Monday, May 3, 2010

Shopping

So, my husband took me on a shopping/researching trip for a new sewing machine over the weekend. I'd have to say that I was pretty upset by the whole process. I went to my trusty repairman's main shop to see what he had to offer. After telling the lovely little (old) sales lady what I was looking for, I was promptly shown an expensive model with WAAYY too many features. Again, I told her that I really didn't need all the fancy stitches and bells and whistles, that I just wanted a workhorse type machine, one that could do just what I wanted. She proceeded to tell me all the reasons why I needed said expensive model and how I would be so disappointed with a basic machine.

Needless to say, I left pretty discouraged. I wasn't planning on buying a machine that day, but I wasn't really prepared to deal with someone who supposedly knew my needs better than me. For one, I feel like I am a pretty experienced sewer. I sew A LOT and I've sewn for a very long time. I'm pretty sure I know what I want. So my question is: Do sewing machine sales people really even sew? Or do they just sell machines?

My advice to them would be: Take a class in listening, 'cuz you aren't hearing what I am saying!

I feel better now, thank you...

In happier shopping news, I scored some beautiful sheets at my thrift store that I plan to use for the backs of some upcoming quilts.


Finally, here is a peek at a quilt top I recently finished. Now, I just need to figure out how to get it quilted by June with a busted machine.

10 comments:

  1. Annoying sales lady!! nothing bugs me more than sales people who think they knew what I need.

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  2. My parents had the floral sheets on the left when I was growing up! How funny!

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  3. So sorry about your experience. I have found that many sewing machine sales people don't actually sew all that much. When I bought my machine (2 years ago) I had done alot of research online about what I wanted. When I spoke to the sales lady I knew much more about the machine than she did! It was funny. :-)

    I really, REALLY like your quilt top! Nice work.

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  4. The entire sewing "industry" bugs. A foot needs to be $150? Really? You'll open my machine and take four minutes to vacuum it for a mere $85? Thanks.

    And I'm gonna be a heckuva lot more upset when my $3000 machine drops dead versus my $200 machine. And they WILL both breakdown. How much pain should be involved?

    Oh wait. This was YOUR rant. ;)

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  5. This is right up there with Jo-Ann's associates who don't sew but are supposed to be able to help those who do. It was fun talking with you today--rant and all.

    That quilt looks great. Can't wait to see the whole thing.

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  6. can i make a recommendation? i just bought the bernina activa. i wanted the same thing - workhorse, but no embroidery or other fluff. i have not been disappointed.

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  7. So annoying!

    I found sheet #1 at a thrift shop last fall. I love the other ones you found too especially #4.

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  8. Hope u have better luck in the future I love the quilt top! Can't wait to see it finished. Have u ever seen a blog called cluck cluck sew? It totally reminds me of you (I guess only in all the quilting she is posting and that she recently blogged about chickens). There is a link on my blog I'd uwant to check it out.

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  9. I have just got to mention that Goodwill often has older metal machines that are great workhorses. I have two old Singer's and an old Bernina and love all of them as much as my very expensive new Viking.

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  10. Hi! You know, I just discovered your blog, so you might have already solved your problems, but I think that if you keep your eyes out for an older machine from a really good brand, that might be the best solution. An older Viking or Bernina that you can just get tuned up would be a workhorse without the features.

    Good luck! Probably lots of people have told you this by now. :)

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