Electric sewing machine?

Question

what is the best make of electric sewing mahcine for me?

i am 16,love to make stuff,need about 14 types of stitches but nothing too fancy.

Answer 1

Singer.  I am not a fan of Brother, Kenmore, or anything that you can buy at Walmart.  The new machines do not have metal gears. Plastic gears are ok, but only if you don't use the machine alot or for an extended period of time. They tend to heat up and crack.  I have an old Singer that has been passed down and I never had a problem with it.  You can get a good used machine from either garage sales or a sewing machine shop.  You can also look on Ebay.  I have a Singer 401a and it's the best machine I have ever owned.  I had newer models of other brands, and they quit. I always went back to my trusty Singer.

Answer 2

Go in to the department stores and look at the ones on display, ask about them and try them. At your age I wouldn't advice paying a great deal of money for one.

Look in the paper for a second hand one. People buy all singing all dancing machines then never use them.  

I have an old Singer industrial years old and a Bernina swing needle industrial also years old,  both of which I find great. I did buy a new Singer all plastic and never used it. I also have a Singer overlocker. Some Singer are good some are bad, same applies to Brother.

I think it is all a matter of personal taste.

Good luck.

Answer 3

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 1965), Juki, Toyota

New "bargain brand" I'd probably pick: Janome (who also does  

Kenmore).

Answer 4

Steer clear of any new Brothers or Singers, they are not made by the same company as years previous, so are not of the same quality associated with that name.

Janome and Frister & Rossman are 2 very good makes with the amount of stitches you are after.

As Sue says a Bernina is also a top name but even a 2nd hand one in good condition will be expensive for a first time machine (but will last forever if looked after!)

As the others have stated, go to a sewing machine shop so you can try before you buy.

Answer 5

I happen to be a big fan of Brother sewing machines.  They come in all different price ranges, and are VERY easy to use.  Singer is an excellent brand, too.

In my opinion, a good one for a beginner like you, that doesn't need a lot of bells and whistles would be one of these:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.d...

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.d...

If you want a computerized sewing machine, this is a nice basic one:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.d...

..

Answer 6

I have a Singer which I absolutely hate, an old Bernina, and a couple of other Singers in cabinets that were made before Singer company went overseas.

I would not ever get one of the new Singer machines and have had nothing but trouble with any machines from companies like Wal Mart.

I am in favor currently of the Janome machines. You can get one that has exactly what you want on it.

Go to the various sewing machine sales shops and try out machines displayed on the floor. The sales people will answer all questions and help you to choose the correct one for YOU!.

I bought my Bernina about 45 years ago. It was top of the line then and I had to get a loan to pay for it, but I do expect it to last me another 30 years then my daughters can decide if it is worth keeping or not.

Look to the future!! You may only want a few items on your machine now, but how about in 20 or 30 years? Will it still be the machine you want?

I have made everything from tent repairs (canvas) to shoes including a very ruffled wedding dress with my Bernina. Love that machine!! But if it died tomorrow I would replace it with a Janome.

I understand that the Kenmore machines are made by Janome, currently.