06 September 2010

i need a mini sewing machine.



question of the day. do you know of any awesome simple sewing machines? the kind that are built for non-experienced semi-crafters like myself? i just need one to sew straight lines through scrapbook paper. i know this is not revolutionary to any of you scrapping / sewing extraordinaires, but i'm a newbie at this. and i'm taking baby steps. i'd love to know your tips, reviews and/or links about a basic machine that you could teach a child how to use. i'm serious about being an über beginner and have no shame. i have to start somewhere! am hoping to expand my endeavors for christmas crafts.

p.s. wishing you a happy birthday, mom. (have you heard that she just finished writing a western novel? how cool is that? she continues to teach me lessons and inspires me to try new things with no fear. to jump at opportunities. and if none approach us, to create our own windows of opportunity and leap through them with gusto. thus, the urge to learn to sew.)

28 comments:

talesofahummingbird said...

marta-don't be afraid of sewing machines. they are ALL uber easy and operating under the very same concepts, even the ones with all the bells and whistles. and most sewing machine shops give free lessons on the basic use of their machines (and inexpensive one-on-one help for more detailed use). also, i've found making friends with older ladies is a great way to learn to sew and get help on projects while learning life's lessons as well. so...i know you just want to scrapbook and make paper cute NOW. but i think once you get your little machine you will start yearning to create more and more with it. so i encourage you to find a machine that will allow you to sew to your hearts content, be it paper or a summer dress for yourself. the sky is the limit, my friend. do not be afraid! sewing, particularly for a crafty gal like yourself, is a basic craft. its like cut and paste but your paste is thread. you can do it!

Nancy said...

I've seen mini's at walmart and thought of getting one for card making and scrapbooking. I think they were around $10. Good luck, can't wait to see your creations! Have a great day.

Anonymous said...

I had these same itch a couple years ago, to learn to sew but to start small and manageable. So I bought the Mini Rex for 20 bucks (it's the red one in your lineup)and fell in l.o.v.e. It's super simple to use and there's even two speeds so you can start really slow and bump up to "fast" when you feel comfortable. And honestly, it's a great machine. I would definitely recommend it. I still have mine and would send it to you right away but I lost one of the pieces that you need to thread bobbins. If I happen to find it, I'll let you know :)

Monika Wright | I Love It All said...

I am taking a mini-book class with Elise Blaha and she mentioned in one of her vidoes that she just purchased a machine for $100 at Wal-Mart. Perhaps you could contact her for recommendation? My machine is my Mom's that she never really used and it's a 38 year-old Singer, younger than me!

joy said...

Hi Marta--hope your camping adventure is going well! One of my dear friends and I wanted to learn how to sew 3 years ago...the sewing machine is one of the best crafting tools ever! I recommend investing in a full-size basic guy (my first was a brother on overstock.com ~$100). You will easily craft with paper, and it will lend itself to creating fabric items too.

Hannah said...

I wanted my first sewing machine for the same purpose and was told that I shouldn't waste my money on a mini-version. They are not that much cheaper than a full size and they limit you on what you can do. I am so glad I spend the extra $30-50 because I have since learned to sew and love it!

I think Costco has a really nice and SUPER simple Singer for about $120.

Mrs Abbott said...

i echo the idea of getting a big one as well, although a tiny one from Wal-mart tempts me to go out and buy one, even tho I already own a big own. Right now pre-washed, pre-shrunken cream fabric swirled with little red piano notes is cut and measured and folded by my machine, waiting to be made into pillow covers for my first piano lesson in my own home this Thursday. Maybe today will be the day I stop procrastinating and finally sew them! Good luck! :)

Anonymous said...

hi Marta, just reading the comments ... my $100 one came from Target. It's a singer and awesome. But definitely more heavy duty than you might need.

I have had two sew craft minis. They break very easily, but work. However - they are not awesome. The back stitches are always very lose so if you are interested in having a sew line on two sides of the paper, one will for sure look bad (like unuseable.)

Hope that helps! Get a cheap singer!! xo.

cay said...

Being a beginner sewer myself, I could not love my little Sewing Pretty with Hello Kitty, by Janome, more. It's a small machine, so it doesn't take up much space, but the motor is powerful, and all the guts are metal. Good quality, small (not mini) and powerful. Plus? It's aqua-ish and has Hello Kitty on it. For roughly $110.

http://tinyurl.com/2699epd

Good luck! It really is a lot of fun.

Unknown said...

I purchased a mini for myself for the same reason a few years ago, & it wasn't very good...I traded babysitting for a (real)sewing machine last year, have learned to use it, & am SO glad to have a real one! Not to pressure you, but honestly, I'd go for a $100 or so machine that will last for quite a while!

Aunt Spicy said...

Ditto the above comments, buy a low-end full size machine, in the long run it is a better investment, even if you never sew anything other than paper :-)

Though once you start buoying fabric you will be hooked :-)

Amy at Ameroonie Designs said...

