Buying a used sewing machine (US)

Dear all,

My friend is asking me about buying a sewing machine (she is in AL). She
wants to spend no more than $200, which is not a lot.
My first sewing machine was a $179 simplicity machine from walmart, and
I did just fine on it, but the balance was an eternal struggle. Other
then that, just fine, including very forgiving of weird and/or thick
threads.

Now, I'd rather advise her to go for a quality brand used machine, but
is that doable at $200?

If you tell me that it is, I'll email a LQS (local to her) that I
visited at Christmas and ask for reputable local dealer.

Thanks,
Hanne in DK

On Jan 20, 11:37*am, Hanne in DK wrote:
Dear all,

My friend is asking me about buying a sewing machine (she is in AL). She
wants to spend no more than $200, which is not a lot.
My first sewing machine was a $179 simplicity machine from walmart, and
I did just fine on it, but the balance was an eternal struggle. Other
then that, just fine, including very forgiving of weird and/or thick
threads.

Now, I'd rather advise her to go for a quality brand used machine, but
is that doable at $200?

If you tell me that it is, I'll email a LQS (local to her) that I
visited at Christmas and ask for reputable local dealer.

Thanks,
Hanne in DK

Hanne,
Might very well be in AL. Certainly not in NJ. Here, machines at the
service dealer range between $500 - $1000. It may be older than ideal
but should be okay. Maybe get the reputable dealer name and have her
look on Craigslist local to her with some guidelines/input as to brand/
age of machines as well. She may be able to find a real deal there
and still have some $$ left over for a service if needed. There are a
ton of vintage singers on our local CL here along with other brands
periodically. I picked up a Brother serger for a song. Spent the $$
for service and classes and am still waaaay ahead of the game.

Kim in NJ

If she has a little patience, it's definitely possible. She might have
Freecycle in her neighborhood, or other places to post that she's
looking for a machine. There ARE people who want to get rid of them,
oddly enough. My daughter bought a good used machine on Craigslist for
150, and she lives in MD.
Roberta in D

On Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:37:46 +0100, Hanne in DK
wrote:

Dear all,

My friend is asking me about buying a sewing machine (she is in AL). She
wants to spend no more than $200, which is not a lot.
My first sewing machine was a $179 simplicity machine from walmart, and
I did just fine on it, but the balance was an eternal struggle. Other
then that, just fine, including very forgiving of weird and/or thick
threads.

Now, I'd rather advise her to go for a quality brand used machine, but
is that doable at $200?

If you tell me that it is, I'll email a LQS (local to her) that I
visited at Christmas and ask for reputable local dealer.

Thanks,
Hanne in DK

Well, I just tried to join the Freecycle group for her area (a closed
yahoo group), and the moderator rejected my application to join.
Interesting for a Freecycle group?

I might ask her to try also, or just stick with Craigs List, and watch
for a little bit.

Hanne in DK


Den 21-01-2012 11:21, Roberta skrev:
If she has a little patience, it's definitely possible. She might have
Freecycle in her neighborhood, or other places to post that she's
looking for a machine. There ARE people who want to get rid of them,
oddly enough. My daughter bought a good used machine on Craigslist for
150, and she lives in MD.
Roberta in D

On Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:37:46 +0100, Hanne in
wrote:

Dear all,

My friend is asking me about buying a sewing machine (she is in AL). She
wants to spend no more than $200, which is not a lot.
My first sewing machine was a $179 simplicity machine from walmart, and
I did just fine on it, but the balance was an eternal struggle. Other
then that, just fine, including very forgiving of weird and/or thick
threads.

Now, I'd rather advise her to go for a quality brand used machine, but
is that doable at $200?

If you tell me that it is, I'll email a LQS (local to her) that I
visited at Christmas and ask for reputable local dealer.

Thanks,
Hanne in DK

If you're in DK, that might explain it. She would probably have no
trouble. They know where we are!
Roberta in D

On Sat, 21 Jan 2012 16:38:55 +0100, Hanne in DK
wrote:

Well, I just tried to join the Freecycle group for her area (a closed
yahoo group), and the moderator rejected my application to join.
Interesting for a Freecycle group?

