#portable sewing machine

[wylfenne]

Dear Tumblr,

I need some help here. I recently took up sewing. I am doing everything by hand so far, and I’m quite ok with that, BUT.

I found this old toy sewing machine at my parents’ and I was trying to make it work, with no success whatsoever. It does turn on, and the needle goes up and down with a terrible noise, but it does not sew.

I cannot find any source online on thingy: it is like it never existed. There is no info about who made it on the box, and scant info on who distributed it (and none that pops up on the internet). It was gifted to me ca. 2004 (though it might have been a recycled gift of some sorts, and as such much older), and I cannot remember it ever working. I do not have a manual of any kind, and I am pretty sure it was never in my possession.

I am not even quite sure where I am supposed to put the thread (apart from the needle, it is). I put it around the bobbin-like thing with the arrow, then through the hole in the little lever and through the needle, but something is off and makes little sense in this set up.

Is there anyone who can help me out?

It’s not that I cannot afford a normal sewing machine (although it would be quite an investment and I would like to do it at a later date) but it bums me I cannot use this thing 😂

[20dollarlolita]

Cheap Sewing Machine Review: Janome Mini/Basic/Fastlane/Derby

<They’re all the same machine>

I have a lot of people ask what a good, cheap sewing machine is. I own a lot of sewing machines, so I have opinions on the matter. My general rule is that you cannot buy a modern, new sewing machine that is better than most older sewing machines you can get at Goodwill for $20. Not better for the price. Just better.

As a collector of sewing machines, I do have a bias. I like all-metal machines. Plastic pieces don’t last 40 years, and they definitely don’t last 111 years, but cast iron and steel will not fail you even after a century. (well, that’s not completely correct. All the cast iron and steel machines made before 1901 that failed us did so 50+ years ago and were thrown out, so natural selection has ensured that the existing ones are worthwhile)

But, if you HAVE TO buy a modern sewing machine, and you have an extremely small budget, there’s some options.

First thing to consider: shipping costs money, even if you are buying somethign with “free shipping”. Someone’s got to pay the shipping dude. Shipping costs money. Most heavy packages cost more to ship than lightweight packages. Therefore, there’s a certain validity...I’m struggling to say this because it goes against everything I’ve said on this blog...certain...certain validity...okay there’s a certain validity to buying an all-plastic machine.

Urgh, I hate that I said that.

Anyway, someone returned one to my store and we just have to damage them out due to an agreement with our contractor, I bought it. First thing to note: almost ALL sewing machines I’ve bought new have had a small piece of fabric under the presser foot, with some sewing to confirm that all the stitches work. That’s not just on nice machines; I’ve gotten one of these with a $21 children’s toy machine. I’ve gotten one of these with a $3 handheld stapler-style machine. I did not get one with this machine. It didn’t inspire confidence.

So, after I did that test for myself, first thing I did was take the machine apart.

For starters, in case you didn’t know this, the little dot on the screw head means you use the screw head with the additional flutes instead of your regular phillips head. Any time you’re finding that one of your screws just won’t unscrew properly, look for the dot. Tip there.

Or maybe you can’t unscrew it because this screw is in a terrible place. Note that taking this cover plate off to access the bobbin casing and hook is absolutely a thing that you would reasonably do in regular machine maintenance. This is a thing that a reasonable end user would be expected to do, and the fact that you can’t do this with a normal screw driver (and that the machine doesn’t come with a specialty-shaped screwdriver, which some do) is utterly infuriating.

I’m also just biased against things that are designed to be thrown out instead of had basic maintenance performed on it. I’m semi-okay with things being thrown out instead of having moderate repairs done, but this is really basic maintenance here. You should be able to remove this plate instead of throwing out the machine because it’s dirty down there.

That said, it’s ALL plastic down there, so if you get a large thread jam, it’ll probably snap some part and you’ll have to throw it away.

Also, note that those screwposts are plastic. Be very careful that you’re not cross-threading them when you put the screws back on after you replace your throat plate...good thing those screws aren’t hard to reach or anything and it’ll be super easy to screw them in straight or something.

Throat plate grooves are metal and attached with screws. This means that, if another kind of throat plate was available, it could be switched.

There’s no work light in the upper part. A couple of metal parts in here for pieces that move a whole lot. The thread uptake lever is plastic, which makes me nervous. That’s a part that’s pretty easy to break off, and if it breaks, your whole machine is garbage now.

