Just because I own one doesn’t me I can use it. Actually, I’ve had two, both were wedding presents. (different marriages) The first went with that ex-husband. He got very good at alterations.
The second I still have. It was given to me by my MIL. It was the one she used for 50 years. She was a seamstress for one of the movie studios back in the day. (Warner Bros, I think.)
I can make simple repairs. I’ve sewed a couple simple tops, but nothing like a halloween costume.
I checked “I’m male and I own one,” since the question seems to really be, “is there a sewing machine in your household,” regardless of who uses it. My wife and I own one. She uses it.
Yes, I have one. I’ve been known to do alterations & repairs for friends & lovers and sometimes make my own clothes. My Grandma taught me how to sew when I was a kid. My stepmonster often refused to buy new clothes; instead, she would toss a pattern and some fabric at me and instruct me to make my own. A few years ago, I got it into my head that I have some mad sewing skills so I was going to invest in a machine and save thousands by making my own stuff.
That was an eye-opener. Turns out, you can only really save money making your own if A) you find patterns on sale and deeply discounted, and B) you find the right fabric you need also deeply discounted. One of the first dresses I made required about three yards of linen… at $15/yard. Ouch! By the time I bought the pattern ($10), thread & notions ($10-15) and three yards of fabric, I had nearly $75 in the dress. I could have bought a very similar dress at Old Navy or Ross Dress for Less for about $15 or $20.
Most of the time, there’s no sense in it. It’s a good skill to have for repairs, alterations, and costumes, and it’s fun (for me). I just learned the hard way that DIY is not always less expensive.
I have a sewing machine named Pfredd. It’s a Pfaff.
Yes, I’ve had it for about 4 years now, and wanted one for 15 years before that. You failed to ask whether I have ever turned it on. The answer is: I keep meaning to. . .
We as a family own one, which is my wife’s by default, since I have absolutely no idea how to use it.
I voted “Other”.
I sort of have one 
I’ve had a sewing machine forever. I used to sew a lot of my clothes although I haven’t made more than a couple of outfits for myself in the last 20 years. I made a couple of halloween costumes for the kids when they were little and I sewed one dress for my daughter. When she was ready to move out I gave her the sewing machine since she’s made much more use of it recently.
Since she moved back in this summer it’s in the house again. I actually went out a month or so ago and bought the material for a skirt, but it’ hasn’t made it out of the bag yet.
Sewing clothes sucks as a money-saving activity. You can get a dress, jeans, jacket or shirt at any Old Navy or Ross or wherever for a lot less, especially when you figure in the cost of your labor. But it makes sense if you find it hard to find clothes that fit you and you can fit patterns or drape clothes to fit. Or for special costuming needs. It also makes sense if you find it gives you a creative outlet.
If you are looking to save money, try buying patterns from the web. The big 4 pattern companies often have weekend sales where every pattern costs $3.99 or less ($4.99 for Vogue). And don’t buy fabric or notions from the big retailers. Search out the stores that look like Mood, if on a smaller scale. These stores (like in L.A.'s or NYC’s garment district) offer real fabric for 1/3 to 2/3 the price of the crap in chain stores. If the fabric is in on shelves on nice shiny bolts with the prices clearly marked, your paying too much. Go where everything is on huge bolts leaning against the wall or in industrial metal racks in a shell of a store, and you have to ask a salesperson the price. Go where the design students shop locally to get the best deals and latest fabrics.
i used to… i have no idea if it survived any of the last two moves. or was it three moves?
For many years, if anyone asked what the most valuable thing I owned was, I’d say my sewing machine.
I’ve always had one, learned to sew as a child. (I was small and didn’t want to shop in the child’s department!) I’ve sewn prom dresses, dolly clothes, made dolls, curtains, slip covers, altered tons of clothes. I alter lots of my clothes, just because I can, like my linens. My sheets and pillow slips fit exactly right. I can’t count how many halloween costumes I’ve made.
It sits on a desk in the opposite corner of the room I currently am seated in, at the ready. It’s a skill I’m glad to have. I love being able to fix things for people, or create something they’ve dreamt up.
Male and I own an antique Singer that’s in working order, complete with original manual, toolkit and protective cover. I’ve used it for some small fabric projects, to make things I need (like a phone sock) and for experimental sewing of materials unsuited for use in my wife’s modern electric machine.
My wife has one sitting in the back room unused for decades.
I have three, and I know how to sew, although I haven’t made clothing in many years. I recently used it to make some throw pillows for the living room.
I have a newish Brother, my Mama’s old Singer (1960’s vintage) and an antique treadle (which doesn’t work).
I have a Husquvarna Viking Lena and recently picked up a Singer 501a (Rocketeer) in a neat art deco cabinet. I’m exciting about getting to play with the Rocketeer as soon as we get it working again.
We got a Kenmore portable sewing machine when our first child was born. That was in 1949. I did use it a lot through the years. It still works, but I no longer use it. It was just a good basic sewing machine.
I have a sewing machine, don’t sew very well–far from expert!–and I have made numerous Halloween and other costumes for my kids, all of which turned out well. Get a pattern, follow the directions on the pattern, be vigilant about cutting exactly and sewing exactly where the directions say.
What I have is a Singer that my mother bought at some point in the '40s. I honestly think it’s older than I am. Very reliable, with even a lot of fancy stuff (zigzag stitch, buttonholer) which I never use.
I’m female and I have never owned a sewing machine. I learned to use my mom’s in high school, but have never had any desire or care to make my own clothes. As far as repairs or hems, I can whip-stitch a hem in probably less time than it would take to lug out the machine from the depths of whatever closet it would be in and set it up.
I wear primarily second-hand clothes thanks to the amazing resale shops in Chicago, so it really is cheaper for me to just go buy stuff. Loads cheaper, in both time and money. I can replace a button, patch a tear or whatnot easily enough by hand if needed, but it’s really rarely needed.
Thank you everyone who replied - I have to say I’m amazed at the number of sewing machine owners out there!
I own more than one but they are all in need of some maintenance*. I have sewn clothes before but I am not very good at it - there’s a lot of trial and error, ripping out seems and sewing it again.
*Sewing machines hate me and break down for no apparent reason. The only one that worked well for me I accidentally broke off the thread guide moving it. I kept it in hopes of finding a replacement. A couple other I have were my mothers and were in storage and need to be cleaned up, plus one is a serger which I have no idea how to use.