A question I get asked all the time and one that has several answers but a here are a few important guide rules.
Buying a sewing machine is very different to buying an iPod or a mobile phone. A sewing machine could last you 25 years so it is worthwhile spending a little time identifying what you really want and your available budget. As with most things you do tend to pay for what you get.
Where to get a sewing machine:
Find out whether there is anyone in the family, who has a sewing machine in an attic not being used. This can often lead to finding a good solid machine that is over 15 years old and just requires a service at your local sewing machine shop, they will also tell you whether it’s any good or not. Check you have the manual if not search for it on the internet and download it for reference.
Ask your local sewing machine shop if they can sell you a good second hand sewing machine and offer it with a warrantee and an option to take it back and replace it or upgrade it. Always try the machine out in the shop to make sure you like the ‘feel’ of the machine and that you feel in control.
Ask your local sewing machine shop to see their range of new sewing machines, and again try it out and get a free lesson on how to use it.
Choose a reputable chain store that offers a range of sewing machine with expert advice, a free lesson and a good returns and repairs policy. Avoid buying a machine off the shelf with no advice, try out or lesson. The statistics show that if you buy a machine like this that 30% get returned for not working at all!
Do not buy a sewing machine on-line. They are awkward to send back and often take weeks before they are returned to you. There is no lesson and no opportunity for you to try out your machine. The money you saved will promptly be spent at your local sewing machine shop who will charge you for fixing any problems you may have with it.
Your budget:
This is when you need to balance the level of your potential use of the sewing machine with the amount of money you have available to spend on it. If you consider you can spend about £50-£1000 for a standard sewing machine you need to understand what you are getting for your money! You can spend up to £6000 for hi tech embroidery machines but I am not an expert in this area.
When buying a new machine….
Up to £70 is a waste of money; please avoid the machines targeted at the kiddies market. They are only trying to get you hooked in by taking it back and then having to purchase the next price bracket up. 1 out of 2 of these machines I cannot even get the bobbin threaded, they are plastic badly made and will break easily and disappoint the recipient.
£70 - £150 these are better but still very limited in what type of fabric they will sew and the quality of the stitch and the control of the speed of the machine are pretty limited. They are still very much mechanical machines and require confidence and memory on how to shift from one type of stitch to another. This is easily achievable if you use the machine regularly.
£200-£300 still mechanical machines but this range starts to get you a machine that will deal with a wider range of fabrics you might want to be sewing with. Good makes include Janome, Elna, John Lewis, Bernette, Singer, Brother.
£300-£1000 gets you into the realms of computerised machines. Push the button and go! This is great for anyone confident with the more computerised way of working. Also it is at this level that you start to get very specialised application of machines, for embroidery and quilting. Good makes as previous section and Pfaff and Bernina.
I teach on Bernina machines (around £650) so I spoil all my pupils with a machine that is solid and sturdy, manages all sorts of fabrics without messing with the thread tensions and has excellent foot control and easy computerised applications. Most experienced sewers either aspire to owning a Bernina or have a sewing room full of them! This is an expensive first machine but the Bernina Bernette is a cheaper model HYPERLINK "http://www.bernina.co.uk/bernette/bernette.html" www.bernina.co.uk/bernette/bernette.html
My students also purchase machines from John Lewis, their own label, Janome or Elna with success. They also my advice on buying second hand machines from local sewing machine dealers and finding old machines in the attic!
What the machine can do:
Without having some knowledge of sewing on a sewing machine this is rather difficult to understand what you as a user will find most useful. You have to remember I am a ‘bit old school’ so I prefer a ‘central bobbin’ case to a ‘drop in bobbin’ but I can see why the latter is easier to thread up. Having a needle threader is just as confusing to me and I believe if you cannot see well enough to thread your needle you also cannot see well enough to sew! It often indicates that you need glasses! But that said I remember visiting a factory when I was at college and some of the machinists were blind and they sewed perfectly by touch and feel only so obviously a needle threader was invaluable to them.
I recommend a machine that gives you the greatest variability in:
Stitch length
Stitch width
Needle position
Two sided zipper foot so you can sew both sides of a zip in the same direction.
Automatic button holes so the size can be easily repeated down a shirt front.
Needle down for accuracy in appliqué.
Basic straight, zigzag and stretch stitches.
Embroidery stitches you think you will use.
Word embroidery facility for those who would like to write words in their designs.
Button foot for free embroidery
A decent size table attached to your machine to help you control you’re sewing.
And most importantly one you feel in control of and comfortable with!