There’s also no slot in the thread uptake lever, so you have to thread the thread through the eye like you’d thread a needle. This is slow and it annoys me. Wheeler&Wilson had the slot in the thread uptake lever figured out in 1895 so I don’t know why Janome doesn’t have it in here in 2020. Okay, actually, it’s because the slot would add to the cost by requiring the piece to be metal, so now it REALLY bothers me. This is a corner that shouldn’t have been cut, since it results in this part being inferior in two different ways.

Also, note the funky looking presser foot. I don’t know why it’s shaped like that, but we’ll get back to it.

BTW if you took all the screws off the back plate and then panicked because one is longer than the others and you don’t know where it goes, the long one goes here. You’re welcome.

I don’t have pictures of the other guts but I can confirm that all the other gears are plastic.

As for sewing: the foot switch is just an on/off switch. There’s no variable speed. Plugging a Janome variable speed pedal into this one, unfortunately, doesn’t magically give us variable speed. A girl could dream.

The bobbin doesn’t declutch. This means that the needle still goes up and down while you’re winding the bobbin. This makes me very anxious. It’s actually kind of dangerous, so you might want to take the needle out before winding a bobbin. I don’t necessarily want an auto-declutch for this, but just having a manual declutch like on an old machine would be super great.

On the subject of safety, this machine also has no light and no on/off switch. This means that it looks like it’s off even when it’s on and, if you’re not careful, you could step on the foot switch without realizing it and sew through something you didn’t want to. Make sure to unplug it if you’re not using it.

Again, this thing is LOUD. I don’t know if that’s a side-effect of the plastic itself, or if it’s a side-effect of sloppy tolerances on the plastic parts, but it sounds a lot like a Big Mouth Boogy Bass novelty toy, without the singing.

The presser foot this comes with just utterly baffles me. What’s the purpose of the ridges? To make the needle harder to thread? is it a safety thing?

Regardless, it’s a standard low-shank foot, so you can make it into a snap-on adapter, or just replace it with a regular low-shank foot. However, the bar it attaches to is plastic, so you probably want a pretty lightweight foot to avoid stripping the screws.

In terms of stitches, you have a fully-variable centered straight stitch, a left-aligned straight stitch with a fixed length, three zigzag stitches that do not have variable length, a scallop stitch, and a tricot stitch. Why is the scallop stitch included? We just don’t know.

I’d love to have a variable-length zigzag, even if it’s only available in three widths. I’m not sure what’s going on with the internal cams that makes it not possible to control the length of the zigzags when they have the tech to control the length of the straight stitch, but I assume it makes money somehow.

So, in conclusion,

When you get an all-plastic machine, you’re trading longevity of the machine for portability and price. Worth a note, if you want a portable machine that lasts, they do exist, just at a higher price point. But if your budget is under $100 and you’re okay treating a machine like it’s made of glass and throwing it out when the plastic parts wear down, this is a pretty good option. There’s no replacing parts since repair parts aren’t available, and they’re plastic, so they’re more likely to snap, but that comes with the plastic machine territory. As far as plastic machines go, I like it. The design is good. It’s nice and lightweight and it’s cheap.

It also feels cheap. Seriously, if you want this to last, treat it like glass. Don’t yank jammed thread out, keep the working parts clean, never ever oil it (don’t oil plastic parts ever!), be patient, always roll the handwheel towards you when pulling the fabric away until the thread releases, keep the presser foot up when you’re winding a bobbin, and just be very nice to it. And maybe invest in some earplugs to cut out the sound.

I don’t know if this is a case where this machine is notably worse than a $150 machine (especially a Singer one, since modern Singers’re kind of garbage in general). I know it is notably worse than your average $300 Brother or Janome, but it’s also less than a third the price. You’ll need to judge how much sewing you do, how much you need a variable zigzag, how much you’ll need a controllable speed, how much you can appreciate the sewing process when all you're hearing are the plastic gears and motors clacking together in an effort to barely sew some sort of seam.

