# Handi-stitch - Good as a light duty sewing machine or not? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 24, 2002, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handi-stitch-good-as-a-light-duty-sewing-machine-or-not/125390 "2002-08-24T19:24:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2002, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handi-stitch-good-as-a-light-duty-sewing-machine-or-not/125390/1 "2002-08-24T19:24:42Z")
Anyone used one of these? Good light duty sewing machine replacement for single guy type repairs for or a waste of money? see [www.handistitch.com](http://www.handistitch.com) > [@](#): > > The cordless sewing machine. Handy Stitch is the portable hand-held sewing machine that packs the power of larger, more expensive machines. It’s great for quick repairs or jobs that conventional desktop machines can’t handle, like sewing curtains while on the rod, or mending a torn pocket without having to remove your pants It’s only $ 15.00 but I don’t want to waste time with it if it’s just a waste of time. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2002, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handi-stitch-good-as-a-light-duty-sewing-machine-or-not/125390/2 "2002-08-24T19:52:24Z")
I’m curious about this myself, since I was contemplating getting one for fallen hems and small repair jobs and whatnot. ---
**Author:** ![BoBettie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@BoBettie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BoBettie)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2002, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handi-stitch-good-as-a-light-duty-sewing-machine-or-not/125390/3 "2002-08-24T23:01:35Z")
I asked this a while ago either here or in LJ and Gingy (from the boards) said that those machines are a waste of money. She does a fair amount of sewing and would know, so I didn’t get one. ---
**Author:** ![dangermom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e274bd/32.png) [@dangermom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dangermom)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2002, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handi-stitch-good-as-a-light-duty-sewing-machine-or-not/125390/4 "2002-08-25T00:52:48Z")
It looks ridiculously inadequate to me. Learn to sew a hem by hand; it’s not hard and a lot cheaper. Or mooch from a friend with a real nachine. ---
**Author:** ![kittenblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba8739/32.png) [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2002, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handi-stitch-good-as-a-light-duty-sewing-machine-or-not/125390/5 "2002-08-25T01:40:14Z")
IIRC, the Handi-Stitch does a chain-stitch, which pulls out easily. The stitches are usually not even and it’s hard to control. You are better off with a needle and thread. I like how their FAQ’s have nothing to do with the operation of the machine…just what credit cards they take. ---
**Author:** ![flodnak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/838e76/32.png) [@flodnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flodnak)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2002, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handi-stitch-good-as-a-light-duty-sewing-machine-or-not/125390/6 "2002-08-25T05:26:29Z")
Concurring with the other posters - those little machines are severely underpowered and don’t even make a good straight stitch. You’re much better off fixing your shirt hem by hand, or, if you hate sewing by hand like me, spending the money on a used “real” sewing machine. ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2002, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handi-stitch-good-as-a-light-duty-sewing-machine-or-not/125390/7 "2002-08-25T06:32:08Z")
Here I am again with my ‘waste of money’ chiming in. If you’re going to spend $15 on a piece o’ junk, just send your things out rather than having to replace it every few months. Or better still, go find a used sewing machine and get it tuned up a bit. I would rather do your mending myself than see you spend even $1.00 on one of those things. Yes, I have used one. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2002, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handi-stitch-good-as-a-light-duty-sewing-machine-or-not/125390/8 "2002-08-25T21:05:04Z")
As long as we have the sewing machine experts in da house… My mom has an old (maybe 25 years old) Singer that she’s willing to give me. It’s got some nice features, but doubt it’s top-of-the-line. There’s something wrong with the bobbin, but I doubt it’s fatal. There is a sewing machine store in town that will do an overhaul for $50. Do you think it’s worth it to get her machine fixed, or should I buy a new one? (I don’t know how to sew, really, but I’d like to learn. ) ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2002, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handi-stitch-good-as-a-light-duty-sewing-machine-or-not/125390/9 "2002-08-25T21:33:34Z")
If you’re just learning to sew, sounds like this machine would be perfect! And an overhauled machine is almost as good as new. Once you master the basics, then you’ll be in a better position to shop for a new one - knowing what features you’ll use. ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2002, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handi-stitch-good-as-a-light-duty-sewing-machine-or-not/125390/10 "2002-08-26T04:40:58Z")
Old Singer machines are the BEST. I think that $50 for an overhaul is cheap (I used to pay $75 a year for maintenance). It is absolutely worth it, **Green Bean** (which rhymes with Queeeeeeen). You can find lots of generic parts for Singer machines. Not so much for other brands. Singer pioneered the industry and manufacturers of schtuff for sewing haven’t forgotten that they rose to the top in business due to Singer. ---
