Replies

1. 
   kamranblogger | Jan 04, 2022 12:05pm | #1

   Hi Antsimoes, hope you are good!
   Selection of sewing machine depends on your stitching requirements. First you identify your need.
   When buying a sewing machine for quilting, there are a number of factors to consider, such as speed, needle threader, controls, and so on.
   If you are interested to work on big sewing projects then you should definitely go for large throat sewing machines because you can do much more and variety of sewing work that cannot be done with small sewing machines. I recently read this blog which help me a lot. Hope you will find your solution by reviewing this.
   https://machinesninja.com/large-throat-sewing-machines-for-quilting/

1. 
   user-7735938 | Jan 11, 2022 10:48am | #2

   Good advice. I bought a new self threading machine 3 years ago because my eye sight limited my threading ability. Also my machine has a large throat. Oh what a joy to now sew with no problems. It’s worth the lack of stress & frustration

2. 
   Sew41 | Jan 11, 2022 04:41pm | #3

   What will u use the machine for. Mending knees of jeans?, quilting? embroidery? I purchased new machine last summer, found out : 1. there are quality machines and mass marketing machines made by the same well known companies. Mass market machines are assembled with screws going into plastic, with time, the plastic wears around the screw, creating noise, sloppy sewing. 2. A machine may advertise XXX number of built in stitches. Note is says built in stiches, it does NOT say XXX # different stiches, my machine has at least 5 duplicate stitches in the 10 stitch files. 3. Ask exactly what are all the built in stiches? My machine has the Japanese alphabet which accounts for 32 of the built in stitches which I will never use, and 4 different English letter font styles, each is considered as 24 built in stitches, so there are about 130 of my 200 built in stitches. Other built in stitches include pronunciation marks used in foreign languages, again probably will not use.

1. 
   doreet | Jan 15, 2022 09:23pm | #7

   Say, since you know what's happening on this, could you warn us here,or tell us WHERE NOT TO GO AND BUY THE BAD ONES?--iF YOU DO KNOW.oR, HOW CAN WE FIND THAT OUT?tHANKS!!And thanks for all the info, great!! ):!

3. 
   Sew41 | Jan 11, 2022 04:43pm | #4

   Sew41 Part two
   4. If you are buying the machine for mending, get an open arm, measure the base under the needle. My machine has a wide 6.5 inch (16 mm) base, and jean legs are 5 inches(14mm) so it is hard to patch the knees. 5. What is your finger dexterity? For me, it is hard to pull back the tiny latch on the bobbin cover, wrap the bobbin thread around the circle in the head to load the bobbin. 6. My new Br.... brand machine has a built in stich that sews sideways, besides front to back which is great for mending jeans, other versatility sewing projects. WAS this INFORMATION HELPFULL? YES, NO

4. 
   user-252942 | Jan 12, 2022 03:28pm | #5

   My advise: Perhaps consider a mint condition older used machine. I have 3 Berninas, aged 36-25-20 yrs old, and they are reliable, solid workhorses that have not given me any trouble. I shy away from new machines because they have more plastic parts & more electronics, which translate to "problems" in my mind. The cost savings is usually about 1/3 the price of new, which would get you a great machine for budget. Just a thought!...

1. 
   Sew41 | Jan 12, 2022 05:04pm | #6

   User 252942 has a good point, but BE CAREFUL.L. My 30-year old V--brand which I purchased new started acting up, bad electronic board. Parts no longer available, so bought the same model for parts from internet. 2nd machine had newer serial number so started using that machine. I should have known the internet dealer was shady when he sent the machine as "book rate". It came with a 30 day warranty, I used it less than 10 times within 33 DAYS. One day had the machine on, but was not sewing as I was trimming threads, and smoke started coming out the machine Phoned the crook, he said TOO BAD it is past 30 days.

5. 
   doreet | Jan 15, 2022 09:28pm | #8

   yOU JUST NAMED WHY i SEW A LOT BY HAND AND ALSO AM NOT GETTING RID OF MY OLD $350. aLL-mETAL KENMORE.--"FEAR OF PLASTIC." aND, YES, i USED TO SEW WHOLE SKIRTS BY HAND JUST CAUSE i DIDN'T WANT TO TAKE OUT THE MACHINE.sLOW,i KNOW,BUT i NEVER HAD BAD RESULTS FROM sewing by hand.(Also the Kenmore is good enough for me.)sorry about caps.

6. 
   user-7915310 | Jan 17, 2022 02:58pm | #9

   Make a list of what you're planning on using the machine for, and then take that list to an independent sewing shop and talk to the people there. If you don't have one in your town, it's worth making a trip to find one. Then, try several machines out, with the kind of sewing you're going to do, especially if it's heavy duty sewing. Many home machines don't have the power to deal with multiple layers of fabric that you encounter with upholstering and mending. If quilting, you need a large throat machine. If you're mending or sewing clothing, a free arm makes life easier. People tend to be very brand loyal--I've sewn on many home and industrial machines and they all have pluses and minuses. Avoid machines that have plastic gearing; it wears out and causes problems. Older used machines can be great, but can also be difficult to get repaired correctly. Your budget should allow you to find a quality machine that meets your needs. Hope this helps!