Sewing – or – The Reluctant Domestic Student

Hello Bonzo,

Not planning any adjustments to your new tent?

Inexpensive and functional- yes.

And then add- ‘someone I trust says it works well’ or ‘it’s recently serviced ‘ or ‘I can get it serviced’.

You don’t need a fancy machine to do most MYOG  stuff on, but it would be nightmare to learn to sew on a ‘wonky’ machine.

I still use my Elna which I was gifted in the early ’80s. It was second hand then 🙂

Not planning any adjustments to your new tent?

I can neither confirm nor deny any allegation along those lines at this time… which means that it’s eventually all but certain. 🤣

Inexpensive and functional- yes.

👍

And then add- ‘someone I trust says it works well’ or ‘it’s recently serviced ‘ or ‘I can get it serviced’.

I think that fully 75% of the machines I see for sale on the usual venues are of questionable provenance and function at best.  Of the remainder, the majority are “worked when I last used it” and the very few that have actually been serviced since the Precambrian are usually priced at the top end of their value curve.  In other words, there are very few inexpensive options, and none from anyone that I trust…so “I can get it serviced” is sort of where I’m at.  Either that, or “I can service it myself” which is how I usually buy machines.  Don’t ask how that usually turns out. 😑

You don’t need a fancy machine to do most MYOG stuff on, but it would be nightmare to learn to sew on a ‘wonky’ machine.

Hadn’t thought of that, but it makes a lot of sense.  If it’s all old and busted, I’m not going to know if something with the machine is off, or if it’s just me…not to mention the sheer frustration that would result.  Thank you for that tip.

I still use my Elna which I was gifted in the early ’80s. It was second hand then

There are a few Elnas around my area, but they’re scarce compared to the others…and from basic model research, the ones I’m finding are lighter duty and possibly not up to something like a backpack.  That said, they look very well made.  Which do you have?

Elna Jubilee…from when they were still manufactured in Europe. Solid.

I have sewn canvas covers and bike panniers on it (carefully). As well as clothes, down quilt, wedding dress etc.

I don’t think it’s a ‘stand out ‘ machine particularly. I mentioned it to illustrate that old, solid (often heavy), simple machines can be really good to work with.

My mom had an old machine.  There was a set of diagrams showing where to apply a drop of oil.  Regularly.

New machines have what I would call sealed bearings that don’t require this.  Some advantages to newer machines.

My Janome is maybe 20 years old.  I’ve made maybe 5 tents, 5 packpacks, 5 quilts, 2 down vests, 3 synthetic vests, pants, shirts, hats,…  I finally brought it in for service recently because it had a burr on some part that made it skip stitches.  So, Janomes are pretty good.  Other machines are good too.  And some are cheaply made and won’t last so good.

You need forward, reverse, and zigzag.  Mine has a somewhat manual setting for doing button holes.

You don’t need a machine with a computer on it to make fancy stitches, letters, happy faces,…  Unless that’s what you want to do.

A commercial machine that can sew leather is unnecessarily  rugged.  And it may actually not sew thin fabrics as good.  If you were to use the machine daily for years then this would probably be good.

rsbtr has some podcasts that talk about machines.  More oriented to myog.

By the way, this is all a very bad idea.  Addiction potential. :)

Elna Jubilee…from when they were still manufactured in Europe. Solid.

I have sewn canvas covers and bike panniers on it (carefully). As well as clothes, down quilt, wedding dress etc.

That’s about my level of usage.  I don’t see myself doing much of anything fabric-based beyond that level, and if I was doing anything from leather – and I have a couple of those projects, too – I would consider them to be projects for a different machine.

I don’t think it’s a ‘stand out ‘ machine particularly. I mentioned it to illustrate that old, solid (often heavy), simple machines can be really good to work with.

No arguments with that.  The fewer parts a thing has, the fewer things can go wrong with it…at least in theory.  That said: I don’t think I’ve seen a Jubilee for sale here, yet.  I’ve seen a few Supermatics, some newer stuff and several with no information listed at all… because evidently, finding out what you have before you price it for sale is, like, too difficult…🙄

My mom had an old machine. There was a set of diagrams showing where to apply a drop of oil. Regularly.  New machines have what I would call sealed bearings that don’t require this. Some advantages to newer machines.

