The Sewing Machine Guide: Tips on Choosing, Buying, and Refurbishing [Paperback]

John Giordano (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 12, 1997

Anyone who has ever shopped for a sewing machine knows that it can be as difficult as buying a used car and just as expensive. Now you can go into the process knowing what to look for, what questions to ask, and how to get the best deal possible. More than a buying guide, this book will help you figure out what those new computerized machines can do for you, whether you need a new machine at all, and how to get the most out of your machine, no matter what its vintage. You will learn how to analyze your sewing personality so you can find the machine that suits you; update your old model to give it modern features; clean the machine yourself; test-drive a sewing machine, either new or used; negotiate for the best price possible; organize your sewing space to suit your needs; and make your own sewing and cutting table, and more.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Giordano, who both collects and uses sewing machines, here discusses strategies for choosing the right machine. He explains how to test a machine, how to bargain for a good deal, and how to set up your sewing space once you get your purchase home. With its mixture of practical advice and money-saving tips, this book is engaging reading even for someone not all that interested in purchasing a sewing machine. Highly recommended for public libraries.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 105 pages
• Publisher: Taunton Press (September 12, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1561582204
• ISBN-13: 978-1561582204
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #111,656 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The truth about sewing machines!, May 2, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Sewing Machine Guide: Tips on Choosing, Buying, and Refurbishing (Paperback)

I got this book a couple of years ago when I wanted to update my sewing machine. (The 1960 Singer had about 160,000 miles on it.) The book showed me how to recognize quality in a sewing machine, and convinced me that the precision European machines from the days before computers are the real gems. I bought two of the high-rated ones, for far less than I would have spent on a new machine. I love them both - I am so glad this information was available.

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unique and very useful book about buying a sewing machine, August 1, 1999

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Sewing Machine Guide: Tips on Choosing, Buying, and Refurbishing (Paperback)

I checked this book out from the library because it looked helpful in my quest to update my sewing machine. I liked it so much I bought a copy for myself to keep as a reference. The book covered everything I needed to consider before buying a new or used machine or whether to buy another one at all. The book is well organized and gave wonderful inside information from a person who, having repaired sewing machines for years, knows about all the makes and models. It did not appear to be biased toward one manufacturer or the other. If you are thinking about upgrading or replacing your machine, this book is very useful.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Buy a Brand Name, March 10, 2001

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Sewing Machine Guide: Tips on Choosing, Buying, and Refurbishing (Paperback)

John states very early in his book that buying a sewing machine is like buying a car: buy the brand you like, know, or have the tools and skills to fix. This is very true and excellent advice, and since his brand preferences become very clear by the end of the book, I followed it and found my wife the best used Swiss-made machine I could afford. It is a great machine, and it completely revitalized my wife's interest in sewing. She evens wants to start quilting.

The biggest weakness of the book is that no details are offered as to machine brands differ mechanically; the reader is left to shop by features alone. In my case, this was no help, because mechanical malfunctions (and not a lack of a feature) that rendered my former machine worst than useless. These technical details are known, and I was lucky enough to find a former Singer wholesaler who could explain the differences between brands and models.

The section about how to finance a machine can be skipped. The repair section is interesting and useful, but it won't jump-start a dead machine. The list of great machines of the past is really good, but they are not to be found in the market (Although one did appear on a online auction). His price guidelines I found to be too high (yeah!) for this area.

It is a nice book, and very readable. The list of machines and the final chapter make the book worth buying.