if you want you can get one from walmart for $79 its a brother lx3125 I just got mine and I love it its everything I need mabey you might like it too. if not you might be able to get one on e-bay

I have on of the Brothers from Walmart also. Works pretty good although it is very noisy.  I was impressed since it was so inexpensive. I work with a lot of stichers from around the country and they all seem to be machine snobs.  They all use expensive machines.  I admit there are some features that are nice on them if you are doing complicated stuff but for basic stitching you really don't need those features.

I agree with Shawn................. however I don't think you can beat a old timey metal machine like Grandma had. I had a singer once but ruined it by accidentally spraying stuff called goop in to the machine parts instead of machine oil. The two cans had similar colored labels. So always read labels before you use stuff and keep your machine dusted and oiled. I might mention that when sewing on fleece it dulls needles real fast so keep a supply on hand.

Billy D.

I may be hated.....however I like the idea that you look at second hand sewing machines at a place that sells professional sewing machines.....you can get goo deals on a nice reliable machine.....mine is second hand I have had no problems with it for over 10 years and use it regularly it just doesn't sit there for more than a week if not each day used.  It has a few bells and whistles that make the sewing process easier.  I paid a reasonable price for it....a second hand sewing machine (when bought at a place with a good name) is one of the second hand items I woulds suggest without hesitation good name sewing machines last a very long time.

Just my two cents......

Daryl H

No Daryl, you are not hated.  You are right that a professional machine or even an industrial machine can be a very good investment and in your case a very good idea. I do like a good Bernia or Singer and quite frankly if I am working on something like stage curtains I wouldn't want to do it on anything but an industrial. It is true though that at home I have the inexpensive Brother and I have even used it to do some repair work on heavy stage curtains.  So you might wonder why I push the cheaper versions.

When someone is just starting out I don't want them to hold them selves back because they think they can't afford it.  I also think that they may not be sure that puppets are for them and perhaps well discard the endeavor in a few months. I want people to realize that they should not let cost or for that matter anything hold them back.  For example, just because Antron is a popular fabric to use does not mean you have to use it on your puppet.  If you can't find brand X that is mentioned here then perhaps there is something else that you can get in your area that would work just as well.  I guess it all goes back to my belief that there are no rules when it comes to puppet making.

So I guess in closing, in Daryl's case a good professional sewing machine it a very good investment.  Why because he uses it often and he uses it hard. Also by purchasing it at a second hand sewing machine shop he has place where he can take it to be serviced. This is pretty important for someone who is using their machine a lot. In the wardrobe shops I have worked, they normally try to have the machined serviced at least once a year. Sewing machines are a bit like cars... they need oil and can be tuned. I can oil my machine but don't ask me to tune it.  I leave the tuning to the professionals.

P.S.  Daryl your 2 cents is worth so much more then just 2 cents I think. You always make me stop and think.

LOL thank you Shawn....I know sometimes I play a devils advocate on here....but I always think it is important to give different thoughts and views......this is how we all grow.

Ok, I won't hijack this topic anymore......

Daryl H

its all good. I'm more or less just gonna look for one at a second hand store. And I managed to actually find an old sewing machine in our garage but I haven't got it to work yet.

It might be worth taking the machine you found in the garage to a sewing machine repair shop. They well be able to tell you if it is worth fixing.  Sometimes older machines are better because the are all metal parts instead of plastic.

okay good news everyone, I should be getting a bran new sewing machine today or tomorrow morning. So Hopefully that means Sunday I'll have some real updates.

okay good news everyone, I should be getting a bran new sewing machine today or tomorrow morning. So Hopefully that means Sunday I'll have some real updates.

What kind ? I Love waiting for the UPS truck.

Billy D.