How To Keep My Wife Busy!? (Sewing Machine Question)?

Question

So...My wife makes TONS of things, but her main thing is clothes. She makes these pretty dresses and i just love them. Sometimes we'll go shopping for fabric and she'll let me pick out a few fabrics and paterns i like on her and she'll make something amazing.

Now i want her to make me something. She's made a few buttondowns and hoodies and the came out really cool. Plus she just looks cute when she's busy and concentrating!

Only the thing is, her old sewing machine died out on her. To me it looked pretty small and not so good. So as a gift, and a good trade off i want to get her a new sewing machine. But im a guy and im clueless, but im willing to spend whatever.

She's been sewing for a long time. Like i said, she makes dresses, hoodies, blazers, coats, major stuff like that.

Know any good ones?

Answer 1

I agree with several people who mentioned the more expensive machines.  Since she sews *a lot,* it would be so worth it to get one of those if you can.  They're not just more expensive btw, they're also much better made so they're *much smoother* and quieter in function, and just easier and more plesant to sew (or quilt) with in just about every way.  

Definitely let her pick out what she likes the best, but you could discuss a price range with her first if needed...some of those can get really expensive.  

You might be able to save some bucks by waiting for sales (which most places have), or by shopping online after she knows just which one(s) she likes.

Diane B.

Answer 2

WOW!  How many women get a spouse like you!  I would suggest that you definitely include her in the shopping and selection.  If there's a sewing machine service center near you, they could probably tell you what makes/models hold up well.  This link might help - if you can't open it I got it at www.sewnews.com with "compare sewing machines" in the search window.  http://www.taunton.com/threads/pages/t00...

Don't be afraid to go to several places, since many stores only carry 1-2 brands.  My son-in-law got my daughter a fairly inexpensive Kenmore and she loves it!  

Tips:

** Make sure it's not too heavy to lift if it's a portable, and that it comes with a cover that fits securely

** A light directly over the needle is a lifesaver

** Automatic buttonholes = happiness

** Price is not always the best indicator, nor is the number of fancy stitches if you don't use 'em

Good luck and happy shopping!

Answer 3

I've been sewing for years, too, and know exactly what features I need in a sewing machine.  I'm sure your wife does, too.  Set a price range and take her shopping at a sewing machine dealers.  They'll let her test drive various sewing machines and then she can pick the one that suits her best.

If you pick one for her, it may not have the features she needs!  It would be rather like if you were longing for a sports car and she surprised you with a pick-up truck.

Answer 4

I have a Janome and Love it . The Best advice I can give you is to make sure the Gears in the Sewing Machine are ALL Metal. I t will run smoother and last much longer. Take her with you and let her  take a "Test Drive" most stores are happy to show you and let you try the different machines before you buy it. You wouldn't buy a car before you drive it and neither  would you want to buy a sewing machine either. Good Luck ;)))

Answer 5

It depends upon how much you are willing / able to spend.

Pfaff, Bernina, Janome, Husquvarna Viking and BabyLock are some of the best sewing machine makers and their machines are very reliable. I have the Pfaff Creative Vision, a Janome 10001 and a BabyLock Evolve serger. They all sew beautifully and were certainly worth every penny.

It would be best if you just take your wife to the local sewing machine store and let her test-drive several machines. The main difference among the top brands is more the look and feel of the machine itself -- they all have similar features. Try to steer her toward a sewing and embroidery machine so she can go to the next level of amazing clothing.  :D

Answer 6

How serious are you about spending money for a new machine. My newest machine was $7000. A new TOL (top of the line just came out for $9,000. But seriously, my machine sews and embroiders. I use it nearly every day. If she sews that well, then she deserves at least an electronic machine. (Join the 21st century is what I told husbands and wives who came in to look at machines and had sticker shock) I would recommend the Babylock that runs about $800.as a starting point. It is recommended for clothes, crafts, and home decorating items. Babylock is usually a little less expensive than Bernina and Viking. However, the dealer is everything. I have worked for the local Babylock dealer and they are family-ownership and really great people. They take care of their customers. Sometimes the Brother machine is a bit less and they are both made by the same company. Ask around about dealers. It is worth it to pay more money to have a supportive dealer. The dealer should offer free classes on using the new machine after purchase. Viking makes some great machines, and I would buy one and pay more if you knew it was a better dealer. I got started on Vikings about 6 years ago. Same is true of Brother. Bernina can be more expensive. I'm sort  of not impressed with the local Bernina dealer. Actually, to say any more to help you, I'd need to know more. Do you want a machine that does fancy stitches? I have a Juki that only does a straight stitch. I use it for making quilts and things that only need a straight line. It is a fabulous machine, but not too many bells and whistles. If you have other specific questions, let me know and I will try to help.

Answer 7

http://www.cet.com/~pennys/faq/smfaq.htm

Figure out what you can spend and take her on a date or two to go look at new machines.  Or new to her machines.  But let her pick out what she'd like.

She may want the does-it-all-embroider-and-sew- all in one machine.  Or she might want a simple sewing machine and a serger.  Or she may want something entirely different.  She's the only one who can really decide how she works.

And I hope both of you enjoy her new machine!

Answer 8

Bernina is the top of the line, see your dealer, they have something for everyone, if not I would choose, Janome, world class service, i have one of both.

Answer 9

Get your wife to read this FAQ and list all the things she would really like her new machine to do.

http://www.cet.com/~pennys/faq/smfaq.htm

With that list, take her to TRY OUT several to see which she likes best.  Buying a machine is like buying a car or shoes - you must try before you buy, as what suits one may not suit others.  It sounds like she's ready to upgrade to a better type of machine, so be looking in the £500+ price range.

I've never met a modern Janome machine I'd give house room to, though I do have a 20+ year old BIG HEAVY New Home mechanical machine that is a dream to use.  I love Bernina and Husqvarna, and have examples of both.  Modern Singers are like Brother machines: bought in and badged and VERY patchy: some models are OK, some are useless.  I have a Brother serger/overlocker that is brilliant, but wouldn't touch most of their ordinary sewing machines with a long sharp stick.

Another good make to look at is Pfaff.  They make great machines, but they don't suit me, so I don't have one.  You might also like to look at Elna.

Being a fella doesn't make you useless where sewing is concerned.  My (then 12 YO) son made his own jeans last year, and I know guys who sew a lot of their own outdoors stuff, from waterproof jackets to tents and down sleeping bags.  My hubby wants to help make his next Polartec laminate fleece jacket...  Useless is a state of mind, not a gender.  ;)  Have fun with the machine shopping.  :D

Answer 10

That is so cute and sweet of you! Seriously, I appreciated my husband surprising me with a sewing machine for Christmas, but if I could have picked one out, I wouldn't have picked the one he bought.  He didn't realize that the brand he bought happened to not be a very good brand. (Don't get me wrong, my husband is a sweetheart and I love the machine because he picked it out.)

Different women like different brands. The best thing I could suggest would be to have her help you. Trust me, it will still be a surprise when you take her to the store, then say "Pick one!".  She'll love it!!! I wish you luck!