I have mixed feelings about sealed bearings, in general; in some cases, they’re fine…and in the rest, they’re not.  Most of the bearings I’ve replaced over the years have been sealed units at the end of their service life, but most of the bearings I’ve replaced that failed early were conventional, unsealed types.  Granted, people usually hadn’t maintained and lubricated them properly, so that maintenance is a point in the favor of sealed bearings…but the actual replacement process for the sealed units has usually been much more of a headache, assuming we could even get the parts.  So, yeah…love/hate.

My Janome is maybe 20 years old. I’ve made maybe 5 tents, 5 packpacks, 5 quilts, 2 down vests, 3 synthetic vests, pants, shirts, hats,… I finally brought it in for service recently because it had a burr on some part that made it skip stitches. So, Janomes are pretty good. Other machines are good too. And some are cheaply made and won’t last so good.

There are a few older Janomes around, but most of what I see is newer stuff that isn’t in the category of “worth getting repaired” which is why there are so many of those machines being offered for sale.

You need forward, reverse, and zigzag. Mine has a somewhat manual setting for doing button holes.  You don’t need a machine with a computer on it to make fancy stitches, letters, happy faces,… Unless that’s what you want to do.

No, I don’t really care too much about lots of weird stitches, unless I actually need them.  From what I can tell, that can sometimes be the case with stretch fabrics and fleece…but I’ve seen a lot of people saying that you can still sew those materials on a relatively basic machine if you know what you’re doing.  I, naturally, do not know what I’m doing.

A commercial machine that can sew leather is unnecessarily rugged. And it may actually not sew thin fabrics as good. If you were to use the machine daily for years then this would probably be good.

I’d like to make a few leather holsters, but I really mean “a few”…as in “three or four.” I think I could do that by hand without going insane.  Other leather projects are just kind of random objects that may or may not need stitching, but yeah, I’d just get a different machine for leather if I started doing more of it.

rsbtr has some podcasts that talk about machines. More oriented to myog.

Okay, cool; I’ll check that out.  I usually have no use for podcasts, but that actually sounds useful; thank you.

By the way, this is all a very bad idea. Addiction potential.

I’ve almost learned to avoid that, at this point in my life.  The one factor in my favor, here, is that I’m starting on this path out of necessity; I don’t actually want a sewing machine at all.  They look entirely too over-complicated and fiddly, and I can see some unreal levels of frustration already approaching…and none of that is appealing to me.  And I don’t really want it taking up space in my extremely small garage, or anywhere else.  But, I’m genuinely tired of spending money on clothes that don’t fit me very well, and packs that aren’t quite what I need…so, here we are.

zigzag is good for stretch fabrics.  The thread doesn’t stretch, but the stitch does.

I don’t think anything I make is really like anything I can buy.  Maybe shirt and fleece hat are the same as what I could buy.

If someone already had a machine and wanted to make a bunch of something, like tents for Boy Scouts, you could probably save some money.  If you didn’t count labor.  Otherwise MYOG probably doesn’t save money

zigzag is good for stretch fabrics. The thread doesn’t stretch, but the stitch does.

I watched some YouTubery on how to do it.  The entire process was beyond me, but it definitely worked…and that means I can make it work, too, if I try hard enough.

I don’t think anything I make is really like anything I can buy. Maybe shirt and fleece hat are the same as what I could buy.

It’s possible to make things that are better than what’s available commercially; I’ve done that with other items, so I think it’s possible with fabric goods.  My two custom packs are handmade, and their quality is above anything on the shelf at…well, anywhere.  So, yeah: someone has to make pretty much everything…and if someone can do it, then it’s possible for someone else to do it as well.

If someone already had a machine and wanted to make a bunch of something, like tents for Boy Scouts, you could probably save some money. If you didn’t count labor. Otherwise MYOG probably doesn’t save money

I’m not interested in saving money; I’ll never beat the economy of scale and I don’t want to try.  What I do want is to stop settling for stuff that doesn’t work the way I want or need, and to stop having to buy things that don’t fit.

