I need suggestions. I want to buy a simple, inexpensive sewing(not embroidery)machine. It doesn't have to have all the bells and whistles. One that is reliable and not super loud. Any ideas?

pfaff has one and it run about $150.00

saw one for 49.99 today and asked myself if it would do that I what - quilting sewing and free motion and all that, perhaps it would it was an AEG machine

The best one I have is my JUKI sewing machine which costs about$400 and I have had it for about 6 years now and has never been in the shop. It is German made and a work horse. I used to sew on patches on Karate uniforms with no problem. I would not have any machine at Wal Mart for they are cheap made and not worth the money.I am not sure how much you are willing to spend but this machine is worth it. I got this machine at Sew Vac Direct.com. Worth checking out. Good luck! Roberta

HAVE YOU TRIED WAL-MART? tHEY HAVE A GOOD LITTLE SEWING MACHINE FOR LESS THAN 100, i USED THEM AT A SEWING CLASS AND THEY WERE STURDY MACHINES

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by dailylaundry 18 Apr 2012

Thank you - I'll check them out!! Hugs, Laura*

I will have to jump in with my Janome 1000 as it is my travel machine and I really like it...we have gone through a flooded out bathtub with machine in it and after drying it out in the sun....it sewed like a top and still does to this day over 10 years later. I have had it for 15+ years now and it has never given me a problem of any kind....uses all threads and few broken needles...if you take care of it, it will last a lifetime. Bought it for one reason...Buttonhole stitch for applique...still does a great job. Very quiet...

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by dailylaundry 17 Apr 2012

Wow, sounds like it is a great machine! I'll check it out! Hugs, Laura*

I would say either a Brother or a Viking..... I love both of these.... especially the Viking.... even a used one would be good

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by dailylaundry 17 Apr 2012

Thank you - I have some great suggestions!! Hugs, Laura*

I just bought a Janome 1000. Iwanted one for normal sewing. It has a few fancy stitches which I don't need. Have others I can use. This machine sews alot like the Bernia I wore out. It's easy to use unlike my Brother. I still have to look in The book on how to do things on that one. Watche the video on Janome. It sew over yard stick. Made of medal. Like it.

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by seamripper40 17 Apr 2012

Not the yardstick. The machine.

by dailylaundry 17 Apr 2012

This sounds interesting too! I will check it out! Hugs, Laura*

Check out the Viking products. I have a Sapphire and love it. It has a longer base which is nice for quilting.

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by dailylaundry 17 Apr 2012

I will check it out - thanks!! Hugs, Laura*

I bought a Janome Jem It does just about everything my 6600P does and is 3/4 the size and very light to take to class

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by dailylaundry 17 Apr 2012

I just looked it up - looks like a nice machine and a good price!! Thanks bunches!! Hugs, Laura*

In my area, the only dealer is Janome. He sells new and refurbished, repairs and give lessons. I would check first where you would go for repairs, to see what they will work on. Some only work on their brands. hope you find a good machine.

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by dailylaundry 17 Apr 2012

We are only in this area for about 4 or 5 more months - but, I think I will take a look!! Thanks, Laura*

Sears had a Brother sewing machine with 90 different stitches and buttonholes computerized for $169. I drooled all over it. (hope it still works ;)..) but I already have one, and I don't do too much sewing anymore.

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by dailylaundry 17 Apr 2012

Oh, that would be just the right price!! I will take a look! Thanks, Laura*

Got my Brother XL2230 for £1 at flea market took a chance at that price its like new,did not even alter tension,so have a look round first,I have seen new brother machines in the U.K. very cheap.

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by dailylaundry 17 Apr 2012

I am not sure how much that is in US currency - but, it sure sounds good!! Hugs, Laura*

by berny 17 Apr 2012

I must tell you it had no bobbin or needle,It was priced about £99/130.It was the only time I went to that market keep saying I will go again..I should have done the lottery that day..

From regular chats to my dealer and from friends buying I personally have bought quality second hand from the dealer and left the cheap machines that are for sale in supermarkets. Ebay has some brilliant buys too. Both my pre loved machines came with a guarentee and can be serviced

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by dailylaundry 17 Apr 2012

My first machine 200 years ago was a second hand machine - I made my dresses for Junior High (before it was Middle School). Thanks, Laura*

by asterixsew 17 Apr 2012

Laura are you really that old?

by dailylaundry 17 Apr 2012

Hehehehe, yup!!

I buy my machines second hand, I've gottne some very good machines at my local cewing center from their trade in machines. You may want to go in and look at what they have available and get an idea what you want from there. Another thought is to check out garage, church, rummage, or fund raiser sales this time of year. Ask if they will let you sit down with it and "play" with it for a while. You never know, you might pick up exactly what you're looking for at a garage or church sale, and for next to nothing.
Good luck!
Diane

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by sewfrenzie 17 Apr 2012

Ingore my bad spelling, I thought I spell checked and still messed up a few words, lol! Example.. gotten, sewing
Good thing I can laugh at myself. hehehe
Diane

by dailylaundry 17 Apr 2012

Diane, these are great ideas, thanks, Laura*

My best just sewing machine, straight stitch only unless you can find the Zig Zag attachment is my older black Singer (before the plastic ones came out). My special love is my 1950's Singer Featherweight (13 lbs in case). Any where I drag a machine this goes. Try Ebay and shop around. I have the Featherweight, 3/4 size and full size in beautiful old wooden case. Sew like when they were new and made of metal.

