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A good first serger once you learn some basics.
OVERALL COMMENTS:1. The machine runs smoothly, without too much noise.2. The guts of the machine all appear sturdy/solid; some of the superficial plastic parts scare me a little because they look like they could break easily. In particular, the extendable thread guide (thread tree) on top of the machine.3. The machine arrived, ready to use. This was a nice benefit because it allows you to try it out instantly. Everything was well packed.4. The fact that it uses regular sewing machine needles and thread is a plus in my mind; save money in not having to stock up on multiple sets of accessories. Note, however, that due to the differences between a serger and a regular sewing machine, there will probably be instances where you want to buy different threads for each machines, depending on the specifics of your project.5. The machine comes with a number of nice accessories, manuals, and instructional videos. I found the manuals and videos are OK, but not great. More about that below. NOTE: The videos DO NOT work on my MacBook Pro, but I was able to view them on someone else's PC.The rest of this review is for those, like me, who have never used a serger before.Like many other reviewers, I've thought about getting one for years, but was intimidated by them (they looked so complicated). Also, they were quite expensive. I would classify my sewing skill level as just beyond beginner. On top of that, I've only recently taken it up again after not doing any sewing in maybe 10 years. The biggest frustrations I've had with my 10-15 year old Singer clunker are a) finishing hems easily and with a professional look b) sewing knits. So, I decided to check out the serger market, and was surprised to find one in this price point, and with encouraging reviews from other novices. So I decided to give it a try. I've had mine for about a month now, and other than experimenting with it, I've completed one garment. I love the ease of use as well as the results. This did not happen without some pain, however. But I believe you learn more from your mistakes than from anything else, so I feel better for having gone through that.The first thing I did when I received the machine was untangle the threads (I left the machine threaded, I just worked the thread from the spool side of things). I looked through the videos and the manuals I did a couple of practice runs (without changing any of the settings) on a piece of basic cotton fabric; everything was great!Then I made what might be considered a mistake to some: I went from there to trying to do a rolled hem on a very thin, gauzy fabric. I created quite a mess, the threads got tangled, the results weren't right, and of course, the thread kept breaking and I had to rethread many many times. I got quite frustrated as I kept referring to the manuals and the videos, but just couldn't figure it out. Then I went to the internet for help. What a life saver! In particular, a video on You Tube called"Threading a Brother 1034D Serger" by "ArtistkaeSewing" who made this video specifically because the Brother instructions were so difficult to follow. This saved my day! I actually had to re-thread many times until I got all the adjustments right for the rolled hem, so while that was frustrating, I am now a pro at threading the machine from all the experience I gained. In hindsight, it was probably not a good idea to work with a fine fabric and a special stitch for my very first project. : )I also recommend a book called "The Complete Serger Handbook" by Chris James. I find it fills in many many gaps in my knowedge (since I am a beginner to serging) and it does so in a very easy to follow format with lots of great illustrations.Here are a couple of other tips from someone who learned the hard way:1. I didn't pick up on any instructions anywhere on where to line up your fabric while sewing. It may be there, but I just never noticed. Unlike my regular sewing machine which has a guide line labeled "5/8" - the serger just has some subtle slightly raised lines in the plastic area in front of the needle ... with one of these lines thicker than the others. That's what you want to use.2. I didn't realize that my thread tree was not fully extended which I unpacked it. For sewing on regular fabric, it didn't seem to make a difference. But when working on the rolled hem on the gauzy material, I believe this was one of the main reasons why my thread kept breaking.Maybe these tips will save someone out there some frustration.Overall, I'm very happy with it. I know enough to use it for basic functionality; I will just have to learn the other features as I go. I'm glad to have one successful project under my belt to boost my confidence. I am glad I bought it! I feel I can now bring my sewing skills (and results) to the next level. | 34 stars
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LOVE IT!!!!
Well I just got this machine today and it literally took me ten minutes thread it for the first time and start sewing. I always wanted a serger but was afraid of them for some reason and now I have a feeling I will never live another day with out a serger!!! This machine is perfect for a first time sergerer. | 45 stars
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purchased for a family member
the person said they liked this item, but have not seen it being used. I would think twice before I would recommend its purchase. | 23 stars
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We Love These
These paint markers are amazing! You can either color just dots or actual pictures. They are so easy to use and give the feel of painting without the mess. | 45 stars
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Love it
This is my first glue gun as I have recently gotten more into crafting. I painted some seashells and a frame and used this to glue the shells onto it. I was a little concerned at first about dripping hot glue (not an issue), burning myself (not an issue), and how well the glue would stick (not an issue). Great purchase, my new favorite toy! :) | 45 stars
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Coffee filters
I bought these to cut coffee filters and make paper roses with them for a craft project. These are a great cutting tool, but you definitely don't want to use them to cut something so thin. | 34 stars
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Functional, but not fantastic
There aren't many options for the person who needs to punch 7 holes in this configuration, so I'm just glad to have something that serves the purpose. BUT: I had get a large screwdriver and widen the openings on all but one of the punch heads. I couldn't even slip ONE piece of paper in there, let alone the "eleven" that they claim. By the way, don't try to punch 11 sheets with this thing, it definitely is not capable of that...more like 2-3. It's okay, not great. Priced a little high for the quality. | 23 stars
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A bit of a mess, but the results were good
Applying the silver coating is more difficult than it appeared to be, but the frames actually turned out really well. The clean up is not too bad, but it's not a project for for folks who are not handy. | 34 stars
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Sewing maching
I absolutely love my new sewing machine! Easy to use and with the starter kit and book, I have made numerous things so far. Great price and came quicker than I expected. | 45 stars
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Excellent
I fixed 2 zippers in 5 minutes, and wanted more! Some of the other zipper repair kits really are poor but this has 5 sliders and great instructions. | 45 stars
