I am looking at purchasing a sewing machine so I can start my costume. I don't want to spend a lot and I've looked at Craigslist, Local selling sites, Walmart, and Amazon. At this point I'd rather buy a new one so I have a warranty, but I don't want to buy a machine that does TOO much or a machine that won't sew the leatherette for my over dress.

Do you think this one could handle it? Sewing leatherette by hand is my worst nightmare since I sew like a drunk man by hand.

http://www.amazon.com/Brother-Everyday- ... NG+MACHINE

Joel suggested asking Rhea and Carol their opinions.

Brother machines are surprisingly good for the price. I have a basic one and my girlfriend has a fancy programmable one. Both kick butt.

Thank you Topher, I've never bought a sewing machine before. I would be willing to buy a more expensive machine if I knew I was going to be doing a lot of different projects, but aside from this costume and maybe a few hems or a pillow cover, I can't see myself doing anything more complicated.

Anything leather or thick like that is a bitch to sew on a normal machine. It CAN be done, don't get me wrong. Just make sure you have plenty of needles handy because they will dull quickly.

Let me get back to you on this when I get home tonight and see which 2 I have. One is a bit my "industrial" that the other.

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Yeah I don't know if I need 'industrial', but you know how these things go, once you start you have a hard time stopping. I'm hoping to have the right one identified/purchased by next week. I really want to get started.

I will make a mental note about the needles though and make sure I get plenty of extra.

Hi Carol here.
I love my Brother I got. I went with this one.

Brother SE400 Combination Computerized Sewing and 4x4 Embroidery Machine With 67 Built-in Stitches, 70 Built-in Designs, 5 Lettering Fonts
I got mine on clarence when Walmart was getting rid of that model.
But did have some trouble sewing 1/8" thick leather with it.
But a thinner leather I think would be easy.
And yes lots and lots of extra needles.

I still have an older machine that runs great, but with my daughter and myself always making something I got the Brother. And now LOVE the embroider option. LOL

Oh, and make sure you get a proper leather needle for that type of work! It makes a huge difference.

There is a girl on a local site that's willing to do some trades from a machine that's looks like it's from the late 70s early 80s. I want to look at it first. See if that can at least get me started on the under dress until I can get something nicer or I get frustrated and pay someone to do the sewing portion lol.

@Topher...I didn't even realize they MADE leather needles, I will definitely look for those.

I'd say only buy an older machine if it's mostly metal. The plastics used in 70s and 80s machines tended to oxidize and become brittle.

Hmmmm :-/ Might be more beneficial to just wait I guess.

So, I acquired a used machine in fantastic shape, a Janome 3023. I know it's not the brother I was looking at originally. The only problem is it's missing the pressure foot shank. I'm looking on Ebay for a replacement, but most of them say they are for multiple brands. Is this true? Are they pretty universal?

I think it was Courtney that said she had a Janome.

I'd suggest a run to Joann's or Hancock's if you can, and ask there. Plus then you'd have an option to return it? That said, I think the universal ones do generally work ok.

I bought it from my neighbor...so no real option for a return. From what I've seen so far it looks pretty inexpensive to replace. I wish I noticed it before I bought it though, they had the darning foot on it when I bought it. When I went back to see if maybe it was laying around he was kind of a dick about it. I got one from a friend, fiddled with it, and I've put it away because I was getting frustrated. I'll look at later or tomorrow. Too frustrated at the moment.