Compact sewing machine suggestion

I am trying to figure out what kind of compact-sized sewing machine to
send my daughter at college and thought I would take suggestions here.
I doubt she is going to be doing a lot of sewing over there, but she
does split seams, rip pockets, and tear out hems a lot, and she might
sew a skirt or two if she really got desperate. The following issues
are pertinent:

* I am a single parent (she is paying for her own college education
herself, BTW), and the most I have ever spent on a sewing machine for
myself was about $300, so please don't suggest a $1000 machine, because
I'll never be able to afford it.

* She was not interested in taking my Featherweight, which I would have
been willing to give up for her to take. (I don't think I can afford to
buy one just for her on my budget.)

* She also was not interested in taking her own sewing machine. I am
not sure if it's because it is too big, because she never really liked
it after we got it (although she liked it perfectly well before we got
it), because there's something wrong with it that she doesn't want to
tell me about, or because she is not happy that I didn't pass my lovely
70s or 80s era New Home (which I am *VERY* emotionally attached to) down
to her once I got my Singer 500A -- or maybe it's a combination of all
of the above.

* I live in California. She is in South Carolina. The postal charges
to there are pretty steep from what I have mailed her, so I don't want
to have to mail anything terribly heavy to her.

* It's got to be something noticeably smaller than a full-sized machine,
because she's living in a dorm room and doesn't have a lot of space.

* We have a Singer 99 here, but I suspect it's too heavy to ship (see
distance and shipping cost comments below).

* Ditto for a Singer 66 that my son never converted to a handcrank
model and I might be able to talk him out of, but I think that might be
a full-sized machine anyway.

* I also have a Singer 301, but not only am I moderately attached to it,
but I think it's bigger than the 99 in size by the time you include its
carrying case, so I'm not sure if she would want that or not, but then
again, if there is a soft-sided case somewhere that would fit it, I
could probably afford to buy one for her off of Ebay or somewhere
similar (sew-rite.com?).

* I am pretty sure a Singer 400 or 500 series machine is out due to size.

* I also have a Singer 185K in a nice hard plastic case that may or may
not weigh less than the 99, but I haven't ever compared their weights.
I rescued it from a thrift store and it runs perfectly except that it
needs a new belt, which a local sewing machine store can provide. I
have no emotional attachment to this machine, so apart from possible
weight issues it is a good candidate.

* I see Singer Genies -- those "flower power" machines from the 70s or
80s or so -- on Ebay off and on, and I could try to convince a seller to
pack it well and send it directly to her instead of to me, and the price
would be right.

* I could also save my money for a few months and get her a Janome Gem
($249 USD new or I also see them occasionally on Ebay) and have it sent
directly to her.

* I've been off the beaten path on older machines -- if anybody could
point me to a list of which Singers were more compact in size, that
might help me select one from Ebay or somewhere.

* I really would like to send her a machine that has ZZ on it without
needing an attachment, but that's not a 100% requirement, just a strong
hope.

Any ideas would be gratefully received.

Melinda Meahan - take out TRASH to reply wrote:

* She also was not interested in taking her own sewing machine. I am
not sure if it's because it is too big, because she never really liked
it after we got it (although she liked it perfectly well before we got
it), because there's something wrong with it that she doesn't want to
tell me about, or because she is not happy that I didn't pass my lovely
70s or 80s era New Home (which I am *VERY* emotionally attached to) down
to her once I got my Singer 500A -- or maybe it's a combination of all
of the above.

Since she wasn't interested in taking her own machine, and she probably
isn't going to do a lot of sewing, I suggest having a long chat with her
about why she didn't take a sewing machine. She may simply not think
it's cool to have a sewing machine at college or actually plan to use
one at all. She may prefer to back-burner the sewing hobby entirely
while away at college. And there is nothing wrong with that- there's a
lot to do at college. She may also change her mind later.

My neice took her sewing machine to college because she loves making
costumes and college affords a lot of opportunities for that. She's also
a theater major. She got her first sewing machine of her own from her
grandmother while a freshman with all of that in mind.

I've loved sewing for most of my life, but I left the machine at home
when I went to college. I did not have time to do sewing. Room for me
wasn't the issue- if I wanted it, I would have made the room happen.

I think you have a good handle on what machines are available and are
good options. One of my friends swears by her Genie. But because your
money is tight, I'd talk to her about it before you send her a machine
that she has no interest in receiving.

-georg

georg wrote:

She may also change her mind later.


That was me.
Let her go without a machine. Tell her you will find her one if she
wants it then wait for her to ask for one.

