My wife wants to get into sewing, and take advantage of her mom’s expertise now that she’s visiting us. I was wondering if people (Janet, Inez, …?) could give us suggestions for reasonable machines to get started, or features to look for that are definitely important.
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Hey Ignacio - that’s great! @Inez knows more about machines than me. I think it really depends on what you’re looking to make.
I’m a big fan of old machines…i.e. solid metal machines from the 60s - especially Singers. You can usually find them for free or less than a $100 on craigslist. I sew mostly clothing with them. I find old machines to be really well built for that price and because they have metal gears they last forever. New machines I believe tend to require you to spend a lot more to get something good…although that might be worth it if you want to do embroidery and other stuff.
@butters bought a machine recently. I can’t remember the brand though.
Hope this helps.
Here’s a good old timey example: craigslist | canada
Mason is good brand and they still make machines. It’s also got a free arm which makes it great for sewing hems on sleeves/clothing. Sounds like it’s in working condition - great for $45.
It has some stitch options…so not just a straight stitch machine.
Okay - I will stop sewing machine searching now and get back to work. 
I’m glad to hear that she’d like to do more sewing!
Features to look for would include the following basic stitches: straight stitch, zig-zag stitch, three-step zig-zag stitch (for stretch knits).
A bonus would be a buttonhole stitch, but if you go with an older machine, you should get a buttonhole attachment with the machine.
I’ll have to give this some more thought.
If it’s convenient for you, I would recommend that you check out Pfaff on Granville and ask their advice. Yes, they sell new machines, but they do have traded in machines as well that might be better on the budget. The owner of the shop fixes the machines, so any trade-ins would be in running shape, I presume. (I haven’t been in the shop in a couple years, but I think they still do repairs in the store.)
The store is located at the corner of Granville and 8th.
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Thanks Janet, for a second I thought you meant the really really old ones
with the integrated pedal and table, the one you found looks pretty good.
Thanks a lot Inez, I’ll stop by the store, it’s actually on my way home.
Ignacio
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I bought my sewing machine from Mason Sewing Machine. Great staff. No pressure sales. They used to be on Fraser but have since moved to South Vancouver.
Pretty much any new machine you buy today is going have most of the bells and whistles you can imagine. 40+ stitches, including button hole, zig zag, etc. So I guess my recommendation is to visit all the stores and try out the machines and talk to the staff to get a feel for what you like.
I bought the Baby-lock Creative Pro about 10 years ago. I think it was around $450. I’ve had no issues with it. This is a similar model to the Brother sewing machine that is at VHS.
This is one Baby Lock model available from Mason’s that may be of interest.
Pfaffs is worth checking out too. An inexpensive Craigslist is also a good consideration!
Good luck with your search.
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lol. The really really old ones are pretty great as well. I got one of these for free from craigslist. It only does straight stitch though…
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My wife has a Pfaff. She uses it for quilting mainly. The one feature she couldn’t do without is the “auto needle down” - so when she finishes a row of stitching the machine automatically leaves the needle down - this makes it easy to turn the fabric to start stitching in the next direction. You just need to lift the foot and turn the fabric and it will pivot on the needle. Also changing the foot easily is something to look for.
Steve
Mason Sewing Machine is another good store. I had only been there once or twice at their old location. I was trying to find them yesterday (online), but the address didn’t seem right. I didn’t know they had moved to Kent Ave. I’ll have to check them out at their new location.
You are correct that many machines will have all the bells and whistles, but there are different models and different price points. When I bought my Janome 15 years ago (wow! so long!), I decided to go for a quilting model even though I’m not a quilter, because that machine came with alphabet stitches. It was slightly more than I had planned to spend, but I felt it was worth it. I haven’t used those stitches very often, but I have used them.
I know you said that your mother-in-law is there to help, but another advantage of buying a machine at a store is that sometimes they provide free lessons. I know that the Pfaff store does provide lessons/help, but I don’t know if they are free, because I never took advantage of the lessons.
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Does yours have a motor, Janet?
I have three old Singer machines: two in bentwood cases and one with the treadle table. The Treadle machine was my grandmother’s, and I haven’t set it up yet. The other two I bought at second-hand stores.
I think one of them has a motor - it’s packed away somewhere at the moment so I can’t check - but the motor needs rewiring.
It’s true that they are straight-stitch only, but they are lovely old machines.
However, I think Ignacio would prefer something a little newer.
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@inezG that’s so great you have your grandmother’s machine in a treadle table. Yes, mine has a motor.It’s actually in a wood table with a folding top and also has a knee lever and a foot pedal. I got it for free from someone in squamish who I think collected machines. At the time it didn’t have a power cable but I got one online for $20. It works perfectly.
Lol - yes, I definitely would recommend a newer machine than this one.
The one thing to watch out for in the new machines, is the arm length. Some are so short, you’d have trouble getting a hankie through there. I don’t understand why!
Good point!
I have a 306k, it will sew through 6 layers of leather. awesome machines
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Ooo here’s a nice old machine with multiple stitch types.
https://vancouver.craigslist.ca/van/for/5737388204.html
(No pressure about old machines - clearly I am obsessed - lol.)
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