Help choosing a sewing machine ?
Question by Jenny: Help choosing a sewing machine ?
I am completely new to the sewing world, having only stitched a few things by hand and sewn on a few buttons (and done a little cross-stitch as a child). I really want to get into sewing, and there aren’t any sewing classes offered in my area, so I will have to teach myself. I am leaning towards a Brother machine, but I am not opposed to other brands. I want a machine that is computerized, sews, does embroidery, and monograms. It would be great if it had a USB port or SD card. I have googled and youtubed and googled more. I’ve checked amazon and every other online store out there, but I still can’t find a decent comparison chart. Can anyone recommend a good chart or even better, recommend a machine that would suit my needs? I don’t want the cheapest machine out there, but I don’t want the most expensive one either. I will be using the machine mostly for making clothes for the family.
Best answer:
Answer by omajust
Sounds like you’ve done some homework. My suggestion is this. Make a written list of features you want. Go to the library and get the Consumer Reports Annual book– and check on sewing machines. They don’t review all things every year so be aware of that. You may be able to get the specific publication online from them.
I think you will find that the more features you want, the more the machine will cost. Therefore, list your most wanted features first, then secondary and so forth.
By the way, any Zigzag machine can monogram– but it takes skill from the sewer.
My Sears machine, bought in 1965 uses “cams” to form the different patterned stitches. At that time I could have bought cams for monograms but I couldn’t afford them, and funny enough, I haven’t needed them either. Cams are outdated technology today, but my machine hasn’t broken and has many, many miles of stitches and has been moved lots of times from state to state. My primary criteria when searching for my machine was this– I didn’t want a machine that would make “mile long” buttonholes. I wanted an attachment to limit the size and width. There was an attachment and I’ve been quite happy with that simple technology thru the years.
Secondarily, the more electronic features I believe, makes the machine more liable for breakage et cetera, and more needful of a expensive technician to repair it. In that same vein– the new machines are mostly plastics which is good if you are carrying it– but try to sew jeans or anything heavy weight and you’ll understand what I’m saying.
I wish you luck in your search. I know you’ll have many hours of useful, money saving experiences with your machine.
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