How much should you pay for your first sewing machine?

Question

im just starting

and i dont have alot of money

but id like to make some designs i have

Answer 1

It would be fun to see your designs when you get your machine.  Everyone i know who is over 40 has a sewing machine in a closet that they never use.  So i first suggest asking all your neighbors if they have a machine you could borrow for one day.  You may prefer a newer machine with more features.  The old ones can do fine though.  If you like the machine you borrowed, ask if you can buy it.  My target would be $25.    

If you have to spend more, try to barter. Offer the seller the first 2 dresses you make.  My aunt Linda supported herself for years with her sewing.  I hope you make something beautiful so we can see you on Good Morning America.

Answer 2

You can start out with the Wal-Mart machine, not too expensive and works OK.  They don't have many features, but they sew.  

Hate to say don't buy one from a garage sale, but I wouldn't.  If you get lucky, you could get a much better machine for the money.  If you don't get lucky, you could end up with one that needs serviced or has something broken that they didn't want to pay the price to repair.  Same goes for Craig's list or eBay.

I disagree with the one who said noone over 40 uses a sewing machine, they are just in the closet.  I own 2 machines and use them both regurlarly, renessance festival clothing, reupolstering, whatever I want.  My mom is 71 and still makes her own clothes.  Her and my dad go to clubs and dance every week and she likes new country dance clothes.  Shirts, shirts and suit jackets.

Answer 3

You could buy a decent machine to get started with at Walmart for under $100. (I bought my fist one at Walmart for $80. and it lasted me 6 years).

I pasted the link below.

Many of the pricer machines are digital and have lots of features that you may not need, just starting out.  

You could also try Craigslist.  You may be surprised by how cheap you can get one.  You just want to make sure the owner shows you that it is in fact in good working order before you purchase it.

You could also try yard sales or garage sales.

Once you get familiar with your machine, and if you decide you want a digital one, you can add it to your Christmas List one year!

Answer 4

Post a Wanted on your local kijiji if you have one. How much you should pay varies on where you live: if you're in an area where the economy is tanking, you could probably find a basic sewing machine for $30 or so, but in a place where the economy is exploding (oil towns, especially) you'd be lucky to get one for $75.

I would caution you against buying a machine built before about 1985. Older machines may not come with many bobbins and it might not be possible to buy replacements. Really old machines are also often more difficult to operate than newer machines - they require the user to know more about sewing. (In fact, the more expensive the machine, the easier it is for a new user to figure out how to use it - I don't know why this is.)

Answer 5

I have a brother sewing machine and it is almost self explanatory.It does just about any thing you need, from pillows to quilts....My dad bought it for me right before he passed away in April of this year. It wasn't but 138.00 w/o tax.and I'm pretty sure it will last for as long as I do.

Answer 6

My husband bought me a singer swing machine in 1972 and he paid $359. at the time.  I loved it and sewed for my children on it.

Every 5 or 6 years I trade my machine for a newer one.

However, since I am now retired I will not change my Brother NX400 . I will keep it.  It does everything. Embroiders, hemstitches, has 4 different styles of buttonholes.

Sewing is one of the best pastimes I can think of and also economical.

Have fun !

Answer 7

Go to Walmart, they have some inexpensive models.  Simple machines for you to start with.  Good Luck