Hey Costumers!

[novus-vita.livejournal.com]

We are looking to buy a sewing machine...

probably 90% of its work will be for costuming with s few draperies thrown in. And this is for personal use not for producing costumes for everyone, but it will need to handle heavy fabrics and sometimes more unusual things like lightweight leathers or neoprene. I really don't know a lot about the newer machines available because I've always used my mom's old machine.

The guy at the sewing machine store recommended the Janome 1600P-DBX. Its only option is straight stitch. I would like a button holing option buts its not necessary... and i really don't need all the optional stitches, I just need something that can stand up to the wear and tear of heavy fabrics.

Any suggestions? advice? horror stories?

Comments

[glasscannon.livejournal.com]

I bought a cheapy White in 2002, on sale at Jo Ann's for $125, the weekend after I moved out of my parents place and realized I no longer had access to my mother's old Singer, lol. I didn't expect it to last very long, but it's still going strong after 6.5 years. I've never had to get it serviced, though I try to remember to oil it from time to time. It only does straight and zig-zag stitches, and comes with instructions and a foot to make buttonholes, along with an assortment of other feet attachments. It handled sewing a leather jerkin for my husband in late 2003 with only minor swearing. It's seen a lot of use too -- I sew every formal dress (1-2 per year), every costume (2-6 per year), random clothing items (8-12 per year), and assorted gifts on it without any trouble at all. It can freak out a bit when using cotton thread in polyester fabric or vice versa, but otherwise is pretty jam free.

Hubby has offered to buy me a new high end machine (he's trying to bribe me into not getting a puppy, lol), but I'm not even sure what I would get, except maybe a nice old Singer. This one has been so sturdy that I worry that getting something more complicated would end up being more frustrating. Anyhow, my two cents.