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<DIV><FONT size=1>Greetings!</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT size=1>When choosoing a sewing machine, it's best to choose one that
fits your needs and is within your budget.</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT size=1>Getting one used is great, as long as it still works and you
can find needles and bobbins. Some older machines won't accept modern sized
needles and bobbins.</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT size=1>No name brands are fine. I list name brands so that you have
somesort of reference. </FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT size=1>My current machine is one that I bought at a Piece goods13-14
years ago. It was labeled "Domestic" (It appeared to be the same machine JC
Pennys was selling as their brand at the time.) I have never had any problems
with it that I wasn't able to fix with a good cleaning and oiling. I have used
it as a production machine (I worked as an alterationist in a dry cleaners, full
time for a year and used my machine over the industrial because mine was more
versatile.) and it worked fine. I've put hems on jeans and sewn fine silk
chiffon and had beautiful results on both.</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT size=1>If you are going to be an occasional sewer (a few pieces in a
year) using medium weight fabric just about any machine will do.</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT size=1>If you plan on sewing regularly, I would choose a machine that
is fairly sturdy, (mostly metal construction), with limited electronic
components. Decent brands include Singer and Kenmore. (My costume professor in
college recommended Kenmores as they were sturdy and Sears were everywhere if
they needed fixing.)</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT size=1>If you want to be a production sewer (sewing for your living)
and have the money, I would recommend an Elna, Bernina, or a Husqvarna. (The
Viking and White are American names for two of the previous, but I don't
remember which.) They are the Cadillacs of sewing machines. They run smoothly,
quietly, are a dream to work on. the summer I worked at an interior decorators
making curtains and pillows I worked on an Elna and loved it.</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT size=1>If you want to do specialized stitches and have the money, you
can invest in various machines that will do all sorts of embroidery. They're
really impressive and expensive. (10 years ago, when last I looked, they were
2500$. As cool as they were I decided that I didn't need one and don't miss not
having it.)</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT size=1>Another thing to consider in sewing machine selection is size.
Often older machines come with their own cabnets. These are large, sometimes
heavy pieces that take up much more space than the portable models. If you have
a small place and you don't live to sew, a portable model is a better
bet.</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV>There is a good discussion on choosing a machine in <FONT
color=#000000><FONT size=1><A
href="/uhtbin/cgisirsi/id9BIPPTOI/194890108/18/X245/XTITLE/The+costume+designer's+handbook+:">The
costume designer's handbook : a complete guide for amateur and professional
costume designers by Rosemary Ingham and Liz Covey.</A> (<FONT size=1>2nd
ed., Rev. and updated. <FONT size=1>Portsmouth, NH : Heinemann, c1992.) (This
was the text used in my costume design class in college and well worth having in
your collection. The section on pattern drafting is
excellent.)</FONT></FONT></FONT></FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT size=1>Hope this is helpful! Good luck!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=1>**aelfwynn of whitby** (who studied to be a theatrical costume
designer but decided actors didn't repect my "works of art" ;-) enough and
joined the SCA instead ;-) )</FONT></DIV>
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