Re: Table top Stitch regulated long or mid arm machines

On Apr 18, 9:18 am, Kate XXXXXX <k...@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
John wrote:

I agree with those of us who have stated their preference for
mechanical machines over computerized ones. I think that a persons
preference for a particular type of machine is just that, a personal
preference. I don't think it means that they are stupid or retrograde
or any other negative comment. I have tried a number of machines by
various makers. Some of them I didn't like for various reasons. Some
of them were OK. A few I liked. That does not mean that my opinions
should be the final word on the matter as far as other people are
concerned. I think we all bring our biases to the decision making
process. The place where the controls are on the machine are one of my
personal pet peeves. I don't care how "neat' or "advanced" or "famous"
a machine is. If it doesn't "feel" right to me then it is not going to
work for me. The name on the outside of the machine doesn't mean a
thing. Most of the machines today are made in the same factory by the
same assemblers. There are, of course, minor differences, but they are
all pretty good at doing what a sewing machine is supposed to do. So,
it all boils down to how the fit of the machine is for you and your
intended purposes. There are still a few that are made in the original
factory, but that, in and of itself, does not make them better. In
some cases, it appears to make them less advanced.
I would find it useless, and unnecessarily expensive, to have machine
that does a lot of the fancy embroidery things because I don't do that
kind of sewing, and I don't think I ever will. If I do, then I will
buy a dedicated machine at that time and get on with that element of
sewing. If you do those type of things, then your preference would
weigh heavily on that feature, of that machine. I think if you are
comfortable with the machine that allows you to accomplish the type of
thing you enjoy, then you are ahead of the game. Whether the machine
is old, new, pricey, inexpensive, computerize, manual, or even
treadle, or hand crank. Wonderful things are accomplished on each of
those kinds of machines. I think a lot of the bragging on, and putting
down of a persons choice of machines is sometimes a self justification
of the money spent on the machine they bought, by the person who is
doing the bragging or putting down. The important thing is to enjoy
and grow within the discipline of the craft, with whatever machine
allows you to do that.

John

Once again I find myself agreeing with you, John.  I own several
different types of machine, including electronic wizardry, hand cranked
dinosaurs, and everything between.  I don't have a full embroidery
machine, but I would love to own one some day...

I will pay good money (and plenty of it!) for a good machine that does
what I want it to do the way I want to do it, but I have no pride: I'll
also use free machines that come via Freecycle or are dumped here rather
than in landfill!  I have several like that, and after a bit of TLC,
even the cheap and nastly 60's bottom of the heap Singer sews well and
is reliable.  A lot of it comes down to what you want the machine to do
(light weight stuff, or heavy fabrics and projects?  LOTS of hours every
day, or occasional use several times a year?  Lots of fancy stitches or
miles of plain seams?  And there's a lot between the extremes that needs
to be considered).  I have several that are great for the kids to play
with, but that I don't use every day because they wouldn't withstand the
heavy use I give things like the Lily and the Bernina.  At the moment
I'm giving a new-to-me Frister & Rossman Cub 4 (my latest acquisition,
and a Freecycle special!) a serious work-out making a couple of shirts
for little boys.  So far so good, but I'll probably go back to the Lily
for the buttonholes, as it does the best buttonholes I've seen in a very
long time.

For some a smaller, light weight modern sewing machine with a few fancy
stitches and a useful handful of utility stitches really *is* the best
machine.  My sister is like this, so is going to get the Singer 117
Featherweight II I bought for my mum a couple of years back.  She needs
a small machine for a small flat, decent blind hem and zip capabilities,
and something that will handle modern fabrics in the medium to light
weight ranges.  She doesn't need something that will handle miles of
denim or curtain fabric, does millions of stitches, and weights like the
Rock of Ages!  Her large heavy 20 YO lightly used Husqvarna is comming here!

The 'best' machine is a myth.  The best one for each of us is the one
that sews what we want to sew the way we like it, and with the minimum
of fuss.  There ARE machines I dislike, and if folk ask, I'll tell them
which they are and why.  There are also machines that are not worth what
you pay for them: some of the lowest price unknown brand machines out of
China are like this: poor stitch quality, unreliable tension, easily
overtaxed bu light weight sewing, and very light and plasticky.
And there are also machines I totally love, some for very far from
sensible reasons!  You can count the Elna Lotus TSP Stella Air
Electronic in that category, along with the Rocketeer, and a vast green
monster of a Husqvarna I saw on Ebay once...  ;)

It's much the same when folk ask 'Is this machine worth repairing/@
Some are and some are not: some are built to be repairable, and some of
the lighter weight, cheaper machines are built to last a short while and
then be replaced, like a cheap washing machine.  Some machines DO
eventually get beyond repairable status, but, unless it's one of the
cheapies, it takes a while to work up to this level...  And a lot
depends on your feelings for the machine!  Right now Alan and I are
struggling with the Frister & Rossman Cub 8...  It was retired from
active service because it kept seizing.  Then the stitch selector
broke...  Recently we cleaned and oiled the innards fairly extensively,
and Alan worked an 'engineers fix' on the stitch selector.  That is
almost right: there is a timing issue we were working on, but the damned
thing is headfing for a seizure again, and figuring out why and how to
fix it is proving to be more 'interesting' than anticipated!

WHY do I want to fix a 1982 model F&R that has seen some very hard
service in it's time and is unecconomic to send to a repair man?
Sentimental value!  I used it to make my wedding dress 26 years ago.
That it would, because of the small size and the selection of stitches,
ease of use, and speed control (which was always brilliant), also make
an excellent teaching machine, is an ulooked for bonus!
--
Kate  XXXXXX  R.C.T.Q Madame Chef des Trolls
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttonshttp://www.katedicey.co.uk
Click on Kate's Pages and explore!

One of the things I did not mention is the Collector Syndrome. I used
to be afflicted with it when I bought and sold acoustic guitars. Can
you say 44 Guitars at one time? Most people would say, "You can only
play one guitar at a time". But, I would say. "Yes, but I have a lot
of time to play guitars and I wouldn't want to not play all of them".
Thankfully, that phase of my life is behind me, but I understand the
quest to have some interesting items that are related to your hobby,
passion, work, or whatever. Now, I am of the mind that I only want
the minimum number of things that will let me accomplish what I want
to do. That seems to work for me, but of course, your experiences may
vary. Therein lies the wonderful differences of the human condition.
Happy hunting.

John
.

Relevant Pages

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