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What sewing machine to buy for hemming pants?

January 26th, 2013 Leave a comment Go to comments

I just want to buy a simple basic sewing machine under $100 to hem my pants.

I don’t need it to do any fancy needlework. All I need is to hem my pant legs. Can anyone recommend me any brands?

Thanks alot!

If you’re going to hem pants with a straight stitched-through hem (like jeans), any decent straight stitcher will do. I typically find old Singer 99s and 15s around for $0-20 that just need cleaning, oil and a new needle.

If you want to do a more professional looking hem, such as is used on dress pants, you want a machine with a "blind hem stitch" (and ask for it to be demonstrated for you).

Or you’re going to learn to hem by hand… takes very little time and
costs you a packet of hand sewing machine needles — less than $1.

With a budget of $100, you’re either going to be going for a used machine or a new one that is not going to last long or be repairable.

My standard beginner sewing machine advice:
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 26th, 2013 at 07:05 | #1

    If you’re going to hem pants with a straight stitched-through hem (like jeans), any decent straight stitcher will do. I typically find old Singer 99s and 15s around for $0-20 that just need cleaning, oil and a new needle.

    If you want to do a more professional looking hem, such as is used on dress pants, you want a machine with a "blind hem stitch" (and ask for it to be demonstrated for you).

    Or you’re going to learn to hem by hand… takes very little time and
    costs you a packet of hand sewing machine needles — less than $1.

    With a budget of $100, you’re either going to be going for a used machine or a new one that is not going to last long or be repairable.

    My standard beginner sewing machine advice:
    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. Renee C
    January 26th, 2013 at 07:31 | #2

    I’ve been using Brother sewing machines for the last 10 years and love them. I have 4: a plain ol’ mechanical one, a serger, an embroidery machine, and a vintage machine that I inherited. They’ve been very reliable and dependable and affordable. You can pick one up at Wal-Mart for under $100.

    Singer’s changed a lot since the old days, they just aren’t as dependable as they used to be.

    The higher end machines like Husqvarna, Elna, Bernina, etc. are NICE machines. Just like Ferrari’s and Porches are nice cars. 🙂
    References :
    Pro seamstress for over 20 years.

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