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sewing machine prices?



 
 
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  #1  
Old November 9th 03, 07:05 PM
Robyn
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Default sewing machine prices?

Hi all!

I've been searching this list and finding some great useful info on
purchasing a new sewing machine. You've all been a great help so far!
I'm having a tough time finding out some things, however, and am
wondering if you could offer some help...

I'm currently looking to buy my first sewing machine. I'd like for it
to be able to do buttonholes, and a reasonable number of stitches. I
don't need anything TOO fancy right now, but feel that I'll want to
get into quilting soon, and may want more advanced functionality
later. Anyway, my question is not about what machine I should get
(though ANY suggestions would be helpful!!!).

Here's my issue: I've been researching machines online and find
myself continuously frustrated by the lack of information out there
about the machines and the prices! I'm hard pressed to find any kind
of user reviews and recommendations (save for lists like this :-) ).
I've been into one or two specialized sewing machine dealers and find
them helpful and knowledgeable, but seeing as I like to research
things online before I buy, I'm really feeling information-deprived
about my comparison shopping. AND, I really don't have the means to
travel around to tons of different little sewing shops to price
compare/feature compare. So my question: Are there any good websites
out there with user reviews and _prices_ of sewing machines? Is there
any kind of buyer's FAQ about certain models/brands? (I've already
read the one that gets posted here frequently). Where do you folks
look for this kind of information?

Thanks!
Robyn
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  #2  
Old November 9th 03, 10:23 PM
Melinda Meahan - take out TRASH to reply
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Default

Robyn wrote:

compare/feature compare. So my question: Are there any good websites
out there with user reviews and _prices_ of sewing machines? Is there
any kind of buyer's FAQ about certain models/brands? (I've already


Many of the better makers of sewing machines do not allow dealers to
post prices on the internet.

You might find prices on epinions.com, but you don't know the level of
experience of the people buying the machines. Maybe froogle.com might
also have information.

Seems to me that some place like patternreviews.com has sewing machine
reviews, but I don't remember exactly where I saw it.

--
I know God will not give me anything I can't handle.
I just wish that He didn't trust me so much. - Mother Teresa

  #3  
Old November 9th 03, 10:51 PM
Sally Holmes
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Default


"Melinda Meahan - take out TRASH to reply" wrote in
message ...
Seems to me that some place like patternreviews.com has sewing machine
reviews, but I don't remember exactly where I saw it.


www.patternreview.com, click on "sewing machine and serger reviews" in the
dark red bar on the left.

Hi, Melinda!

Sally H


  #4  
Old November 10th 03, 03:00 AM
SewStorm
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Robyn, Threads Magazine recently did a survey of 31 "basic" sewing machines
(although some of them were a lot more than basic, to my mind). You can find
this information either in the back issue that had it (Aug/Sept 2003), or on
their website:

http://www.taunton.com/threads/pages/t00130.asp

Have fun!
Karen Maslowski in Cincinnati

  #5  
Old November 10th 03, 03:18 PM
Sami
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A couple of thoughts about buying a new-to-your or brand-new-to-you
machine. I have owned a number of machines in my life, and have found
that the most important questions to ask are personal ones.

First is, how much money are you able to comfortably spend?

Next, are you new to sewing and all excited, or do you tend to get
"into" a hobby and then drop it, or do you cycle through a TYPE of
hobby, i.e., do your hobbies all circle around the varied fiber arts
and has this been a long-term love affair? (I am into fiber arts of
all kinds - spinning, weaving, sewing, needlework - and have been
since the days of PT Barnum.)

Do you like to do a lot of handwork and hate overly fussy machines /
equipment or do you adore technology?

Do you have space limitations and do you like BIG machines, or SMALL,
PORTABLE machines and equipment?

Clutter irritate you? Do you have space or no space or space that is
rapidly disappearing?

When can you afford to buy that next machine?

Now, me, I find I prefer little and portable. I don't like computers
but can build them and install software. I like working with my
hands. I don't like lugging heavy things around. I like to take my
projects with me, like out to the backyard. I don't have any space.
I live in a 6-room house with my husband. I have 4 machines. I have
my mother's old Viking. I have a Featherweight with all the
attachments and then some, including a buttonholer. I have a
handcrank for the backyard which takes all the Featherweight
attachments - it's a 1950s 99K. I have just acquired a treadle. And
I have a Janome 8000. Favorite - Featherweight, 99K, treadle. Mom's
I keep for sentiment! She made my clothes on it.