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Love at First Use
I got this sewing machine after my son was born to sew some baby items for him. It is my first sewing machine and I am thrilled with it! It is super easy to use as a first time sewer. It offers enough options and yet not overwhelming. I was thrilled with the reviews I saw about it online and purchased it. I would recommend to others and I would consider purchasing another Brother sewing machine because of the quality of this one. | 45 stars
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ok, but had to sew it
The girls were excited about it, but the fringe is too short to tie, so we had to sew it instead. | 23 stars
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Excellent Quality and Vibrant Colors
We purchased this paper for crafts and Christmas activities. The quality of the paper was better than I expected and the colors were great. | 45 stars
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Warm & Natural Batting
I love this brand and their product so much that I bought a whole roll of it which was less expensive on Amazon than in the craft stores or anywhere else online. I am not able to find this product in my area so I was so relieved when I finally found it on Amazon and it was on sale! | 45 stars
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worth its weight in gold
Excellent product! I have several bars of Sculpey that were very old. I threw about ten bars out before I found this product. The remaining bars have been restored! You don't need much at all. Just go one drop at a time or else it gets a little oily.Saved me a bunch of money. | 45 stars
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Can't ask for more
This glue gun is better than anything in this price range and better than most costing 3 or 4 times more. Heats up quickly, drips very little and takes much less effort to feed than most glue guns. As another reviewer mentioned, you can start feeding a new stick in before you run totally out meaning you can just keep going with the same level of effort. I hope they never stop making this gun because for some reason no one else can seem to get it right. I used theseSteinel 04043 GF 260 High Strength 12" Glue Sticks, 15 Sticksglue sticks in a big stair railing project and have been so impressed with both. | 45 stars
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Nice unit
Took about 90 minutes for my son to put together. Of course pieces were not marked but not really difficult to put together, just time consuming. Shipping was another story, $102.00 which seems high but I searched everywhere for one that had some shelves for the DVDs and this was the only one I could find. Holds a 42 inch widescreen very nicely. I really like the cherry finish on it and the cabinet pulls. Hope this helps someone else. | 45 stars
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Love it!
Purchased this cart to help me organize my sewing and crochet tools. It's been a great find and works perfectly for my needs. | 45 stars
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Cant beat prismacolor
I have a large collection of prismacolor markers. My little brother is starting to come into a time in his life when he too is becoming serious about art and he was very excited to receive this set as a Christmas gift. And it didn't hurt my wallet at all. The amazon price is unbeatable. | 45 stars
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DOES THE JOB, BUT STORE CAREFULLY
Fresh Avery Glue Sticks work beautifully transfering a thin even layer of glue to paper. Even thin paper doesn't wrinkle.However, the glue sticks do dry out (even with the caps on), and then the glue does not spead in an thin even layer. I store my "virgin" sticks in a ziplock bag. I keep my "current" stick in an reused "spice bottle" (prescription medicine bottles would also work) which is only a little larger than the glue stick itself. The generous size of these large sticks is a mixed-blessing---unless you use alot of glue regularly, they will dry out long before you've used much of the glue. If you are too lazy to keep your current stick in a jar, and you don't really need this large size, consider packages of the the smaller 0.26 oz size sticks.Avery Permanent Glue Stic, Regular size, .26 oz, 18 Pack (98001)I use the glue sticks to convert ordinary laser-printer paper to shipping labels. Self-adhesive shipping labels are expensive, at least 25 cents each---so, I use ordinary paper and attach it with the glue-stick glue, and then cover with a transparent shipping tape to protect the label. | 45 stars
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Disappointing
Being sharpies, I expected a smoother and more accurate marker than these. The tip is really hard, and in two of the five markers it had imperfections that made the trace look shabby. It was really hard to get any nice work done with them. In the end I had to go back to the calligraphy pen to make my wedding signs, because these markers were practically useless. | 12 stars
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My Mother Loves It
I got this as a Christmas present for my mother. She had formerly used a 27 year old machine but picked it right up and after reading the manual for 5 minutes, started sewing. She was happy that it had a button holer function. The controls seem easy enough and the design is nice. Recommended | 45 stars
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Clover Jumbo Locking Stitch Markers
I just love them perfect size...easy on and off...they beat out the small rings by a landslide makes marking effortless | 45 stars
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EASEL- LOTS OF FUN
I HAVE ENJOYED THE EASEL BUT IT IS BUILT FOR ADULTS ONLY AND NEEDS TO BE TREATED GENTLE AND DOES NOT TAKE UP MUCH SPACE- EASY TO USE. | 34 stars
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Top quality brush
I'm very pleased with this brush. I've always liked W & N brushes, but hadn't tried the Eclipse black sable before. It holds its shape well, and it handles well with acrylic paints. | 45 stars
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daughter loves them
I got these for my 2 year old daughter at Christmas after seeing the poor quality of all the kids scissors. They are super sharp, which makes it easy for her to cut with, so she doesn't use them unsupervised.Update: She has used these scissors for almost a year now and loves them. They fit her hands nicely, and since she has been taught how to use scissors responsibly at school, really doesn't need as much supervision at home as I expected. | 45 stars
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THIS IS CRAP
This is a plastic toy that barely works and should not be sold for this price. The whole idea of an opaque projector is to enlarge an image! I couldn't even get something letter size to enlarge to a posterboard. Don't waste your money!!! | 01 star
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Great machine for the money
I really did a lot of research before I bought this machine. I purchased books on serging to see which features I really wanted and could afford. I absolutely love this Brother machine. I had never used a serger before, but I was up and serging in no time. The instructions and DVd's that come with it were easy to understand. Threading is pretty straight forward and only took me a few times to master. I have used this serger on various fabrics and textures with excellent results. I have never used another serger, so I can't compare, but I will say I am 100% satisfied for the Brother 1034. It is well worth the money. | 45 stars
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Does what it's supposed to do...
