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I'm terrible at sewing, and rarely do it, but I own a sewing machine to mend clothes and repair other things. The thing that's really fantastic is that you can

I'm terrible at sewing, and rarely do it, but I own a sewing machine to mend clothes and repair other things. The thing that's really fantastic is that you can f (fairly) easily find a beautiful, used sewing machine for around $50. The workmanship on these things can be incredible! It's worth getting one just to check out the mechanisms. Honestly, I think that basic sewing is an important skill, up there with basic car repair and basic carpentry, etc...

saturnV 6y ago
Haha yes, I have been around sewing machines all my life, but my boyfriend always gets so exited to see the inside of the machine and learn about the mechanisms when I need help troubleshooting. I think that the main thing that I have learned from sewing machines when I was young is daring to open machines and trying to troubleshoot it myself. With these machines a lot ga go wrong but most of it is easy to fix. Also, I’m not sure how to name it, great 2D to 3D intuition? After a lot of patterns you get great intuition in how you can bend, fold and connect flat shapes to make things in 3D. It is much more commonly applicable than it sounds, and helps me visualize things better.
loonster 6y ago
But how does a complete newb know what is a great used sewing machine and where to find one?
- webnrrd2k 6y ago
  Assuming that you're buying a used machine, one way to get an idea is by weight -- generally the better machines are heavy because they use all metal construction. Also you can get an idea by going by feel -- do the various mechanisms feel smooth when used? But, in general, google is your friend when it comes to choosing specific models. I usually see great used sewing machines at swap meets, garage sales, and thrift stores, so that's what I'd recommend. I'm sure there are others that can give better advice. Maybe some relatives have a sewing machine stashed away somewhere? Local sewing groups?
  - loonster 6y ago
    Weight looks like a great easy way to quickly asses something. Much better than a bunch of models with years that are good before the MBA type sold out the brand name for a quick buck. Thanks.

saturnV 6y ago

Haha yes, I have been around sewing machines all my life, but my boyfriend always gets so exited to see the inside of the machine and learn about the mechanisms when I need help troubleshooting. I think that the main thing that I have learned from sewing machines when I was young is daring to open machines and trying to troubleshoot it myself. With these machines a lot ga go wrong but most of it is easy to fix. Also, I’m not sure how to name it, great 2D to 3D intuition? After a lot of patterns you get great intuition in how you can bend, fold and connect flat shapes to make things in 3D. It is much more commonly applicable than it sounds, and helps me visualize things better.

loonster 6y ago

But how does a complete newb know what is a great used sewing machine and where to find one?

webnrrd2k 6y ago
Assuming that you're buying a used machine, one way to get an idea is by weight -- generally the better machines are heavy because they use all metal construction. Also you can get an idea by going by feel -- do the various mechanisms feel smooth when used? But, in general, google is your friend when it comes to choosing specific models. I usually see great used sewing machines at swap meets, garage sales, and thrift stores, so that's what I'd recommend. I'm sure there are others that can give better advice. Maybe some relatives have a sewing machine stashed away somewhere? Local sewing groups?
- loonster 6y ago
  Weight looks like a great easy way to quickly asses something. Much better than a bunch of models with years that are good before the MBA type sold out the brand name for a quick buck. Thanks.