I'm wondering - how hard is it to learn how to use a sewing machine?

Question

Any recommendations on ones that are easier to learn how to use?

Answer 1

Not terribly difficult, but like anything else, it takes practice to get good at it.

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

If I had to go for new and inexpensive, I'd probably pick: Janome (who also does Kenmore).

http://www.patternreview.com also has sewing machine reviews on it.  It can be instructive to see what other people are sewing on, and how they rate their skill levels.

Answer 2

Sewing machines are not hard at all to use.

I would recommend purchasing a sewing machine from a company that is reputable. Viking, Pfaff, Bernina are just a few very good brands of sewing machine.

I would look for one that has a straight stitch, zig zag and Button hole stitch. Those are pretty much the basic stitches. Remember the less stitches the simpler the machine is to use. Even machines with lots of stitches are fairly easy to use.

I would look to buy from a store that offers classes in sewing and in helping you to know how to use your particular machine. Don't worry about getting a computerized machine at this point, they tend to be for more advanced sewers.

After you know how to use the sewing machine, it is just practicing with it...but, that doesn't mean you know how to sew. If you are wanting to learn to sew clothes you will need to find a store (check with fabric stores) that offer sewing classes or take a class through your local adult high school. The reason for this is that different patterns will have different instructions and you need to learn how to read those instructions.

If you want to do something else like sew together a quilt, then I would take a class through a Quilt store. Making a quilt can really help you learn to sew a good straight stitch.