You are an Amazon genius.
Except that yesterday I found out that LED lightbulbs are rated for enclosed fixtures and some are not rated for enclosed fixtures and I don’t think that one says which one it is. I might order it anyway.
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So, this seems to mostly be a concern about heat buildup. Seems like something we would assess for ourselves, but your risk tolerance may vary 
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Luckily that’ll just shorten lifespan because of heat management, it shouldn’t pose a fire risk! Checked with husband because for like, halides and ballasts you can def get fires if they’re not in the right kind.
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Does anyone have a grow light set up that they really love? I had a grow light that just wasn’t cutting it.
Edit to add this is for seed starting not just indoor plants.
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Wool rugs! I just went to ikea and felt a bunch. Can I assume that if a rug felt soft, the version that I ordered would also be soft? I want to put a baby on it so I’m prioritizing softness more than average.
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Hello beautiful internet friends.
I am seeking to be sprinkled with the confetti of knowledge regarding sewing machines. 
What I am looking for:
Portable enough: Doesn’t need to be itty bitty, but I don’t want it to weigh 106lbs
Good to re-learn on: I am taking a “bring your own machine” class in April and I’ll be candid, I am a tremendously slow learner
Able to do heavy duty: I envision most of my sewing projects to be denim, heavy canvas, perhaps even some basic upholstery.
Not too computery: I don’t want something that is going to be too complex for repairs, as the repair options where I live are limited.
And lastly: What if it was under $275? Or even under $250. What if it was under $200?!?!
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Paging @Oro and @iualia ETA paging @Marcela too!
I don’t actually know how to sew yet, but N and I got ourselves a sewing machine for Christmas. I wanted a vintage mechanical one so that I could tinker with it if it broke and because the internet told me it was better. But the logistics of buying a used sewing machine when you don’t know how to sew and find buying things from people on marketplace and whatever super stressful, made it so that wasn’t a good fit for us. So we got a Singer heavy duty 6380 with a carrying case because we don’t have a dedicated place for it to live. It is mechanical not computerized. I chose the heavy duty kind because N doesn’t really believe in following “rules” about how you’re supposed to use things and I didn’t want them to kill it. So far they’ve used it to sew through thick felt moving blankets, super stiff compressed denim moving blankets, like 5 layers of random knit fabric and card stock.
And it’s on sale at Jo Ann for $250 right now. https://www.joann.com/singer-6380-heavy-duty-sewing-machine-with-extension-table/17778945.html?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAoeGuBhCBARIsAGfKY7yAnkEghUARS8FQTjZpj-iE1oUf7pyXOPLIR6x3MkNMiZRv3TjhKmAaAokhEALw_wcB
There are lower numbered ones that are less expensive but still in the heavy duty line.
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Yes, thank you! This one is currently on my short list!
One of my first little projects would be adding thick belt loops to two pairs of jeans I have that don’t have belt loops (side note… why did they do that?!) - and I am also prone to killing things by being a lawless lug.
Thanks so much!
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That is a nice machine.
Can you see if any of your local thrift/ repurpose shops have machines? Ours has someone who likes cleaning up and fixing the donated machines so I would feel good talking to them about my needs and being able to feel out the machine.
Walmart’s got it for $200.
SINGER HD6380M Heavy Duty Mechanical Sewing Machine with Extension Table SINGER HD6380M Heavy Duty Mechanical Sewing Machine with Extension Table - Walmart.com
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If you are going to sew multiple layers of denim, you are going to want a “thingamajig” (I think that’s the actual name) and some jeans needles.
I never, ever wear belts so am more likely to take belt loops off. Lol
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Wait, so do you already own that machine? Is your question about getting a second one or about something else?
Anyway YAY SEWING!
Beginner tips:
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Use the right needle for your project, and change the needle every now and then. (I think maybe every 8 hrs of sewing is the guideline but I just do … whenever I feel like it haha.) Needles have sizes (numbered), and also different kinds of pointy bits (denim vs regular vs ball point vs…). You can use standard needle tips for most things, but definitely use a heavier weight needle for denim. It will help with fewer skipped stitches and sewing will just feel suspiciously easier.
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Buy good quality thread if you want to extend the life of the machine. Wawak.com is way cheaper than joanns because each spool has like 5x the yardage (Gutermann Mara 100 is my goto.)
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Clean your machine! But never ever with compressed air. Just brush or vacuum the lint out every few months. Or after a very fluffy project.
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the single most common way to break a machine is to sew over something hard (metal - like a pin or zipper), which can screw up the timing. That’s not user fixable. So uh yeah I don’t recommend sewing over metal bits or gluey stuff BUT anything else you do, it’s pretty durable and shouldn’t be an issue.
Sewing machines are so cool and are also designed to be user maintained, so YAY. I hope you and N have fun with it!!
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I don’t think Rhubarb had a specific question, was just responding to JJs question?
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I bought (many years ago now) a refurbished vintage Singer 221 Featherlight. It is around 80 years old, made of all metal parts eminently repairable as long as you take care of it. It was one of the first portable sewing machines to be produced. It’s a true workhorse and can do what approaches industrial sewing with ease. The one caveat is that it only does straight stitches (not 100% true, you can do some things like zig zag and buttonholes with attachments). I have a boatload of special stitch attachments I’ve found as well (rufflers, blind hems, buttonholes, a walking foot, etc etc etc). It makes the most perfect stitches of any machine I’ve ever used. It’s so lovely and I love it. You probably can’t find one for under $200, but mine was absolutely worth the cost.
And she is so pretty as well.
(The flat bed folds up and it has its own cary case, and the machine weighs 11 lbs.)
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Is there a local sewing machine repair shop? When I was considering getting one, I was advised that it’s where I should look for a used one. They would give me advice in store and it would be tuned up and ready to go, and at a reasonable price and probably better quality than what you could get for the same price new.
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New cheap machines are, generally speaking, pretty garbage. An old referb is a better buy, and will last longer. I bought a cheap Brother new, exclusively for the pattern stitches, and it’s pretty garbage. 
My Singer is such a better machine!
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Oops I totally missed that thank you
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I would say either the heavy duty singer or the Brother CS7000 are my current picks for beginners. The cheaper brothers are garbage but the CS7000 line could IMO be an everyday workhorse for a long while. I had its predecessor and it’s going strong 7 years later.
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Thanks, everyone!
I will be looking into some of these great suggestions!
We do have a SCRAP in my city, which refurbishes/repairs and resells machines (and a ton of used hobby items), but I do not believe they do customer repairs.
I believe there are two other locations/people who do repairs in the city, which is cool.
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