By way of example: It’s taken awhile, but I’ve belatedly realized that I’m an odd shape and I move in odd ways – that was the case even before my injuries – and that’s why clothing doesn’t sit well on me, bunches up and gathers in the wrong places, wears out where it shouldn’t, etc.  I always seem to have issues with being comfortable with – or sometimes even fitting into – gear that works just fine for everyone else, despite the fact that I’m not an outsized human in any way…so, I’m trying to fix that.  In some cases it should be as basic as adding a bit more length to a fleece shirt, or a drop hem to a sun hoodie…but it’s also a problem with things like chairs that pinch me, or tent interiors that just aren’t quite tall enough, or the fact that literally every backpack I’ve used eventually ends up being uncomfortable (even the expensive custom ones, in the end 🤬) and hurting me, and somehow still not having the basic features that I’ve needed.  I just want to take some steps to fix that; I’d do it with my Magical Girl Wand if I had one, but I don’t.  Thus, the option is making stuff myself, even if I don’t really want to.

On the topic of machines: I found a couple of older, basic Pfaff machines…but people are very proud of them, even in busted-ass condition.  I’ve seen a few 130s, a 230, and a 138…and I don’t know much about that last one, yet.  They all look basic and solid, though.

A person who has sewn 100 backpacks has a skill level that I’ll never have.

A person who has sewn 100 backpacks has a skill level that I’ll never have.

Okay? Can you clarify your point, please?

Also – back to machines – I found…a project.  Specifically, I think it’s a Pfaff 130, but it’s set up with an industrial clutch motor…so that means it’s an under-the-table configuration that would absolutely take up too much space in the aforementioned tiny garage.  But it’s also only $100…and I think that with a bit of work, it could work for me.  But then again, it’s a project…so I’m already thinking about making bad decisions, because of course I am. 🤣

Point is don’t expect to match custom work.

For a machine…Decide what features you want. I’d expect to pay three to four hundred dollars for a machine in decent shape. Try to find a hobiest . You may have to settle for more stitches than you need because for one, that’s what hobbiests buy. Those are the machines that have the other features you may want. Most of the machines are made by only a few companies. Janome is one of those companies.

Point is don’t expect to match custom work.

Oh, I absolutely don’t expect that…at least not right out of the gate.  Later on?  Sure, it’s absolutely possible…but that’s later on.  I’m still in Sewing 101.

For a machine…Decide what features you want.

Mostly, I want easy maintenance/upkeep, parts that I can source and service myself, and enough strength to handle the fabric in a pack, a simple chair, or maybe a pannier (now that Megan’s brought it up, I’m looking at my bike and thinking bad thoughts) or something of the like.  I don’t think I can get a “does everything” machine because those are a myth: they don’t exist in any category of equipment…but I’d like to get the basic features that Jerry summarized well, and something that’s straightforward and easy to learn on.

I’d expect to pay three to four hundred dollars for a machine in decent shape. Try to find a hobiest . You may have to settle for more stitches than you need because for one, that’s what hobbiests buy. Those are the machines that have the other features you may want. Most of the machines are made by only a few companies. Janome is one of those companies

I got offered a Singer 403A in decent shape for $150; that’s not awful.  It’s from the same person that has the 401A that’s at $200.  Both of those machines are only a minute or two down the road, but I don’t personally know the seller.  I do think they’re a hobbyist per your description, though.  The Pfaff 130 I found at $100 is up and running, but it needs a solid cleaning…and I don’t think I want to futz around with a clutch motor, at this point.  If I could find a cheap servo motor for it I’d roll with that, but that’s getting even deeper into project territory.  Supposedly a very good machine, though… especially with the big motor.

What I do want is to stop settling for stuff that doesn’t work the way I want or need, and to stop having to buy things that don’t fit.

That’s me, also. Not many off the shelf things that fit a 5’1″ woman with a short waist who lifts weights and has knock knees 😄. I’m in the middle of sewing a pair of hiking pants (after learning how to draft them)  which I hope will actually fit me.

Those machines sound good. My ‘I-want’  lit up at the word ‘Pfaff’

FWIW, My parents got a industrial-type machine from my sister-in-laws mum (tailor). They found it sewed too fast for them to control (experienced sewers) and the foot control wasn’t sensitive enough. They replaced (with rewiring) the foot control- much better.

PS  Addiction is not something you choose, you know. I agree with Jerry. You are several steps down a very slippery slope 🙂

In my area at least, anything that is in decent shape at a low price is immediately scooped up by refurbishers. The singers may be a good deal. I seem to remember something about older models vs new. Plastic gears maybe?

