Hey Pholks,

(Tried searching the LCF forum but got nothing.)

Does anyone in the LCF forum sew/repair their own clothing, especially cycling clothing, with an actual sewing machine? I'm looking at buying one since I've been relying heavily on a woman I work with to do my repairs. I will not sleep with her (smile) and so by the time I buy her 6 or 8 lunches a year, I probably could have bought a used sewing machine and gained the knowledge/experience for a lifetime of DIY clothing repair needs. My questions after all that:

1) What features do I look for?
2) I would much rather buy used and am comfortable doing so but what RED FLAGS would I look for if buying used?
3) Price depends on brand, newness, and features I understand but for no-frills sewing/repairs, what can I expect to spend? I'm seeing anywhere from $80 - $100 on CL, but I don't know what I'm looking for. I'd rather hold out for something less expensive but don't want junk either. I've done really well with CL in terms of bikes, parts and accessories but I'm lost when it comes to sewing machines.

Any direction is much appreciated!