she better make me a dress
My cousin’s daughter has been saying she wants to be a fashion designer for a while now. Since it’s her 13th birthday, and she is starting to act distracted at school, I figured that now is as good a time as any to give this kid a reason to focus on something, behave better, and see if this dream she has is what it’s cracked up to be. I’m getting her a moderately priced sewing machine with my next paycheck. She better make me a dress, too.
That is very nice of you. You will be giving her the tools for her future as well as something that she can do to stay focused. Now who is going to actually teach her to sew?
Her mom took it up in vocational school about 20 years ago, and even though it’s been a while for her, she’s going to try and help her daughter. Also, there are some college classes that her daughter is eligible to take that can help to get her started.
Comment by S23 — August 18, 2008 @ 9:51 am
You can get a cheap machine from Joann’s for $100. However, buy a used old one and have it refurbed instead. The metal casings will last longer. My last refurb was for $95, the price of a new machine.
Good brands are old Singers from the 70’s, Bernina, Husqvarna and Pfaff. The latter three are crazy expensive when they are new, but usually loaded with features. (No idea what the used market is like for those since they start off at $2K+ new. But friends of mine have them and I’ve used all of them.)
I have a Simplicity machine which I got for $20 at a yard sale and spent $95 to overhaul.
Brother sewing machines should be avoided, but they are the kind you can get at Target or Joann’s for cheap. Not worth it. You’re better off with an old machine with more features.
Thanks SO much for the guidance! It will come in handy. However, I might not get what you suggested - only because the machine will be a gift to the kid. And you know how some people are with gifts… If she gets to a point where she outgrows a newer machine with less features, or she breaks the one I give her because she’s engrossed by what she’s doing, I might be able to talk her into getting an older, better machine then. Meanwhile, since I want my OWN sewing machine, I’ll be taking your advice when I get my own!
Comment by mapgirl — August 19, 2008 @ 3:27 pm