I am totally in agreement with all the other comments. My first machine was a sew crafy mini and it was miserable! It is complicated and breaks easily. My next machine was one my in-laws found at a garage sale for me for $10 (my recommendation for a machine if you have the patience to look!) my next one was a singer bought on sale at Joann's. I have both of my full size ones and use them all the time. I have made hundreds of dollars in crafts I have sold on my $10 machine. My advice would be to buy something that will work for what you KNOW you want to do, as well as what you think you MIGHT want to do in the future. It's totally worth the investment, you'll be hooked!

Red Hen (dette) said...

I am not a beginner sewer but I was thinking that if you start out with sewing simple things then discover exactly how easy it is then you might want to expand into a new craft that requires a slightly more substantial machine and I agree with hannah if the larger one doesn't cost all that much more it would be worth it in the end as it would be far more versatile as to what you could use it for. When I got engaged- many years ago my father in law to be bought me my very own modern sewing machine (up to that point I used an old old knee controlled singer that was an early electrical model) it was a very simple Singer - basic model. I used it to make my wedding dress and bridesmaid dresses along with the kids clothes and various quilts and home furnishings. If you can afford it go for the larger more standard model.
Good luck with your decision.

Season said...

I'm a sewer. I don't know anything about mini models, but if you choose to go with a full size machine, Singers and Berninas are great machines. I have both. Good luck. Can't wait to see what you sew up!

Hil said...

I have that last one pictured and have NEVER used it. I will search for it and bring it over to you so that it can get some use.

Happy Birthday Marta's mom!

MarjnHomer said...

i love your mom's blog, just found it today..she's so cute..

do the sewing bit a little at a time and i know some fabric stores have sewing classes. look it up in your area.

Julie said...

Marta--I just recently went through a similar dilemma. I am not much of a sewer, but wanted to try it out a bit. My requirements were inexpensive and easy to use. I had always been confused by my mom's machine and how to thread it, wind a bobbin, etc. Well, I finally decided on the Singer Simple. I did get my through walmart.com, but I think they also have it at Target (and also in Walmart stores...not just online). It was under $90 and couldn't be more easy. After a day with the machine, I was able to thread the machine and fanagle the bobbin from memory. I am quite pleased with the machine. It can be ultra simple, but also had over 20 different stitch types so that I can get more complicated if I'd like. I surveyed many sewers in my family and they all raved about their Singers that they had owned for dozens of years, so I have complete confidence in mine!

Travelin'Oma said...

Didn't your mom teach you to sew?? Actually, even I would say get a real machine. I've had the little kind hoping to hem pants or stitch up something or other, and they don't work very well, and you have to read the instructions and learn to use them, too. In the same time you could learn to really sew. Then you could do my alterations.

Thanks for the birthday wish!

Emily said...

I am also looking to buy a little sewing machine- I have never sewed before and want to start small. I was looking at the one at Urban Outfitters, but am not sure if it is any good. When you end up getting once please share a review:)

Good luck!

Ellen said...

a mini machine is definitely NOT worth it. they break easily... the stitching is not as nice... and it probably won't transition well between fabric and paper (no tension adjustment). i would DEFINITELY pay the lil bit extra... for a cheap full size one from Walmart. or find a cheap full size one on craigslist. you won't regret buying a full size machine. especially when you get the sewing bug. once you start sewing... you'll want to do more and more!

Katy said...

I agree not to bother with a cheap mini one. They break easily, and the most annoying thing is that the aren't heavy enough to not move about as you're sewing.

Kelli said...

I have the first one pictured and it's pretty simple (at least I'm pretty sure that's mine pictured). It was about $100 from Joann's and then they let you take a free class. I need to use it though...I'm thinking of taking another class soon.

Anonymous said...

Hi Marta! I recently bought a super simple sewing machine at WalMart.com (http://www.walmart.com/ip/Singer-Sewing-Machine-2663/10992861), the shipping was only $1, which for a 13 pound machine was a great deal.
I have been very happy with it :)

C-Note said...

http://www.stitchlab.biz/sewing_machine_recs.html

I cannot agree more with Leslie's picks here at the stitch lab site. Good luck and I cannot wait to see what you sew! When I first started (just a month ago!) I made a bag and then 5 bags then 3 pillows for my kiddos and a skirt for me!

SewSara said...

i can't wait to hear which machine you choose ... i agree w/ the others, just get a full sized one for under $100. I like my brother machine but it's probably more than you need.
i love the hello kitty one that someone linked you to!!

Anonymous said...

KENMORE MINI ULTRA- comes in pale blue, only $100 or less! Works amazingly

Unknown said...

i have a singer, purchased from wal-mart. it has fun stitches and is so easy to use. not too expensive, but serves it's purpose and does so in a fast and easy way.

ellen said...

I bought the cheap(er) Singer (like the one on the left) and it was junk. I took it to a repair shop twice and it never worked right. I've used a friend's Janome green Hello Kitty machine and it's solid. My friend got it for $25 on sale and I keep hoping I'll find one!

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