Industrial Strength Sewing
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US $325.00
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Industrial Strength Sewing
WHITE 619 Sewing Machine LEATHER Industrial Strength
Is this a good sewing machine?
Im a beginner looking to get a sewing machine for christmas because i want to get into fashion design and garment construction. would this be a good sewing machine for me?
http://cgi.ebay.com/HEAVY-DUTY-BELAIR-INDUSTRIAL-STRENGTH-SEWING-MACHINE_W0QQitemZ230410983103QQcmdZViewItemQQptZBI_Sewing_Machines?hash=item35a59096bf#ht_18496wt_1195
"Run away, run away" would be my response. "Industrial strength" is scam-speak in my book -- these are just old household straight stitchers that can handle some heavy fabrics until they go casters up. They're not industrials, and they're not anything special, other than probably pretty decent straight stitchers that you may not be able to find parts for, and probably can't do standard buttonholes on. You can actually get a pretty decent new Janome for the price being asked here -- a much more versatile and easier to use machine that actually does buttonholes! And parts can be found for! And you don't have to worry if there's a bad electrical connection that's going to bite you. And in a thrift shop around here, it'd probably go for $10-20, fwiw. If that.
If you want to learn about the industry, I'd suggest you start reading http://www.fashion-incubator.com -- here's some posts on machines in workrooms: http://www.fashion-incubator.com/category/machines-equipment/
Here's my beginner sewing machine speech:
Take a look at Kate Dicey's essay on choosing sewing machines at
http://www.katedicey.co.uk (and take a look around at her site...
there are a lot of nice little tutorials there!). The FAQ she
refers to is at http://preview.tinyurl.com/l5rzu6 now.
What I want for beginners in sewing:
- a machine that doesn't scare you
- a machine that isn't balky (cheap new machines are often very
balky or need adjustments often and are rarely repairable -- just
too frustrating to learn on!)
- very good straight stitch
- good zigzag (4-5 mm is fine, more than that is gravy)
- a method of making buttonholes that makes sense to you
- adjustable presser foot pressure (which helps some fabric
handling issues)
- accessory presser feet that don't cost an arm and a leg
(machines that use a "short shank foot" typically handle generic
presser feet pretty well. Some brands of machines use proprietary
or very expensive presser feet)
If the budget stretches far enough:
- blindhem and stretch blindhem stitches
- triple zigzag (nice for elastic applications)
- a couple of decorative stitches (you won't use them nearly as
much as you think)
- electronic machine because of the needle position control and
because the stepper motors give you full "punching force" at
slow sewing speeds -- mechanical machines often will stall at
slow speeds.
Please go to the best sewing machine dealers around and ask them
to show you some machines in your price range, *especially* used
machines you can afford. You'll get a far better machine at a
specific price buying used than new and a good dealer is worth
their weight in sewing machine needles when you get a machine
problem -- often they can talk you through the problem over the
phone. While you're trying things out, try a couple of machines
(sewing only, not combo sewing-embroidery) over your price limit,
just so you can see what the difference in stitch quality and
ease of use might be. You may find you want to go for the used
Cadillac. Or you might want the new basic Chevy. Might as well
try both out.
Suggested reading: John Giordano's The Sewing Machine Book
(especially for used machines), Carol Ahles' Fine Machine Sewing
(especially the first and last few chapters) and Gale Grigg
Hazen's Owner's Guide to Sewing Machines, Sergers and Knitting
Machines. All of these are likely to be available at your public
library.
Used brands I'd particularly look for: Elna, Bernina,
Viking/Husqvarna, Pfaff, Singer (pre 1970), Juki, Toyota
New "bargain brand" I'd probably pick, if new, decent and budget
was my choice: Janome (who also does Kenmore).
Industrial Strength Sewing
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