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  1. #1
    Join Date
    12th December 06
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    Aurora, Colorado, USA
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    I use an inexpensive yet sturdy Singer 1120. It was under $100 at wally world and has served us well. I've sewn upholstery for a sofa and two kilts with it. My wife has made several keepsake bags with it. I'd say for a price to quality ratio you can't really beat one of the inexpensive Singers.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    14th December 06
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    Western Massachusetts, USA
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    An OLD Singer!

    I have two sewing machines: an old (early 1950's) Singer, and a four year old White.

    Singer Pros: It's completely bulletproof (possibly literally... as near as I can tell, it's made of cast iron, and feels like it weighs a hundred pounds, not including the table it's built into!), and eternally reliable. Parts for it are still easy to get, and it's really easy to use.

    Singer Cons: It feels like it weighs a hundred pounds, and it only does straight or basic zig-zag stitches. (It's nice to have options for some other stitches, but I'm not sure it's really necessary most of the time) It's pretty hard to do cuffs, for instance, since it's built into a table. Possible, but difficult.

    White Pros: Lots of stitch options, highly portable. Having a free arm makes some things a LOT easier.

    White Cons: Umm.... everything else? It's a pretty poor design, and I constantly have problems with it.

    I'm getting ready to pull the singer out of storage and make space for it in my house, since I'm hoping to try making myself a kilt this summer -- I'm just not willing to put that much effort into using the newer one!

    I've seen similar machines at yard sales, running as low as $10 and as high as about $100, depending on their condition.

    Good luck!

  3. #3
    Join Date
    1st December 06
    Location
    Conyers, Georgia
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    I don't know beans about sewing machines, but I've been thinking of getting one soon, so I want to thank the KId for brining this up. I didn't have enough sense to ask the guys here.

    I'm off to find one of those rascals listed above.
    Jim Killman
    Writer, Philosopher, Teacher of English and Math, Soldier of Fortune, Bon Vivant, Heart Transplant Recipient, Knight of St. Andrew (among other knighthoods)
    Freedom is not free, but the US Marine Corps will pay most of your share.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    25th September 04
    Location
    Victoria, BC, Canada 1123.6536.5321
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    I am a huge fan of older (pre 70's) machines.

    Brother and Husvarna changed their machines in the '80's to better suit the home quilting market by making their machines lighter, and of plastic and pot metal instead of forged metal. This is perfect for the person sewing thru two or three layers of very light fabric, at home, on an occasional basis.

    For the needs of kiltmaking, and especially Contemporary kilts, you many times need the torque and ability to lift the presser foot over 1.2". The newer machines can't do this.

    OK, I use heavy industrial Pfaffs but then my machines are running 8 hours a day, 5-6 days a week. They also need to lift the presser foot a full 3/4" in need the torque to punch thru 14-18 layers of heavy fabric.

    Visit your local sewing machine center and talk to the folks there. Take along a kilt of the style and weight you want to make. Most of these shops will have a dozen used machines that will do a good job and cost under $250.00.

    Then look for a machine that does straight and the widest zig-zag you can find. 6-8mm That can have the pressure foot raised to AT LEAST 1/2". And most importantly find one mounted in a table. That extra flat surface to lay out and support all that fabric makes all the differance. You don't need the free arm unless your planning on doing sleeves so don't bother. Having a large flat surface is much more important.

    My machines all have 4 ft x 4ft extensions bolted to the normal table and what a differance having that table makes.
    Steve Ashton
    www.freedomkilts.com
    Skype (webcam enabled) thewizardofbc
    I wear the kilt because:
    Swish + Swagger = Swoon.

  5. #5
    Paul Henry is offline Membership Revoked for repeated rule violations.
    Join Date
    16th January 06
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    London
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    Blind hemming and overlocking are 2 entirely different things, at least in the UK.. I certainly wouldn't fancy a kilt edge being overlocked!!

  6. #6
    Join Date
    9th June 05
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    I'd recommend the ilder Kenmore's. There are plenty of them around from the 70's that you can get a good deal on them. Heavy duty solid metal construction. The Viking Husqvarna are also great but will cost you more. Buying a good used machine is a low cost option as well as recycling.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    25th September 04
    Location
    Victoria, BC, Canada 1123.6536.5321
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    A view of one of the work stations at Freedom Kilts.
    Note that the entire kilt can be layed out and supported by the table extension.





    Here is what I'm talking about where the pressure foot is raised and can have a full 1/2" of fabric fit under it. Not all machines can have this modification.
    Steve Ashton
    www.freedomkilts.com
    Skype (webcam enabled) thewizardofbc
    I wear the kilt because:
    Swish + Swagger = Swoon.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    30th June 04
    Location
    Houston, Texas
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    Steve: Thanks so much for the pics and the advice! I'm pretty sure your industrial models would exceed any need I might have, but I really appreciate the info.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    16th July 06
    Location
    Sierra Vista, Arizona, USA
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    Yep, the high lift is great to have especially when you are trying to sew a blanket. O'Neille

  10. #10
    Join Date
    23rd April 06
    Location
    Centerville District, Fremont, California, USA, 3rd Rock
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    I use a Rex industrial for the big stuff, it will take 2 layers of thick work belt leather and sew it like it's not there.

    I did my first canvas kilt with the wife's Singer Fashion Mate that must be 35+ years old. I had no trouble with power on 10-11 oz. canvas.

    Make sure that you choose one that's pretty beefy. Some new machines for quilting can be carried with 1 finger due to a mostly plastic construction.

    I bought the wife a Singer 3116 from WallyMart. It wasn't too expensive and seems to be very sturdy.

    A agree about having a large table area to work on-an 8 yard canvac kilt is pretty heavy and tries to run off the table at every chance!

    Ray
    "There's no such thing as magical ponies!"
    Statement made by pink winged pony
    with crossed axes tattooed on her rump

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