S

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by dailylaundry 17 Apr 2012

The old machines were made so well! Hugs, Laura*

by joyce05 17 Apr 2012

I inherited my mother's Singer Treadle (era 1934) in 1953. I had it until I had to downsize to move into senior's complex. My husband put a motor on it in 1960 and put it into a portable case. It sewed like a charm. Never had to have it serviced, just oiled and cleaned it myself. Sewed through everything - denim jeans, leather, you name it. My son has it now. He learned to repair his jeans on it as a teen and recover his leather car seats for his rebuilt mustang.

I will stick to brother too.

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by dailylaundry 17 Apr 2012

Thanks, Mary. They certainly have a couple in my price range. Hugs, Laura*

I would stick to a Brother if you are in the states. Walmart has a few models and they are inexpensive..they also have a good support system..

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by dailylaundry 17 Apr 2012

I actually have a Brother Embroidery Machine and it runs like a top! Hugs, Laura*

There are many places to find something simple. I found an awesome one for my GD for her first machine at a garage sale. I've seen some in second hand stores. Maybe put up an ad on a poster (such as at grocery store - some have a bulletin board for that purpose) that you are looking for one.
I tried one from WalMart and it wasn't bad - a brother. It was fairly quiet and worked well in the short time I had it. Guess you'll just have to see what you can find and then give them a try and go from there.

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by dailylaundry 17 Apr 2012

I guess above all, I want one that won't fail...I guess I ask a lot!! Hugs, Laura

As you can tell by the posts on here...there are always lemons in the machines! I would suggest you get one from a dealer that will service it if needed!! Folks around here have found the people that do service work will do it if you bought it from WalMart of Ebay, but you aren't always "first one served!" I took my machine in to a shop that advertized they serviced Vikings (we had just moved into the area) & after 2 weeks I called & was told they couldn't do it. Humm, at least they could have called me! Yes, by that time I'd found a Viking dealer & they fixed it in 2 days! I explained I had just moved here. And I have bought 2 more machines form them since then! Service counts!

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by dailylaundry 17 Apr 2012

You are right - service does count. And, there are lemons everywhere, lol. I just need to look around more! Hugs, Laura*

Jo ann's has a $49 machine this week, can't remember the model, probably Janome. Linda

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by dailylaundry 17 Apr 2012

I will have to take a look. Thanks, Linda!! Hugs, Laura*

by jenne 17 Apr 2012

I had a Janmone 9000 for 13 yr and not any trouble except I bent the throat plate when I broke a needle one time. good runing machine it is a work horse.

I want an old Featherweight - but that is only a straight stitch - not even zig zag :-)

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by dailylaundry 17 Apr 2012

Thanks - I am just looking for something reliable and won't move on the table when I sew! Hugs, Laura*

by sandyqueen 17 Apr 2012

There is a zig zag attachment for old black singers, beefore the plastic ones.

S

I recently purchased the Emerald 116 from Husqvarna and am extremely pleased with it. Basic but just what I need to compliment my Ruby.

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by dailylaundry 17 Apr 2012

I will have to take a look at the Emerald. Thanks for the info! Hugs, Laura*

I think this very much depends on where you are from. I am living in SA and would only go for a Bernina. Sarah.

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by dailylaundry 17 Apr 2012

Sarah, I am in the US. I just need a straight stitch reliable machine to leave set up. Thanks for the info though!! Hugs, Laura*

by elizabethak 17 Apr 2012

Airyfairy, I also live in SA and would only buy Bernina. A couple of years ago my friend's machine packed up and she asked the Bernina agent to look out for a good machine for her. She bought a 1008 (I think) for R1000. Works out about US125. I would ask the agent to look out for something. My Bernina is 40 years old (mechanical so no computer problems), is very quiet and still sews like a dream. It does need a need bobbin case but I can't afford that so I adjust the tension screw and away we go. The only mechanical machine Bernina now has is the 1010. But the 740 or 820 (old model) is a good buy.
Good luck in your search.
Elizabeth

For just the basics I would say the Brother from Wal-Mart..... or look for a reconditioned one at a dealer.

MJDG

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by dailylaundry 17 Apr 2012

One of my embroidery machines is a Brother, and it has been great. - I will take a look!! Thanks, Hugs, Laura*

Depends on what stitches you want or need.Straight stitch only- I would go with the Singer 221 featherweight(found on Ebay for about $199-$250)Great stitches and is VERY reliable. Otherwise Singer has a new machines that retail for $200 up, that are basic but still do buttonholes, and zigzag and other stitches.

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by dailylaundry 17 Apr 2012

Stella, I really am looking for a simple machine. I would love for it to reliable. I will take a look!! Thanks, hugs to you, Laura*

Both my daughters have simple Brother machines that they got from Wal Mart. They have had great success with them, and no problems at all.

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by dailylaundry 17 Apr 2012

Thank you. My Embroidery Machines will both sew. But, I am looking for a simple sewing machine that I can leave set up, with regular thread. I will take a look! Hugs, Laura*