I have had several Husquvanas (presently an Optima 190) if you are not going for an industrial type and all have been great and have the features you list. The buttonholing is basic, that is, shirt style not keyhole. Maintenance has been simple, bobbin/shuttle are vertical, the thing has a little weight which is useful. The bobbins are an unusual size but easy to find. You get a good range of foot attachments and tension options and it is easy to operate.
As said, I have had several of this brand and all have served well. Having said that, I also have a 1960/70s department store branded machine which is solid as a rock, sews zig-zag and straight without fuss, cost nothing second hand, can be fixed by a one-armed monkey, and goes like the clappers, -C. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Historical Costume" To:"Historical Costume" Cc: Sent:Sun, 2 Sep 2012 17:35:55 -0700 (PDT) Subject:Re: [h-cost] Advice on new sewing machine I bought a used Bernina 1008 of of ebay a few years ago, and loved it! Its since moved to backup status due to a parts issue, and I purchased a Necchi at the recommendation of my sewing machine repair guy (who was a big fan of Necchi's). Love both of the machines, but if you want a rugged workhorse, I'd go with a Bernina 1008, it will sew anything, and is a great machine. - Marion ________________________________ From: Lavolta Press To: Historical Costume Sent: Sun, September 2, 2012 6:53:54 PM Subject: [h-cost] Advice on new sewing machine I do not want a serger, or an embroidery machine. I want a machine with the following features: * Metal body * Durability * Infrequent need for service * Not quirky * Really good straight stitch * Zigzag capability * Easy buttonholes * Ability to sew both light and heavy fabrics easily, including crossing seams * Free arm or narrow bed? so I can sew sleeves easily * Probably the ability to lower the feed dogs * Mechanical machine, except I'm confused about the term. Even the "mechanical" machines (new not vintage) clearly have some computerization * A machine that doesn't try to make my decisions for me! * Probably a new machine, since I don't want to inherit someone else's problems and want to be able to get parts easily * Good track records. I have bought two expensive machines (over time) that were supposedly good machines from reputable manufacturers, yet they turned out to be a chronic PITA I am considering the Bernina 1008, since as far as I can tell the 1015 is no longer made. But clearly other manufacturers are also making mechanical machines. Thanks for any advice. Fran Lavolta Press Books of historic patterns www.lavoltapress.com www.facebook.com/LavoltaPress _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