I needed a three hole puncher and I didn't shop around a lot and I ordered this one quickly. I hadn't noticed the pink one until after I ordered this one but, oh well.It was priced reasonably and it does it's job, it punches holes in paper just how it's supposed to. It's a bit boring, as it is plain black but it's nice. It's a good quality, it's not all junky and metal like, which is what my old one was.I am happy with my purchase. | 45 stars
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A new artist
I have old pencils and being Scot, I like to save money.. In this case I only use my Prismacolored Pencils...they are the best! | 45 stars
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Exactly what I was looking for
I had 3 things I wanted to display and I didn't want them lost in a stand with too many holders, but didn't want 3 different single display stands either. This stand works perfectly. I can see all 3 things I want to display clearly and it doesn't take up a great deal of space. What I want to display is the focal point, not the stand. | 45 stars
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Great Idea
Avery Sticker Project Paper, White is one of those things you didnt know you needed until you got it. I've had these for a couple of weeks and have already used them several times. I made a set of color coded stickers for cables and jacks that made movine a home entertainment center much easier. We made some baked gifts this fall and used these for customized labels for the packages, which led to the idea of customized name stickers for Christmas gifts. These are great. My only fear is that I wont be able to keep up with the sticker and printer ink bills. | 45 stars
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Good Quality Thread
For years I have used Gutermann thread for all my sewing projects. I like the range of colors they provide, as well as the durability of the thread. Unlike some other brands this thread never breaks or snaps when using a sewing machine. This seller was accurate with their presentation and was prompt with their delivery.I would buy from them again. | 45 stars
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I know where these scissors come in really handy!
Sure you cut paper, cardboard, and fabric occasionally, but how about a real challenge. This cuts that vacu-formed heavy plastic they seal up small items and such in. I got a Braun Oral B electric toothbrush, and it would normally have been a 5 minute struggle with a sharp knife. I may have cut myself or damaged the item by the end. This saved me all that in less than 30 seconds I cut all around the seal and freed the toothbrush. In addition, this is the super strong one, five times stronger than stainless steel it says, and it has a non-stick coating. I've had dozens of packages come in recently, and I use this to cut through packing tape with ease. It does not bind up with the sticky getting on the blade of the scissors, and so it never slows me down.Like a titanium scissors I got in the past and reviewed, this cuts think material even moderate leather without bending, it cuts straight and true. The soft grip is nicer than you think if you've done a lot of cutting, I've had some projects in the past, and had to cut hundreds of cards and such down to size. I used to use a heavy all steel scissors, and by the first hours my fingers would be numb from the shock. This padding dampens that and one recent bit of cutting I noticed no pain at all when I used the scissors for more than two hours of cutting up boxes. These are great! | 45 stars
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Gold Tapestry Hand Needles-Size 26 3/Pkg
These are good quality needles that I used for cross stitching. They did bend while using but I haven't found a needle that i haven't bent yet. They did tarnish after using for awhile, but I haven't found gold plated ones that haven't yet. | 34 stars
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Great embosser.
Works perfectly and looks great on my desk! What more could you want from an embosser? | 45 stars
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Good scissor
I bought this due to limited arm movement. It helps me open packages, so I would recommend this to anyone that has trouble holding and operating a scissor. | 34 stars
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Not for me
Perhaps I just got a lemon, but these were very low quality scissors. They did not cut well at all, uneven and rough. The spring consistently became jammed, even when just cutting paper. I bought these for their reputation and positive brand reviews, but as a serious sewer, these are not worth your money. | 01 star
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perfect score professional glass cutter
This product lives up to its name. The glass that I cut WAS perfect when I finished. | 45 stars
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Truly great scissors!
I know a review for scissors seems silly, however, somehow I am a bad user of scissors. I don't know why, perhaps I was absent that day in Kindergarten when proper use is taught. Whatever the reason, I cannot cut well with scissors. The items get caught between the two pieces and fold rather than cut.With these scissors, I can cut confidently and accurately. They feel solid in the hand, and the movement is very smooth.If you are afraid of scissors, put your fear aside and try these out, they will help you overcome your fear! | 45 stars
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For a Beginner
Like other reviews said, this is great for a beginner. I used it to write food description cards for a party I was catering. It worked really well. I am left handed and didn't have any smearing issues either. | 45 stars
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missing pieces
would have been nice if it had come complete....the red handled knife was missing the piece that holds the blade in place.it is a half-circle in shape and screws onto the metal at the top of the knifedo i have to return the entire kit? | 12 stars
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Lion Brand ribbon yarn
I love this ribbon yarn. It's the first time I've used this type of yarn and found it a little different to work with to begin with. Also, the colors and more intense than what they appear to be online. I plan to use this product again and would highly recommend it. | 45 stars
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love it !
