Buy sewing machine

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1
Hi

I would like to buy a sewing machine, do you know where I should go? I live in Vevey, so somewhere nearby or up to 1 hour drive is great.

I am not a professional, I just want to make simple basic things like pillow-case, etc so I won't need a fancy one, something around 100-200 chf will be great. I don't mind second-hand either.

Thank you for your help.

2
The Bernina shop in Lausanne often have good second-hand machines.

I bought one from them myself.

I think the owner (M. Staeheli) is on holiday for the moment, but he's at 27 Petit-Chene -just up from the station - 021.320.8520.

If you don't sew much, a supermarket machine might do the job, but I know nothing of these, being a Bernina person.

3
No. Supermarket machines usually can't even sew jeans. It's much better and not much more expensive to buy a refurbished, used Bernina or Pfaff.

4
Thank you very much ... next Sat, I will check the shop, used Bernina sewing machine will be nice.

5
There's also what was a Bernina shop along the main road in Vevey, near the Panorama parking. I think it still has a 'Bernina' sign up.

The shop has recently been taken over and I don't know if the owner still sells sewing machines, but it might be worth asking her.

6
My other half has just bough one from Ikea. It works (she's already made a few things, having no previous experience) and cost CHF90...

7
I bought a Pfaff in the Coop Caroline in Lausanne centre for 299 CHF and it has worked like a champ. It doesn't come with a million fancy stitching options but I don't use them anyway. What it does do and do well is heavy upholstery fabric, leather, welting, multiple layers, etc.

8
They often have pretty good basic machines (usually "Brother") on sale at Fust, Coop, Manor, etc. Just keep your eyes open.

Sure you won't be able to make a pair of jeans. But I know very few people who make pillow cases and curtains from jeans. If you are OK with making your curtains and pillow cases from something normal like curtain & upholstery fabric, they should do the job just fine.

9
Oh i didnt know Ikea sold sewing machines too!!!

anyone has experiences with "singer" brand?

I remember my granny back home used to have a "singer" of course the one with black vintage looks.

10
I did a design course at the London College of Fashion and in there all teachers recommended Bernina. I bought one for me + overlocker and it is amazing how easy and smooth is to sew compared with other brands. Very high quality. Also, Bernina offers you an introduction course if you buy a brand new machine (not sure if second hand). What I have observed is that in many Swiss towns there is a Bernina centre for selling or repair.

11
Thanks Oreneta, I WAS thinking of buying a cheapie, but not now,

http://www.ricardo.ch/search/search....NavBarSearch=1

12
Ugh. That's too bad. I hate my Bernina*. LOL. If I hadn't gone overboard and bought one with too many features, I'd have tried to sell it.

*Of course I should say that it's an excellent machine. Nothing against the machines itself. I personally just don't like the way it stitches/sounds. Probably because I'm just use to my old. But my favorite was my grandmothers' black singer. It make the most perfect stitches.

13
Which one did you buy.

If it's anything like mine, I've somehow tamed the beast and could perhaps help if you're near Lausanne.

14
Sups, SInger is a very well known and respected brand that has been round for 100 years or so.

A few mopnths a go I bought a machine from Migros. They had two models, one at 149chf and the other at just under 300chf. And yes, mine does sew through layers of denim when turning up cuffs of jeans.

This week I noticed that Aldi also had some in at about that 149chf mark.

15
I have owned a Brother, and now a Singer. Neither is a high end model, and not with a high price tag.

My sewing needs are not great: drapes, repairs, hemming.

But I have also sewn costumes as well.

So these basic machines get the job done. If I sewed more I would probably consider a second hand Bernina or Pfaff.

16
Find an old school Elna... it's a beast but worth it. Solid construction and it's Swiss. :-)

We got one (inherited). It gets me excited about sewing and I don't even sew.

quinn

17
I have the Aurora, QE. It's a bear of a machine. Please don't make me haul that thing to Lausanne! LOL. Just kidding. If you'll teach me to use it properly I'll haul it to Lausanne.

I like the sound and the stitch much better on the Elna. When I bought my machine they had just gone under so I choose the Bernina instead.

18
If you're from the US (and maybe Canada) Singer is well-known. My sister still uses my grandfather's tailoring machine from 1906, converted in the mid-1900s from treadle (run by pumping with your feet) to motor. I think it sews through rocks. Not really, but it's a big, heavy sucker.

I've got a portable black singer from the mid 1900's, and it used to sew right through several levels of denim. Nothing fancy, but a good straight line. It has a US motor, unfortunately, so I can't use it here.

If all you have to do is sew forward and backward with the occasional zig zag, most low end machines will do fine, but heavy fabrics may be a challenge - I think it's important to use the right thread and tension.

19
www.kijiji.ch

Look up Nähmaschine.

There is an elna there for 40CHF... not sure what it's like. Selling in Zurich.

quinn

20
Hi There

I have an old Bernia the metal one and I love it. Last week I was in the fleah market in Zürich and one person was selling a Bernia for 80 sfr. so have a look around in the fleah markets in your area, you might get lucky.

But go for bernina.

good luck