But yes, as far as plastic machines go, it’s not terrible. It’s got a lot of features. Machines in this price range often are fixed straight stitch only and might not come with bobbin winders, have goofy tension systems that don’t work properly, and couldn’t sew a seam to save its life. This machine also uses commercially available bobbins and needles. It’s designed to function like a regular machine (hand wheel turns int he same direction, bobbin is dropped in normally, bobbin winding uses a common tension system, presser foot lever isn’t in a weird place) meaning that you could give this machine to a child who might be interested in learning to sew, with the idea that they could graduate to a more-featured machine that will last longer and sew thicker fabrics when they show they’ll still have interest in sewing next month. This comes in a ton of colors, which, let’s be real, is why I bought this.

This is also great if you don’t sew entire garments or quilts from scratch, but you want a machine on hand to do repair work or small alterations. Just save up for another machine and keep an eye out at your local thrift stores to see if a good machine pops up there.

[20dollarlolita]

Bad Sewing Machine Review Sunday!

A lot of time, people who are strapped for cash look for inexpensive sewing machines. When you don’t have a lot of money to spend on a sewing machine, you absolutely don’t want to spend that money on a sewing machine that doesn’t work.

I was reviewing this machine for my facebook friends, and I though I’d cross-post here.

THe original animation has been taken off their website, but the youtube video they stole it from is still up. Here it is.

Here is is, manufacturer is selling it for $25, and here’s the quick summary of what I’m going to say under the cut.

If you are interested in buying it, absolutely do no buy it from that vendor. The same product that they are selling, from the same factories, can be bought for $2-$4USD on ebay.

if it works exactly as it should, the device it promises to be wouldn't work well for the situations they describe it working for

If it works exactly as it should, the device is most likely too clunky, slow, and awkward to use to be useful in any situation

It probably doesn't even work

The description of the item on their site is word-for-word copy-pasted from the amazon listing of an item that they did not make. It is also an item that does not work.

Any situation that requires this will more easily and quickly be taken care of with a hand sewing needle and thread

This is not a disability-friendly alternative to hand sewing.

Part 1: if it works exactly like their images and video show, the stitch that this creates will not work well for the situations that they say the item works in.

Someday I’ll do chainstitch machines 101, but for now, know this: A chainstitch is another way of forming a stitch on a sewing machine. It doesn’t require a bobbin. Instead, a single thread is looped together on the underside. The chainstitch is not popular on sewing machines because it comes undone more easily than a lockstitch (2-threads, standard sewing machine).

If your chainstitch sewing machine breaks a thread or skips a stitch, the entire seam that it just sewed is going to come out. You need to fix the ends of a chainstitch seam with a hand sewing needle and thread. You cannot use this machine to make repairs if you don’t have a needle with you.

The weakness of the chainstitch makes it not so great for the quick repairs and mending that this contraption says it’s good for.

Part 2: If the device operates as intended, it is going to be too awkward and slow to be useful in any kind of long term sewing

You can’t sew a big project with this as your main sewing machine, because your hand is going to get tired as heck just using this.

This machine has no feed dogs, so you regulate the stitch length with your left hand, by holding the fabric taut in your left hand and pulling it. It has no motor, so you make it perform the stitch by squeezing it like a stapler.

Here’s a quick test to find out how long you will be able to use this machine in one sitting:

Put a piece of paper in one hand in this position. That’s the position that the hand in the video is holding the fabric. Hold your hand in that position for as long as you can. With the other hand, stick a wadded up piece of fabric into the back of a stapler, and staple it down all the way, as many times as you can. This is what it feels like to sew with one of those.

Sewing machines exist to make sewing easier. That’s not what’s happening there. 

Part 3: It probably doesn’t actually work.

There’s a few things that make me think that. A lot of it’s experience with sewing machine, experience with that style of sewing machine, what I see of the quality of other items on the site listing, and experience with the purchases of other items from that seller.

But let’s look at the other issue: The chain stitch needs a pretty precise pull from the fabric to properly make the stitch. Since this machine has no feed dogs, you’re going to have to provide that pull yourself, Since you’re (probably) human and therefore not as consistent as a machine, you’re probably going to mess that up every once in a while.

Every time that your hands don’t provide the perfect pull on the fabric, and a stitch skips, you have to take out and redo your whole seam. That’s the nature of the chain stitch.

Even if this was a high quality product, made carefully out of good quality parts, I don’t think that its design will work for more than a few inches. Also, this machine is not a high quality product made of good parts coming from a vendor of quality items. There’s nothing inherently wrong with that, but be aware.