I decided to buy this one after I watched the how to video of this product and I'm glad I bought it ! It is so easy and you can make pretty good stickers at home ! I know I will use this a lot ! | 34 stars
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A Cricut must-have
This is the only tool I have found that helps to lift the cuts off of the mat without them tearing. I have the tool kit and this spatula is not included in the kit. I rarely use anything in my tool kit but I use the spatula every time I use my Cricut. The stickiness from the mat does get on the tool so be sure to clean it off after each use. | 45 stars
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good for kids
This is a great item for what I needed it for. I roll it out on our kitchen floor and let my boys (15mo and 2 years) draw until their hearts content. I also draw tracks and roads and they play with their cars while I'm cooking. It's great. | 45 stars
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Great quality construction paper
This is excellent quality construction paper, all white so my son can draw and paint on it and all his colors will stand out. Exactly what we needed to supplement his pile of colored contstruction paper. This is better quality than the paper we purchased in bulk (heavier and smoother). | 45 stars
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Fiebing's 4 oz. Bottle of Black Leather Dye
This was a 4 oz. bottle of Fiebing's black leather dye. It did a good job on my leather suspenders. Shipping was prompt. This company is a good e'trader. | 34 stars
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Warped Cover
I too was disappointed as the front cover on mine was also warped. The magnetic pages allowed the photos to stick well however and I really liked how my 8 x 10 inch photos fit just right. | 23 stars
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christine
Wonerful sewing machine! I haven't sewn in over 20 years and wanted to make curtains for my kitchen. Arrived in record time, in excellent condition and the instructions are extremely easy to follow. I was hesitant about the computerized aspect, but it is very simple---just push a button and maybe change the presser foot---depending on type of stitch desired. I highly recommend this machine for anyone who sews. | 45 stars
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Expensive and very handy piece of plastic
It seems quite costly relative to materials used in manufacture. Unfortunately, it doesn't have a lot of competition. It holds brushes securely; is long enough for long handled brushes; stows comfortably in my back pack; and has not yet accidentally opened on me. | 34 stars
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Sewing crazy
I was delighted to find that this carrying case actually fit my Serger perfectly, leaving me room for thread and my material. My only wish was that it had separate storage spots for spools of thread. The pocket in the front was just large enough to put instructions and some flat fold material in it.Compared to the units in the stores, the price was great. | 34 stars
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Excellent - Delivers tremendous value vs More well know names like Brother & Singer etc.
Updated: 09-27-06, 09-24-09Written: 07-11-06,Purchased: 04-11-06Vendor: Target, Mira Mesa Blvd., San Diego, CAPaid: 299.99 + txTime Used: 5 months +My experience: intermediate.====================================================================================================09-24-09 Update: Machine still running great with no major problems. Target no longer sells this model. If I reviewed the machine today I would deduct 1 star for threading the needle. I believe that the needle can be off a little and still work but can cause slight problems. If you sew something and pull the cloth out of the machine to enable you to cut the top and bottom thread - often you will feel resistance pulling the top thread throught the machine. You will also hear a click sound for every 5 inches or so of thread. When the machine is threaded perfectly the top thread pull throught the needle more easily and there is no click noise.Suggestion: all sewing machines would benefit greatly by providing a free dvd that goes throught all the features and trouble shooting for when things go wrong.TIP: if you are sewing something that is difficult or delicate always sew a test stitch on a scrap of cloth to verify that the machine is threaded correctly and the bobbin is not jammed.====================================================================================================Updated comments: It's Sept 2006 and I well past the excitment of buying this machine. However, when I sit down with a sewing project the machine works reliably and can be taken as a given. I'm completly satisfied.====================================================================================================The Longest Yard: This is the longest review I have ever written. Why? Because I did so much research when buying my 2nd sewing machine and I often longed for a detailed review by someone that had used the product for at least several months. Feel free to skim it or print it out.Preface / Sewing Machine Myths:I have come to believe by working on really old machines and an industrial cast-iron single stitch brother and newer machines that all machines with in a given class/price level are basically all the same and copies of each other. All mid priced machines today have auto assist threaders and they are all basically the same design etc. Sears Kenmore farms out it's machines to different manufactures so quality varies a lot from year to year. Today's' machines for better or worse aren't your "15 year old Kenmore".Machines are very competitive from $150 to $300. But after $300 I wonder what you are paying for. There is where little nuances come into play which may matter to very advanced sewers. I did a lot of research before buying this machine.TIP: Read the manual and work slowly in short sessions. You don't need to try every type of custom stitch. I still have only used 3 of the included feet. You don't buy and encyclopedia and expect to read every page of every book. You read the parts that cover what is relevant to your current needs. I recommend leaning the basics well then moving on to the more advanced stitches. This machine does it all so it will be time well spent. Example: I turned the foot pedal speed all the way down. Another day I wound a bobbin and wondered whey the machine was soooo slow. Then I realized I need to slide the speed limiter to full speed. I made various little errors like this and blamed the machine at first. Every issue was solved with patients and time. I was scared when I saw this machine the first time and thought I would never buy something so complicated but later I gave it a chance and I was glad that I did.