Vintage machines are awesome. That said, if you're not a regular seamstress you DO NOT want one. They can be finicky, very expensive to repair, and need lots of regular at-home maintenance. For instance, the tension plates on my mother's vintage Singer got tiny rust spurs on them. It took me three hours to sand and polish them to a semblance of usable because the plates themselves would have cost her $300 to replace at the time.

I own a Brother XL2610 for now. I do quite a bit of sewing and am really pleased with it's performance and versatility. No, I'll never do tons of embroidery or anything, but it does lots of stitches, including buttonholes. Totally worth the ~$100.

I'm an upholsterer as well as a home sewer. I recently bought a refurbished Pfaff that I love, which I found on ebay. I also like my White, which is older and Eurpoean made, as opposed to China.

I prefer machines that are made in Sweden or Germany.

If there's a place near you that repairs sewing machines, they'll be a great source for advice and perhaps the purchase of a used machine.

Don't be tempted by a $99 machine from Walmart if this is something you want to have for a long time.

Consider looking for a machine that will accomodate a "walking foot" if you like to use trims on your drapes, etc. It keeps everything nice and flat.

All you need in a sewing machine is straight and zigzag stitches. I second LovieDovie about not buying vintage unless you use it a lot and are more of a professional.

In Brazil there are not as many brands, I have a Singer, the simplest model, and love it. Even the simplest, less finicky machine, will do buttonholes, maybe not with the touch of a button, but nonetheless. I personally despise buttonholes and work my way, aham, around them.

I teach upholstery and sewing classes. My favorite machines are my older Pfaff, and a slew of Singers made in the 1970's in Great Britain. It will say so on the back of the machine. They're heavy, with metal parts and that's what you want. I own about twenty machines and the Pfaff, Singers and my industrial Consews are my favorite and most reliable.

I love my depression-era singer:

http://thesnarkybeagle.blogspot.com/2011/03/how-to-sew-like-your-great-grandmother.html

That being said... it literally only goes forward and backward and doesn't have a lot of power to get through thick fabrics. It's fun to own a piece of history though.

I am a professional quilter so I have a couple machines. I have my Viking which is my fancy one but I also have a Euro Pro from Target. I've never had to bring it in, it's durable, and it has a nice, smooth operation. Pfaffs are also nice, very smooth. I would also recommend staying away from the vintage machines, they are more trouble than they're worth. Oiling, expensive repairs, and super finicky. It'll drive you nuts! And if you can find a machine with a threader. . ever better!

I have a Janome Harmony 8080 and while it is a great machine and I love it(powerful, can sew through anything, the automatic tension is beautiful, every stitch I need for home projects and fashion sewing), I don't think I would purchase another Janome in the future. They aren't too common and it's difficult to find parts or people who will service them. If this machine ever dies (and I pray it doesn't), I think I will get a Singer or Brother.

With that in mind, I would also avoid a vintage machine. Appropriate bobbins, feet and mechanical parts for your machine are vital to complete projects in a quick and frustration-free manner. Even having the owner's manual so you can determine appropriate upkeep and usage is very important. I'm not dogging used machines, some are really fantastic. It's just that anything that needs some serious upkeep and is rare could be a real hassle and your silk organza curtains could remain unhemmed for months while you re-work the tension settings on your machine (speaking from experience).

After spending my youth learning to sew on my grandmother's 1930's Singer and my mother's 1980's no-name machine, it's a dream come true to be able to complete a project without having to fix something.

I have my grandmother's 1959 singer--it is a great machine. Very reliable and easy to use. I'm not a serious seamstress, but it does what I ask it to. FWIW.

Although I agree about much older machines (1920's Singer, etc.), I have a 1970's Bernina and wouldn't trade it for anything. And the look is very 60's/70's, although I do have a dedicated sewing room, so it's not really viewable. Repairs have been simple and cheap, and as long as I keep it oiled (which is easy, instructions in the manual) and clean, there are few - only a handful over the 10 years I've owned and used it. Like kariwk, my sister also owns a 1960's era Singer and loves it. Easy to find bobbins, feet, etc. on eBay.

I agree that you don't want vintage, which I consider to be older than 20 years or so. But I'd rather have a great used machine than a newer, cheaply made machine. I guess I figure that someone who gave up a great European made machine either didn't use it much, or used it enough that they took care of it. Plus, I sew enough that I trust my repair guy.

