While chatting with one of my nieces on Facebook last night, I found out she's dying to learn how to sew. (So why does my own daughter have absolutely zero interest in learning? ) I wish I lived close enough to help her, but at least she lives in an area with lots of classes and resources.
However, she needs a machine. It needs to be very inexpensive as her parents divorced recently and her mom doesn't have much money. If she were an adult with a credit card, I'd help her zero in on a moderately priced machine and have her troll e-bay for a good deal. Since she's not, it will end up being a birthday or Christmas present (possibly from me if no one else steps up), so I need to find a very inexpensive one that can be purchased easily. I want it to have enough flexibility to do whatever she she needs for at least a few years, and have it be reliable.
I haven't spent much time researching different machines since I already had one, but I know there are some really junky ones out there. I thought of Costco, because they always seem to have good quality at a lower than average price, and they have a generous return policy. She'd have 90 days to return it if it gives her any problems. I looked online and they have a couple Singer machines and three Brother machines. I'm looking at the Brother machines as I don't think Singer has the same quality it did years ago (from what I've heard anyway). They are both a great price for the features, especially the first one! The reviews indicate that people are pretty happy with them overall.
What do you think of these? Does anyone have firsthand experience with either machine? Although I think these two models are manufactured specifically for Costco.
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11597336&whse=BC&Ne=4000000&eCat=BC|90608|28071&N=4047457&Mo=10&No=6&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&cat=28071&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&topnav=
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11222787&whse=BC&Ne=4000000&eCat=BC|90608|28071&N=4047457&Mo=10&No=3&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&cat=28071&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&topnav=
The second one has lots of extra feet, although that spot on the front for a picture makes me laugh! Seriously, who puts a picture on their sewing machine?