For a first machine, I would look for an Estate sale. I believe the older simpler machines are actually less confusing to learn on, force you to use good seam technique rather than fancy stitches and are a whole lot more solid. My Mother had a Husqvana and she used it for everything from ballet dresses to canvas horse covers. She worked it hard and it lasted over 40 years. I bought a new Pfaff Tiptronic 29 years ago and loved it dearly. I learned to sew on it. It developed a small fault in that the clutch did not disconnect when bobbin winding and I bought a Janome as a pressy to myself. I got the Pfaff serviced and gave it to my daughter. The clutch still doesn't work and I still use it when I want to sew tough stuff as the Janome simply won't stitch even thin leather, or thick denim. I bought a Janome overlocker (serger) site unseen from an auction house for $28 about 15 years ago. It has purred ever since, apart from the fact that I didn't realise where all the oiling points were and it needed attention for nasty noises. I have seen some of the cheaper brands offered a beginner specials and they can be nasty. The problems they develop will put people off learning. Ask around though, there are a lot of machines sitting around and the owners are often happy for them to get a good home if it helps a young person start sewing. I have seen half a dozen such transactions over the tea room table at work. Lynlee
>I have been asked by a friend who has a daughter who wants to learn to sew to make costumes to come to our vintage dances. She asked what would be a good starter machine. Does any one here have recommendations? Thanks. -- Katy Bishop, Vintage Victorian katybisho...@gmail.com www.VintageVictorian.com Custom reproduction gowns of the Victorian Era. Publisher of the Vintage Dress Series books. _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume