Sewing Machine for beginning designers?

Question

I starting to think of becoming a clothing designer but I need a Sewing Machine. What sewing machine would you best recommend for a beginning designer like me. could I use it to create Hoodies and designer prints?

O and I'm on a budget of $200. Thank You

Answer 1

Sewing machines don't print, so that's out.  If you're going to be doing production work for sale, the standard there is a serger, the machine that finishes seams as it sews (look at the seams in your t-shirt -- chances are no sewing machine came near them except for the machine that did the label.)  Home sergers, however, cannot totally replace the functions of a sewing machine in all garments, however.

Graduate to a serger when you understand basic garment construction.

If you want to be a designer, start with a good simple sewing machine and learn to understand basic construction of clothing items.  And start reading Kathleen Fasanella's blog at http://www.fashion-incubator.com -- start with the '10 things I wish lay people knew' post and comments earlier this week.

As far as sewing machines go:

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).