----------PROS:----------Every machine is factory tested and actually comes with several samples under the presser foot with thread comming out of the machine so you can see that your machine made the stitching! Samples include: 8 layers of denim, a paper thin material, etc. This simulates the tests a sewer would perform in a sewing shop to test various models.Works so well you will stop dreaming about really high end machines costing thousands of dollars like Pfaff, Berina, Viking, White, etc. Machine does not get in your way. After getting over the initial excitement for the first month and a half and comparing it to the singer that I got a target for $90 that was purely a learning and stepping stone machine I began to look at the machine more objectively and critically .... read on.Weight: Even though it's computerized the machine is much heavier than the brother or singer equivalents. It is probably the heaviest consumer machine I have picked up. This results in a solid machine that is completely vibration free.Ultra quite (at lower speeds) and moderately noisy at full speed. LED never needs replacing and runs cool and lights well. Auto Assist needle threader works fine but you must learn to work around its less than optimal design. Extremely consistent in very heavy denim all the way to super fine linens or delicate spandex etc. Never jams (I've had only one jam in 3 months and it was my fault). Never misses a stitch (except once on three months) that was my fault I was using a #14 needle with the wrong bobbin tension. Once I stepped down to a #11 and corrected the lower thread tension no problem. I said: "cool now I now what it's like to miss stitches".Computer Screen & Buttons: Best combination I have seen. Very intuitive once you learn to work the computerized vs mechanical way. All the common stitches are accessible with a one touch on buttons 1 thru 10. And all the fancy patterns you scroll to. The large display screen is nicely back lit and very easy to read. The left offset for hemming etc is awesome because you can just push a button and move one digital "click" to the right until it is all the way to the right. Stitch width is very easy to change and you go by the numbers now not trial and error. Just punch in 3.0mm width and away you go.Note: when ever you turn off the machine it returns all settings to default. One reviewer said the machine lost the pattern. They probably turned it off.Accessory Feet: Everything under the sun. Every kind of food including the "walking foot" or even feed foot - which I have not tested yet. I think it comes with like 10 feet? More than any other machine I have seen on the market.Bobbins: works perfectly with Class 15 or Class 66 bobbins. The machine is totally indifferent as far as I can tell. Also, bobbin tension can be adjusted easily without taking anything off except the u-shaped free-arm thing.Teeth: real nice to adjust the presser foot tension. Why use more pressure than you have to on fine fabrics?Free Motion: I dropped the teeth in back and changed the foot and made wonderful sideways stitches.------------CONS:------------** WARNING** Open boxes / returned used machines: The first machine I got was clearly used for at least a month or so. The person attempted to neatly box the machine up but I didn't trust it. Target and other stores 90 day return policy causes some things to go back on the shelf that really should be sent back to the factory. If you buy a machine and it has evidence of consumer use it may be damaged and you may end up not liking an otherwise excellent machine. Remember, every machine is factory tested so there will be the technicians fingerprints etc on the machine.Some people write all kinds of crazy things about all machines including this one. I think they just don't know what they are doing. I'm a straight-man and I repair my car and the wife's car and my motorcycle and the tractors on the farm I grew up on. I learned a long time ago to work with machines not against them. Treat it with care and respect. This machine is more sophisticated then a mechanical machine but when you really go computerized in sewing you will never want to go back to the world mechanical or useless at home "industrial" machines for production sewing. Can you handle 5000+ stitches a minute? That's almost 10 stitches a second.Needle threader works much better/smoother due to a better design on Brother & Kenmore sewing machines that I tested.Some difficulty maintaining a neat stitch when using the super thick "jeans" thread on really thick and hardened (factory stitched hems)multiple layers of jeans. Next time you hear someone claim their machine sews anything or 8 layers of jeans - give then some jeans thread it's 50% thicker than heavy duty upholstery thread - ask them how neat the stitch is on the bottom side going through 6 dense layers on a hem.Plastic bobbin door could be designed a little better.Bobbin winding is good but not perfect. Sometimes the bobbin doesn't wind evenly but machine still sews fine.Threading: not that difficult but I miss threaded once and also you need to play with raising and lowing a bit to get around the medal thing that moves up and down. It's not a big deal but threading carefully and correctly does take getting use to. I think the Brother does a better job.Buttons: Backstitch and locking stitch etc. The buttons are offset from the label. This confused me. I thought the machine wasn't working because it wouldn't backstitch. I was pressing the wrong button. Error #2 I had to hold it in not push it once like the locking stitch function.Customer Service: Haven't tested it. It probably isn't that good. Companies produce tons of ever changing models and that makes getting correct parts more difficult.--------------Buying advice:--------------Better than Brother: If you need to save money buy the one for $200 at evil W-Mart, but this is a heavier more solidly made machine weighing nearly twice as much.Better than Singer: Singer, Kenmore and Brother control about 70% of the market. Euro-Pro offers more to stay competitive. Singer let me down with my first machine for $90. It worked but they make it so you have to buy another machine once you get over the basics. Basic jeans hemming using the super-thick "Jeans" thread is very frustrating.You can buy this machine with confidence. I bought mine at Target for $300 and I love the machine. I do lots of clothing alteration for myself and my wife - she's vertically challenged at 4'11" and I hem all her Lucky brand jeans with the super thick Jeans thread. At $100 pair! I can't afford to make mistakes.[...] | 45 stars
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Good
This product fit perfect on my old fashioned singer sewing machine. This was just he beginning of the restoration of something that needed a touch of love. | 45 stars
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Zippery Do Da
I bought this kit for Mrs. Spudman so she could repair two coats, one hers and one mine. When she eventually decided to tackle what she thought a formidable fix, she was pleasantly surprised by the ease of the fix. She would like more gold colored zippers in the mix, but there are plenty of zippers in the kit from which to choose of various sizes. The trick is to find one that fits the piece of clothing in size and color. In this kit are zippers of black, silver , and gold.In short, the kit works and we wouldn't hesitate to buy another should the need arise. | 34 stars
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Great kit to put in your suitcase.
Everything you need for that lost button or hole in the pants. Bought two to be sure I got to keep one of them....wrong! My wife took one and my daughter in law was happy getting the other one.I will now have to order 2 more, 1 for the office and one for travel. | 45 stars
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Heavy duty
Good heavy duty construction paper. This was used for orphans in Costa Rica to make paper chains and cards. It held up very well. | 45 stars
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Great item@
I purchased this for a vet clinic to make memorial clay paws. The clay is nice and you definitely get a ton of it. But, it's very hard and not very pliable. We usually can't get a very good impression of a paw just a very faint outline that we then have to use tools to complete perfectly. Unless you're making something that you are carding or sculpting, I would opt for a softer clay. | 34 stars
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Exactly what I ordered!