Also, their sample shows it working on a single layer of felt. Felt is the easiest fabric for a sewing machine to sew on. Showing that it works on felt does not imply that it will work on anything else.

Part 4: PLAGIARIZED.

If you google their item description, it becomes clear that they just copy-pasted it off of another sewing machine.

It is great for quick repairs or jobs that conventional desktop machines can not handle, like sewing curtains while on the rod, or mending a torn pocket without having to remove your pants. Small size, easy to carry and place, very convenient. Fulfills your various sewing requirements in daily life. Mend a torn pocket without having to remove your pants.

That’s the description from the As Seen On TV handy-stitch machine, word for word.

What’s notable about that is that 61% of amazon reviewers gave this machine 1 star (the minimum you can give).

They stole the description off another machine, and they picked a machine that doesn’t work.

I find that hilarious.

Part 5: This is not easier, faster, or more portable than sewing by hand.

If you’re capable of it, hand sewing is something extremely important to know how to do if you want to sew. I’ve written a whole post about why it’s important and ways to make it easier. In order for this to function as intended, you already need to have a hand sewing needle on hand. Hand sewing will help in a lot more situations than this one can work in. Just embrace it. Embrace the hand sewing. Practice, and you’ll get better.

Part 6: For everyone who is not able, this is not a disability-friendly alternative to sewing by hand.

There are a lot of disabilities that can stop someone from doing the actions needed to sew by hand. Just because you can’t sew by hand doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy sewing. However, if you’re looking at this machine because you can’t thread or hold a needle, the bad news is that this requires its own little categories of stretching and twisting and keeping your hands steady. Also, to finish off a chain stitch, you have to thread a needle, and you usually have to thread it in a strange direction and in a tight corner.

There are a lot of options out there for people who can’t sew by hand. Unfortunately, this isn’t one of them.

So in the end, neat idea, but it’s design just doesn’t work.

(If you’re interested in a lower-priced machine, the

Janome Sew Mini

is absolutely the best machine in the under-$100 price range that I have ever seen. Keep your eye out for used machines in your area, too! If you’re interested in highly portable machines, the Juki portable semi-industrial series can stand up to anything)

[downtown5123]

Portable Vintage Sewing Machine for Beginners with 38 Stitches

Shop a portable vintage sewing machine for beginners with 38 stitches, reverse sewing, dual-speed control, extension table, foot pedal and t

Portable Vintage Sewing Machine for Beginners with 38 Stitches

Shop a portable vintage sewing machine for beginners with 38 stitches, reverse sewing, dual-speed control, extension table, foot pedal and travel kit included

[downtown5123]

Portable Vintage Sewing Machine for Beginners with 38 Stitches

Shop a portable vintage sewing machine for beginners with 38 stitches, reverse sewing, dual-speed control, extension table, foot pedal and travel kit included

[stitchings-blog]

The Best Features in Portable Sewing Machines for Beginners

Today’s machines boast of digital features and exceptional precision, and sewing machines are no exception. Beginners often look for a machine that’s simple, compact, and easy to use, but what’s more important for many users, especially beginners, is portability.

So it’s no surprise that a lot of sewing machine brands offer portable models that make it easy for sewists and quilters to bring their hobby with them wherever they go. But with countless options on the market, how do you choose the right one?

What Makes a Good Portable Sewing Machine?

A good portable sewing machine isn’t just compact. It needs to be reliable, versatile, and equipped with features that make sewing easy for beginners. The key features beginners need to consider include the following:

Compact Design

Smaller machines save space and make it easier to store when not in use.

Ease of Use

User-friendly controls and simple threading features make a big difference, especially for new users.

Weight and Portability

Lightweight machines are easy to carry to sewing classes or to store.

Built-in Stitch Options

A variety of stitches lets beginners explore without needing advanced settings.

User-Friendly Interface

LCD screens or labeled stitch charts simplify operation, helping beginners quickly get comfortable.

Why Portable Sewing Machines are Best for Beginners

If you find a sewing machine that has all of these, the next one you need to do is choose the one that suits your budget. You might be surprised to find that some sewing machines for beginners are quite expensive.

However, this is where portable sewing machines are ahead of the more traditional ones. Portable machines are often more affordable and priced at a lower rate than other sewing machines.

And since most beginners are trying to explore their options in this new hobby, it makes sense that most beginners prefer affordable machines. So the popularity of portable sewing machines among beginners isn’t surprising.

