I just bought a 16 inch bottom church bell with the number 2 only showing, and a chopper axe number 1, and a 1920 singer sewing machine with the large case, attatchments, and manual with the serial number g-9627…., does anyone have an idea of what the value of these items are? Thanx

Your local value of these items might be different than the value of these in my location. Any items such as those you have listed depend on availability and desire. The church bell I don’t want to even guess on a value..not sure, but the 2 is the size of the bell. The axe might fetch you $20 around here because everyone has these laying around or being used in our area and usually the handle is worth more than the head of it. The sewing machine will sell in my area from $25-50 depending on the shape it is in (I am guessing it is the electric one with a rounded wooden case). These too are very plentiful in my area, keeping the value down.

I’m thinking about taking up clothes-making as a hobby. I’ve never done anything like this before and so would be starting out really basic, but would eventually like to progress onto things like darts, puffed sleeves etc. I have no idea which sort of sewing machine is best for a beginner like me, but I really like the old-fashioned vintage black Singer sewing machines. Are these any good? Also, any suggestions of types of machines?

Visit as many sewing machine dealers as you can.

Tell them what you want to do and how much you can afford.

They will show you machines within your budget, and let you try out the machine. They may also offer lessons.

Take notes and then you select the machine and dealer you like best.

All the brands make excellent machines and will have a model that fits your need.

Making darts and puffed sleeves does not take any special machine as these techniques can also be done by hand sewing as well.

I learned to sew in middle school and really enjoyed it. I am now 25 and about to learn again and pick it back up. I want to buy a sewing machine, I am between the Singer 7463 or Singer 7469Q. I want to use it for making home decor, clothing, quilts, and mending. The Q has many more features but is $100 more. Is it worth the extra $100??

They are both nice machines, they sew beautifully. The 7469Q is much easier to use though. The 7469Q has more buttonhole styles, which can be used for different fabrics and applications. I love the 7469Q for quilting, it has more stitches which are great for applique. Both have the same stitch quality. I say go for the better one.

My aunt gave me an old sewing machine a while back. It still works but the needle broke in half. I tried to replace the needle with another from a sewing machine that doesn’t work but the needle didn’t fit. Where can I find one and make sure it does fit (without buying a million of them)? It’s called a "Sewhandy" and from the Singer brand. It is also very small and looks like it was meant mostly for small jobs.
–Thankyou

If the machine is like this one – http://cgi.ebay.com/3-NEEDLES+MANUALS-Singer-20-Toy-Child-Sewing-Machine_W0QQitemZ400056692263QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20090619?IMSfp=TL090619179001r20184

It takes style 24×1 needles and the only ones I found are either on a Chinese website or this site on Ebay – http://cgi.ebay.com/10-NEEDLES-MORE-Singer-20-Toy-Child-Sewing-Machine_W0QQitemZ400057304465QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item5d25460591&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C72%3A1205%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A0%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

Maybe someone in the family will help you buy a new machine, for which accessories are easy to find.

My aunt gave me an old sewing machine a while back. It still works but the needle broke in half. I tried to replace the needle with another from a sewing machine that doesn’t work but the needle didn’t fit. Where can I find one and make sure it does fit (without buying a million of them)? It’s called a "Sewhandy" and from the Singer brand. It is also very small and looks like it was meant mostly for small jobs.
–Thankyou

If the machine is like this one – http://cgi.ebay.com/3-NEEDLES+MANUALS-Singer-20-Toy-Child-Sewing-Machine_W0QQitemZ400056692263QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20090619?IMSfp=TL090619179001r20184

It takes style 24×1 needles and the only ones I found are either on a Chinese website or this site on Ebay – http://cgi.ebay.com/10-NEEDLES-MORE-Singer-20-Toy-Child-Sewing-Machine_W0QQitemZ400057304465QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item5d25460591&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C72%3A1205%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A0%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

Maybe someone in the family will help you buy a new machine, for which accessories are easy to find.

I’m looking for a machine that is not overly expensive, but also works well. It just needs to be able to hem pants, sew seams, and to be used in making simple garments for home use (mostly children sized!). I took fashion/sewing classes in school for three years, so I’m competent in most functions and the basic parts of a machine, so that shouldn’t be a problem.

One I have been looking at is the Singer Prelude 8280. The only issue I have found so far is that the bobbin is loose and can tangle thread… But I have read that its adjustable and fixable.

What are your opinions? Thanks in advance!!

I strongly discourage sewers from buying the Singer brand today. When I was a child, it was the best brand around. In subsequent years, they moved their engineering and manufacturing operations off shore and the quality disappeared.

Buying a used machine from a reputable dealer will be a much better use of your money. Just make sure that it has a 90 day parts and labor guarantee and when you take it home, sew the stuffings out of it right away. That way, any marginal components will fail during the warranty period.

I sew on Bernina machines. Janome and Viking are also reliable brands.

I am trying to find a brother or singer sewing/embroidery machine using flexpay.

You don’t want to purchase a machine through Kmart or Walmart.They don’t service what they sell.
You want to look for a local sewing machine dealer. They will specialize in a certain brand of their choice. Most will have a finance company that they use.
Look specifically at hoop size for the embroidery, most begin at 4×4. This will soon be too little for you. You want to be able to sit down and sew on the machine of your choice prior to purchasing. Take your time and look around. Research what it is that you want in a machine, Keeping in mind that their is alot of expense in machine embroidery. There is special thread to purchase, regular sewing thread doesn’t work, special bobbin thread to purchase, and everything needs a stabilizer. A specific stabilizer for different fabrics. Learn about this prior to purchase, if funds are short, you might have to save a while to be able to enjoy your machine. At least know what your getting yourself into.

my dad just got a sewing machine for my birthday payed like 100 dollars, its a brother but now he found a singer at the farmers market for 15 dollars it has everything except the cord ! does any one know where we could buy the cord for it, you know to plug it in and that foot pedal thing?

sorry i don’t know what its exactly called.

any help would be appreciated thnx !

Pedal and cord sets are pretty generic and pretty cheap, comparatively speaking. Call any repair shop and see what they’d charge for a set.

My general feeling about such inexpensive new machines (in either case) is that you’re likely to be buying a machine that will last only for a few years, and may be frustrating to deal with. See:
http://www.tomfarrell.org/textiles/sewing/

You won’t find much for under $100. A Brother perhaps, but they are very basic and seem to have problems. You might consider checking the ads for someone selling an older, but better model.
I bought a Singer about 17 years ago for $129.00. It’s been okay, but the timing gets off every year or so and it has to go to the shop. So every couple of years I put about $50-60 into it.
Just bought a $400 White on sale at Jo-ann’s for $130.00. So you also might consider allowing a little more for a machine and get one on sale.

I want to use different fabrics and stitches for decoration and I want to be able to embroider with it and do a hem binding like for t shirts and stuff. Do I want a serger or a sewing machine? I heard that singers are crappy now that I should buy viking or beringer? I that true?

I have a brother sewing machine.Model #LS-1217 that I got at wal-mart for $99.00. It has all those features and works great. Good Luck with your business