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You want knit stitch. It plain works better than the myth of zig zag. Sergers? Try taking out a serger seam. You don’t start with that.

Great video!!! You are so right about people trying to sell you an expensive machine that could be way overkill for the beginner. What I have found is that the vintage metal body machines are better made and can be cleaned, oiled and maintained by the user. The plastic ones have clips the hold it together that are easy to break. The cost to service them is sometimes as much as a new machine. I think that if a person is expecting to make bags and/or quilts, those are 2 hobbies that can push a machine to its limits due to the multiple thick layers. In those instances, more care should be made to get something that will last and like you said, test out a used machine to see if it works for your needs. TFS

I absolutely love that jacket, it looks so good!

With a 70s era Kenmore, you get best of both worlds - an all metal machine with more modern stitches that do come in handy, like a blind stitch for hems and a pretty good buttonholer, and a free arm for sleeves. They're also ugly as sin, so people will typically sell them cheap. No one values them who doesn't already know vintage machines. I've got 13+ machines at the moment (ranging from 1905 to 2017), and I'll admit my Kenmore 148 series has a very high quality feel to it-- once I got the tension problems figured out (which were not insubstantial). It cost me $20 on shopgoodwill. So to anyone starting out, they are probably the best bet, if you can find one serviced and ready to go (and if it comes with a manual... some of the dials are tricky to figure out).

I live on a small Scottish island. During lockdown I decided to buy a sewing machine. I watched lots of TH-cam videos, and everything I’ve made has turned out great. I started off with masks, then little zippered cosmetic bags. Then I discovered Tilly & the Buttons book Stretch. Lots of clothing items using stretch fabric. I’m still using my basic Janome, it’s not a computerized machine, but really all you need is a straight stitch, and a zigzag stitch.

Your clothing certainly seems to jump around a lot.

I've got 6 machines (oops) and quite honestly if I neder needed zigzag or stretch stitch, the only one I'd ever use is the 1914 hand crank machine that my friend's mom brought over from Englandafter the second world war. None of my machines are later models than the 1980s, but the two newest ones are garbage. The 80's one is a plastic basic model Singer and I'd never have wanted another machine if it wasn't such a jerk. I've even had it serviced multiple times. It made me think I hated sewing and would only do it because I got what I wanted in the end. It likes to mess with its tension and even spit the thread right out of its tensioner mid-seam. And it's very particular aobut bobbins it will use, it wants a certain kind of plastic ones but not all plastic ones... The next youngest machine I had high hopes for because I've always (until this) had great experiences with Kenmore models, it was a late 70's model that had been used for one project then put back in its original box for 40 years, but it had been designed assuming it would never need service or lubrication, so its innards are gunked together and I can't figure how to open it up, the technicians who degunked it enough that I got straight and zigzag back and could backstitch without changing the stitch length told me it was a bad design, not worth fixing beyond that, and they left toolmarks on the enamel just trying to get it open. It's already showing signs of gunking back up, and if I sew anything thick like a seam intersection, it's got a tendency to snap its thread, and I do not understand how its tensioner is supposed to work at all, it's just a vertical slot you put the thread through and sometimes it seems to catch whatever controls tension, sometimes it doesn't, it's the queen of "well, maybe unthreading and rethreading will make it behave this time". I also have a 1960's Universal that according to my research was a cheaply built machine when it was manufactured and according to the friend who had it serviced before gifting it to me, they said its motor's not that strong and it should not be used for extended seams or anything really heavy, give it lots of little breaks. Which is fine, I rarely do sewing marathons and I need lots of little breaks myself. I used it this summer to sew swimsuits and it got a bit weird in the tension over thick areas (ie seam intersections) and absolutely refused to sew through the kind of elastic that looks like a rubber band but took the braided elastic and the stretchy thread I was using like a champ. I recently acquired a departed friend's early 70's Kenmore and I have high hopes for this one, it's been well maintained as far as I can see, has the stretch stitch I want for knits that the Universal doesn't have, and did all its things properly until I tried to fix the rip in a pair of pants and I think there's a fluff of cotton cargo pants caught in it somewhere, so I need to take it all apart and give it a thorough cleaning and lubrication because it started snapping its thread and missing stitches right after that happened. I'm wondering if I could convince one of the several vintage machine repair places to let me watch them fix my machines, I'd pay extra for the knowledge. I even have the original manual for this one. It's not that I don't want to pay them what it's worth, it's that when something goes wonky in the middle of the project, I want to know enough to do a fix so I can finish... I want to at least run through all the usual suspects before I have to pack it up and bring it somewhere.

I bought a Singer and it was a complete waste of money. It had multiple defects and Singer would not give me an exchange. I did some research and learned that decades ago, Singer got bought out by private equity and their quality has been subpar ever since. I decided to invest in a Bernette Academy and I am incredibly happy with it. I love your advice about borrowing a machine before purchasing one.

