What sewing machine do you reccomend for under $200 , I am a beginner!!?

Question

Help, I have been looking at machines and it is soooo overwhelming, especially when you are trying to teach yourself to sew (no one to show me) and don't know what all of the terms mean, bobbin , foot etc? Please give me suggestions. I want to quilt and be able to sew through thicker fabric.

Answer 1

You can go two ways on this. Pick up a cheap, but good condition machine at a rummage sale or at a thrift store, teach yourself to sew, then move on to something better when you're sure you're going to stick with it. Look for brands like Janome (formerly New Home), Pfaff, Elna, Viking, Husqvarna, Bernina, and Singer (but only if it's an OLD singer - the new ones aren't so great). Buy a decent instruction book or look into a class through a local community college. For basic sewing, all you need is a straight stitch, although a few decorative stitches can come in handy. Ask if the machine works, and ask for a demonstration. They might not be able to demo the machine for you, but it can't hurt to ask. You may have to take it to be serviced, so find out what kind of cost that will involve before you purchase.

The other alternative, and the one I recommend to someone who has NO experience but is certain that they will stick with it, is to buy through a dealer. Look for the same brands I listed above (except Singer). They should be able to set you up with a decent machine, although you may not be able to find one for less than $300. Still, with this you will probably get training on the machine, which is more than you'll get if you buy from a discount store like WalMart. The value of the training is worth the extra cost.

Brief explanation of terms:
bobbin - small spool of thread that goes inside the machine, under the needle. The thread on top hooks around the the bobbin thread to make a stitch. They meet in the middle of your fabric layers.

needle plate - removable flat metal plate beneath the needle. Has holes in it for the feed dogs.

feed dogs - metal teeth that stick up through the needle plate. They move as you sew, and cause the fabric to move forward. In quilting, you may need to lower or cover the feed dogs. If the machine can't do this, you can always tape an index card over them.

foot - piece that the needle goes between when sewing. It holds the fabric down against the needle plate. There are different feet for different types of sewing. For quilting, look for a quarter inch foot (it helps you maintain a correct 1/4" seam allowance), a free motion or darning foot (usually kind of springy, round or C shaped bottom, sometimes clear plastic), and a walking foot (bulkier, has moving parts inside a little box - the foot "walks" at the same pace that the feed dogs do, to keep your top layer of fabric and bottom layer of fabric perfectly in line, so the bottom doesn't pull through faster).

needle up/down - ability to tell the machine to always stop with the needle up (great for sewing clothing, drapes, pillow cases, etc.) or needle down (wonderful - almost essential - for quilting).

Answer 2

I also have a $140 or so Brother sewing machine from Wal-Mart. I have been quilting with it for about 5 years now. I knew nothing whatsoever about using one when I bought it.

If you are buying the machine for quilting, I would look for a special quilting foot which helps you to guide the fabric along at a quarter of an inch from the needle, mine came with my machine but you can also get one online. (this is only for quilt piecing... to quilt through the actual whole quilt you need a "walking foot" which can also be ordered seperately. I recommend a Brother product because I have had good luck finding accessories for it online at their web store. Also Wal-mart carries other accessories like the replacement lights and needles and bobbins you will need.

A bobbin is a tiny spool that is placed inside the bottom of the machine. You have to wind the bobbin yourself using the machine which is one of the few things you will have to learn to do. Once it is threaded, the thread it contains will be the thread that you see on the bottom of the fabric after you sew a line of stiches. The needle brings up a loop of the bobbin thread and links it with a loop of the top thread on each needle movement. This is how a sewing machine works. I recommend viewing an animated demo of this process at HowStuffWorks
http://home.howstuffworks.com/sewing-machine.htm

The things you will need to learn how to do are...

1. Thread the top thread through the machine and the needle. (I highly recommend looking for a sewing machine with an automatic needle threader. It practically does that part for you!)

2. Thread a bobbin and place it in it's compartment correctly
(This is a simple process which the instructions with the machine should explain quite well)

3. Switch from one type of stich to another (you will probably only use 2 or maybe 3 of the stiches on the machine... so don't worry about wether it has 10 or 15 or a hundred)

Other major advice that I had to learn from experience==
1. Do not mess with the tension setting on the machine. If the machine works fine to begin with, leave that alone, Having the wrong tension setting will cause knots and thread breakage and many frustrating issues.
2. Once in a while you should take the machine in to a shop that services them... maybe every year or two or when you have a problem such as the above. They will oil and clean the machine and fix the tension if it is off. (my guy only charges 20 bucks and the machine runs like a dream afterwards)

hope this helps... have fun learning! I taught myself too and was scared of the thing at first but now I love it! Try quilting it is the bomb!

Answer 3

I'm a sewing machine technician and can tell you, as a beginner you might consider buying an older ALL METAL zig-zag machine (20, 30 and even 40 year old) for cheap at garage sales, second hand stores, etc. Factor in 60 or 70 dollars to have it serviced at your local sewing machine dealership. The cheap plastic ones will not last you if you plan to do a lot of sewing and it will end up needing fixing before you know it. Plastic parts in machines are not good. Besides the older ones tend to outlive us all with regular care. Good luck. Good older ones are Singer, Viking-Husquevarna, Bernina, Phaff, Elna and some Japanese ones.

Answer 4

I have a Brother machine that I got about 15 years ago for about $120... it's a no frills machine, but it works just fine for quilting, which is what I mainly use it for. You don't need a fancy machine if you're just a beginner, there's plenty of time to upgrade if and when you decide you need a machine that can do more. The important thing is to have fun and take your time, you can't learn it all at once. Good luck...

Answer 5

Wal Mart has decent Brother machines that will work fine for you. The manual will tell you a lot, but you'll learn it faster if you take a class! Look on your city adult ed web site and see if there is a night class for sewing. You'll meet beginners just like you and you won't be so frustrated. they'll also show you what to do so the machine won't mess up on you halfway through a project.

Answer 6

My wife was in the same boat and found a machine at walmart for 129 and now she wont stop quilts, jeans you name it I'm waiting for her to sew her hands together LOL, it had a rather large book that came with it explaining the terms it's a singer
good sewing

Answer 7

A good sewing machine store should be able to recommend a good beginner machine, and perhaps even have some good reconditioned ones of better quality than the new beginner's ones at the same price.

Answer 8

A standard model of Brother, White or Singer should be all you ever need. The books are very simple and they are easily serviceable. Take time to read your manual first, then have fun!
Good Luck!