The Janome is fun - but??? I like the handwork and the finishing of
French and felled seams. I like to use my feet and treadle or take it
outside in the warmer days and sit and do it amongst the roses, like
Sweeney but different. Oh, I also have a serger - too much!

Luckily, I have a fairly decent moveable income . . . but over the
years, my favorite has been a small, portable machine in general.

Hope this helps!

On 9 Nov 2003 10:05:44 -0800, (Robyn) wrote:

Hi all!

I've been searching this list and finding some great useful info on
purchasing a new sewing machine. You've all been a great help so far!
I'm having a tough time finding out some things, however, and am
wondering if you could offer some help...

I'm currently looking to buy my first sewing machine. I'd like for it
to be able to do buttonholes, and a reasonable number of stitches. I
don't need anything TOO fancy right now, but feel that I'll want to
get into quilting soon, and may want more advanced functionality
later. Anyway, my question is not about what machine I should get
(though ANY suggestions would be helpful!!!).

Here's my issue: I've been researching machines online and find
myself continuously frustrated by the lack of information out there
about the machines and the prices! I'm hard pressed to find any kind
of user reviews and recommendations (save for lists like this :-) ).
I've been into one or two specialized sewing machine dealers and find
them helpful and knowledgeable, but seeing as I like to research
things online before I buy, I'm really feeling information-deprived
about my comparison shopping. AND, I really don't have the means to
travel around to tons of different little sewing shops to price
compare/feature compare. So my question: Are there any good websites
out there with user reviews and _prices_ of sewing machines? Is there
any kind of buyer's FAQ about certain models/brands? (I've already
read the one that gets posted here frequently). Where do you folks
look for this kind of information?

Thanks!
Robyn


  #6  
Old November 10th 03, 03:31 PM
Robyn
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Thanks, all! This is a huge help. I had no idea that many brands
didn't allow internet price posting. Strange that the sewing machine
industry is so cagey about prices. I wish they weren't... Makes it
feel as stressful as buying a new car, if you never really know if
you're getting taken or not...

Anyway, thanks again!

-Robyn

pamless (SewStorm) wrote in message ...
Robyn, Threads Magazine recently did a survey of 31 "basic" sewing machines
(although some of them were a lot more than basic, to my mind). You can find
this information either in the back issue that had it (Aug/Sept 2003), or on
their website:

http://www.taunton.com/threads/pages/t00130.asp

Have fun!
Karen Maslowski in Cincinnati

  #8  
Old November 10th 03, 09:11 PM
Penny S
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Posts: n/a
Default

Have you been referred to the newsgroup post buying a new
sewing machine?
Penny posts it regularly, and you can Google it any time.
Cea



What Machine Should I Buy FAQ:
www.cet.com/~pennys/faq/smfaq.htm


  #9  
Old November 10th 03, 09:59 PM
CW
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Posts: n/a
Default

The reason they don't allow internet price posting is because it can drive
local stores out of business . It is not uncommon for people to go to a
local store to see and try out a machine then go on the internet and find a
better price. A local store cannot stay in business just as a demo facility.


"Robyn" wrote in message
om...
Thanks, all! This is a huge help. I had no idea that many brands
didn't allow internet price posting. Strange that the sewing machine
industry is so cagey about prices. I wish they weren't... Makes it
feel as stressful as buying a new car, if you never really know if
you're getting taken or not...

Anyway, thanks again!

-Robyn

pamless (SewStorm) wrote in message

...
Robyn, Threads Magazine recently did a survey of 31 "basic" sewing

machines
(although some of them were a lot more than basic, to my mind). You can

find
this information either in the back issue that had it (Aug/Sept 2003),

or on
their website:

http://www.taunton.com/threads/pages/t00130.asp

Have fun!
Karen Maslowski in Cincinnati



  #10  
Old November 10th 03, 10:43 PM
Me
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Robyn wrote:

Thanks, all! This is a huge help. I had no idea that many brands
didn't allow internet price posting. Strange that the sewing machine
industry is so cagey about prices. I wish they weren't... Makes it
feel as stressful as buying a new car, if you never really know if
you're getting taken or not...

Anyway, thanks again!

-Robyn


I have gotten prices on the phone. A lot of the places
that sell, have toll-free numbers. Those that don't, I
just figured they were worth a few cents to call. This is
an area where prices can differ a lot!

--

Joanne
http://members.tripod.com/~bernardschopen/
Life is about the journey, not about the destination.

 




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