The Best Sewing Machine For Beginners
Learning to stitch is a lot like learning to drive. You do not need a fancy sports car to learn the skills. In fact, learning upon an older, reliable car is oftentimes better. But in contrast, you do need a car what is the best the starter, motor, steering, and brakes work effectively and reliably. Absolutely nothing is more frustrating than trying to learn a new skill in the event the machinery doesn't work well.
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So where does that leave the beginner sewing enthusiast?
You demand a machine that will do an excellent straight stitch and zig zag stitch. Those two stitches will do every thing you will need. It also must have a reverse. Like a car, you sometimes ought to drive forward and sometimes backwards.
I bought a car once without test driving it first. Big mistake. Now I require test driving the particular car I want to buy, not only another of the same make and model but the actual one I am taking home. The same thing goes for sewing machines. Test out before you buy.
The best value for a beginner sewing machine can be a used machine. There are several times in life where you want something new, but it is not one of them. A reliable sewing machine dealer that takes trade-ins will often have an array of older machines that are fitted with all been serviced and they are ready to go. These machines have years of use left inside them and are a great investment.
You do not know yet whether sewing is a thing you are going to enjoy or whether it is just a passing fad. Investing $100 to a good, used sewing machine is much wiser than choosing a new $149 inferior machine.
When you pretty the sewing machine store, look at the used machines to get a staff person that will help you if you can. Tell him/her what you really are looking for and what your financial allowance is. Don't let him/her sell you something from your price range.
Machines that are considered to be "good" are ones with manufacturers like Singer, Elna, Janome, Husqvarna Viking, White, Brother, and Pfaff. I've had desire with White, Singer, Brother, and Elna. Everyone will feel a little different, exactly like cars.
Don't even consider the Walmart machine, the Kenmore (some are OK however they are taking your chances), or other new, cheap machine. A good, spanking new sewing machine will cost $500-$1000 these days. If it's new and under $500, I wouldn't even look twice unless it's among the brands I listed above.
You don't need a computerized machine or perhaps an embroidery machine but you do want an electric one. The antique treadle machines usually work great but you want to concentrate on learning to sew, not on working the treadle. Just make sure it has a regular household plug in.
Don't let claims like "1 Step Buttonholer" fool you. I've stood a 1 step button hole maker on a couple of machines and, When i prefer to make buttonholes "manually". These automatic buttonholers will not be as great since they sound. If they get stuck or mess up, just what a terrible job it can be trying to rip out those stitches! Whatever you really need to make a great button hole can be a straight stitch, a zig zag stitch, forward and reverse, along with a stitch length and width adjustment.
When test driving it, take some fabric along. If you know you're going to be making jeans, create a 6" x 6" or so scrap of denim (even cut an article from an old list of jeans). The sewing machine store will have small fecal material light cotton fabric so you might test on. Those are fine but when you have a certain style of project in mind, consider some representitive fabric.
Try it and see how it feels. Will be the foot pedal sensitive enough? Would it be too sensitive? Should it depress smoothly or is it jerky or sticky?
Can you smoothly sew a curve or is the machine foot sticky?
Does it sound like it is straining to operate? Most of these machines are fairly noisy but you're going to get a pretty good idea in case the motor is running nicely as you sew.
Check the bobbin out. (That's the tiny "spool" sitting below the needle.) Metal spools may last longer and are available. Price out the bobbins with the machine you are considering. Some bobbins are very pricey or difficult to find. You will need to have lots of bobbins on hand.
Ask what kind of shank the machine has. You need to know this if you buy any additional presser feet with the machine. There are 3 types: Low Shank (most in-demand), High Shank (adapters are offered), or slant shank (least common). Low Shank presser feet are definitely the easiest to find and frequently the least expensive. Write this shank type down if you buy the machine.
Also ask what feet are offered with the machine. At the very least you will need a universal or zig zag foot along with a zipper foot. Should the machine does not have both of these feet, buy them. An extra few dollars to obtain both of these machine feet is worth it.
Set the machine for a wide zig zag stitch and sew forward several stitches then reverse over those stitches. Does it zig zag in reverse? Some will only sew straight backwards. You don't want this.
Take the pad scrap out of the machine after you have sewn on it a lot. Run your fingers in the stitches on top and bottom. Should it feel like they are raised over the fabric on one side? They will feel like they are laying very flat to the fabric without puckers. If something feels amiss, the stress could need some tweaking. Have staff at a shop do this for you. When you walk out with your machine, it sewing the very best it may possibly.
Ask if the machine will handle the second spool of thread. Some machines have an extra spindle and some require extra spindle to be added on. Some won't have any way to handle the second spool (you need to have an external spool holder for these). Having that extra spindle built-in is a great time saver you need. (It's used for twin needle stitching.)
Have the workers show you how to thread it and the bobbin and where machine needs oil (whether or not it does). Ask if they have got the original manual with this machine. They seldom will but you can get most manuals online.
Ask the upper and lower tensions are adjusted, how you would wind bobbins, and how to adjust be successful for the presser foot. Ask ways to raise and lower the feed dogs as well as presser foot. Ask ways to change the stitch width and length and where stitch selector and reverse are. Inquire if the machine has a thread cutter (although you may don't use this, you want to know where it is so you never cut yourself).
Before you're done, ask what accessories originally included this machine and just what the store has offered with it. If numerous pieces are missing, the store may throw some replacements in for you. Ask if it possesses a carrying box or simply a dust cover.
Many sewing machine stores also offer free and paid lessons. You might sign up for these to familiarize yourself with your sewing machine a bit better.
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Follow all these suggestions and you will probably walk out of your sewing supply dealer having a great sewing machine for a beginner to learn on.