The only "issue" I had was that it took FOREVER for the item to arrive! The seller sent me a link to review the product before the product even arrived! However, other than that, the item is perfect! The price was just right and I know my students will thoroughly enjoy having the ability to write directly on the map, as needed. | 34 stars
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Simple to Use Starter Kit!
The Speedball Speedy Carve Stamp Making Kit is a great starter kit for carved stamps. It is easy to use with two interchangeable blades for carving. The instructions are helpful and include some patterns and techniques. Great price and kit if you are just getting started with carved stamps. | 45 stars
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not clear but frosty
I was really disappointed to see these have a matte finish and look like they have a grey background when used. I was assuming they were CLEAR not like frosted glass. I was going to use them on glass jars as labels, but they look like frosted glass and look terrible. So don't buy them if you wanted really clear sticker paper. | 01 star
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Great Pens
This is a great set of pens for a variety of uses. I personally use them for underlining and writing in my Bible and for journaling purposes because they don't bleed at all and dry almost instantly. While this set might not be the best option if you want only one or two of the sizes, this is still a great set if you like the variation in widths. | 34 stars
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Nice, for the price.
This product was really nice for it's price, it arrived faster than predicted, only problem i had was the case is a little broken, so i just hold it shut with rubber bands. But I'm overall very satisfied with my purchase. | 34 stars
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Zig Red Eye Pen
Was disappointed that after using it my granddaughters had some weird cat eye....one was brown the other green. They have blue eyes. | 23 stars
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Good rings
Cheap, but exactly as described. Shipping took long time but worth the wait. I was expecting it to be a little bit more thicker and maybe slightly larger. I use these pieces to make zipper pulls for paracord projects among other keychain pieces to attache to a larger split ring. | 23 stars
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Ridiculous Price for a SINGLE Glue Stick
I think the seller is deliberatly trying to deceieve people into thinking they are getting 10 glue sticks when in fact, your getting ONE glue stick.Who would buy JUST ONE glue stick anyway?I added this to my wish list months ago, and when I ordered it, I didn't read the comments. | 01 star
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Yes for PictureMate 200 series - Pal, Snap, and Flash!
This should be the correct print pack for PictureMate 200 series printers. If you have a PictureMate Pal, Snap, or Flash printer, you can order EITHER T5846 for 150 glossy prints or T5845-M for 100 matte prints.If the box does not specifically say that it is for PictureMate Series 200 printers (Pal, Snap, and Flash) - DON'T BUY IT! You will end up with the wrong size cartridge. T5570, T5570-M, and "270" cartridges are not compatible with the PictureMate 200 series.For 150 glossy prints, stick to T5846, such as:*T5846 ASIN-B000IT4O0A* T5846 ASIN-B000KJBRK8* T5846 ASIN-B000JMFVY4* T5846 ASIN-B000MFJOZU* T5846 ASIN-B000L9MES6* T5846 ASIN-B000NZRJFQFor 100 matte prints, stick to T5845-M, such as:*T5845-M ASIN-B000IT4O0U* T5845-M ASIN-B000LDRJS2* T5845-M ASIN-B000JMHV38* T5845-M ASIN-B000OCMVLU | 45 stars
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Elegantly simple - a great little gizmo!
I bought Xyron's "Magic Sticker Maker" at a local store for my daughter, but then, checking reviews online, I discovered that that one is VERY poorly reviewed and this "real" sticker maker, not just a kiddie version, is available for just about the same price.So I returned that one and ordered this one instead. Having read the reviews here, I naturally expected the thing to function right out of the box - but I didn't expect it to be so darn easy.I kept looking around for something to load, unwrap, peel open... but finally, I just slipped my test paper (a "Happy Birthday" message with a cute picture!) into the "feed" area and turned the handle slowly.Pop! There it was - just as sweet as can be, and ready to stick on the box to surprise my daughter. The paper feeds very smoothly and you don't need to feed your hand into the machine, either, because the rollers grip the paper very smoothly and deliver it nicely out the other end.The downside of this device is obviously that the cartridges are non-refillable, and the 20ft will probably run out pretty quickly (I ordered a second, repositionable cartridge, in addition to the permanent one it comes with). A bigger downside is that for however-much it costs, you have to kind of shrug off the fact that you could accomplish basically the same thing with a 99-cent glue stick. :-)))But honestly, this thing is so easy-to-use and so low-tech (I'm relieved that they didn't figure out a way to mess it up with batteries!) I feel very confident that my daughters will get many moons of scrapbooking fun out of this great little gizmo. | 34 stars
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Met expectations nicely!
Ordering blind is always tough, but this roll of paper didn't disappoint. It was as I expected, with a decent weight/thickness, and was delivered quickly. Needed it for my daughter's first slumber party to block out the sunlight from our family room windows. Worked perfectly. | 34 stars
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An AWFUL little machine!!!!
