What's that you say? A post without a cat photo? Oh, yes, folks. I can talk about things other than pets. You know, like sewing. And coffee.
Sew, Mama, Sew! is an awesome fabric site with an equally awesome blog. I learn so much about sewing over there, it's impressive. More than many books have taught me! This month is Sewing Machine month over there and I thought I'd jump in and give a review of my sewing machine via their meme:
What brand and model do you have? A Husqvarna Huskystar C20. I bought this one despite the fact that the use of a 'q' not followed by a 'u' makes me twitch and that 'huskystar' sounds like a line of boy's plus size clothing.
How long have you had it? Since January of 2006.
How much does that machine cost (approximately)? ~ $350-$400.
What types of things do you sew (i.e. quilting, clothing, handbags, home dec projects, etc.)?
I sew handbags, home dec projects, clothing, you name it. I've sewn decorative stitches on birthday cards, done a bunch of little alterations and several clothing repairs. Haven't quilted yet, but I have enough fabric to make quilts for a small village. The day will come!
How much do you sew? How much wear and tear does the machine get?
I sew probably once a week. I'd like to sew more often, but that darn job keeps getting in the way! When I do sew, I try to be nice to the machine and not swear at it too much. It does a great job, goes through layers of heavy fabric pretty well and only gets mad when I forget to put the presser foot down before I start sewing.
Do you like/love/hate your machine? Are you ambivalent? Passionate? Does she have a name?
I love my little machine. We're buddies. There's definately affection there, but she doesn't have a name.
What features does your machine have that work well for you? It's wonderful to have the option of adjusting my sewing speed (not all machines have that!) and I LOVE that the needle can be set to stop in the up or down position. It's come in SO handy! It's not something I thought about when I bought the machine, but I'm glad I have it! Also, I love auto-lock button that makes locking stitches at the beginning or end of a seam. It looks much cleaner on the finished project than back-tacking. I ADORE the cute embroidery stitches! I paid a little more for this model to have them and I'm glad I did! It has a BUNNY stitch! No kidding.
Is there anything that drives you nuts about your machine? Yes. I wish it came with a Walking Foot. According to the ladies at a certain nameless nationwide store, they don't make one for this model. I think that might be an attempt to get me to buy a new machine. However, I haven't done enough research to see if another brand might work. I'll get back to you on it.
Do you have a great story to share about your machine (i.e., Found it under the Christmas tree? Dropped it on the kitchen floor? Sewed your fingernail to your zipper?, Got it from your Great Grandma?, etc.!)? We want to hear it! Well, I have a story, but it ain't pretty and I don't want to discourage anyone from buying a machine. My advice would be to get your machine from a small dealer (ie- a vac n' sew shop/mom n' pop dealer), NOT from a nationwide nameless store. You may spend a smidge more, but it will be worth it for good customer service!!! Hindsight = 20/20.
Would you recommend the machine to others? Why? YES! I love my machine. It does really well for a broad range of sewing. That alone has made me more adventerous in my sewing exploits! I've even begun sewing with knits, which always intimidated me! I now look at cute stuff in stores and think, "Ha! I could make that!".
What factors do you think are important to consider when looking for a new machine?
I think it's important not to become overwhelmed. There are a lot of options out there and many 'rules' about what to look for (ie- "You have to have a {insert brand name here}! They're the only good brand!). Ignore them and go with what you feel. Additionally, buy a machine that's a little bit out of your sewing comfort zone. Originally, I was going to go with the $99 model, but then I looked at all of the different things this machine could do that that one couldn't and sold myself on this one. I wanted to have a machine I could grow into, not out of.
Do you have a dream machine? I've got it! I love my little machine!
