Looking to buy an relatively inexpensive sewing machine, help?

Question

I'm looking at a 200-400 dollar price range. Basic is all i'm after with maybe a few fancy stitches. This will be used with multiple types of fabrics, so it needs to handle that well. It also needs to LAST!

Answer 1

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

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

Kenmore).

Answer 2

You need to find a good sewing machine shop and talk with them about a good trade in.  They have many customers who trade up and want to use their current machine as a down payment.  Take your time and ask other sewing friends to recommend a shop they use.

Answer 3

sewing machines arent all that expensive if you look at the right place. SINGER is a good brand and generally they arent as expensive as BROTHER or others. I got my sewing machine at SEARS for 160, and i have sewn through duct material (the same as carhartt clothes) its very very very thick. My machine is still kicking and i use it nearly every week to do various things. You can also get a cheap and decent machine at walmart. but i would suggest looking at SINGER branded stuff. i really enjoy mine.

Answer 4

The best way to buy an inexpensive sewing machine is to get a pre-loved one.  :)

But first read this and make a list of what you really want to be able to do on your machine: http://www.cet.com/~pennys/faq/smfaq.htm

Also make a list of the types of fabric you want to work with.  Take both lists to the sewing machine store and talk to the engineer who mends them and services them (rather than a sales droid working on commission).

If you must have a NEW one, these two are about the best you can do for that sort of money:

This may be a bit above you price range, but is worth stretching the budget for: http://www.berninausa.com/product_detail...

http://www.husqvarnaviking.com/uk/598_10...

Answer 5

You might look at Consumer Reports (in the library, probably, if not online) for durability reports and some of the choices.  As soon as you put in "a few fancy stitches" it complicates it.  You would do well to look at straight and zig-zag with a few adjustments for thread size, but also look to see if you can lower the feed so you can move the cloth sideways for "embroidery" on a limited basis.  I have been making a lot of use of a foot that rolls the edge of the fabric over tightly and lines it up with the needle to stitch the edge down, but that is an accessory foot and not a feature.

Answer 6

look on craigslist