Getting tired of sewing with just a needle and a thread? If so, it’s probably time for you to get yourself your very first sewing machine and up your sewing game to the next level. This is a pretty big step for any sewing enthusiast because it represents a transformation of your favorite hobby into something a bit more serious.
Because of this, it is very important for you to make the right choice when choosing your first sewing machine. In order to do that, you must ask yourself a few questions that will help you to narrow down your search and find an ideal model for your needs. Let’s check out those questions together right away.
Budget
Before purchasing something, one should always set the limits on their budget first. This goes for a sewing machine purchase as well. When buying a sewing machine, you should try and get the most expensive model you can afford. Doing so will ensure that you have acquired a tool that will serve you well and stay by your side for a long time.
Depending on your set budget, you can get yourself a sewing machine in two ways. If you can afford it, you can go ahead and buy a brand-new model made by some of the famous manufacturers. For example, CS6000i by Brother is an excellent sewing machine both for beginners and for the occasional seamstresses. Juki, Janome, Singer and Brother are some of the best brands on the market, so search for their products first.
If, however, you have a limited budget, you need to be careful. Buying a new, cheap sewing machine in large markets is not a very smart thing to do if you’re low on cash. These machines are poorly made so they don’t sew very well and they tend to break down fast. Instead you should find a sewing machine dealer near you and buy a used model from them. If taken care of properly, used machines have practically no flaws when compared to new ones. But they cost considerably less, which means that people with smaller budgets can afford them easily.
Field of expertise
Not all sewing machines can do any type of work. Each model has areas in which it excels and areas in which they lack. That is why it is important for you to decide what kind of sewing work do you intend on doing with your new machine. Once you decide that, you can search for a model that excels at such projects. Let’s see which projects require which capabilities from a sewing machine.
Repairing and altering
Patching up torn clothes, hemming, changing the hemline, and re-purposing old clothing pieces are some of the projects that fit into this category. To do this kind of work efficiently, you will need a machine with the following few features. Blind hem presser foot and a blind hemming stitch function comes in very handy for these projects. Another useful feature is the free arm which helps you work with sleeves more easily. Lastly, if you plan on working with tough fabrics like denim you will need a heavy-duty machine.
Home decor
Making your own home decor like bedsheets, pillows, cloth napkins, and curtains can save you a fair amount of money. Plus, it will help you create an interior that’s very unique and creative. For this kind of work your machine should have an automatic option to give your home decor that professional look. Sewing thick curtains will also require a machine that can feed multiple layers of fabric with ease.
Garment sewing
Sewing garments doesn’t require a lot of different stitch options at all. Just a few basic ones will do the trick perfectly. Straight, zig zag, and stretch can cover all of your stitching needs when it comes to garment sewing. Add an automatic buttonholer and the option to change the needle position for zipper inserting to that and you have everything necessary for these kinds of projects. You could also search for a machine with a backstitching option alongside the five mentioned features, so that you can strengthen your stitches and ensure that they won’t fall apart.
Some non-standard options you might want
Automatic needle threader – This feature can really save your eyesight and cut your preparation time in half. Just pull the lever and the machine will take care of threading itself.
Speed control – A function that allows you to set a constant speed for your stitches. If you press hard on the foot pedal, stitching speed won’t change.
Auto thread cutter – This is something you can find on more expensive models and is purely practical and not necessary. By pushing a button, the thread gets cut, allowing you to finish up more quickly.
Bright LED lighting – With a good lighting source you can work during the night or with very dark fabrics without any difficulties. Properly illuminated workspace can also save your eyesight by reducing the strain on your eyes.
Hope you enjoyed reading this article. Now you should be able to make the right choice when buying yourself your first sewing machine. Have fun sewing like a professional!