Whatever you do, follow all the upkeep and oiling instructions, and keep the machine covered. Have fun!

If you just want a simple machine and you aren't doing heavy duty work on it, you can find a low end Singer for not much more than $100 which will do everything you need. If there's a Joann's near you, go ask them about it - find a sales person who seems knowledgable.

At any rate, buy locally. Buying from the internet is fantastic if you are experienced enough to deal with minor problems. But if you are inexperienced, you will get better service from a local store, should anything goes wrong.

For a really basic but awesome little machine (also super cheap) I have the Brother CS-6000i. It looks like it might have some great tricks to show me but unfortunately think my skill level stops well before the limits of the machine...

I'm enjoying my Husqvarna (Viking) a lot. I have the Emerald 118 which is the basic model. I've used fancier Pfaffs and Berninas, but the Emerald is my favorite. I sew quilts, clothing, curtains, and soft toys, and I've never needed a feature that the Emerald didn't have.

About 5 years ago I upgraded from a vintage Singer (which only did straight and zig zag stitches) to a mid level Baby Lock. As soon as I got my Baby Lock, I found myself doing more and more complex projects which I never could have done on my old machine. My best advice is to visit a sewing store in your area to see machines and try them out. Do not be tempted by the cheap machines at Walmart because they will not last and they aren't made to handle anything beyond light weight cotton fabrics. The larger JoAnn's stores and independent sewing shops in my area will let you use the display models for your own work. I think there's a small hourly fee, but by doing this you can really test out the machine before investing in them.

Also, Consumer Reports has rated sewing machines in the past and I recommend looking at their reviews if you're not already partial to a specific brand.

I've used a Bernina 801 for the past 31 years and I love it. It is all metal and sews great seams. I can also use more modern presser feet. You can occasionally find them on ebay for about 800.00, which is about what I paid 31 years ago.

I've costumed a handful of films and plays using nothing but my 1938 Singer Featherweight. It has a great carrying case and maintenance guide. I oil it regularly and have only needed one major repair in 8 years. It only does straight stitches forward and backward and it threads like an industrial but it's beautiful and runs like a dream.

my advise to you is find a GREAT Sewing Machine Shop that deals in New and Used Machines. Search around and you will find what you want, a great repair guy is worth his weight in GOLD and will not sell you more than you need, that said I have 2 Janome Machines and love them both - my guy is in NH and is fair and reasonable. Best of luck.

I sew... a lot. I've sewn my way through multiple lower level Brother machines, and played with a few others. I currently have two machines that I hope last forever, and with good maintenance they just might.

One is a Singer Featherweight 221k. It is a vintage machine (also was my first <3 ) and it is a mini powerhouse. Nothing fancy, straight forward and backwards stitch. It only weighs ten lbs, and is amazing for quilting. Not the most inexpensive thing ever, but they do last. Because they're so popular with the quilting crowd (mine was a gift from a quilting grandmother) it's pretty easy to find parts, and most sewing repair shops have the know-how to fix them. Definitely something to be said for a machine with metal guts!

The second machine I own is a true powehouse, non mini :P
It's a Necchi 3101 (3101a?) I bought this machine after I had a Brother crap out on me six days before I had to finish a huge project. I took the Brother in to see if it could be repaired, and it turns out Brother doesn't make some of the parts to fix their lower level machines. I was told it would cost me more than I had paid for the machine to fix it. Frustrated, I turned and saw the Necchi, priced nice and low at $200 (cue angels singing).
With this machine I've sewn layers of 8oz canvas with no problem, all the way down to the thinnest sheer cuts of silk. The super adjustable feed dogs are amaaazing. The motor on this runs quietly, and so smoothly. It also has metal guts, and has some serious weight to it. Oh, it should also be noted that it's very easy to clean, and change the light. No need to unscrew half the body or any such weirdness, it has hinged doors and well laid out compartments. In the middle of a long project I hate having to take the time to clean out my thread fluff and stuff, but it's necessary so I appreciate that it's quick.

Good luck on your hunt!

I too have very basic sewing skills. I have recently found a great vintage looking, basic machine. The Bernina Bernette 46. Go to their website and check it out! It has a really cute vintage look,is reasonably priced, and Bernina has a great reputation!

