Comments on: What Kind Of Sewing Machine Is Best For A Beginner?

By: RBRN

RBRN — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 20:43:28 +0000

If you opt for cheap, you will get what you pay for! As well as a lot more frustration and more work than it should be. Be sure you choose a machine that will sew on different thicknesses of fabric, from thin to very thick. If it can’t sew a jean hem, don’t buy it! It should be easy to choose and adjust the stitches and the thread tension. There is no such thing as cheap and easy in sewing machines! Plan on paying about $300 and up for a decent machine.
Also stay away from the big box stores, the only help you get there is MAYBE being able to return it when you can’t figure it out or when you have a problem.! You also can’t try before you buy! The sewing machine dealers are there to help you choose the right machine and learn to use it. The big box stores are not!

By: Jeffery H K

Jeffery H K — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 20:13:37 +0000

A used or refurbished one, preferably from someone you know who sews or a reputable dealer. Start with a basic machine without the bells and whistles then as you improve you can upgrade. I’ve always had a Singer (basic) and have no problems with them. Don’t spend a lot of $$ at first until you determine whether or not you enjoy sewing. On public television you will find quite a few sewing programs. Watch these and look for SIMPLE sewing projects and techniques to get you started.

By: Deb

Deb — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 19:40:53 +0000

An old one. The new ones are just plastic, too much digital stuff to go wrong

By: sassy

sassy — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 19:06:39 +0000

i say go for it and get one of the newer ones. true there are more things to break on the newer machines but oh what fun you can have with them. you can do blind stitch hems, decorative stitches, special stitches for stretch fabric, and easy to do button holes just to name a few. i prefer the janome machine. it is reasonably priced and has and excellent stitch quality. i’ve had mine for 10 years and although i haven’t used it as much as i would like it has had a lot of use. you may want to check sears, janome makes their machines for them. if that is a bit out of your price range wal-mart sells brother machines. since all the parts are plastic now they don’t hold up for 30 or 40 years like the old machines but i feel the new features are worth the trade off. i did manage to wear out a brother machine in about 5 years but at the time i was doing a lot of sewing. the brother machines at wal-mart are in the $100 range. i would stay away from singer because once singer stopped making their own machines i haven’t heard much good about them. you didn’t say what your budget was for your new machine but you can spend anywhere from $100 – $6000. the opinion i gave you was for a lower cost machine to make sure you are actually going to use it and enjoy it.
if you have other questions please feel free to e-mail me.

By: FOURKIDS

FOURKIDS — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 19:05:55 +0000

I would suggest a machine with straight stitch and a zigzag stitch… one with out all the fancy other stitches…

By: Bobaloo

Bobaloo — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 18:24:47 +0000

I,m with rbrn just get u a cheap machine…u might not like to sew that much or use it but once in a while,,high school classes are nice u learn how to sew and how to run the machine ,so just go to the cheap one first….wal-mart is the place to go ,start out cheap first to see if this is your thing.

By: maria55

maria55 — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 17:43:32 +0000

Sewing machines are an investment. You can get really inexpensive machines but you do get what you pay for.
If you plan on doing very simple sewing and nothing more, you could get by with a machine from a box store. However, I strongly recommed going to a sewing machine dealer because of the fact that they specialize in sewing machines and sell machines that they can stand behind…Walmart may have good prices but do they have any kind of support for you if you have questions on how to use your machine? Is there someone there to show you if you threaded it wrong or you have problems winding a bobbin? Customer support is very important to me.
A good machine will allow you to sew more than just a few seams now and again. If you think that you might be interested in quilting, clothng construction, home decore, you will need to think about a machine around $300-$400.
Look for specific things while you look. When you look at the bobbins, check to make sure the bobbin is a full rotary bobbin. You want to avoid an ocillating bobbin…the bobbin that rocks back and forth. The wear and tear on the back and forth motion will cause the machine to wear out sooner than later. A full rotary bobbin is one that goes in a circle and will last longer.
Don’t worry about plastic parts on the outside. Be more aware of the mechanics of the machine. Are there metal parts where metal parts are necessary? There are new teflon type bobbin casings that are designed so the owner no longer needs to oil the machine..it’s not to be cheap, it’s to improve the workings of the machine without relying on owners to oil. (You’d be surprised how few sewers remember to keep their machine oiled!)
Listen to how the machine sounds when it is sewing. Does it have a smooth sound or is it loud and clunky. As you listen to various machines you will hear differences!
Look at buttonholes. How easy are they to do? Do they turn out nice?
Can it sew denim? Can it hem a pair of jeans easily or does it chug and struggle over the seams? The other test would be how well it sews on slippery fabric, knit fabrics etc.
The amount of stitches are not nearly as important on the ability of the machine to sew and sew well.