Hi Grignon,

Like you, I'm also a beginner who is learning to sew so I can make things for my house. In December, I bought a Swiss made machine, a Bernina 1008, which I think would be perfect for you. I choose the 1008 because it's sturdy (all metal), it's simple and reliable (it's the machine used in high school home ec classes), and it can handle the heaviest home decorating fabrics and trim (you can even sew sails for a sailboat). Last year, Consumer Reports rated the 1008 as the best mechanical sewing machine.

At $700 the 1008 wasn't cheap, but it came with 15 hours of hands on sewing lessons, which is essential for beginners. Anyway these machines hold their value, and you can always resell them. My sewing dealer had a used 1008 for $350, also including lessons.

If you're serious about sewing, you'll find it can be an expensive hobby. In the past two months, I've also spent hundreds of dollars on the proper accessories such as rotary cutters and mats, an 18" by 24" lucite extension table that attaches to the machine ( $75 and essential for large home dec projects), and specialized feet for my machine. Check out Clotilde.com for general sewing accessories and Rowley for highly specialized items for window treatments. Also don't forget your public library for dozens of home dec sewing books.

In the past two and a half months my sewing skills have improved. Yesterday, I made a slipcover for an ottoman. It was my fourth attempt and it turned out beautifully. I've also made throw pillows, round table cloths, seat cushions and a roman shade. As soon as my skills are up to the task, I'm planning to make slipcovers for the sofa and armchairs in my den.

Thanks, nancy^2-
Your's is exactly the type of recommendation I was looking for.

As a youth, I had a friend whose dad made sails for their boat. Their whole attic was a workspace, and the machine looked like it could sew steel plates together.

Grignon,

Glad I could help. By the way, do go to a dealer that specializes in sewing machines and remember to check out Rowley. They sell everything (other than fabric) needed for professionals who sew and install window treatments. And since you're planning to make seven large panels, you'll find it cost effective to buy your supplies in bulk.

Also before you tackle anything as daunting as your draperies, be sure to try some smaller projects. Throw pillows are a good place to start.

Good luck.

Nancy

Hi grig.......Have you looked into a long arm machine?.....Juki has an excellent long arm machine that is very sturdy and might work really well with the types of fabrics you'll be using.....I've got one and it works very well with heavy fabrics....it goes for about $800.00 give or take a few bucks.

If you don't mind losing some light for the winter, you can cover 4'x8'x2" sheets of foam insulation with fabric place them againt the glass. They also make great design walls if anyone does quilting - use flannel sheeting for that.

Hi: Did you every watch anyone sew? Like your Mom or another relative? If you have watched someone sew, then you know that the type of sewing your talking about just needs a straight stitch and a zig-zag stitch. It seems silly to pay tons of money for that. Why don't you look into an older but very good machine? I have an old Elna SU. When it came on the market it was advertised to sew anything from fine silk to leather or sailcloth.

Go to several sewing machine dealers and Sears and tell them what your thinking and ask about their used machines. You need a strong machine not a machine with fancy stitches you'll never use. Good luck. MonicaTx

While some of the machines that Sears sells are fine machines,my experience with the employees there is that they know diddly squat about the machines.So i say go to a reputable sewing machine store,and don't be afraid to ask about used ones.

Like the first poster said,the Bernina 1008,or the 930 are workhorses in the Bernina line.
Good luck and let us know what you get.
Kathi

I have a question for the person who mentioned Rowley. Do they sell directly to the public? I'm working on a shade project and need some supplies.

Let me know if you see this post. Thanks.

barcar

Thanx to all for your responses.

The age old question for any artisan-How much to spend on the tools of the trade? For the professional, it's easy. Buy the best quality that has only the features you NEED. The amateur/occasional user can get buy with the cheaper quality, since the wear and tear is reduced. In my case, I can't say I'll become a regular sewer after this project. I'm inclined toward a simple, high quality machine, used if possible. That way, when I'm finished and decide not to continue, I can sell it for minimum loss. I took that route with a bandsaw, when building a pergola and other decorative wood at my former residence. I essentially rented the saw for 6 months at $20/mo, and got 70% of the purchase price back when I sold it.
The only difficulty I see is the dearth of used quality machines. You sewers seem to collect them like my kids collect pokemon cards. And why not? I have some of my grandfather's tools that I'd never use for building, but I'll give them to my sons before selling them as antiques.

Monicatx- My mom did sew occasionally and you're right, I can't see the need for buttonholes or monogramming on drapery.

There are lots of good used machines out there. Sewers do trade them in, not because they are no good anymore, but because they want to trade up to the latest snazzy machine.

The bare minimum you'll need is a straight stitch, a zig-zag, and a hem stitch. You will greatly appreciate a hem stitch. My quick estimations say you'll have at least 100 feet of hems, 200 if you hem the lining separately. Get a hem stitch.

There are home machines that have features slanted towards doing home decorator tasks, just like you want. Sometimes they'll have names that refer to Jeans or denim to indicate that they can sew heavy fabrics. Note that probably any good home sewing machine will do what you want, but for curtains you'll end up sewing through a lot of thicknesses of fabric at some point in the construction process, and a machine with a beefier feed dog assembly (assuming it really is beefier) can make that go easier. A walking foot attachment would probably be a good investment, no matter which machine you get.

See the link below, another recent discussion about buying used machines. I'd give you the same advice I gave KittyKat: start out at your local sewing machine dealer. They do carry used machines, usually offer warranties on them, and are a good source of info about brands and models.

There are quite a few good books on the market (in the library, too) that explain curtain and home dec sewing and construction. There are lots of wonderful products and notions on the market that can make your task much easier and the latest home dec sewing books should explain how to use the latest products.

Happy hunting!

CMC

Here is a link that might be useful: new to sewing, excited, but poor stitch from machine

Barcar,

Rowley sells only to "professionals." But I'm "professional," and you are too.

Nancy