I love my Mom's post-war Japanese made Admiral sewing machine, a Singer knockoff. I learned to sew on it and find it easy to maintain. If we needed to, we could fix it ourselves which we couldn't if it were computerized. My sister had a fancy newer machine and I helped her find an Admiral like Moms. And it was the Deluxe model. She loves it, too.

Thanks! I would add that even if you can afford a new machine, an older one that was common enough to have replacement parts easily accessing is a better investment. They are more durable, and buying used is always good for the environment.

i have some alternate advice - if you enjoy tinkering and don't know where to start with sewing projects at all, but want to at least try but have the space for a 20-35kg machine - i recommend a vintage singer machine (1900s-1950s) hand crank or treadle. They're made to last and still have a big community who collect and maintain vintage machines, and share knowledge on being able to maintain and fix them up at home. most of the popular models will only do a straight stitch, and sometimes with no reverse, but there's no computer board to burn out, and you can go at a safe and slow speed with a hand crank. they're absolute beasts in terms of what thick fabrics you can throw at them, and its much harder to mess up a mechanical machine than a modern electric. there's a large abundance of parts out there and feet, and it's easy to check out what model u have, and a bit more about it, based on their serial numbers. they start at absolutely DIRT cheap to buy, and often given away for the convenience of people not wanting their heavy inherited machine in their way anymore. It's a safe alternative to jumping in too deep and messing up someone else's machine, and you can see what every part is doing because things like top tension are now hidden behind dials and plastic. if you're environmentally concious the lack of electricity is awesome, but you can also fit motors on most models, or find factory motorised models even. If you don't use the machine for a while, they also look great on display. my "youngest" machine model is from the early 60's - i finally wanted to try out a macine with a zigzag stitch though so bought a budget singer from around 2011. The experience is night and day - it feels like sewing with a toy in comparison and probably will struggle with thicker fabrics and layers. ...Meanwhile i've seen vintage singers demo'ed sewing through 4-6 layers of leather, and in one instance, an empty food tin! - so it really depends what experience you want out of sewing and what you start to enjoy about it :D i will defo enjoy trying out my "modern" singer and using the pattern range, but will always fall back on my vintage singer for rugged use, quilting, and anything crazy that would absolutely obliterate a modern machine like non clothing for art projects

How fun!

This is all sound advice. The one thing I'd add is about sewing leather - Garment weight leather is one thing and what this video is talking about. Belts, holsters, wallets, etc are a whole different thing. Now you're in Walking Foot Industrial or even Harness Stitcher territory - And no, the walking foot attachment for your domestic doesn't count.

Sorry about your first experience with the “We don’t fix sewing machines older than 5 years old “ people. I have a wonderful repair lady, Katie, at Crown Vac & Sew in Lake Elsinore, Calif. She takes care of my 3 Singer machines. The oldest is a “Red Eye” from 1911. The middle one is a 401A, made in 1958. The newest is a Tradition from 2009. The good repair shops are still out there.

IMO her second book, Spark Joy, is much better. And I have much the same issue with almost all minimalists. Obviously "eco-hoarding" is destined to fail, but the "just throw it all away" message is equally unproductive. And anyway, bare walls, shelves, windows, and empty rooms DO NOT give me joy, I find them variably depressing. I think the ones who get it right share the same quality as the best examples of maximalism: exquisite curation.

I have a vintage toy machine, that stitches a sort of chain stitch, and it's fairly ok. I managed to make some poorly constructed doll clothes. (I had NO IDEA about correct garment construction at age 12 😂)

Like others, I'm blessed to have my Mom's old machine, a Singer 301A. Great strong machine. I do also have a 'younger' Singer with zigzag and stretch stitches. It's supposed to have an auto-threader which i haven't tried yet.

A cheapo Brother or singer plastic sewing machines is very 'bad advice'. People give up sewing when using plastic machines or machines that give you grief. Grief till I brought my first Janome. You can't even see if you have threaded them correctly in these plastic encased machines. I have 7 user friendly Janome's. 1 sewing machine brought brand new in 1995. 1 overlocker or serger as you call then in the US from around 1997. Another 4 secondhand sewing machine's and another overlocker or serger. They are still built on a metal frame and can be fixed, not that any of mine have needed fixing except one when I purchased it, and I fixed it myself. Dream machines. Kenmore and New Home are Janome's.