I have the perfect machine, a mid-80s Bernina...heavy, no plastic parts. The last time I had it serviced, the mechanic said it would outlast me!

I have a vintage Singer, which is great, but I have also done so many things with my good ol' Kenmore. Not too many bells and whistles, with the added bonus of not too many bells and whistles to break!

My mother, my sisters, and I all have vintage Singers (from the 1930's - 1950's) and we all sew a lot and love them. They're inexpensive to buy ($50-$150), and will last forever. I haven't found it difficult to find repair shops that still work on these (but other than a tune-up when first purchasing, they have not needed repair), and they're easier to fix then newer machines because they don't have computers and other complicated stuff that can go wrong...adjusting the tension is a pain, but it is something you can do youself. That said, if you want something that can do complicated stuff like embroidery, you should go with a newer model, but for things like making clothing, curtains, pillows, and quilting, these machines still work very well.
I did a lot of research when purchasing mine, and it seems like of all the Singer models, for all-purpose sewing model 201 is the best, with model 66 as a close second. Model 221 (featherweight) is in high demand for quilters (and so much more expensive than other models), but it only does a forward stich, so it's not as good for all-purpose sewing.
I purchased mine on ebay and my sister's on craigslist. The goodwill shopping website also often has them. One website that I found super helpful was this model ID-ing website run by Sandman Collectables: http://www.sandman-collectibles.com/id-singer-machines.htm
You may also find the ISMACS website helpful - http://www.ismacs.net/home.html

I also have a Singer Featherweight 221k and it is a very dependable little workhorse; I've made one full-size quilt with it, and am working on another. It also does just fine with altering clothing, including jeans. But it doesn't do anything but go forwards and backwards, and it would be nice to have a zigzig stitch option.

Oops, I see some featherweight owners above say that their machines stich forward and back, not only forward as I'd thought - sorry for the confusion!

I have a singer, like the one in the picture. It's gorgeous, but it wouldn't be my choice for a main machine. I'm pretty serious about sewing, so I have three others (a Bernina, a hardcore 5-thread serger, and an industrial) that are my real machines (I'm in the market for an embroidery machine). The vintage Singer's pretty much just there to look pretty.

My vintage one goes only forwards. It doesn't even have a backstitch. And if you want to finish a raw edge, it's useful to at least have a zig-zag. If you want to do home decor stuff, different feet are very useful (a piping foot will let you pipe things easily, and zipper and ruffle feet will be your best friends). For altering clothes, I find modern machines much easier. The different feet allow you to get into tinier places than you would with a vintage model.

Newer machines aren't as pretty, but if you want to put a buttonhole on something, you'll be glad you have one.

I used a vintage Singer similar to the one in the picture for years. It was fine, but it sure is nice to have a new one now that has tension that works right, does buttonholes, etc. The old ones are finicky, and if you just want to sit down and sew and not have to tinker with the machine, I wouldn't recommend them. I also used my grandmother's old White for a while, but I got tired of the foot pedal getting hot while I was sewing!

I would go for a basic Brother from Joann's (that's what I have) or a used higher-end machine. Lots more features that are helpful for even basic projects and much easier to use.

wow--what a helpful post and comments. I am in the decision-making process about whether to finally sell off my grandma's machine or keep it. I am not a pro and hardly sew at all, but always imagined I might.one.day start...you know how it goes.

Now I am convinced I should sell it to an appreciative seamstress.

I was lucky enough to have a Singer 401A come down to me through my family. I believe these were made in the 50's and 60's. It can do a ton of fancy stitches, and I think it can do buttonholes (though I've not tried). It was not well maintained, so I started having some problems. I advertised on craigslist and got someone with a ton of knowledge to come over to my place and clean it out (needed a good de-gunking) and show me how to maintain it. Runs like a dream now and really just needed that tune-up. My craigslist expert said the old machines are great because they are all metal inside and will last forever with a little care. Just my two cents. :)

I ONLY use vintage sewing machines. I do a lot of sewing, including leather, upholstery and clothing, and all with my 1950's singer 'slant-o-matic'. It has all metal parts, is simple to use and has the bonus of 20+ different stitches, using a different cam for each. I learned via the net how to pull it all apart and clean/maintain, and it's a breeze! If somthing isn't quite right, I can always find the problem and fix it, and I'm just a regular non-mechanical girl :). I've been using vintage machines now since I started sewing, which has been at least 8 years, and I wouldn't want any different. I did splash out and buy a new serger.. But thats a different machine altogether :)

I am an interior designer and do a fair amount of sewing making things for my home, and my own clothes on occasion.

