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So far in my quest for playaliciousness I have been making do quite nicely with scissors, safety pins, a creative mind, and a bit of hand sewing, but more and more lately, I am feeling my creative impulses stifled by my lack of a sewing machine.
So here is my question: I have never owned a sewing machine, and am hesitant to invest a HUGE sum of money buying an expensive one right off the bat, but I will definitely be wanting to sew fake fur, and what I want to know is, if I buy a cheap machine, will it be able to handle heavy materials like fake fur?
I am less concerned with long term durability. If it makes it thru this Burn season and then craps out, that's ok: by then I'll have enough of an idea about how much I enjoy or hate sewing on a machine that I will be able to decide either to invest in an expensive machine or go back to hand sewing.
Any input from you fabulous creative people is much appreciated!!!
Thanks for your help,
gwen
So here is my question: I have never owned a sewing machine, and am hesitant to invest a HUGE sum of money buying an expensive one right off the bat, but I will definitely be wanting to sew fake fur, and what I want to know is, if I buy a cheap machine, will it be able to handle heavy materials like fake fur?
I am less concerned with long term durability. If it makes it thru this Burn season and then craps out, that's ok: by then I'll have enough of an idea about how much I enjoy or hate sewing on a machine that I will be able to decide either to invest in an expensive machine or go back to hand sewing.
Any input from you fabulous creative people is much appreciated!!!
Thanks for your help,
gwen
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Los Angeles
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Re: sewing machine for fake fur?
Thu, June 25, 2009 - 11:23 AMI bought a Singer sewing machine at Target a few years ago, and it's TOTALLY badass. It's sewed lots of fake fur (made 2+ big-furry-coats), leather, that thick nylon webbing material..... man, it's awesome. Easy to use, easy to clean, it came with great instructions as well as options to make automatic buttonholes (SO NEAT) and such.
So, I think as long as you get a decent brand, you won't have to spend more than $150 or $200. -
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Re: sewing machine for fake fur?
Thu, June 25, 2009 - 11:53 AMThanks for the feedback!
As soon as I read this, I went straight to the Target website, and spotted a $199 Singer that I'm thinking will soon be mine, once I've done a little more research/price comparison.
Oh, I can't wait, so excited, so many ideas that have been building up, waiting for the chance to be made real!!!
Thanks again!
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Re: sewing machine for fake fur?
Thu, June 25, 2009 - 11:58 AMMy first big fur project was sewn on an old portable sewing machine I bought from a co-worker for $20, so it can definitely be done on the cheap if you find the right machine! This was "portable" only in size... it's a straight stitch machine made by the White company, probably in the '50s or '60, quite heavy and made of steel, but it was in good condition. I broke several needles in the thick fur, but they're fairly cheap, so buy extras. (A pair of pliers helped to get the broken pieces out of the seams.)
I'd suggest looking for a used machine at a swap meet, or maybe asking your local sewing machine repair shop if they have a cheap reconditioned one they think could be a basic workhorse. Good luck! -
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Re: sewing machine for fake fur?
Thu, June 25, 2009 - 9:46 PMThe only thing about buying used machines is that they often have a lot of problems. (hard to adjust tension and get it ok, weird stitching problems, etc etc). And if they're older, finding parts can be expensive. As is sewing machine repair.
With my new Singer, it worked so great out of the box, and I've been able to clean/maintain it myself. Might eventually take it in for a tuneup, but it's been plugging away for 2+ years now just fine.
Particularly for beginning sewers (where machines are concerned), it's just so much easier and less stress to get a decent new one rather than fighting with an older one.
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Re: sewing machine for fake fur?
Fri, June 26, 2009 - 6:52 AMIf you have a Costco membership, there are some good machines on their website.
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Re: sewing machine for fake fur?
Fri, June 26, 2009 - 7:01 AMi'll trust my vintage singer any day of the week. .. i'm guessing it's from the 40'
i've used two such singers, mine and my parents and they are built like TANKS. i've never had any problems, and i've sewn so many different fabric weights, from sheer to leather.
if you can find one in good shape, my best is you'd pay near the same price for a new one... but get a much more solid machine.
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Re: sewing machine for fake fur?
Fri, June 26, 2009 - 8:59 AMI have the base model Singer and it does fur just fine. It doesn't always like it, but it gets the job done. Make sure you get heavy duty needles and be prepared to replace them somewhat often.
