Buying a Sewing Machine

Courtenay Christian
Feb 26, 2018
2 min read

Very often I get asked to suggest a New Sewing Machine for someone to purchase or what do you look for when buying a sewing machine? There are so many sewing machines to choose from. So how do I come up with suggestions? Continue reading....

Teaching sewing for over 10 years I have seen and taught on several sewing machines. I also own several different sewing machines. As you can imaging through teaching I have taught people how to sew on several different sewing machines. I wanted to have a place where people could go to get some answers. Pull up a chair and lets discuss what to look for to get the most bang for your buck.

Tips for purchasing a New Sewing Machine

You see this beautiful sleek machine in the box or online with all the bells and whistles. Your dream come true. We of course read the reviews. Then we look at the price tag. You ask yourself what is the difference between this machine and that one? and the deciding begins. Here are a few things that I would consider;

Does the machine come with any extras? Many machines come with bonus feet and accessories. Look for a zipper foot, automatic buttonhole foot, blind hemming foot and extra bobbins. Some manufacturers include considerably more bonus accessories with their machines than others. For example the Brother CS6000i comes with a Walking Foot.
How heavy is the machine? Why does that matter? If the machine is heavier, for example the Singer, light industrial machine, it usually indicates it may be more durable. The heavier machine indicates more metal parts and a larger motor. They may last longer and perform better. This machine is better choice if you are going to be sewing with majority heavy fabrics. It also has a higher stitch count. A Lighter machines usually indicates more plastic parts. Great for general sewing. Also, think about the weight of the machine if you are taking it to a sewing class. But, keep in mind they now sell rolling sewing cases.
Is the Machine noisy? Some machines are considerably noisier than others. Test the machine and listen to how the machine sounds. Will the noise wake up any sleeping family members when you sew at night? Can you hear others speaking when you take the machine to classes? Does is sew smoothly? Basically, remember to test the sewing machine to see how it sews and sounds.Once you receive your machine, test drive it. So many people wait and find out the machine could be damaged and the warranty has expired. If you need help learning how to sew, of course if you live near please sign up for Sewing Machine Basics, then Teen/ Adult Beginner Sewing. Or find a place and operate your sewing machine. There is nothing like learning in person.

Below a few Sewing machines I like;