I might ask her to try also, or just stick with Craigs List, and watch
for a little bit.

Hanne in DK


Den 21-01-2012 11:21, Roberta skrev:
If she has a little patience, it's definitely possible. She might have
Freecycle in her neighborhood, or other places to post that she's
looking for a machine. There ARE people who want to get rid of them,
oddly enough. My daughter bought a good used machine on Craigslist for
150, and she lives in MD.
Roberta in D

On Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:37:46 +0100, Hanne in
wrote:

Dear all,

My friend is asking me about buying a sewing machine (she is in AL). She
wants to spend no more than $200, which is not a lot.
My first sewing machine was a $179 simplicity machine from walmart, and
I did just fine on it, but the balance was an eternal struggle. Other
then that, just fine, including very forgiving of weird and/or thick
threads.

Now, I'd rather advise her to go for a quality brand used machine, but
is that doable at $200?

If you tell me that it is, I'll email a LQS (local to her) that I
visited at Christmas and ask for reputable local dealer.

Thanks,
Hanne in DK

Actually, they know where your comp is - my yahoo account is still
registered not in DK ('cause I never changed it).

I was asked (when applying to join) my reason for joining, and I stated
to help a friend locally. Oh well.

Hanne in DK

Den 21-01-2012 18:03, Roberta skrev:
If you're in DK, that might explain it. She would probably have no
trouble. They know where we are!
Roberta in D

On Sat, 21 Jan 2012 16:38:55 +0100, Hanne in
wrote:

Well, I just tried to join the Freecycle group for her area (a closed
yahoo group), and the moderator rejected my application to join.
Interesting for a Freecycle group?

I might ask her to try also, or just stick with Craigs List, and watch
for a little bit.

Hanne in DK


Den 21-01-2012 11:21, Roberta skrev:
If she has a little patience, it's definitely possible. She might have
Freecycle in her neighborhood, or other places to post that she's
looking for a machine. There ARE people who want to get rid of them,
oddly enough. My daughter bought a good used machine on Craigslist for
150, and she lives in MD.
Roberta in D

On Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:37:46 +0100, Hanne in
wrote:

Dear all,

My friend is asking me about buying a sewing machine (she is in AL). She
wants to spend no more than $200, which is not a lot.
My first sewing machine was a $179 simplicity machine from walmart, and
I did just fine on it, but the balance was an eternal struggle. Other
then that, just fine, including very forgiving of weird and/or thick
threads.

Now, I'd rather advise her to go for a quality brand used machine, but
is that doable at $200?

If you tell me that it is, I'll email a LQS (local to her) that I
visited at Christmas and ask for reputable local dealer.

Thanks,
Hanne in DK

There's a lot of oops. I remember someone who lived in Santa Fe, New Mexico
(USA) trying to get tickets to the Olympics when they were being held in
Atlanta GA. They were told they would have to apply through the foreign
office. I suppose we should be glad things work as well as they do. Polly



"Hanne in DK" wrote in message
...
Actually, they know where your comp is - my yahoo account is still
registered not in DK ('cause I never changed it).

I was asked (when applying to join) my reason for joining, and I stated to
help a friend locally. Oh well.

Hanne in DK

Den 21-01-2012 18:03, Roberta skrev:
If you're in DK, that might explain it. She would probably have no
trouble. They know where we are!
Roberta in D

On Sat, 21 Jan 2012 16:38:55 +0100, Hanne in
wrote:

Well, I just tried to join the Freecycle group for her area (a closed
yahoo group), and the moderator rejected my application to join.
Interesting for a Freecycle group?

I might ask her to try also, or just stick with Craigs List, and watch
for a little bit.

Hanne in DK


Den 21-01-2012 11:21, Roberta skrev:
If she has a little patience, it's definitely possible. She might have
Freecycle in her neighborhood, or other places to post that she's
looking for a machine. There ARE people who want to get rid of them,
oddly enough. My daughter bought a good used machine on Craigslist for
150, and she lives in MD.
Roberta in D

On Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:37:46 +0100, Hanne in
wrote:

Dear all,

My friend is asking me about buying a sewing machine (she is in AL).
She
wants to spend no more than $200, which is not a lot.
My first sewing machine was a $179 simplicity machine from walmart,
and
I did just fine on it, but the balance was an eternal struggle. Other
then that, just fine, including very forgiving of weird and/or thick
threads.

