Choosing a Sewing Machine

So, you want to freshen up the living room. You want to express yourself with art quilting. You want clothes that actually fit. You need a sewing machine.

You can spend $80 or you can spend $8000. There's a lot of variety out there. How do you choose?

Questions to consider

~What is my skill level? Am I a brand new beginner, have I sewn pillows and easy skirts before, or am I a skilled tailor/quilter/embroiderer?

• If you're already skilled, you know what you want in a machine, and you are probably familiar with different features and brands.
• If you're a rank beginner, you don't know what you want or need. For that reason, it doesn't make a lot of sense to go out and spend several thousand on your first machine.
  
• On the other hand, a cheap machine can make sewing frustrating and you will not get any support with a "boxed" machine from a superstore. Do you want to take that chance in order to spend less? Are you good at figuring things out on your own? How much are you going to sew? Are you just dabbling at this point, or are you already hooked?
  

~Is there a good quality machine you can use for awhile while learning and thinking about what you want? Many machines that are 50 years old are still some of the best there are! Perhaps Mom, Aunt, or Grandma have a machine they're not using anymore. Tip: Make sure you take it to the shop for a good cleaning, oiling, new belt, and to check the wiring.

~How much support will I need to get started? If you are a person who can read the manual and go, then you may do well with a mid-priced Kenmore. But if you are the type of person who learns by doing, listening or watching, then you'll want owner's classes and you'll do better buying from a machine dealer.

~What are the minimum features I'll need? There aren't as many as you might think. At the very minimum you'll want a straight stitch, zigzag, and buttonhole. That's it! You don't need computerized screens, auto threaders (unless you have arthritis or vision problems), "auto tension," or a built in mp3 player. Note: A 3-step buttonhole is often better than a 1-step. It's easier to make a perfect buttonhole when you manually determine when to switch steps.

~There are some nice features to have, but not essential. A needle down feature. Needle threader (manual.) 3-step zigzag stitch. Bobbin thread indicator (warns you when bobbin thread is low.) Decorative stitches.

Quality

~If you buy a machine from a dealer one of the big advantages is that you can test sew. When you go to do this, bring a variety of fabric strips from denim to chiffon.

~Sew not only straight, but curves and corners. How easy is it to control this machine? Can you take one stitch at a time with the foot pedal? Can you sink the needle into the fabric to turn a corner using just the foot pedal? Can you go very slow or very fast and any speed in between?

~What does the machine sound like? Does it pleasantly whir? Or is it tinny and shaky? Does it feel solid and powerful?

~How easy is it to change settings on the machine?

~Make several buttonholes on different fabrics. Can you balance the buttonholes?

~Search the internet for reviews of the machine. Check ebay to see how much new or used models are going for. If no one wants it, there' s probably a reason.

Support

~What kind of support, if any, will you receive from the dealer on this machine? Are there owner's classes and what will you have to pay for them?

~How often will you need to have the machine cleaned and oiled?

~What presser feet and tools are included? What optional feet are included and how much do they cost? Are they easy to obtain?

~What if you're unhappy with the machine? What is the return policy?


***All this being said, you will be fine with most machines. If you buy an inexpensive machine and later want to upgrade, well, you will at least have some time to figure out what it is you want in a more expensive machine and will not have "wasted" too much money. If you buy an expensive machine initially, you will have a lot of support and a long-term sewing buddy.