I have an old singer 833, that is about 30 years old. I like the older machines because they have metal parts which won't ware down like the plastic pieces they use in the new machines. The features are simple and easy to use, and it won't jam up as easily.

Singer Featherweight's are reliable, small, portable. Mid-century Singer's are also very reliable - my mother's from the 1950's is an absolute workhorse and outperforms my modern Bernina for heavy duty reliable sewing (I work a lot on draperies and upholstery fabrics and the Bernina jams more than the Singer). Certainly the Singer can't do all the fancy stitchwork or embroidery that a Bernina can do but few people will really put that Bernina through its paces.

My mother gave me her gently used Singer from the 80s (okay, she tried to sew maybe three times ever, right after I was born, and then put it back in a closet until giving it to me fifteen years later). I've been using this machine for about ten years now and I love it! I advise you to look for a sturdy construction in good shape. So many cheap, new machines seem like they're more trouble than they are worth.

I have been sewing for 45 years and have taught it as well. My advice has always been to go to your nearest dealer and buy an older machine that was close to "top of the line" in its day. It may not look modern or new, but it is usually heads above any new model offered by WalMart or JoAnne's or Hancock's. The new $100-300 dollar machines aren't worth 10 minutes of serious sewing.
IMHO, Singers are excellent IF they were made before 1980. Vikings are cadillacs, Berninas are Rolls Royces. Pffaffs have always sounded overly noisy to me, but have a fair reputation. Featherweights are a good investment. Remember that 99% of your sewing will be a straight stitch, so make sure that is PERFECT before you buy. Try a variety of fabrics (bring your own) and expect to spend a half an hour testing each machine. Good luck.

I <3 my Singer Featherweight, I can usually unjam it myself and it does all I need it to: straight lines and button holes (with an attachment). I've been looking into getting a zigzag attachment too.

I have a beautiful Kenmore from the mid-sixties that I purchased used at a local sew and vac shop. It was, and still is, in perfect condition, and very well made. It does way more that I would ever need, and only use it maybe once a year, but I wouldn't trade it for anything.

I have my great grandmother's singer and while it does what I need (backward and forward), my mom's fairly new (10 years old) cheap machine is AMAZING. Zig zags are pretty cool :)

My mom bought a Singer Featherweight in the 1950's for $300, which was a lot of money back then. She still has it, and although it is very basic, it achieves its purpose for most of us sewers. It has a great buttonhole attachment (keyhole shaped) and still makes the best buttonholes I've ever seen from a homemade garment. What I would suggest, however, is to invest in a basic, well-built sewing machine that has good tension (makes for a good stitch). Then put your money into a serger for finishing the edges, and for a professional look with the seams. I've been very happy with this sewing machine/serger combination.

Whichever machine you wind up buying, make sure that you test the machine with scraps from the range of fabrics that you like to sew with. Make sure you can easily adjust the tension and that the machine sews without skipped stitches. If your intended has special features, like buttonholes, then make sure to test those too. Remember it won't magically get better once you get it home.

A long time ago I had a White treadle. Super reliable and a tank. My present favorites are my Pfaff 750's. Can't beat that built in walking foot.

I own a new from Target Janome 11706,
1960s era Singer 337, and 1950s era White 3355.

my Janome is 3/4 size and good for an amateur sewer who likes to take it to classes

Vintage sewing machines allow you to buy a higher quality machine that will last longer for a lower price. You can get one from a store that specializes in sewing machines that is ready to use or pick one up on the cheap at a thrift store or yard sale then pay for a tune up from a sewing machine repair shop. Some vintage sewing machines do not come with a repair manual but vintage Singer and White brand manuals are free on the Singer web site in pdf format

The machine pictured above is one fine machine. Vintage sewing machines make superior buttonholes and have more power.

Being a man is my excuse!!!!! I do all the sewing in our home w/a Singer Slant-O-Matic 500. My question is; can I install a walking foot attachment on the Singer and sew upholstery even auto upholstery? Thanks, jpaulstra