Does anyone know a good "newbie" sewing machine??

Question

I'm not new to actually sewing, but I've never had a sewing machine. Does anyone know a good brand or type of sewing machine that is good to start with??

Answer 1

visit Walmart or Target.  my ex (a man) has become quite the seamstress by using a cheapy version from one of those stores.  

Answer 2

Karen's right.  Don't buy a brand. Buy the features you'll use.  

If you're a beginner, a simple straight and zig zag one will get you going.  Maybe with a buttonholer.  

Used machines are excellent, not only for beginners, but even some advanced sewers can find a "better" one for a really reasonable price.  

Another place to look is any thrift store.  Some are as cheap as $15, and for another $50 can usually be made to to perate well.

Answer 3

Go to a sewing machine store, one that repairs them, and get a good used machine. Much better than the cheaper new machines. They'll know what's good, and if they have a reputation to keep up they won't sell junk. Don't scoff at an older one. I have one that's at least 50 years old and sews beautifully, in fact it does some things better than a newer machine I have. It's like buying a vintage Mercedes. It may be old but the quality is there, and older sewing machines are simple to fix, unlike the newer cheap ones which sometimes cannot be repaired at all.

Answer 4

http://www.cet.com/~pennys/faq/smfaq.htm... 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).