Sewing Machine??

FG167 · 01-26-2012, 02:29 PM

I need help! I want to get a sewing machine. I have never owned one or used one although I have numerous friends and family that would be willing and able to help me - and there's always YouTube

I want to be able to sew my own tugs out of nylon, leather and other thick material
I want to be able to sew my own leads out of BlueWater webbing (used by climbers).
I want to be able to sew blankets, bed skirts and other household craft-type stuff.
I also want to be able to make my own ferret bedding out of fleece etc. These are the major plans for it.

So, I think it has to be fairly heavy-duty to sew through the dog things but it needs to be exceedingly simple for me to use (or have amazing directions, I am super good with following directions) and it needs to be reasonably priced. Since I will be using it as a hobby thing, I want it to last a long time as well (within reason). I have done some research but I honestly don't know what I'm doing!

Here are the ones I have been looking at lately:

Amazon

Amazon.com: SINGER 7258 Stylist Model Sewing Machine: Arts, Crafts & Sewing

Amazon.com: Brother CP-7500 Computerized Sewing Machine: Arts, Crafts & Sewing

Any advice?!

phgsd · 01-26-2012, 02:38 PM

I don't think any of the ones you listed will be able to sew through leather

You will probably have to spend a bit more...probably closer to $300?? I was looking into ones to sew leather at one point but I don't remember exactly which I was looking at.

I have this one:

Amazon.com: Brother Sewing Machine, Model LS-2125: Arts, Crafts & Sewing

It won't sew leather or leads, but can do household stuff and I make a lot of fleece hammocks for my rats and they come out pretty nicely. It's fairly simple but I think I would have had a hard time figuring it out - luckily my mom is good with sewing machines so she showed me how to thread the bobbins and set everything up.
The downside is that it's not super consistent - sometimes I can sew a dozen hammocks with no issues, but then without changing anything, I'll start having issues with the stitches looping really badly and I still haven't quite figured out why. I eventually get fed up and just start again another day and it'll sew fine without changing anything.

Anastasia · 01-26-2012, 02:55 PM

I would look for a vintage machine. You can find a machine on craigslist or ebay for $150 that will do twice the work of a machine for three times that price today. Like everything, they don't make them like they used to and to get a new machine that will do heavy duty work you are going to have to spend several hundred dollars.

Anything made from the 1940's to the 1960's will be easily repaired if need be and will be a workhorse. You will want something with a straight stitch and a zig zag as a beginner.

Whiteshepherds · 01-26-2012, 03:26 PM

Brother is one of the better sewing machines out there, although it doesn't get as much publicity as other companies.

When you start talking about sewing leather, doing production work etc. you might be better off to look into a used industrial sewing machine. (new ones can be very expensive)

wildo · 01-26-2012, 04:13 PM

I have a Brother CS-8072 which is a computerized machine without an LCD panel. I've had it for many years (probably around 10 years now) and it's still going strong. I've sewn multiple quilts, hemmed tons of pants, made dog beds and crate covers, sewn through webbing for custom collars, the list goes on and one. I've done heavy not-so-exacting work with it (crate cover, dog bed in faux leather with fur) and I've done delicate exacting work (like lingerie). It's not a perfect machine, but it has been perfectly sufficient for my vast interest in sewing.

I doubt it would do really well with leather though. You need a very heavy duty machine to sew leather...

I bought a Singer Sewing machine that was built into a sewing table at Goodwill. I gutted the old Singer and mounted my machine in there. The machine sits flush with the sewing surface (which is awesome) and the whole cabinet can close up with the machine collapsing inside.

Here's a few photos of thick material:

Good_Karma · 01-26-2012, 04:51 PM

Wildo I just love that crate cover. That is awesome.

FG167 · 01-26-2012, 06:01 PM

Those are awesome!

I am not looking for insane amounts of leather sewing, just two pieces together, for a 2"x10" tug for example - if I work slow and have a strong needle it wouldn't be ok?

wildo · 01-26-2012, 06:18 PM

The biggest issue is the ability of the machine to pierce the leather. They make leather needles as well. If you are using relatively thing leather, I think it might work ok. If you want to jump to any thickness of leather with substance, you'd want to prepunch your holes with a leather punch. It is really easy to adjust the stitch length so that the machine needle falls through your prepunched holes. Leatherworking is not my forte.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Good_Karma

Wildo I just love that crate cover. That is awesome.

Thanks! You can see more here: DIY Custom Crate Cover

Good_Karma · 01-26-2012, 07:09 PM

Oh, I remember that thread!

Someday I would like to do something like that.

Cammotwin · 01-26-2012, 07:34 PM

I know around my area Craigslist has a ton of old antique machines giving away for free that would be ideal. The proper needle and thread type and some wax when it sticks at all should do well. The old machines don't have all the nifty features, but sometimes less is more when you're learning.

