how to choose buying a sewing machine?

Question

my girlfriend wants one for christmas and she is new to sewing, what things should i look for when buying one?

Answer 1

Please don't buy her a sewing machine... give her a promissory note and take her shopping after the holiday. If you need something to wrap up, a copy of a sewing magazine like Sew News or a book like Simplicity's Simply The Best Sewing Book are readily available, and should help her get started.

FAQ written by folks with collectively, about 200 years of sewing experience among them:
http://www.cet.com/~pennys/faq/smfaq.htm

Answer 2

Go to the biggest sewing/fabric place in your area and buy her a gift card based on a machine you think she would like. Tell the sales people what you think she will use a machine for and they can pick the one best for her and how much it would cost. Buy the gift certificate for that amount and let her make the final choice.

This is the best way for her to get exactly what she wants and shows extra care on your part.

Answer 3

Any sewing machine at a department store, like a Brother or a Singer, will work fine. Just don't do anything silly like buying the display model. It has to have a box and it has to have all the parts and the instruction book.

If you can afford it along with the sewing machine, pre-pay for a beginners' class at your local quilt shop if there is one near you.
.

Answer 4

Definitely a gift certificate from a local shop. Most reputable shops include endless lessons with the sewing machine.
I own a viking for 8 years and still participate in the free classes.

Answer 5

simple sewing machines that don't have all the bells and whistles. also you should look for ones that have arrows on the top to show you how to thread the machine and one that tells you what needles you need if yo go to Joann's you can ask about what machines are best for a beginner and which ones are easier to use.