to bounce. I am not saying you need to go out and purchase an expensive machine..but just don't expect an inexpensive one to work like your mother's Singer. They just don't make them like they used to. And yes, I am a sewing machine snob. I also had my mother's Singer for a while, until it gave up, and parts could not be found. I then bought an inexpensive one..and was very sorry. It ran like a tank. I hated it. I went to an upscale sewing machine dealer, and tried a Pfaff 2040..and never looked back. It was about $1800 15 years ago, and worth every penny. Sews like a dream. I work at home, and that's what I do all day, sew. I also have a fancy Brother Innovis 4000D that embroiders, too, but I have kind of forsaken embroidering for simply sewing. Both those machines have computer chips in them, and if they go out, it's a trip to the dealer. Here's what I would buy: Singer makes a Heavy Duty machine that in my mind, is not that heavy duty, but it does sew well. I bought one to use for things that I would never sew on my expensive machines. I paid $150 for it, model number 4411. It sews nicely, and doesn't break your pocketbook. It's not the quietest, but all inexpensive machines are louder than than they should be. The difference is like driving a garden tractor compared to an Audi. That's my two cents.

 

[MrsRodgers]

I just checked out your link...that machine weighs approximately 13 pounds, at the most. Not very heavy. And as it is computerized...when it breaks, it will cost more to fix it than it is worth. You'll throw it away, and buy another. And guess what..it will go out. It's like buying computers. By the way, Brother is better when it comes to embroidery...sewing is secondary. You do what you like, it's your machine. These are just things to think about.

 

[yinepu]

Actually, the bouncing has nothing to do with the free arm. All my machines are free arm, and not one of them bounces. Machines bounce because they are not heavy enough to hold themselves down when the machine gets to going fast. For $200...your machine is going to bounce. I am not saying you need to go out and purchase an expensive machine..but just don't expect an inexpensive one to work like your mother's Singer. They just don't make them like they used to. And yes, I am a sewing machine snob. I also had my mother's Singer for a while, until it gave up, and parts could not be found. I then bought an inexpensive one..and was very sorry. It ran like a tank. I hated it. I went to an upscale sewing machine dealer, and tried a Pfaff 2040..and never looked back. It was about $1800 15 years ago, and worth every penny. Sews like a dream. I work at home, and that's what I do all day, sew. I also have a fancy Brother Innovis 4000D that embroiders, too, but I have kind of forsaken embroidering for simply sewing. Both those machines have computer chips in them, and if they go out, it's a trip to the dealer. Here's what I would buy: Singer makes a Heavy Duty machine that in my mind, is not that heavy duty, but it does sew well. I bought one to use for things that I would never sew on my expensive machines. I paid $150 for it, model number 4411. It sews nicely, and doesn't break your pocketbook. It's not the quietest, but all inexpensive machines are louder than than they should be. The difference is like driving a garden tractor compared to an Audi. That's my two cents.

I know this isn't my thread.. but I gotta ask... How would the 4411 be for quilting?
My old Brother sewing machine died a few years back.. so I bought another Brother machine from Walmart (I know.. bad idea since it was a REALLY low end machine). Anyway, I THINK the last time my husband pulled it out to use it he said it was acting up.. so it may be time for a new machine.

I've been considering this one: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004RDH7Y8/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_1?ie=UTF8&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

I was making stuff for the critters (bedding and hide-a-ways) plus clothes for me.. curtains for the house.. that sort of thing. I've been wanting to get back into making quilts (in all honesty it's been well over 20 years since i quilted). So I'm keeping that in mind for my next machine.
I'm also trying not to break the bank.. so I think about $ 350. to 400. is about as much as I can spend.

 

[MrsRodgers]

You can quilt on any machine. It's the feet that are available that make the difference. If you want to actually free motion quilt, through all the layers, you can do it as it has drop feed. The problem with it would be that it's not long enough arm wise. You would have to bunch up your very large quilt to get it under the machine. That's why there are long arms...and they are expensive. other than that, quilt away

 

[yinepu]

You can quilt on any machine. It's the feet that are available that make the difference. If you want to actually free motion quilt, through all the layers, you can do it as it has drop feed. The problem with it would be that it's not long enough arm wise. You would have to bunch up your very large quilt to get it under the machine. That's why there are long arms...and they are expensive. other than that, quilt away

Thanks for the info! I'll keep looking and see if I can find anything better.. until then it's my first choice

 

[MrsRodgers]

Checked out the link..it looks to be a decent machine..just remember that computerized machines have motherboards, just like computers. If your motherboard goes out, it's a throwaway. I had to replace the motherboard on my Innovis..and it was over $500. However, we are talking about a very high priced machine. When the Innovis was new, it went for almost $10,000. Too much. I didn't pay that, because I got mine from a Brother dealer who couldn't sell the machines in her town, so I got it for cost, so she could unload it.

 

[yinepu]

Checked out the link..it looks to be a decent machine..just remember that computerized machines have motherboards, just like computers. If your motherboard goes out, it's a throwaway. I had to replace the motherboard on my Innovis..and it was over $500. However, we are talking about a very high priced machine. When the Innovis was new, it went for almost $10,000. Too much. I didn't pay that, because I got mine from a Brother dealer who couldn't sell the machines in her town, so I got it for cost, so she could unload it.

lol.. I have a vintage Singer that I would love to get fixed if I could find anyone locally who could get parts!.. it runs.. just skips stitches very badly. The one repair guy who looked it over scratched his head and said "yup.. it has problems" then proceeded to tell me he couldn't get parts. (I don't think he even knew what was wrong with it).
I like to avoid the computerized stuff when i can. But I can't help but drool when i see all those purty functions, bells and whistles...

 

[CGinJCMO]

I bought (15 years ago) a Singer that was built for school Home Ec. classes. It's got all housing and metal parts and that's something to consider if you want quality. Hate to say it, but you get what you pay for. It's possible to find "old" machines still. I've got online sewing friends that have gotten some great deals on ebay but you have to have patence. .

Good Luck