01-26-2012, 02:29 PM	#1 (permalink)
FG167 Elite Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 1,428	Sewing Machine?? I need help! I want to get a sewing machine. I have never owned one or used one although I have numerous friends and family that would be willing and able to help me - and there's always YouTube I want to be able to sew my own tugs out of nylon, leather and other thick material I want to be able to sew my own leads out of BlueWater webbing (used by climbers). I want to be able to sew blankets, bed skirts and other household craft-type stuff. I also want to be able to make my own ferret bedding out of fleece etc. These are the major plans for it. So, I think it has to be fairly heavy-duty to sew through the dog things but it needs to be exceedingly simple for me to use (or have amazing directions, I am super good with following directions) and it needs to be reasonably priced. Since I will be using it as a hobby thing, I want it to last a long time as well (within reason). I have done some research but I honestly don't know what I'm doing! Here are the ones I have been looking at lately: Amazon Amazon Amazon Amazon Amazon.com: SINGER 7258 Stylist Model Sewing Machine: Arts, Crafts & Sewing Amazon.com: SINGER 7258 Stylist Model Sewing Machine: Arts, Crafts & Sewing Amazon.com: Brother CP-7500 Computerized Sewing Machine: Arts, Crafts & Sewing Amazon.com: Brother CP-7500 Computerized Sewing Machine: Arts, Crafts & Sewing Any advice?! __________________ Falon ~ Kastle (GSD) ~ Eden (CWC) ~ Sketch (SM) ~ Click dogs' names to view individual blogs

01-26-2012, 02:38 PM	#2 (permalink)
phgsd Elite Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: NJ Posts: 1,321	I don't think any of the ones you listed will be able to sew through leather You will probably have to spend a bit more...probably closer to $300?? I was looking into ones to sew leather at one point but I don't remember exactly which I was looking at. I have this one: Amazon.com: Brother Sewing Machine, Model LS-2125: Arts, Crafts & Sewing Amazon.com: Brother Sewing Machine, Model LS-2125: Arts, Crafts & Sewing It won't sew leather or leads, but can do household stuff and I make a lot of fleece hammocks for my rats and they come out pretty nicely. It's fairly simple but I think I would have had a hard time figuring it out - luckily my mom is good with sewing machines so she showed me how to thread the bobbins and set everything up. The downside is that it's not super consistent - sometimes I can sew a dozen hammocks with no issues, but then without changing anything, I'll start having issues with the stitches looping really badly and I still haven't quite figured out why. I eventually get fed up and just start again another day and it'll sew fine without changing anything. __________________ Kira, Kessy, Djenga, Madina & The JRT's

01-26-2012, 03:26 PM	#4 (permalink)
Whiteshepherds Knighted Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Northeastern Connecticut Posts: 2,771	Brother is one of the better sewing machines out there, although it doesn't get as much publicity as other companies. When you start talking about sewing leather, doing production work etc. you might be better off to look into a used industrial sewing machine. (new ones can be very expensive) __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Harley-WS 4-23-07 Annie-WS 10-18-07 RIP Dakota - WGSD 1995-2007

01-26-2012, 04:13 PM	#5 (permalink)
wildo Knighted Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 3,230	I have a Brother CS-8072 which is a computerized machine without an LCD panel. I've had it for many years (probably around 10 years now) and it's still going strong. I've sewn multiple quilts, hemmed tons of pants, made dog beds and crate covers, sewn through webbing for custom collars, the list goes on and one. I've done heavy not-so-exacting work with it (crate cover, dog bed in faux leather with fur) and I've done delicate exacting work (like lingerie). It's not a perfect machine, but it has been perfectly sufficient for my vast interest in sewing. I doubt it would do really well with leather though. You need a very heavy duty machine to sew leather... I bought a Singer Sewing machine that was built into a sewing table at Goodwill. I gutted the old Singer and mounted my machine in there. The machine sits flush with the sewing surface (which is awesome) and the whole cabinet can close up with the machine collapsing inside. Here's a few photos of thick material: __________________ Willy Pimg - DOB: 2/06, CL1-R, CL1-S, CL1-F, CGC Last edited by wildo; 01-26-2012 at 04:16 PM.

01-26-2012, 04:51 PM	#6 (permalink)
Good_Karma Crowned Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Upstate, NY Posts: 4,103	Wildo I just love that crate cover. That is awesome. __________________ Leah: Newbie dog owner Niko: American Showline GSD 2 1/2 years old Rosa: American Muppet Dog (GSD/Border Collie mix) 3 years old

01-26-2012, 02:55 PM	#3 (permalink)
Anastasia Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Burlington County, NJ Posts: 256	I would look for a vintage machine. You can find a machine on craigslist or ebay for $150 that will do twice the work of a machine for three times that price today. Like everything, they don't make them like they used to and to get a new machine that will do heavy duty work you are going to have to spend several hundred dollars. Anything made from the 1940's to the 1960's will be easily repaired if need be and will be a workhorse. You will want something with a straight stitch and a zig zag as a beginner.

01-26-2012, 06:01 PM	#7 (permalink)
FG167 Elite Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 1,428	Those are awesome! I am not looking for insane amounts of leather sewing, just two pieces together, for a 2"x10" tug for example - if I work slow and have a strong needle it wouldn't be ok? __________________ Falon ~ Kastle (GSD) ~ Eden (CWC) ~ Sketch (SM) ~ Click dogs' names to view individual blogs

01-26-2012, 07:09 PM	#9 (permalink)
Good_Karma Crowned Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Upstate, NY Posts: 4,103	Oh, I remember that thread! Someday I would like to do something like that. __________________ Leah: Newbie dog owner Niko: American Showline GSD 2 1/2 years old Rosa: American Muppet Dog (GSD/Border Collie mix) 3 years old

01-26-2012, 07:34 PM	#10 (permalink)
Cammotwin Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 60	I know around my area Craigslist has a ton of old antique machines giving away for free that would be ideal. The proper needle and thread type and some wax when it sticks at all should do well. The old machines don't have all the nifty features, but sometimes less is more when you're learning.

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