Which sewing machine is better?
My cousin just bought a Kenmore sewing machine last week and it was this one:
http://s.sears.com/is/image/Sears/9990000025200211
But she's having problems with it. She said something about the bobbin winder not winding properly and the stitches aren't really that good because in some of them, the thread constantly messes up at the back of the fabric.
Now she's really upset about it. I told her I could buy her a new one for Christmas if she wants.
But I don't know which sewing machine is better. The only ones that I could find here are these:
http://www.brother.ca/en/sewing/description.asp?Prodid=4351094888339273069&features=on
http://www.walmart.ca/Canada-FeaturedPage.jsp?selection=listingDetails&assetId=39538&imageId=55496&departmentId=259&categoryId=1781&tabId=6
I could only find singer, brother and Kenmore brands. But now my cousin doesn't trust Kenmore anymore so I'm stuck with those two.
I would really appreciate comments & suggestions. Thanks a lot! ^_^
I suspect user error here.... chances are that the "stitches aren't that good" problem is due to threading with the presser foot down (it has to be up to let the thread into the upper tension); when you sew with no tension on the upper thread, loops form on the back. I made some photos of the stitching my machine does when misthreaded -- the red thread is in the bobbin, blue thread on top. The first pair of photos are correct stitching; the other three pairs I made were bypassing the bobbin tension (second pair of photos), not getting the thread into the top tension (third set) and not getting the thread into the top tension AND not holding the thread ends when starting to sew. See:
http://picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/22521551
Unevenly wound bobbins are also commonly user error, often by not threading properly and/or varying the speed during bobbin winding (slow and steady wins the race!).
Of the three brands mentioned, I'd stick with Kenmore UNLESS she wants to go to a real sewing machine dealer, in which case basic operation classes will come with the purchase of the machine. Otherwise, I'd be inclined to suggest that your cousin review the manual carefully (it often helps to read each step out loud before doing it), and head for the library for a good beginning sewing book and/or DVD. If she's never sewn before, she might consider Connie Crawford's Studio Sewing Skills dvd, which is first year design school sewing, and it starts with learning to thread and operate a machine properly.
Kenmore, btw, is made by Janome -- and they seem to have the sweet spot right now for good machines at low prices.
I'll also refer you to my answer to someone else: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AiEtWjlDqoB00IjoJaHaaA7sy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20091029144942AAyPAnp&show=7#profile-info-0TpHlHuTaa
Dick Koos1922-2008:Triumph MC Champion The Byrds Easy Rider
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