Initially the machine seemed perfect--versatile, light-weight, smooth sewing. However, I was about half way through the job and the machine broke--wheel on right wouldn't turn, so needle wouldn't go up and down. I have since heard from another friend who has a window treatment business, that these machines are not up to using them for too much stuff like zig-zag stitches--they just break down.

I tried to have it fixed but the local sewing center said that the parts were plastic (that's why it was so light), and that it is basically non-repairable. They refer to these machines as "disposable." I called the nearest store that is an authorized Brother repair site and they confirmed this--said it would be around $400 to repair, more than the purchase price.

Frankly, I am pretty mad that our disposable culture has extended now to include sewing machines. My advice is -- before you buy a machine, make sure it's repairable (unlike these cheap plastic Brothers)!!!

Now I need to replace my friend's machine--needless to say, she agrees that she would like the next one to be repairable. Anyone know a decent repairable model that I can buy for around $250 +/-? Thank you!

Nancy has a column on GetCrafty.com, but her personal crafty blog is rather inspiring too:
http://www.belleepoquewhimsy.com/

When I picked up her new book, I was happy to see that she has all kinds of sewing projects in the book and not just really advanced stuff -- especially since I don't sew that much.

Her book has around 25 cool sewing projects that help you find uses for old jeans you'll never fit into again, or were ruined, or you bought and never wore. For the projects jeans are reinvented as other clothes, bags, wallets, jewelry, coasters and pillows. And there's some pretty cool projects that guys can do to like wrist cuffs -- which is nice to have a book that isn't just for the crafty ladies.

You can find the book here on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Jeaneology-Crafty-Ways-Reinvent-Blues/dp/0977266036/

And the book is on Myspace with blog updates in case you want to see what Nancy is working on lately -- she often links to DIY projects both in the book and new stuff:
Jeaneology book on Myspace:
http://www.myspace.com/jeaneologybook

The one thing I disagree with is the rec on "Sew Subversive." The info about sewing machines at the beginning is great, but what you liked about the book is something I hated - how generally unfinished the garments in the second half of the book look - I thought most of 'em looked messy and unflattering. And, realistically, some of the projects (the collar & tie for wine bottles) would be considered cheesy by most people if they weren't in a hipster sewing book. It's not a book that I would rec to people for the projects in it, but that's a personal-taste-based thing, so YMMV. The content in the first half of the book did help me understand how machines work, and I think it would have had me up and running if I weren't so gun-shy about it.

A book that I did really like is by E. Dubricki and is called something like "101 Things To Do With Your First Sewing Machine". Has a spiral binding inside a hardcover and, while not so much "patterns", definite easy instructions for most basic projects of the pillow/curtain/apron variety. It came out last year.

Thank you for that great post, very interesting. My very old aunt gave me recently her Thimonnier sewig machine and I love it because I used to see my grandmother and later my aunt sew on that machine but I can't backstitch correctly with it, it always ends in a big fuss, like a giant knot, so I have to cut some thread and finish by hand. My aunt is too old to show me, I have to learn by myself and I live 5000 kilometers away from my family, so I wondered if you had any idea of what I do wrong, or where I can find specific info on that. Thanks a lot. Your blog is the first craft blog I read a long time ago and it opened a whole new world to me!

I was a knitter first, and I would always encourage people that were just learning to knit to buy the best needles and wool they could afford. Sometimes when people are just starting out, lesser quality tools will be more difficult to work with and most people quit in frustration.

I took my own advice when I wanted to start sewing a few months ago, and I'm glad I did. (Although money spent on crafty things is seldom regretted!)

Now I'm off to add the books you recommend to my wish list! Thanks! Your timing couldn't be more perfect!

I also recommend the Sew U book. While her included patterns unfortunately don't cover larger sizes, she does do a decent job explaining how to alter the pattern so it does fit you. But the instructions are excellent, the descriptions of tools and short cuts are amazing and the book is bound to be used for a long time. It is what I recommend to people just starting to sew. It will provide a base level of knowledge that can be experimented with and expanded upon later. So many other of the hip sewing books are all style and no substance.

someday I'll bring home my singer slant 6, which was my great-grandmother's machine and stitches beautifully...