newbie needs machine buying advice

[Martyp]

Hi, I have never owned a sewing machine and would like to buy a used machine that is sturdy enough to hem jeans and repair items. Eventually, I want to learn to do much more than just hem things and this will be the only machine I will be able to buy for a while so, I need it to be able to meet my sewing needs once I am more experienced. I have read that the older machines seem sturdier and that I should get one that has all metal gears. I am wondering what you suggest for under $100.00 Canadian. I picked up a singer (didn't look too old, not like my mother's black one lol.) at a thrift store for $25. We plugged it in at the store and the motor ran (it had no needle or thread in it) and that was the extent of out testing. My sister in-law (knows a bit about machines) tried to set it up and she said that the needle doesn't pick up the thread underneath and that the tension wheel is crooked and lose (when she increased the tension it actually siezed the machine). She didn't think that it was worth fixing by the way it ran loud and the other problems it had. So I started hunting for another, I have found a Singer (I would say about 15 years old) that the owners say is working just fine but they have misplaced the power cord. So, another question...do you think the power cord on the thrift store singer would fit on the other Singer? Are they interchangeable, standard for Singer? So...to recap..
1. What machine would you recommend for under $100 that is sturdy enough for jeans etc...
2. Are power cords interchangeable on Singers made in the same decade?
3. Do you think that the thrift store singer might be worth fixing and if so..how much should I be willing to invest?
4. What do you think of an OMEGA 7040?

a huge thanks to anyone who attempts to help me....I am so ignorant when it comes to sewing...I should have watched my mother more.
I am so anxious to get a machine and start sewing ...I really appreciate any help or suggestions. Thanks again.

[Mom of Six]

happy to help once you get sewing but I don't know much about machines other than my own.

[temom]

Hi Marty, and welcome! When I read your post, I thought of one of our members who has a wonderful blog that might be helpful to you. Her Screen name is Sew-classic, and her blog is http://blog.sew-classic.com/

I wish I knew about machines and could help you more. However, jeans aren't too terribly hard to work with. You do have the thickness of the material to deal with, and I would think if you took it slow and used the correct needle that most machines could handle it.

[Martyp]

thank yo Temom.......I will certainly check out the blog. I have been reading comments about machines from members here and doing a lot of searching on ebay for machines. I think I have found one that might do the trick although it doesn't seem to be one of the popular brand names. It is an Omega 7040, the seller has a shop in Montreal and says that it has all metal parts and a strong machine that will sew through lots of layers of denim. It doesn't do a lot of fancy things but it seems to have the basic stitches. It is a "buy it now" but I am waiting to see if I can find more info about that type of machine. I hope that will be a good choice. Thanks again ...I will check out the blog.

[MTL79]

Dear Martyp,
First, congratulations on beginning the journey to learn how to sew, it’s a fun walk!

I am sorry to hear about your thrift store experience; sometimes a machine looks great till it gets home.

I would ditch the singer since is sounds like it has a crack somewhere that would cause a lot of money to repair. Power cords for sewing machines are like power cords for cell phones, one size does not fit all.

The brother sewing machine company makes some very sturdy sewing machines that retail new for under a $100. If you have a sewing machine store nearby I highly recommend going in and sewing on a machine before taking it home. Most store also offer free lessons and trade up programs. If you do not have a sewing machine store near by then Brother Sewing machine are available at Target and Wal-Mart. Pick one up and if it is not what you needed you can always return in 30 days. Stay away for Singer Sewing Machines because their quality has gone down but their price has stayed up.

As for the Omega machines, I have never sewed on one but I have also only seen them on eBay or at Kmart. That tells me they are not the best.

I hope my reply helps and good luck in your search for your first machine.

Michael

[SmilieFace]

Hello, and welcome to the board! You might find this recent thread helpful: http://talk.sew-whats-up.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=3388. My comments/input are there.

[Mom of Six]

JoAnns has a Singer on sale for 199.00 It is like mine & I can do a;most anything on it.
The sale I think starts next week.