Can any one recommend a good sewing machine?

Question

I'm a beginner and I want to buy a quality machine that easy to use and last a long time. Do you have any sewing tip in general?

Answer 1

There's no "bad" sewing machine except for the miniature battery-operated ones.

A $90.00 Brother will work fine unless you sew every day - then you'll need to go with a Pfaff or Bernina for $600.00 or so. It will pay off because it won't need repairs or wear out.

Whatever you buy, Do have it cleaned once a year so it won't mess up and cause you a lot of headaches.

I own one Brother, One 1960's era Dressmaster, and a Pfaff. The dressmaster is mostly for looks. I use the Brother when the Pfaff is being cleaned.
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Answer 2

Bernina is a great brand. Buy a good basic machine new or find an older model and get a used one. I'm still using my model 930, which I purchased around 1986 or so, even though I have newer machines. It is an excellent machine.

Visit the sewing machine stores. Find one that specializes in sewing machines and sewing instruction rather than one that thinks vacuum cleaners are a logical thing to sell with sewing machines.

Make sure that they are willing to demonstrate the machine and LET YOU TRY IT OUT YOURSELF. Talk to the salespeople about your sewing experience and what you'd like to do. Make sure they offer classes to learn how to use your new machine. These classes should be free if you purchase a new machine and there will be a charge for them if you buy a used machine.

Visit several stores if you can. Pay attention to what the shop offers in the way of service. Do they have repair and maintenance service in the shop?

Get the best basic machine you can afford. You don't need to get a fancy machine with a lot of extras, but a few decorative stitches will be fun.

Have loads of fun! And don't give up when things are difficult. Sewing is a wonderful activity.

Answer 3

If you're a beginner, I'd recommend a simpler machine (you can get them for about $100.- new, if you shop well and watch sales and such) that does the basics. You'll need straight stitch and zigzag stitch, forward and reverse. I've had the fancier machines, but never really used the 'toys' on them -- after the novelty wore off, of course -- so I went back to a simple machine. I paid $89.- at WalMart for a Brother machine a bit over 4 years ago, and have had no complaints about it. I clean and oil it regularly, make most of my own clothes, and use it a fair bit. It's enough for what I need.

I would recommend starting with a simpler machine. After 2 or 3 or 4 years, if your interest in sewing remains high, start saving up for a fancier machine if you want one. If your interest wanes after a year or two, you're not out too many bucks.

Answer 4

I have basic machines and than I have a fancier machine. I always go back to the machine my parents bought me when I was 9 years old. It is a Dressmaker and sews only a straight stitch and a zigzag stitch. This machine sews like a work horse and I have taught all of my children (6 of them) to sew on it and several neighbor children as well as two different Girl Scout troops. It is a workhorse.

I called my mother and asked her about the machine when I went to purchase one for my oldest daughter. Apparently, my Mom and Dad bought it at one of those School Machine Sales and at that time it was almost a hundred dollars. It is all metal. The only thing not metal on the machine is the rubber belt which I have replaced twice of the last 40 odd years.

When I bought my first daughters' first machine, I checked out several different machines in the stores and talked to everyone I ran into. I fianlly bought her a gently used machine from the Singer repair man and it is not even a Singer. She has been using the same machine for years.

The key to a "good" machine is that you take care of it. This is no different than your car. You have to change the oil and have basic maintenance done. Your sewing machine will be no different. Once a year you need to take it in and have it services. This keeps dust, sirt and fuzzies from building up and they do a very thorough job. They will also check belts for wear as well.

If you are uncomfortable, contact your local High School Home Ec teacher or your local Home Extension Office and they can refer you to somewhere locally to purchase a machine that is reputable.

Always try beofre you buy. If you cannot make it work, thread the machine or a bobbin for the machine, you will not be happy when your get it home.

I have a friend that only hems her kids pants on hers and she uses it twice a year. I help her thread a lot of bobbins before school starts in some basic colors...navy, black, white, tan, light blue and denim. Sometimes we do a purple, pink and a red. Think how much more fun it would be for her if she would just learn to use her machine herself instead of having to wait for help.

Also, sign up for a local class to learn how to sew and check out Simplicity.com

Answer 5

We all would have our personal favourites, I've been pretty happy with my Janome, it's close to 9 years old and I also have a Brother still working ok at 20 years old. I did go for good ones when I bought them.

My Janome is a normal sewing machine that also does machine embroidery.

One recommondation I will make is to buy your machine from a dealer who offers sewing lessons, usually a few free ones with the purchase of the machine. If you buy from a department store there will be no lessons included. Learning to use your machine will be a great asset and you will get the most from it. Many dealers who offer lessons do not like giving lessons on machines bought elsewhere, they get trained on the ones they sell.

One of the best places to look is at sewing and craft fairs, many machine companies set up stalls and it's great when they are all under one roof. They also offer great bargains at these shows.

Answer 6

Go to the various shops selling machines and try them out. All the good shops will allow anyone to use the machines there in the shop before purchasing one.

They will show you the different things the machines do, and how easy some of them are to thread both the top thread and bobbin threads.

then you can have an idea of what it is you really want.

I have had my Bernina 830 for 35 years! Parts for it are no longer made so I may have to go shopping if anything happens to it.

Answer 7

I have a brother PQ1500S for piecing and regular sewing. For embrodery I have a viking desinger 1. These are good machines. Do not buy a cheap machine

Answer 8

the final thank you to maintain the device working is to fully observe the educational in the instruction manual for the device. the main surprising subject concerns are generally a consequence of: (a million) not threading the device with the presser foot up. (2) Lifting the presser foot to regulate the textile devoid of having the needle down into the textile to stabilize it. (3) not doing the required maintenance - this could variety slightly reckoning on the bobbin configurations - the vertical bobbin device could require oiling of the race hook and the horizontal bobbin (drop-in) accumulates various fuzz and should be wiped sparkling greater often than not than the horizontal. SEE the maintenance area of the instruction manual. Singer or Brother fashions bought at Walmart are stable machines. the base line is to open the instruction manual and lay it next to the device. study and observe each and each step of each characteristic and not place self belief in the pictures. you will promptly discover ways to apply the device and not have any subject concerns with style which you elect for to purchase.