Good sewing machine?

Question

I would like to learn how to sew so I need one that is good for beginners. Also, is there anyone out there who learned on their own? Meaning, they didnt take classes. What is your experience? I am very good at learning things on my own and would prefer not to spend the money on classes if I don't have to. I don't have time to go around to 50 different stores checking prices and asking salespeople about sewing machines, hence why I'm asking on here. So please don't recommend that I go to a store and ask. Thanks for your help!!!

I want to eventually do a lot. Meaning, I'd like to design my own clothes and maybe even sell my own designs. So I don't want to waste my money on a cheap machine that only does basics. Is there a machine available thats good for beginners but has a high stitch variety?

Answer 1

I know you don't want to hear this but: It's probably best to try machines before you buy. It's like buying a car, what feels right for me might not be right for you. By trying machines you can also compare features and understand what it is that they do and what you really need. I would never ever buy a sewing machine without doing some comparison shopping, and I have eight machines! Consider it an investment, after all the sewing machine is the single most important piece of equipment in the process! It needs to be right for you The right machine can make sewing a joy while the wrong machine can make sewing sheer misery. Since you are impatient, look for a Janome with a good stitch package, straight zig zag, buttonhole, blind hem, overedge, three step zig zag, and appliqué. I have one machine with over 200 stitches and I seldom use most of them. I prefer Janomes for home machines I have a coverlock, an overlock and a couple specialty machines, like a dedicated buttonholer. The machine I use the most is a singer 20U73, an industrial that does straight and zig zag only. I don't know why I waited so long to buy an industrial, yet I don't recommend it for a beginner.

Learning how to sew isn't difficult, it's one of those skills where you improve with practice. Be willing to be bold and adventurous, try new things, and also be willing to make mistakes and learn from them. It takes time and there's a learning curve, you won't get good overnight, but you will get better with each project you complete. There are many very good sewing books out there and each has it's own unique method of presenting information. "Teach yourself to sew visually" is a good book for visual learners. So is the Singer series of books.

But please do try several machines before you buy, the car comparison is very appropriate.

BTW-for everyone's benefit: Celebrity designers who license their names may not know sewing, but real designers, the ones who do the real work for the celebrities know how to sew. There is a rising backlash against celebrities who license their names and call themselves "designers." They are not real designers. A real fashion designer has a combination of artistic creativity and solid technical expertise. Karl Lagerfeld of Chanel is a master dressmaker and technician. He honored his dressmakers and sewers at his last Chanel Couture show by bringing them on stage with him. You can't design a garment without knowing how to construct it. I don't know where this idea that you just draw a picture and little elves miraculously make a finished garment came from --but that's wrong. All fashion schools teach sewing, tailoring, garment construction, advanced couture sewing, pattern cutting, garment cutting and manufacturing. The first sentence in Ryerson's information package is "sewing is an integral part of the program and you must enjoy sewing because you will be doing a lot of sewing." It's also part of the St Martin's information package to prospective students. Even when I have garments outsourced, I need to send line sheets, cutter's musts, and technical specifications to the outsourcer so they know how to make what I want. There is no mythical place where people submit nothing more than a sketch and poof! Finished clothes come out the other end!

Answer 2

You can find classes at stores that sell sewing machines (Joann's, etc.) - I think it's like riding a bike - you don't forget. The only thing you may find is that you don't have the patience anymore for the little things - like pressing tiny corners. I would also offer this advice - if you are buying a new machine, do not buy a cheap one. There is nothing worse that a cheap sewing machine. It will drive you to drink and end up making you hate the sewing. Consider buying a good sewing machine an investment. Think Bernina or Husqvarna Viking - it will be worth it in the long run.

Answer 3

For a machine:
I would go for one that has zigzag stitch and buttonhole help (or stitch) but not a lot of fancy stitching. Those machines cost more and are more likely to break down.
If you want a cheap machine to try if you like making clothes, phone one of the nearest dealers of the bigger brands and ask what he want for a second hand machine.
The older brand machines are often better than the cheaper new machines, and he will hope to sell you a new machine later, so he will check it is in a good condition.

For classes, as I learned sewing at home before I took it in school, I can only advice you on what I have seen around me.
If you want to make simple clothes, doing it yourself is good.
If you want to make business suits like they sell them in the shops, you need classes.
In between it depends on your own talents.

If you have some experience and find that you have reached the limits of your talents, you can still get some lessons or help, many older ladies have done a lot of sewing in their time and might be pleased to help you when you get stuck, think aunts or great aunts or the lady next door.

Answer 4

Hi:
I learned to sew (by hand) by watching my mother make things on her Kenmore machine. I started making clothes for my dolls when I was about 7 or 8. I asked my mother for a Patty Playpal doll (which was as big as I was) so I could make clothes for it. Mama said if I could make clothes for "someone that big", I could make clothes for myself. I began making my own clothes, by hand, when I was 9. I didn't get my first machine, an old Singer, until I was 18.

Since then, I've had an Athena 2000 (Singer), Pfaff, and a ton of others. Right now, I use a Viking Rose for daily sewing, but I also have a Kenmore, and old Necchi, and three antique Singers (1873 Vibrating Shuttle, 1914 Singer, and a Model 27 Singer).

If all you want to do is learn to sew, you can pick up an inexpensive machine on eBay that has the basic stitches -- straight stitch, reverse, zig zag, etc. As you become more comfortable with your sewing ability, you might want to upgrade to a machine with more bells and whistles.

Sewing is a learn as you go process. Start with inexpensive fabrics because your first few efforts won't usually be that great. Try making simple things like pillow cases, hand towels, simple crop tops (tops with no sleeves and hems that you only turn under) etc. to practice sewing a straight line, then branch out into curves or more complicated seams.

Start with "Easy to Sew" patterns, too. These are less expensive than other patterns, anywhere from $.99 to $2.49 depending where you buy them. Wal-Mart has a slew of "cheap" patterns, which are usually discounted even more than the listed price.

The more proficient you become on a machine, the more you will want to move to projects that are have more detail. But ... being able to wear something YOU MADE and getting complimented on it, or items YOU MADE for your home, feels great.

Sewing is very rewarding in that you can make things for yourself or your home that no one else can buy off the rack, and you will be able to custom make your clothes to actually fit YOUR body, instead of having to settle for the industry standard sizes.

Answer 5

Any machine will be fine, but look for one with a plate that pops off instead of needing a screwdriver, because you need to clean out the fuzz every time you change a bobbin.

You only need 2 stitches, straight and zigzag, for clothing. Also, are you aware that many designers don't even know how to sew?

You can try to learn by yourself, but usually the machine will do something strange and you won't know how to fix it.

Join a sewing club and ask them to teach you. We give free lessons at my sewing club. Or find someone's granny who will show you how to use the machine.

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Answer 6

Seriously I would go with a used machine. The older ones aren't the cheap plastic things we have today. CALL sewing stores. Ask if they sell older machines. You should be able to get a good one for under $50 refurbished. All you really need is Forward, Reverse and Zig Zag.

Answer 7

I have a Kenmore. It works very well and it has many different stictches. But I do hope you know that if you have never sewn before you aren't just going to hop on and go make some extravagant dress. You have to start out small. I didn't take classes but my mother has helped me. I would suggest that you buy a simple pattern to start with. And as somebody else has pointed out most designers don't even know how to sew. All a designer does is DESIGN not sew. But good luck anyway.

Answer 8

when in doubt always go with a sure thing... i say get a singer machine and as far as classes many city groups have classes and so do alot of fabric stores

Answer 9

no.give up.