well, i just spent more time with a seam ripper removing bad stitches than I would have hand sewing ( and we're talking about a tablecloth ten feet long) The thread gets caught around the spool every few minutes, due to the fact that the designers chose to put a spring BELOW rather than ABOVE the spool- thus holding it up, and making it prone to catching. Even when it is working, the tension isn't correct, so the stitches are uneven and often contain loops on either side- such that the stitch tends to get caught on things, which is particularly an issue because this machine uses a very long stitch- the length traditionally used to make gathers. So when the stitch gets caught on something, it pulls the thread the whole way back, giveing the entire seem a ruffled appearance.IN SHORT:Do not buy this machine. When I bought it, I was thinking that it wouldn't be great, but it would be worth 21 bucks. This is not the case. In fact, its probably not worth free. I would have given it zero stars, but that seems not to be an option. | 01 star
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Not the color of the picture/description
The picture of this roll of Art Kraft Paper was different than what I received. I was expecting a brighter, lighter green. We already have 6 rolls of the color we received. This paper does us no good! | 01 star
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ek zig squeeze and roll
bought 2 because they are perfect for small applications of glue. no smudge, just a squeeze and press down on the roller ball at tip of pin and it is perfect. great sticking power. perfect in every way. | 45 stars
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Ideal as a Cigar Lighter
The Blazer PB207 Torch Lighter is idea for lighting cigars. It's great for the outdoors, on the golf course or while camping. Wind does not affect the flame. It has a great "industry look and feel" so you wouldn't want to be seen with it while in a suit or tux, but for the regular guy and everyday use, you'll love it. The problems with this torch are that it doesn't always light on the first attempt. Also I don't like it's new safety feature, where you have to flip a lever and then depress the ignition button. This all done with your thumb and gets some getting used to. I like the Blazer better than any store bought lighters, it's more rugged, useful and seems to work more consistently. Two things, it's recommended to use triple distilled butane, not difficult to find, most good cigar stores carry it. The other is, that if you drop it often, the igniting mechanism can shift, making the lighter not as reliable to light on demand. I still feel you're going to love it. | 34 stars
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bad quality
Bought the US 12 size. After a month of use the top part got bended and broke off. Very disappointing. I had a size 16 crochet needle that I used for at list 10 years but I lost it and bought this one instead. | 01 star
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Easy to assemble, light weight and strong
This small sized frame is perfect for doing crossstitch and embroidery. The plastic is light weight so it is easy to hold on to for an extended time, and is not heavy to carry in my tote bag. The frame holds the tension tight so you get even stitches. It is a "snap" to put together and stores easily. For most small projects this frame will work very well. I use it when doing cross stitch with high Aida so I can see a small area at a time to work on. | 45 stars
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best art light ever
I have been searching for a light which helps me to paint in the evening. This lamp exceeded my expectations by its sturdy construction, wonderful illumination and flexibility. I highly recommend it for artists, craft artists, etc. | 45 stars
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great design
Love this set, smoothe lines. I stacked the stools just to get out of the way and now my grandkids stack them when they are finished playing. Love the bright colors and stools are sturdy enough for parents and grandparents and easy because of no backs or arms. | 45 stars
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Great gift!
This was a gift for a friend. She was completely happy with it, and I will be getting more for her later on. Kind of expensive, but worth it. | 45 stars
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great organizer
This is my second one that I have purchased (overflowing with scrapbook materials). The organizer is great because I can keep all my scrapbook stuff in it and organized. It's nice that its portable because I can take it in any room or even outside and scrapbook and know that I have everything I need with me. I actually went to the store to buy another one but the store wasn't selling them anymore. I was really disappointed! :( So thank goodness Amazon sells them!!! :) | 45 stars
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Well made machine
I first bought the brother CE8080prw at Walmart, WRONG DECISION!!!! Then I ordered this one and I am very well pleased!!! It runs smoothly, no rattling. Button holes are great. I love there is a button you can push to start sewing and not need foot pedal. I have been sewing for years and this machine is all I needed. It has all the functions that I will need. Amazon is also the best!!! Great shipping and customer service. No problems at all!! | 45 stars
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Not the best quality
I just received the plate stand and it is not symmetric--one side is longer, so it does not stay up straight.It looked as I was expecting, and was a good price, but the quality is not there. I could not count on this rickety plate stand to hold anything of value as I am sure it will tip complete over once there is weight on it.I hope I can get a refund but I am not pleased with the quality of this product. | 12 stars
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THIS THING IS AWESOME
BUY IT. I can't say enough about it. Like a few people have said before, this is absolutely hands down worth twice if not four times what you are paying for it. I make custom wedding invitations for a living, and it is PERFECT to embellish them. I have custom seals printed for my pocketfold invitations, roll them through this machine, and they come out perfect every time. I will probably be using it forever. You are 100% crazy not to buy it! | 45 stars
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Not what I ordered
I ordered this Calligraphy set instead of the dark blue beginners case because I wanted a more unique looking calligraphy pen. Well, I ordered this one and got the dark blue box instead with standard colors. Not exactly happy but I do not wait to wait to get another order. | 01 star
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More Paper!
The drawing paper is great, very good quality, but i think there should be more sheets then 24 sheet because they go by fast especially if you are taking a college art class. | 34 stars
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Highly Recommend
I highly recommend this pair. I bought them because they're a little bit eco-friendly and they looked alright. I just needed a decent, inexpensive pair of scissors but I was pleasantly surprised by how well designed this pair is. | 45 stars
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great product
Very powerful and best I've been able to find. They are a bit brittle but that is the nature of this kind of magnet. I use them to hold tools and in Geocaching. They are so powerful that it is hard to separate the small ones. Just have to avoid dropping them or trying to pry the big ones apart they will break. All in all I really like them. You can glue on of the bigger ones on the end of a mop handle and use it to clean up nails etc. | 45 stars
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Weak image
Even in a dark room the image is too faint to be of any use. | 12 stars
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Very nice
I really like this mat. Great help with measuring my cuts and protecting my table top. The size is good for my small space. | 45 stars
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love it
I really liked my serger. It's so comfortable and easy to use unlike the industrial ones. It's small and it does the job perfectly :) | 45 stars
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Great for starter
Made my daughter happy with this more than a basic, basic machine. She can now explore what she can do sewing and can easily move beyond the basics with this reasonably priced machine. | 45 stars
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Great Machine, Poor Customer Service
This is my first sewing macine I have ever purchased. I was very happy with the value for the price and the speed at which it arrived. Way to go Amazon!Upon opening the package, I found that the the main Zig Zag foot was missing. I contacted Brother Customer service via web since no phone number was included. A day later, I recieved an auto email with a phone number and called it. I was immediately transferred into a voice mesaging system with an option to talk to someone now. I selected that and was given a different answering machine...I left a message. This proceeded 3 different times over the course of 2 weeks with no call back. I finally kept calling until someone answered. They said they would get a foot out to me 'today', 3 weeks later and I'm still waiting...I would give this machine 5 stars as it has exceeded my expectations using some alternative feet that came with the machine but had to take off one star for Brother's customer service. It pulls material well once the tension is set appropriately, including my husband's heavy duty double reinforced jeans. | 34 stars
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beautiful!