Now, I'd rather advise her to go for a quality brand used machine, but
is that doable at $200?

If you tell me that it is, I'll email a LQS (local to her) that I
visited at Christmas and ask for reputable local dealer.

Thanks,
Hanne in DK

LOL!

Hanne

Den 22-01-2012 06:10, Polly Esther skrev:
There's a lot of oops. I remember someone who lived in Santa Fe, New
Mexico (USA) trying to get tickets to the Olympics when they were being
held in Atlanta GA. They were told they would have to apply through the
foreign office. I suppose we should be glad things work as well as they
do. Polly



"Hanne in DK" wrote in message
...
Actually, they know where your comp is - my yahoo account is still
registered not in DK ('cause I never changed it).

I was asked (when applying to join) my reason for joining, and I
stated to help a friend locally. Oh well.

Hanne in DK

Den 21-01-2012 18:03, Roberta skrev:
If you're in DK, that might explain it. She would probably have no
trouble. They know where we are!
Roberta in D

On Sat, 21 Jan 2012 16:38:55 +0100, Hanne in
wrote:

Well, I just tried to join the Freecycle group for her area (a closed
yahoo group), and the moderator rejected my application to join.
Interesting for a Freecycle group?

I might ask her to try also, or just stick with Craigs List, and watch
for a little bit.

Hanne in DK


Den 21-01-2012 11:21, Roberta skrev:
If she has a little patience, it's definitely possible. She might have
Freecycle in her neighborhood, or other places to post that she's
looking for a machine. There ARE people who want to get rid of them,
oddly enough. My daughter bought a good used machine on Craigslist for
150, and she lives in MD.
Roberta in D

On Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:37:46 +0100, Hanne in
wrote:

Dear all,

My friend is asking me about buying a sewing machine (she is in
AL). She
wants to spend no more than $200, which is not a lot.
My first sewing machine was a $179 simplicity machine from
walmart, and
I did just fine on it, but the balance was an eternal struggle. Other
then that, just fine, including very forgiving of weird and/or thick
threads.

Now, I'd rather advise her to go for a quality brand used machine,
but
is that doable at $200?

If you tell me that it is, I'll email a LQS (local to her) that I
visited at Christmas and ask for reputable local dealer.

Thanks,
Hanne in DK

On Fri, 20 Jan 2012 10:37:46 -0600, Hanne in DK wrote
(in article ):

Dear all,

My friend is asking me about buying a sewing machine (she is in AL). She
wants to spend no more than $200, which is not a lot.
My first sewing machine was a $179 simplicity machine from walmart, and
I did just fine on it, but the balance was an eternal struggle. Other
then that, just fine, including very forgiving of weird and/or thick
threads.

Now, I'd rather advise her to go for a quality brand used machine, but
is that doable at $200?

If you tell me that it is, I'll email a LQS (local to her) that I
visited at Christmas and ask for reputable local dealer.

Thanks,
Hanne in DK

It might be, depending on the dealer and the machine. But it would probably
be a much older machine and without a lot of bells and whistles.

Maureen

responding to
http://www.sewgirls.com/quilting/Buy...US-182525-.htm
lroghair wrote:

Hanne in DK wrote:


Dear all,

My friend is asking me about buying a sewing machine (she is in AL).
She
wants to spend no more than $200, which is not a lot.
My first sewing machine was a $179 simplicity machine from walmart, and

I did just fine on it, but the balance was an eternal struggle. Other
then that, just fine, including very forgiving of weird and/or thick
threads.

Now, I'd rather advise her to go for a quality brand used machine, but
is that doable at $200?

If you tell me that it is, I'll email a LQS (local to her) that I
visited at Christmas and ask for reputable local dealer.

Thanks,
Hanne in DK



My suggestion is to look at thrift stores and even pawn shops. Speaking
from experience, I just bought a barely used sewing/embroidery Viking
machine that normally goes for well over $2000 for $400 at a pawn shop. It
works great. I never even thought of going there, but a couple friends of
mine found it and called me.

Lana


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