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What’s a good sewing machine for someone beginning to make clothing?

I’ve started making my own clothes recently (mainly reconstructing old clothes), but I don’t have a sewing machine so I’ve been having to do it all by hand. What is a good, basic sewing machine that can speed things up a bit? I want to not only continue reconstructing clothes, but possibly making jackets, dresses, shirts, etc. from scratch. So it needs to be able to handle some more heavy-duty projects, too.

If you’re on a budget, I highly recommend a used machine. Even a straight stitcher from the thrift store or the back of someone’s closet will do well for you if you’re working entirely with wovens. You *can* sew knits with a straight stitcher, but it takes some special techniques.

Here’s my standard advice for beginners in need of sewing machines:
http://www.cet.com/~pennys/faq/smfaq.htm

What I want for beginners in sewing:

– a machine that doesn’t scare you
– a machine that isn’t balky (cheap new machines are often very
balky or need adjustments often and are rarely repairable —
just too frustrating to learn on!)
– very good straight stitch
– good zigzag (4-5 mm is fine, more than that is gravy)
– a method of making buttonholes that makes sense to you
– adjustable presser foot pressure (which helps some fabric
handling issues)
– accessory presser feet that don’t cost an arm and a leg
(machines that use a "short shank foot" typically handle
generic presser feet pretty well. Some brands of machines use
proprietary or very expensive presser feet)

If the budget stretches far enough:

– blindhem and stretch blindhem stitches
– triple zigzag (nice for elastic applications)
– a couple of decorative stitches (you won’t use them nearly as
much as you think)
– electronic machine because of the needle position control and
because the stepper motors give you full "punching force" at
slow sewing speeds — mechanical machines often will stall at
slow speeds.

Please go to the best sewing machine dealers around and ask them
to show you some machines in your price range, *especially* used
machines you can afford. You’ll get a far better machine buying
used than new, and a good dealer is worth their weight in sewing
machine needles when you get a machine problem — often they can
talk you through the problem over the phone. While you’re trying
things out, try a couple of machines (sewing only, not combo
sewing-embroidery) over your price limit, just so you can see
what the difference in stitch quality and ease of use might be.
You may find you want to go for the used Cadillac. Or you might
want the new basic Chevy. Might as well try both out.

Suggested reading: John Giordano’s The Sewing Machine Book
(especially for used machines), Carol Ahles’ Fine Machine Sewing
(especially the first and last few chapters) and Gale Grigg
Hazen’s Owner’s Guide to Sewing Machines, Sergers and Knitting
Machines. All of these are likely to be available at your public
library.

Used brands I’d particularly look for: Elna, Bernina,
Viking/Husqvarna, Pfaff, Singer (pre 1970), Juki, Toyota

New "bargain brand" I’d probably pick: Janome (who also does
Kenmore).

  1. kay
    January 4th, 2013 at 15:25 | #1

    If you’re on a budget, I highly recommend a used machine. Even a straight stitcher from the thrift store or the back of someone’s closet will do well for you if you’re working entirely with wovens. You *can* sew knits with a straight stitcher, but it takes some special techniques.

    Here’s my standard advice for beginners in need of sewing machines:
    http://www.cet.com/~pennys/faq/smfaq.htm

    What I want for beginners in sewing:

    – a machine that doesn’t scare you
    – a machine that isn’t balky (cheap new machines are often very
    balky or need adjustments often and are rarely repairable —
    just too frustrating to learn on!)
    – very good straight stitch
    – good zigzag (4-5 mm is fine, more than that is gravy)
    – a method of making buttonholes that makes sense to you
    – adjustable presser foot pressure (which helps some fabric
    handling issues)
    – accessory presser feet that don’t cost an arm and a leg
    (machines that use a "short shank foot" typically handle
    generic presser feet pretty well. Some brands of machines use
    proprietary or very expensive presser feet)

    If the budget stretches far enough:

    – blindhem and stretch blindhem stitches
    – triple zigzag (nice for elastic applications)
    – a couple of decorative stitches (you won’t use them nearly as
    much as you think)
    – electronic machine because of the needle position control and
    because the stepper motors give you full "punching force" at
    slow sewing speeds — mechanical machines often will stall at
    slow speeds.

    Please go to the best sewing machine dealers around and ask them
    to show you some machines in your price range, *especially* used
    machines you can afford. You’ll get a far better machine buying
    used than new, and a good dealer is worth their weight in sewing
    machine needles when you get a machine problem — often they can
    talk you through the problem over the phone. While you’re trying
    things out, try a couple of machines (sewing only, not combo
    sewing-embroidery) over your price limit, just so you can see
    what the difference in stitch quality and ease of use might be.
    You may find you want to go for the used Cadillac. Or you might
    want the new basic Chevy. Might as well try both out.

    Suggested reading: John Giordano’s The Sewing Machine Book
    (especially for used machines), Carol Ahles’ Fine Machine Sewing
    (especially the first and last few chapters) and Gale Grigg
    Hazen’s Owner’s Guide to Sewing Machines, Sergers and Knitting
    Machines. All of these are likely to be available at your public
    library.

    Used brands I’d particularly look for: Elna, Bernina,
    Viking/Husqvarna, Pfaff, Singer (pre 1970), Juki, Toyota

    New "bargain brand" I’d probably pick: Janome (who also does
    Kenmore).

    References :
    50 years of sewing; amateur sewing machine mender

  2. the_divine_bubbablue
    January 4th, 2013 at 15:31 | #2

    I’d suggest you look in bargain finder newspapers and on Craigslist and Kijiji for the best used machine you can find. Thrift stores and even used junk stores are also great places to look. Don’t buy unless you can try it out first.

    The problem with inexpensive new machines is that they’re very difficult to use – for some reason, the more expensive the machine, the less you need to know to use them. Buttonholes are a prime example: they’re extremely difficult to produce on a $300 machine but as easy as pie on a $900 machine. Cheap machines are often also not very well made, and take cheap, non-standard bobbins and needles.

    Look for a top-of-the line machine about twenty or twenty-five years old that’s still in good working order.
    References :

  3. this girl
    January 4th, 2013 at 16:15 | #3

    you can get a decent hello kitty one on target.com, they also have some good deals. singer is a good brand that can be inexpensive if you’re on a budget.
    References :

  4. cowboydoc
    January 4th, 2013 at 17:03 | #4

    Go to Wal-Mart, they have anything from $80.00 and up. Penny’s has a real good Euro for $200.00

    Some will try to get you into these 4 and 5 thousand dollar machines and, you probably wouldn’t use half the devices on them.
    References :

  5. ihateyou
    January 4th, 2013 at 17:28 | #5

    Well. You can always go to a store like Walmart or Zellers and get one for 100bucks. I personally think Brother or Singer are good companies. I started sewing recently and i love my Brother sewing machine! My grandma has a Brother sewing machine also.
    : )
    References :

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