Formspring time: where to buy second-hand sewing machines in Manila?
Yoj asked me this question on formspring.me:
Hello! I stumbled on your blog while looking for craft blogs. I'd like to ask, do you know where I can buy second hand portable sewing machines here in Manila? Thanks!
The price range for sewing machines there go from a decent P3000 to P5000, and the people who man the shop (the one I mentioned above) really know sewing machines. When choosing one, I recommend you ask them to demo it for you so you know the different things it can do, and so you can gauge how easy or difficult it is to manipulate it. Sometimes, they may even give you very helpful freebies (like brand new needles, bobbins, a dusting brush, and a screwdriver) on your purchase!
Oh, and always ask them for the voltage of the sewing machine. You will probably need a voltage regulator/ transformer to get your sewing machine going.
Good luck on your purchase! Let me know how things go.
PS: if you want the name and phone number of the shop I go to, just drop me a note, alright? :)
For more accounts of my experiences with Aduana, check out these posts:
wee~ i miss your posts! and i like this one in particular. :) I also dream of getting my own sewing machine (because I'd like to sew my own skirts and dresses) but I don't know how to. boo me~
ReplyDeleteAaw! thanks Mai! ~<3 It's good to be back, and reading your posts too. ^_^*
ReplyDeleteHey, if you have the money and the time, why not? a sewing machine can be a handy thing, just as sewing is a handy skill to have. It really takes time (and loads of patience and commitment) to learn how to sew -- heck, I'm still pretty much learning and fumbling as I go, haha!
when you start thinking about learning how to sew, you have my full support on that. ;)
Ive been looking for a post like this for weeks,can you help point me in the direction where you bought your sewing machine?I'm learning how to sew on my own (recalling old sewing classes and online tutorials) but making most of them by hand.
ReplyDeleteHi Alisa!
ReplyDeleteFirst off: Will you be commuting by taxi, or will you be driving? Where will you also be coming from?
If you will be commuting, Here are a number of routes you can choose from to get to the nearest point to the warehouse stock sewing machine shops. You will have passed the Hidalgo Monument on your right, and soon, the Archbishop's Palace. When you start circling 'round Anda Circle counter-clockwise, go all the way 'round until you see The Eastern Shipping Lines Inc. building. The street to its left will be 13th street. Slip into that. A few more seconds into the street, and you'll start seeing shops lined with appliances, motorcycle helmets, and yes, sewing machines. Ta-daaa! You're here! Congratulations!
Heads-up, though: More likely than not, the sewing machine or serger you will buy will be heavy -- my guestimate for my Bernina's weight be around eight kilos or so. Not very conducive for commuting by public transpo, unless you feel up to hustling it on a bus. It would be a good idea to rent a cab to take you to Aduana and back home, or take your car if you can. Just pop your precious purchase in the back seat, check if you have your foot press and transformer with it, and voila! This will save you a lot of exhaustion, and frustration in the end.
To give you a clearer picture of where the shops are, here it is on Google Maps. My suki would be the first shop on the right.
Good luck, happy adventuring, and happy shopping! When you do decide to go for it, let me know how it went. :)
thanks for the info. its a big help...a sewing machine is the perfect gift for my mom this coming october. love this blog!do you have a phone number of the sewing machine shop where you bought your suki? (you can look at the receipt)it will be a big big help.thanks
ReplyDeleteYou're most welcome! Hope the numbers were of help. :)
DeleteThanks for being so cheerful and informative! :) Just stumbled on your blog while trying to look for sewing machines around the metro. Now I know where to go!
ReplyDeleteYou're most welcome! Hope you took home a machine you love working with! :D
DeleteHeya!
ReplyDeleteYou can try getting with Magzen Trading through these numbers:
Landline: (02) 467-1646
Mobile: 0930-1774282
Here's hoping their business number hasn't changed just yet. Good luck, and thanks for dropping by! I'm glad the post was of help. :)
Just wanted to say a quick thanks for this informative post. I was searching for directions to the famed pier to buy an edging machine. I hope my trip there won't disappoint!
ReplyDeleteYou're most welcome, Weyn! :D
DeleteThank you for this I was able to find the place & get my edger. :)
ReplyDeleteAwesome. Good for you! I've always wanted one of those. Glad to have been of help!
DeleteHi Jonette! This post of yours is really helpful, especially for people like myself who know nothing about sewing machines and yet have little budget for a starting hobby. Can you email me the name and no. of the shop you go to? Email is belatedbloomer@gmail.com. Thank you! :)
ReplyDeleteHi BelatedBloomer! Thanks for the kind comments. For the name and number of the shop I go to, check out one of the comments above. :) Best of luck! :)
DeleteHi! Your blog is amazing! I'm interested in getting a serger.
ReplyDeleteWhat's the price range for sergers? I'm using Borther VX1435. It's a very basic sewing machine and it's frustrating that Brother does not sell machine feet and accessories here in the Philippines. How do you sew the raw edges without a serger?
Thank you
Hi Elle, and thanks for the kind compliment!
DeleteWell, Last time I checked, sergers in Aduana usually cost around P5k up. If my memory serves me right, the P5k ones are the 3-thread types. I think.
On the foot machine feet problem, I hear you. I have to take particularly good care of my Bernina feet, since the attachment mechanism's completely different from what I see on most local machine feet. I make do with using a zigzag setting on my raw edges, then making French, rolled, or felled seams, depending on the feasibility (and how nutzors I am at the time. French seams can be tricky!)