13 Comments

Did you write to the New York Times about that? If not you should.

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Feb 14Liked by Cale Schoenberg

Really interesting. How can a buyer tell if a machine has a metal housing (without taking it apart)?

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Feb 14Liked by Cale Schoenberg

Very interesting. I always thought the housing referred to what you call the cover. I have the same question as Vee Tanner - How do you tell what's under the cover?

I still love the vintage machines best, even though your final comments were helpful re buying a decent new machine. No electronics to go bad or become obsolete, no plastic gears to break. But I'm finding your point of view quite informative.

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Feb 14Liked by Cale Schoenberg

The Sewing Machine Shop is within walking distance from me! Okay that shocking revelation aside, you are abso-fraggin-lutely right about cheap plastic poop masquerading as tools. Those toys should come with a warning label. Not only for the frustration they will cause a beginner - which is who they are marketed to - but also because of the environmental impact given their planned obsolesce.

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Feb 15Liked by Cale Schoenberg

When I returned to sewing after a long hiatus, I bought a Brother from Costco. Arghhh! What a pain but I tried to keep sewing with it until I took an open sewing studio class that provided Bernina machines. I was floored at the difference in quality. Shortly afterwards, I bought a Bernina.

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Feb 14Liked by Cale Schoenberg

Tools are involved in all functions of our lives, and in most cases they are very important. Personally, I don’t skimp in quality when it comes to tools. Yes, they are more expensive, but most will last forever. Buy it once, cry once, and move on.

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Buy once, cry once… you’re a wise man, Mr. Schmitty

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Feb 15Liked by Cale Schoenberg

Thanks for a clear explanation of the basic difference.

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Makes so much clear sense.

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Feb 14Liked by Cale Schoenberg

Excellent article. I agree with prior comments, planned obsolescence and beginner frustration, which may unfortunately very well turn them off sewing forever. Another benefit of metal housing, which I suspect is due to their ability to absorb vibration, is that they are far better to take on retreats etc where the heavier machines don’t vibrate when placed on plastic banquet tables. Makes sewing far more pleasurable.

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Feb 14Liked by Cale Schoenberg

Thank you. Very interesting. I'll be looking at my machines with this information in mind. Thankfully, so far, I don't have one with the plastic housing.

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Your comments are very elitist. Not everyone can afford a $500 machine! When I was learning to sew, it was because I was the only daughter of five children. If I wanted clothes, I had to make them. If I had told my mother that her Singer sewing machine was not up to my standards for sewing, I would never have had any clothes. There are probably still people who sew out of necessity. Please be more mindful.

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Now, what I need is a list of metal housing machines. Or how to tell from the outside.

For now, I’m going to see what I can learn from the Amazon description.

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