Singer Model 20, also called the SewHandy it's a vintage machine but it was sold as a "toy" machine. It's less than 8" long, but it WORKS. The caveat being that it's a chain stitch not a lock stitch. It is however a "mini or toy" machine that works! (as long as it's one of the originals and not a remake from the 70's or 80's)

I got a very nice Kenmore 158.1760 for really cheap because it was locked up would not would not move. I was able to clean out the thread and it worked perfect. Worked beautifully. I still have that machine today. It is my go-to machine when I'm not using my 201

On a vintage machine you need to be careful because when you get into the '60s singer started putting a lot of plastic in their gears and they are breaking now. Kenmore up through the '70s. Use steel in most of their machines. It was later on. There was a few in the '60s I think that they had plastic in but for the most part the 158 series was steel. There were a few like the 158.1980 that was had some plastic in it and a few others the plastic gears are breaking. They're not easy to fix. Some of them can be some of them. Cannot be a singer. 237 is a good machine as manufactured in the late '60s, but any of your straight stitch singer, sewing machines are going to be good. Japanese models are nearly all of them are good and in some cases even better than what singer was putting out. Kenmore the 158 series was leaps and bounds better than singer, especially today. They're not hard to get working if they don't. Just if it looks good on the outside. Generally speaking they were taken care of. They might have just been stored improperly, but I have several kenmore's several singers. My recommendation would be to stay away from any and all of the touch and sew sewing machines. Some of them are good. Some of them are bad meaning that they have plastic in the gears and some of the other parts are plastic. 603e is a good machine. I have one. They're all metal gears. My favorite machine has to be the singer 201 but other than that my kenmore's are my favorite

Yes that is bad information. I do repair vintage and non-computerized sewing machines. I even have several that I fix up and I donate to people people who are wanting to get into sewing but don't necessarily have the funds to buy their first sewing machine or not sure what to do. No strings attached. It's theirs to keep do what they want with but I do fix and have always fixed vintage sewing machines. They're not hard. They're easy

I've owned the same machine for 35yrs. I'm confused why y'all are buying so many....?

Whaaaaat...don't spend over $75.00 for a used machine? I bought a used Janome for $135.00 off the secondary market. It's a $2,000 machine brand new. One of the local quilt shops had the same used model for sale a year later for $1,500 and that doesn't include tax. I would have been stupid to pass that up.

For us sewing machine hoarders I have several I bought at thrift stores not knowing if they work. But I always go back to my brother or my babylock because of their control. Speed control is key for beginners when sewing round edges like scallops and such. As for the auto threading, I often use a heavy weight thread when making backpacks or purses. I have had no issues with the auto threading.

I was lucky to get my mom's machines. Kenmore 158.1914 with all of the attachments and cams, Singer 201 from the 50's and a white superlock 4 thread serger. Ren Fair costumes are pretty easy with this setup. Corsets are still a struggle though, going to thick on your fabric will make a nightmare.

ive never paid for a sewing machine, ive gotten a few for free. and i have 2 janome sergers that i paid 30 and 50 (cad) for. there are really good prices out there if you look. a friend gave me a sewing machine she said was broken. it wasnt. either the needle was seated wrong or she was using the wrong kind of bobbin. i have an ancient kenmore that was my moms and that machine is great except it now runs crazy slow. so i need to see if i can fix it.

Wow this is interesting and beautiful what a talented lady! 🧵

One of the Joann shoppes near me used to have in person sewing lessons, but that was before 2020. I looked a few months ago and everything I could find was online videos, only. I was not able to find any in person.

If you are taking sewing lessons at your local uni, you can also make use of the uni sewing machines. Another thing you could do, is find one second hand. Second hand you could easily get away with just a few dollars instead of a few hundred dollars for a new one. You can always get a brand new one later.

Super informative!

I love your Kenmore story. I feel like machines were pretty good until the late 90s. Thanks so much for the encouragement.

I am fortunate to have a Kenmore sewing machine from the 1970's. It's been very reliable. I love your enthusiasm🙂

Thats so cute, i love the butterfly 🥺

You’re eating!!! you’re so talented ❤️❤️

I learned, laughed, and really appreciate how fun this was! Please teach more :). What a gift to have a playful way to learn valuable skills and skip some of the %#<! Moments that can happen while sewing! Still smiling.

That was fun and informative. Thanks for sharing

Why doesn't this man dress like a man, instead of an elderly man trying to look hip and/or cool?

Voting is now closed and it’s still fun to have your ideas on what you like and might want to see.

After dealing with cleaning out the homes of a couple of hoarder relatives we have s..l..o..w..l..y decluttered. Mostly finding something that we no longer and putting it by the kitchen door. And I do recycle clothes.

Racist

I wouldn't have thought that she DOESN'T speak about responsible disposal of stuff 😮😢 thank you for your video

Great video.

As a middle class Indian mom , I don’t throw anything away until it can’t be repurposed or passed on . Our clothes often end up as a rag or quilt but they live long life.

In terms of clothes the 80% that doesn’t sell usually gets shipped overseas where after culling the top 25% or less the rest gets dumped or burned in countries that don’t have environmental controls in place. It’s a huge mess. The longer we can keep things useful, the better and easier on the pocketbook too.

Yes, I want to see a video on responsible donations. What happens to our things after we take them to recycle?

Omg you were thrifting from 10 AM until after 3 PM? 😮😂 I would’ve been overwhelmed. 5:13 deodorize the laundry using LYSOL or PINE SOL in addition to your laundry detergent

Aqua flare skirt is great. It looks like it would be comfortable and flattering.

Floral fusion jumpsuit! 1:15