That’s me, also. Not many off the shelf things that fit a 5’1″ woman with a short waist who lifts weights and has knock knees 😄. I’m in the middle of sewing a pair of hiking pants (after learning how to draft them) which I hope will actually fit me.

One of my housemates is nearly 5’2″, and she could probably put me on her shoulders and do back squats for reps, so I feel you on that one.  She can actually shop in the kids’ section for some things, and then literally nothing that’s normal-sized – even petite/short – will fit over the rest of her.  Finding her a pair of riding pants has been a saga of both epic and tragic scope; as soon as I started talking about a sewing machine, the first thing I heard from her was “so you can fix my riding pants…right?” 🤣

Those machines sound good. My ‘I-want’ lit up at the word ‘Pfaff’

FWIW, My parents got a industrial-type machine from my sister-in-laws mum (tailor). They found it sewed too fast for them to control (experienced sewers) and the foot control wasn’t sensitive enough. They replaced (with rewiring) the foot control- much better.

Standard Pfaff 130 prices are $350 to $500 around here, which was why I didn’t really consider them to start with…but if I can get a not-so-pretty one that actually works for a hundred bucks, I might want to consider it.  The main issue is that with the commercial/industrial table, I’m going to have to rearrange things.  I had planned on taking a saw and a router to an extra height-adjustable desk that I have, and just inletting a machine into the desktop…but that ain’t gonna happen with an industrial motor mounted below the table; doubly so with a clutch motor.

On that point: I really don’t want to deal with a machine that’s difficult to control.  From my very tenuous exposure to commercial machines, clutches go from 0 to Plaid in about 0.001 seconds…and that’s how I break things.

Addiction is not something you choose, you know.

Solid point, but if I keep my goals in mind I’m reasonably sure that I can avoid getting overwhelmed.

I agree with Jerry. You are several steps down a very slippery slope 🙂

Again, no real argument…but with any luck, the endless quest that is The Great Un-Stuffing of Bonzo’s Life will at least afford me some clarity and perspective.  I’ve worked pretty hard to get rid of the things that I don’t need, and that work continues on a daily basis…so I’m being very serious when I say that I actually don’t want a sewing machine.  In many ways, it’s just one more object to deal with, but it’s also a solution to a bigger problem.  On that point alone, it has merit…and that’s how Future Bonzo ended up owning sixteen sewing machines. 🤣

In my area at least, anything that is in decent shape at a low price is immediately scooped up by refurbishers. The singers may be a good deal. I seem to remember something about older models vs new. Plastic gears maybe?

Same here: anything that can be cleaned in a few hours and flipped is gone before you know it was ever for sale…at least for the home machines.  Commercial/industrial stuff sits for awhile, it seems; they’re clearly a different category of machines and it seems like the average at-home resellers aren’t really wanting to mess with them.  There are also a lot of them in my area.

Singer: the word from a good friend of mine that’s been sewing for thirty years is to basically cut them off as an option sometime in the late 60’s.  Internal parts started going down in quality in order to compete with the price of the really good Japanese machines, and they basically never stopped.  There have evidently been a few exceptions to that rule over the years, but from what I have found on my own and from what my friend tells me, the good Singers are basically the old ones.  30x, 40x and 50x are right at the top of that list, along with stuff like the 221, and they all command a healthy price.   Thus, he suggested I look further into Necchi, Pfaff, Bernini, etc, or some imported-from-Japan clones thereof.

Based on area pricing, the two Singers nearby aren’t a bad deal, but they also aren’t a great one; their price is fair-ish…but I think the person selling them is an at-home refurbisher.  Something about the ads/correspondence gives me that feeling.  Meanwhile, the guy with that commercial Pfaff gives off the “yeah, I got this here machine I’m not usin’ anymore” vibe…and that carries its own benefits and danger.  We’ll see; something very workable is sure to turn up at some point.

Just buy a new Janome in the 300  to 400 dollar range. They’re Japanese made and much like their cars you’re talking about quality machines. Don’t get cheap and go for some out of sync used junk with worn gears. Heck, in only a few years you’ll pay for the machine in repaired clothing that you would normally throw on the rubbish heap.

Sale prices on Janome can be found online with a little search.