This is a really awesome bracelet and looks much better in person than in the photo.Perfect for any one who likes leather and hardware:) | 45 stars
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Smoothest Pen Ever
I've searched through many brands of pen to find one with a smooth ink, super black that sits on top of the paper and doesn't leak through, dries quickly. The pen itself is exactly the right width and has perfect balance. These pens fit my requirements exactly! Doesn't leak through thin journal paper either or tear it with too much ink. These pens are perfect for hand-lettering, doodling, and average writing. My favorite sizes are 08 and 01.I absolutely recommend these pens as the best on the market. Better than the Sharpie Pens, because of the width of their pens (too narrow for me.) Better than Faber-Castell artist pens because they don't soak the paper with ink. | 45 stars
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A complete sewing novice.......
I once tried to use a sewing machine when I was around 14 and into altering my clothes. Honestly, I think I almost blew up the darn thing. I had borrowed it from my grandmother and I don't know if it ever worked again. At that time I vowed NEVER to touch a sewing machine again(I easily get frustrated when things don't work out the way I plan). Well, about 13 years later, I decided I wanted to make a quilt out of old band t-shirts. I had planned on sending them away to a professional company, but could not justify the $400-500 price, and someone said "why don't you do it yourself?". Never one to turn down a challenge, I decided to give it a go. If I "blew up" another machine I would know I'm never meant to use one.I read a lot of reviews on amazon, because frankly, I didn't even know what I was looking for. I knew something that was 'user friendly' and good for a beginner. Beyond that, totally clueless. I remembered the Brother brand being good, and I liked the look of the machine. Not too many knobs and buttons and I can totally work with digital. The fewer things I can manually break the better. I also didn't want to go all out on price, but get something moderate so that if I did end up enjoying it, I wouldn't have to immediately get a better one. So, with these ideas, I finally decided on this machine.And I'm EXTREMELY proud to say, I made a quilt/blanket my first day. No, it wasn't perfect, but I got the machine running and found it pretty easy to figure out. I started slow and really paid attention to the manual (which is rare in my case). Granted, some of the terminology is like reading japanese, but some staring at the diagrams in the manual helped me to figure it out as well as making a couple phone calls to see what threading the bottom and the top meant, did I need to do both? Apparently so. I even know what a bobbin is now. =)I'm just finished my 2nd quilt, a T-shirt one as a first go before doing the important T-shirts. I also made a case for my nook e-reader! I've ordered some 'complete guides to quilting' to get a better idea of things, but I am confident this machine will work well for me. I think the light it has is fantastic, I could easily get busy in a darkened room and see what I was doing. Once you get the hand of threading it's easy to remember. The speed button works well, it can go very slow if you're unsure and speed up as you become more used to the machine.The only thing I don't love is, and maybe there's a trick to this I haven't caught onto yet.....is that I end up JAMMING as much blanket as possible under the arm to try and finish things in the middle of the blankets. I wish there was more room between the body of the machine and where the stitching happens. I've fiddled a little with the different stitches, which is really fun. I still don't know what the tension is, but I guess I'll figure it out as I go along.If you're a beginner like I am, I would definitely recommend this machine. It's a fun new hobby and not nearly as daunting as I had thought it would be. Happy quilting! | 34 stars
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Not sure about these
If your planning on buying tools like these you might want to make sure who you get them from. I was happy enough to have these for their many uses BUT they looking over used and even too worn. So if your looking for quality tools, and a quality place to get them, email the company and do your research. Its a good deal if the tools were in a great shape, but you get what you pay for and these by no means are worth it. I suggest in a pinch find a local art retailer, better yet a good mom and pop deal and go there for tools like these. | 12 stars
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Does not work on Nylon!!
I was searching for a good dye for nylon, the product says it is great. I tried it, did everything it asked, and no good results, poor product. | 01 star
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Dana Haas
A great price for these Burgoyne cards. Everyone is unique and beautiful in detail. I have bought these cards individually, they can range from 5.00 to 9.00 dollars. The person receiving the card wil be amazed. The gift boxes make a nice gift for that hard to buy for individual. | 45 stars
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Good pair of hole-punch!
The item is sturdy and I was able to punch holes in stacks of 8-9 card papers pretty easily. It catches the paper "holes" so you can discard of them all at once in the end, no mess!It just took me a couple of tries to figure out that the paper has to go under the clip that lifts the hole-catcher. I first put it over, and then it was hard to get the paper out of the punch without tearing. | 34 stars
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Dissatisfied
While the stamps themselves seem very nice, I was disappointed by how poorly the ink pads worked. I have been trying to find a new ink pad that my daughter can use to replace the one this stamp set came with. The colored pencils seem fine though. | 12 stars
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Dont Bother
I got the handheld sewing machine when i was seven. At the time i thought it was the best thing ever. Although after sewing two sides of a pillow i started to make, the machine broke, and started sewing very losely. Soon there after it just sewed loops. After two months of trying to fix it i threw it out. i am now into sewing, and i would recommend saving the money you will spend on a useless handheld sewing machine, and save up for a real one. | 01 star
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