Somebody on tribe gave this suggestion for working with fur that's made my life a lot easier. Use a plastic grocery bag when you're sewing fur to lay the pile down. The bag rips off very easily when you're done stitching, but it keeps the long threads from getting caught up in the machinery parts. Also makes the pile lay nicer on the finished product :) -
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Re: sewing machine for fake fur?
Fri, June 26, 2009 - 2:11 PMGood idea... I've used toilet paper, but it leaves a trace, particularly on black fur. -
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Re: sewing machine for fake fur?
Fri, June 26, 2009 - 2:52 PMOr, while holding the two pieces of fur together (right sides together!) and sewing, you can slide one finger between the pieces of fur-edge and lay the fur flat *just* before the needle hits it.
Okay, maybe 5 or 6 inches before the needle hits it. You don't want to sew your finger.
Grandpa was a furrier and taught me that little trick.
Miss ya' gramps!
It makes for beautifully finished fur seams and you don't have to deal with a third layer. -
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Re: sewing machine for fake fur?
Fri, June 26, 2009 - 4:46 PMI've got an old domestic from the late 1800s. I think the body is cast iron. Just had it refurbished for under $100. Plugs away on anything. Awesome!
Tried using my moms fancy new $2500 digital machine (it embroiders as well) on my leather moccasins, and broke it.
Old and reliable is the way to go.
I've used tracing paper or newspaper on fur.
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Re: sewing machine for fake fur?
Fri, July 3, 2009 - 7:17 PMYou can sew fake fur with a cheap singer if you are patient skill full do not pull the fabric but do help it and use a good gauge needle. Do budget to have your machine thoroughly cleaned and maintained once a year minimum if you sew faux fur.
If you want it to last more than a year or two with that type of abuse however ... get a Phaff. Phaff has the heaviest duty motor on the market for non commercial use. -
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Re: sewing machine for fake fur?
Sun, July 5, 2009 - 8:04 AMI love my Singer... I've sewn fake fur and the only thing I recommend is you buy quilting pins to use to hold together. They are sturdy enough to really hold the piles of fur together so you can get it flat enough to fit under the sewing foot. They are also longer, thicker and they have a plastic colorful ball on end so you don't lose the pin in the fur.
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Unsu...
Re: sewing machine for fake fur?
Sun, July 5, 2009 - 9:08 AMWe have an older style general purpose Singer which has metal gears in it. Because of the metal parts, it seems to have a better chance of holding up against sewing fake fur, duct tape (project of course...yeah, dont ask), and tough fabrics. These days, it seems that the machines that are made with metal parts are marketed as "industrial sewing machines" and cost alot as a result. While I do believe that you cant just use el cheapo sewing machine for tough fabrics like faux fur, these "industrial sewing machines" are expensive compared to days of old when household sewing machines used metal parts by default.
Hope that helps. I agree that you are probably going to pay $150+. -
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Unsu...
Re: sewing machine for fake fur?
Sun, July 5, 2009 - 11:28 AMThe other thing you want to look at is the motor.. higher RPMs, torque & amperage=more power=usually able to go through more stuff... just like a car baby,, vroom VROOM!
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Re: sewing machine for fake fur?
Sun, July 5, 2009 - 1:15 PMI use a Husquvarna heavy duty, I got it on sale for $300 CAD. that thing is a TANK and also sews stretch very nicely. It still didnt love doing 3" monster fur, but it did well! definitely use heavy duty needles and replace often!
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Re: sewing machine for fake fur?
Thu, July 30, 2009 - 10:19 AMA good accesory for whatever machine you get is a 'walking foot.' They has one at my local fabric store that was a $15 add-on to my singer. The 'walking foot' is a big help with fur, in that it feeds the fabric from the top and bottom, not just the bottom as with regular sewing machines. Thais helps keep the two fur layers even when sewing.
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Re: sewing machine for fake fur?
Fri, July 31, 2009 - 6:18 PMpfaff has the best machine ever made. i bought a used 1976 model on ebay and it is the best machine i have ever owned, including a 2000$ machine which i later sold on ebay.
i am a huge fan of older sewing machines. i bought one for $5 at a garage sale that was excellent. i gifted to a friend after my pfaff purchase.
the trick to sewing fake fur is to cut it carefully so that you only cut the backing. then pin baste it with the fur pushed to the side. stick to simple designs. don't ever force the machine.
have fun! -
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Re: sewing machine for fake fur?
Fri, July 31, 2009 - 6:19 PMoh yeah, and if you buy a good used machine you can later sell it for exactly what you paid for it.
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