**Author:** ![yosemite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/3ab097/32.png) [@yosemite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yosemite)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2002, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handi-stitch-good-as-a-light-duty-sewing-machine-or-not/125390/11 "2002-08-26T05:25:09Z")
Old Singers are the best. Solid. We have an old one that is all metal (or, mostly metal) that still works well. They don’t make 'em like that anymore. And yes, the cheap $20 piece of crap Handistitch thing is a waste of money. ---
**Author:** ![flodnak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/838e76/32.png) [@flodnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flodnak)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2002, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handi-stitch-good-as-a-light-duty-sewing-machine-or-not/125390/12 "2002-08-26T07:24:14Z")
You can get your hands on an old Singer for the fifty bucks it costs to overhaul it? Lucky Bean! Go for it! The fact that it’s not “top of the line” shouldn’t scare you off. With the exception of specific “beginner machines”, which are IME often quite wretched hunks of plastic, sewing machine companies make machines of similar quality throughout the range. (And Singers used to be very good.) The more expensive ones have more features, but that doesn’t mean the simple ones aren’t as well-built. As a beginner you won’t need or want most of the features on the fancy machines - if it has a straight stitch and a zig-zag, you’ll have all you need to get started. Even the zig-zag is negotiable. So take the machine to the shop and give BeanMom a big thank-you. And have fun and come back and pick our brains when you need to! ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2002, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handi-stitch-good-as-a-light-duty-sewing-machine-or-not/125390/13 "2002-08-26T11:52:22Z")
Speaking of old Singer machines - I have my grandmother’s treadle model - did you know you can still buy the leather drive belts for them? I made a dress on it once - just to see if I could. I doesn’t have zigzag or reverse, but it still did the job. How’s that for a well-made long-lived machine? ---
**Author:** ![dangermom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e274bd/32.png) [@dangermom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dangermom)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2002, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handi-stitch-good-as-a-light-duty-sewing-machine-or-not/125390/14 "2002-08-26T20:57:32Z")
There’s a guy in my town whose whole business is repairing old and antique sewing machines for use. I’m dying to get a treadle machine from him. Those things will last forever. ---
**Author:** ![Rebo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rebo/32/13005_2.png) [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2002, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handi-stitch-good-as-a-light-duty-sewing-machine-or-not/125390/15 "2002-08-27T16:15:49Z")
I’ve got my Mom’s old Singer as well. It’s probably close to 50 years old. I don’t do much but a few repairs on it, but I’ve only replaced the belt on it once. It runs great! ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2002, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handi-stitch-good-as-a-light-duty-sewing-machine-or-not/125390/16 "2002-08-27T18:25:08Z")
I swear, I’m going to steal my mother’s old sewing machine in the next two months (Singer, and they really do last forever. Plus she’s got another one that she prefers using, so it’s ok.) And yes, the handi-stitch things are crap - but in an absolute emergency, they will make a seam that will hold for a couple of hours or so, reasonably painlessly. (You won’t be able to stress the seam at all, and you’ll have to be extremely careful about having it pull out - and it will need redoing shortly after) Not worth $15, though. Not by a long shot. ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2002, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handi-stitch-good-as-a-light-duty-sewing-machine-or-not/125390/17 "2002-08-28T17:55:53Z")
I’m going to paint my sewing machine black and put flames on it, just to make it more manly. Hey, technically speaking, it _IS_ a power tool. ---
**Author:** ![Siege](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dbc845/32.png) [@Siege](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siege)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2002, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handi-stitch-good-as-a-light-duty-sewing-machine-or-not/125390/18 "2002-08-29T10:57:12Z")
Just one more person who inherited her mother’s machine chiming in. I bought a cheap hand operated sewing machine for less than $20 several years ago, and it was quite definitely over-priced. It proved useless enough that I hand-sewed a tank top rather than deal with it. Right now, I use a 30 year old Singer I inherited from my mother. It’s fussy about thread and in general, but it’s a good machine. I’d say spending $50 on an overhaul would be worth it. CJ ---
**Author:** ![Lissla\_Lissar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lissla\_Lissar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissla_Lissar)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2002, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handi-stitch-good-as-a-light-duty-sewing-machine-or-not/125390/19 "2002-08-29T14:12:46Z")
I have _“Grr”_ painted on my machine. It hates people, especially me. Sigh… ---
**Author:** ![UrbanChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9dc877/32.png) [@UrbanChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UrbanChic)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2002, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handi-stitch-good-as-a-light-duty-sewing-machine-or-not/125390/20 "2002-08-29T14:34:09Z")
I’m very interested in purchasing a sewing machine to make pillows and whatnot. The fact that I’ve watched one too many episodes of Trading Spaces and I have this love of expensive fabric has finally forced me to invest in one. Would it be better to look for an old Singer on eBay and have it overhauled or buy a newer machine? I doubt I’d sew anything other than pillow and maybe the occasional curtain or two.