Sweet Voltaire asked:
I’ve started making my own clothes recently (mainly reconstructing old clothes), but I don’t have a sewing machine so I’ve been having to do it all by hand. What is a good, basic sewing machine that can speed things up a bit? I want to not only continue reconstructing clothes, but possibly making jackets, dresses, shirts, etc. from scratch. So it needs to be able to handle some more heavy-duty projects, too.
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5 responses so far ↓
1 kay // Aug 16, 2009 at 10:34 pm
Sewing Machines
If you’re on a budget, I highly recommend a used machine. Even a straight stitcher from the thrift store or the back of someone’s closet will do well for you if you’re working entirely with wovens. You *can* sew knits with a straight stitcher, but it takes some special techniques.
Here’s my standard advice for beginners in need of sewing machines:
What I want for beginners in sewing:
- a machine that doesn’t scare you
- a machine that isn’t balky (cheap new machines are often very
balky or need adjustments often and are rarely repairable –
just too frustrating to learn on!)
- very good straight stitch
- good zigzag (4-5 mm is fine, more than that is gravy)
- a method of making buttonholes that makes sense to you
- adjustable presser foot pressure (which helps some fabric
handling issues)
- accessory presser feet that don’t cost an arm and a leg
(machines that use a “short shank foot” typically handle
generic presser feet pretty well. Some brands of machines use
proprietary or very expensive presser feet)
If the budget stretches far enough:
- blindhem and stretch blindhem stitches
- triple zigzag (nice for elastic applications)
- a couple of decorative stitches (you won’t use them nearly as
much as you think)
- electronic machine because of the needle position control and
because the stepper motors give you full “punching force” at
slow sewing speeds — mechanical machines often will stall at
slow speeds.
Please go to the best sewing machine dealers around and ask them
to show you some machines in your price range, *especially* used
machines you can afford. You’ll get a far better machine buying
used than new, and a good dealer is worth their weight in sewing
machine needles when you get a machine problem — often they can
talk you through the problem over the phone. While you’re trying
things out, try a couple of machines (sewing only, not combo
sewing-embroidery) over your price limit, just so you can see
what the difference in stitch quality and ease of use might be.
You may find you want to go for the used Cadillac. Or you might
want the new basic Chevy. Might as well try both out.
Suggested reading: John Giordano’s The Sewing Machine Book
(especially for used machines), Carol Ahles’ Fine Machine Sewing
(especially the first and last few chapters) and Gale Grigg
Hazen’s Owner’s Guide to Sewing Machines, Sergers and Knitting
Machines. All of these are likely to be available at your public
library.
Used brands I’d particularly look for: Elna, Bernina,
Viking/Husqvarna, Pfaff, Singer (pre 1970), Juki, Toyota
New “bargain brand” I’d probably pick: Janome (who also does
Kenmore).
2 the_divine_bubbablue // Aug 18, 2009 at 9:41 am
sewing-embroidering.com
I’d suggest you look in bargain finder newspapers and on Craigslist and Kijiji for the best used machine you can find. Thrift stores and even used junk stores are also great places to look. Don’t buy unless you can try it out first.
The problem with inexpensive new machines is that they’re very difficult to use – for some reason, the more expensive the machine, the less you need to know to use them. Buttonholes are a prime example: they’re extremely difficult to produce on a $300 machine but as easy as pie on a $900 machine. Cheap machines are often also not very well made, and take cheap, non-standard bobbins and needles.
Look for a top-of-the line machine about twenty or twenty-five years old that’s still in good working order.
3 this girl // Aug 20, 2009 at 10:07 am
Embroidery Machines
you can get a decent hello kitty one on target.com, they also have some good deals. singer is a good brand that can be inexpensive if you’re on a budget.
4 cowboydoc // Aug 23, 2009 at 3:11 am
Sewing Machines
Go to Wal-Mart, they have anything from $80.00 and up. Penny’s has a real good Euro for $200.00
Some will try to get you into these 4 and 5 thousand dollar machines and, you probably wouldn’t use half the devices on them.
5 ihateyou // Aug 24, 2009 at 4:53 am
Sewing Machine
Well. You can always go to a store like Walmart or Zellers and get one for 100bucks. I personally think Brother or Singer are good companies. I started sewing recently and i love my Brother sewing machine! My grandma has a Brother sewing machine also.
: )
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