trying to get first sewing machine
niteRNcrafter
| Posted in Teach Yourself To Sew on
I would like to start sewing and someday make my own clothing, purses and crafts, possibly quilts. i know this seem like a lot, but is there a good machine that is not a cheap entry level but not thousands of dollars.? I went to a store to speak with a lady for about 45 minutes who tried to convince me to get a viking and that singer was terrible.
What will be durable and work for sewing thicker fabrics, adding lace and be a quality overall machine? Pls help!
Replies
For what you want to sew, a machine that does straight stitch, zigzag, blind hem, built in buttonhole, and one stretch/overlock stitch would be the basics. With these 5 stitches, you can sew a seam, gather, stitch elastic and knits, hem, make buttonholes, sew on buttons, do applique and embroidery, and finish edges. You will need an all purpose foot, a zipper foot, a buttonhole foot, and a blind hem foot. These 4 should come with the machine. Although the blind hem foot might not. A 1/4" straight stitch foot, a button sew on foot, an applique foot, a walking foot, and an open-toed foot would also be helpful but these might have to be bought separately over time. Be prepared to spend about $300 for the machine.
When you go to a dealer, take fabrics that you will be sewing with you to test out the machines that you are interested in. If the dealer tryes to sell you a machine that is out of your budget and is way more than you want, walk out. A good dealer will sell you the machine that is right for you. So answer questions about what you sew, what you want the machine to do, and how much you want to spend. Sew on the machines that you are interested in and use the fabrics that you brought with you. Sitting down and sewing on the machines yourself will give you a feel for the machine and help you decide if it's a good fit for you. Be open to spending more than you had planned on if that is the best machine for you. And your relationship to the dealer is as important as the machine. A good dealer will also give operating lessons on the machine and after sales service and support. The brand of machine you buy isn't nearly as important as whether or not you like the machine and it's easy for you to operate.
Chris
Buying a sewing machine is like buying a car.
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