-Charlotte

georg wrote:


Since she wasn't interested in taking her own machine, and she probably
isn't going to do a lot of sewing, I suggest having a long chat with her
about why she didn't take a sewing machine. She may simply not think
it's cool to have a sewing machine at college or actually plan to use
one at all. She may prefer to back-burner the sewing hobby entirely
while away at college. And there is nothing wrong with that- there's a
lot to do at college. She may also change her mind later.

Her stated reason was because it was too big and she wasn't sure if she
would have room for it -- also, she went to college with only what she
could take on the airplane without excess baggage charges, and she did
say that she wanted a machine at school to do repairs.



My neice took her sewing machine to college because she loves making
costumes and college affords a lot of opportunities for that. She's also
a theater major. She got her first sewing machine of her own from her
grandmother while a freshman with all of that in mind.

I've loved sewing for most of my life, but I left the machine at home
when I went to college. I did not have time to do sewing. Room for me
wasn't the issue- if I wanted it, I would have made the room happen.

I think you have a good handle on what machines are available and are
good options. One of my friends swears by her Genie. But because your
money is tight, I'd talk to her about it before you send her a machine
that she has no interest in receiving.

-georg

I think I'd ask her how she felt about you selling her machine and using
the money to find one that she would like. If it were me, I'd talk to
her about what, besides mending, she might want to use it for. I'd
think a nice selection of basic stitches, straight, zig zag, blind hem,
etc. for keeping clothing in repair, and maybe a couple of decoratives
if down the road she wanted to make a skirt or blouse for a special
occassion. Maybe talk to some shops near the school. And have DD talk
to her campus mother or another favorite staff member about spending a
little time looking at the machines available.

Also, while you're looking for the machine I'd send her a well stocked
hand sewing basket and maybe a copy of Singer's clothing care and
repair. With enough practice, her hand stitching will improve. I know
mine is!

Maureen

Melinda Meahan - take out TRASH to reply wrote:

georg wrote:

Her stated reason was because it was too big and she wasn't sure if she
would have room for it -- also, she went to college with only what she
could take on the airplane without excess baggage charges, and she did
say that she wanted a machine at school to do repairs.

Maureen Wozniak wrote:

Also, while you're looking for the machine I'd send her a well stocked
hand sewing basket and maybe a copy of Singer's clothing care and
repair. With enough practice, her hand stitching will improve. I know
mine is!

She already does know how to do that, and she went with 20 spools of
thread in different colors and other assorted hand-sewing supplies. It
just takes a lot less time to do it by machine, and she just doesn't
have a lot of free time right now.

"Melinda Meahan - take out TRASH to reply" wrote in
message ...
I am trying to figure out what kind of compact-sized sewing machine to
send my daughter at college and thought I would take suggestions here.
I doubt she is going to be doing a lot of sewing over there, but she
does split seams, rip pockets, and tear out hems a lot, and she might
sew a skirt or two if she really got desperate. The following issues
are pertinent:


Thinking back to my own college days of living in a 9'x12' dorm room....
There just might not be room. And since she didn't want to take her
machine.... Maybe a really good, well stocked, but small hand sewing kit
would be a better idea. That way if she needed to do some mending, she
could. But she wouldn't have to give up any room. Believe me, my roommates
and I (yes there was usually 2 of us in that tiny space!) learned to use
every inch of available space. As much as I would have loved to have a
sewing machine with me, there was no room for one.

I'd have a chat with her and get her to tell you, very honestly and frankly,
if she wants a machine there. You have to be OK with whatever she says. If
she says no there isn't room, then you have to not worry about it, or get
your feelings hurt. ((hug)) If she does want one there, then you need her
to tell you exactly how much room she is going to have to give it a home.

Sharon

--
---
"Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of time and just annoys the
pig."

mamahays wrote:

machine.... Maybe a really good, well stocked, but small hand sewing kit
would be a better idea. That way if she needed to do some mending, she
could. But she wouldn't have to give up any room.

That gives me an idea. My mom used to have an old hand-held sewing
thing that made a chain stitch, and my dad used to have a sewing awl to
use on leather. Maybe something like that, which would give her a
better stitch than she can do by hand, might work.

There is a Sears store in Haywood Mall that should have one of the
inexpensive $40 machines that does a straight stitch only.
Barbara

That gives me an idea. My mom used to have an old hand-held sewing
thing that made a chain stitch,

Melinda, there are 3 good sewing machine shops within 4 miles of BJU where
she might get a machine that doesn't cost very much. Heirloom Stitching
might be the closest. The city bus runs fairly regular, but the system has
been known to shut down for a few months, now and then. Also, there are
possible clothing construction classes at BJU and she might have the use of
the machines after supper. That is what I did at another university a long
time ago.
Barbara in FL & SC

"Melinda Meahan - I am trying to figure out what kind of compact-sized
sewing machine to
send my daughter at college