These machines have features that are similar to most machines, but are also easy to use. However, they have enough complexities that allow all users to reach their next sewing or quilting level without being discouraged.

Also, some of these machines also make precision and quality sewing easier to accomplish, even with the limited built-in stitches available.

Portable Sewing Machines Ideal for Beginners

Here are some of the best portable sewing machines that are perfect for beginners, each offering a unique blend of features and ease of use. These machines are excellent choices for beginners due to their user-friendly features, durability, and versatility across various sewing projects.

Janome HD3000

This machine is perfect for those who need a sturdy and powerful mechanical machine capable of handling light to heavy materials, like leather and upholstery. It includes 18 built-in stitches, a top-loading bobbin, and a powerful motor for smooth operation, making it ideal for beginners interested in durable and reliable sewing.

Consew Model CP206R

 Known for its capability for sewing light to heavy materials and its versatility as a home or portable sewing machine, the Consew is designed for stitching materials for furniture and other equipment that use canvas, leather, and even laminated products. If you enjoy camping and sewing, you can get this one so you can care for your bags, tents, and even home upholstery.

Brother Innov-is NS80E

With its compact design, advanced needle threading, and LCD screen, this computerized machine is great for beginners on the go. Its 80 built-in stitches and adjustable speed control cater to new sewers seeking a portable yet feature-rich option.

Portability Makes Sewing Easier

Selecting the right portable sewing machine can make all the difference in your sewing hobby. Each model offers distinct features that cater to different needs, but the best choice is one that aligns with your sewing goals and budget.

For more information about Home Embroidery Machines and Coverstitch Machines please visit:- Premier Stitching DBA Sew Vac City

[topics-of-trend]

Sew Simple: Easy Tips for Fast Clothing Mending with Portable Electric Machines

Hello there, fashionistas and do-it-yourselfers! 🙂😊 Today I want to talk about a situation we’ve all been in: you’re running late for an important event and guess what? A seam pops, a button falls off, or — heaven forbid — the zipper goes on strike! Sound familiar? 😨😱 Well, fear no more because I’m about to share some tips that will help turn you into a sewing superhero with your trusty portable electric sewing machine. So grab yourself a cuppa (no judgement here) and let’s get started on the world of easy clothing repairs! 😊

Now I know what you might be thinking: why should I bother with one of these when I could just take my clothes to a tailor? Well my friend, let me paint you a picture. You’re on holiday in a foreign city when disaster strikes — the hem comes down on your favourite pair of trousers. Are you really going to spend precious hours of your trip trawling through Google trying to find someone who can fix it? Pack one of these babies in your suitcase instead and you’ll have that hem back up in no time so you can get back to enjoying your holiday stress-free! 😊😉🤗

Check out this electric portable sewing machine over here!

Alright, let’s start working! 😀 Here are some easy-to-follow tips for using your portable electric sewing machine for quick clothing repairs:

Be Prepared: Always carry a small kit with you that contains basic sewing supplies like needles, thread, and scissors. This way you will be ready to fix any wardrobe malfunction that comes your way.

Know Your Machine: Take some time to get to know your sewing machine. Read through the manual, practice threading the needle, and try out different stitches. The more comfortable you become with your machine, the faster you will be able to do these quick fixes.

Start Simple: If this is something new for you, begin with simple projects such as sewing buttons back on or mending small tears. Once confidence is gained move on to more complicated fixes like hemming pants or re-sewing seams.

Take Your Time: Sewing requires patience and accuracy. Do not rush when making repairs — take all necessary measures needed for every stitch to look tidy and hold together well. Remember that it takes much longer before a properly done repair falls apart than after one which was executed carelessly.

And there we have it — easy-peasy-sewing! 😃 Armed with these useful tricks and armed with our trusty portable electric sewing machine — we shall turn into masters of fastening garments in no time at all! 🤗 So when disaster strikes next just remember not to freak out — grab your apparatus & stitch away! 🙂 Enjoy your sewing work! 😊

For your convenience, you can access and purchase an electric portable sewing machine by clicking right here!

[aboutstuff]

Sewing Machine ( JML Easy Stitch Max Portable and Lightweight )

Sewing Machine (JML Easy Stitch Max) is packed with features that you would like to have at home or anywhere you are that makes your life easier.