Here are the sewing machines that help(ed) me.
Selecline. The first time I wrote about this machine was in 2011(see this blog post). Since I got some thread problems at the beginning, so I did not use it for a while. I started to use it again around fall 2011 to make some training pants (trainers) for my lil girl. At that time I already got familiar with the machine and I could fix the thread problems.
In 2012, I got some other problems with Selecline. First, the bobbin winder. It was not working. I couldn't wind my bobbins properly and it made me upset (of course…). Still, I could push the winder with my fingers. It means, semi manual winding. Tiring… And then, the Junebug dress that I made for hours (seven hours, more or less) gave another problem to my machine: the lamp was out of order! Dead. The end. No more additional light and it means I can not use that machine during the night.
But I saved my money for buying a better sewing machine. That's for sure. I bought Selecline because at that time I didn't know whether I would love sewing or not. Now I can say… I'm in love with sewing. So, 40 euros for sewing accessories, hm, I was hesitating… a lot.
And then, my mother-in-law lent me her Singer. This old blue Singer is mechanical like my Selecline but it's much much better. Old Singers are good in performance and endurance. I made some projects with that Singer and I had no complaint except for the fact that it's very heavy!
Using that machine for almost 2 months, our minds were always set: just borrowing. My mother-in-law never said that she gave it to me. So, I continued searching a new machine and saving my money.
My long and deep (and confusing) survey about a sewing machine that suited me made me focus more on Brother and Janome brands. With limited budget that I had, I put my eyes only on specific models from those two brands. My plan was to buy a new one in a sewing machine shop inside this city.
Then my faith led me to this Brother Innov-ìs 30, the same model that I tried at my sewing bestie's friend's house :D It was really beyond my expectation that I would get the opportunity of having it in a short process. The machine is not 100% new but it's 99,9% new. Confused? Well, it will be long to be shared in this blog. The previous owner of the machine was using it only for 3 days. She bought it last August. So everything is still under warranty. She sold in a very reasonable price for me. Of course I took it after trying and testing. Oh yes, almost forgot, it was her who brought the machine into my house for the trial.
So, voilà! Got my new sewing partner…! Ready for next projects *wink*
PS. Since my dear daughter wants to learn sewing (seriously!), I offered my Selecline to her today. I promised to help her in bobbin winding. Why does she want to learn? Because, last month she bought and read a book: London Fashion. A story book for teenagers that put her into a sewing illusion (hihi, kidding...)! Selecline is good for her to start. Right?
EDIT: 16 Sep 2012. My daughter started to learn sewing today. Unfortunately, the old problem of my Selecline is coming back. Yes, thread, and the bobbin case. It seems that the Selecline will only help my daughter to learn straight stitching (and she will learn to open the bobbin case if there's a problem with the thread :D). Courage, girl!