When I got my janome fixed, I looked at new machines and the guy pointed out a bunch of “brands” that were actually made by janome

Being addicted to alcohol blows out your liver – not so good.  Being addicted to making stuff isn’t so bad.  Could be bad on your wallet.

I have never bought a pattern, but I’m familiar with the concept.  My mom made stuff with patterns.  There are these little triangles on the two pieces you sew together showing how they align.

I think designing the pattern is part of the fun.  Mostly, I make stuff that doesn’t need a pattern, like a tent.

Just buy a new Janome in the 300 to 400 dollar range. They’re Japanese made and much like their cars you’re talking about quality machines. Don’t get cheap and go for some out of sync used junk with worn gears.

That’s a valid point; older machines can have issues that aren’t easy to fix…but I do like fixing things and keeping old stuff in service whenever possible.  My Toyota is 35 years old and still running; not sure that I’d buy a new one, but I do like that this one is still going strong…and when I bought my mill, I bought it knowing that it was a bit over 60 years old.  That may not be the best example, though, because I didn’t find out that the elevator gears in the knee were worn until I rebuilt the entire thing. 🤣

Heck, in only a few years you’ll pay for the machine in repaired clothing that you would normally throw on the rubbish heap.

I usually wear things until they’re literally falling apart; I fear that incorporating a sewing machine into my life will eventually turn every item of my clothing into a ship of Theseus.

Mostly, I make stuff that doesn’t need a pattern, like a tent.

The last word in that sentence was not the word I was expecting…and I don’t really know what I was expecting, but it wasn’t “tent.” 🤣

So, another question based on looking at even more machine options: how useful is a free arm machine, specifically in regards to the typical MYOG usage?  I can see how it’s helpful with stuff like hemming and sleeves and whatnot, but aside from that… 🤷‍♂️

what’s a free arm sewing machine?

After googling, I have a free arm sewing machine.  You can pull off this piece so the bed is clear down below so you can sew hems 0n sleeves better.

I’ll have to try that.  I hem my sleeves without it.  Maybe the free arm would make this easier.  Thanks for the tip : )

I suspect it’s not that important

I find the free arm useful.

I find the free arm useful.

In what situations, specifically?  I haven’t found many flatbed models that can also work as a free-arm – at least not with older machines – so I’m going to kind of have to pick one or the other, it seems.  Unless, however, I get one of the rare convertible models.

My machine is free arm – I use it sometimes.

The overlocker/ serger I recently bought isn’t. I have adapted to that.

I don’t think it is essential.

I got my machine last winter.  haven’t done a whole lot, but as Jerry mentioned, sleeves. I liked the features on the home machines. The industrial ones I saw were mostly good for doing one or two things. They did it extremely well. Sorry I’m not more specific.

I ended up with a  used Janome S3 for $400. Well over my budget, but it’s a good machine. Stitches that I’ll never use.

1. I can adjust the length and width of my zigzag which I’ve found handy sewing alpha direct.  Zigzag works like an accordion.
2. I like the free arm. It makes sewing cuffs simpler.
3. It has a thread cutting feature.
4. It’s easy to thread.
5. Three speeds.
6. Reverse
7. Good distance between body and needle.
8. Start/stop button.

A home unit is designed for the hobbiests.

Watch the ads. Continue to educate yourself on the trends. Don’t rush it. One will show up. Check AliExpress as well for Janome.

My machine is free arm – I use it sometimes.  The overlocker/ serger I recently bought isn’t. I have adapted to that.

Yeah, it seems like there’s no “better” option; certain machines are optimized for certain strengths, which can create drawbacks in other ways.  Pretty much par for the course with everything.

I don’t think it is essential.

Yeah, I’ll just have to make a call on it one way or the other…unless I get one that kind of does both.  And those are available, but other options are more plentiful.

…I liked the features on the home machines. The industrial ones I saw were mostly good for doing one or two things. They did it extremely well. Sorry I’m not more specific.

No worries; you’ve been very helpful.  I also like the features on the home machines; the industrial jobs – like most industrial equipment – usually do one thing very well, and nobody cares about them doing anything else.  If you need one to do something else, you then buy that machine, and so on and so forth.

I’m watching the local ads; I want to get started on this before it gets too late in the year and people are all cooped up inside being domestic and crafty, but I’m not going to just buy the first thing I see.  I’ve already passed on several local options that just didn’t feel right