Buy A Sewing Machine With These 10 Buying Tips

These days, when you decide you want to buy a sewing machine, there is a large range of styles, models, and prices from which to choose and can be rather confusing. However, if you know what to look for while you're buying, it's a bit easier.

Of all the tools you'll buy for your sewing room, the sewing machine is the largest investment by far, so you'll want to make sure it is the right one for you.

1) First, decide on how you'll be utilizing your sewing machine. Will you be sewing clothing, piecing and creating quilts, working with leather or denim, or creating embroidered items? The reason this is so important is because each sewing machine features different capabilities and you'll want to choose the one that will meet your specific needs.

2) Do you want an electric, mechanical, computerized, compact or serger sewing machine? The answer to this question will narrow your field quite a bit.

3) Do some research on sewing machine brand names, features, and price ranges. Check customer reviews as well to get an idea how well people either like or dislike a certain model of machine.

4) Before you even leave the house, decide on how much you can spend for your machine. The range of prices for sewing machines can range from under $100 for a basic model, to over $8,000 for a machine that does practically everything for you except cut your fabric. Be careful not to buy a sewing machine based on everything you want to learn "someday", but rather for the purposes for which you'll actually use it once you bring it home.

5) It is a good idea to attend some classes in your local area and talk to other people about their sewing machine. Be sure to ask a lot of questions! Some stores have several machines set up and will allow customers to give them a trial run.

6) Where will you spend your time sewing? If you have a larger space available, the size of your machine may not matter. However, if you are using a smaller area, you may want to consider a compact version to save on space.

7) Will you buy a sewing machine online or from a locally owned store? If you are purchasing online, make sure the dealer is reputable. Check the reviews left for the dealer and make sure to verify their address and phone number. Given the weight of a sewing machine, inquire about the shipping costs prior to placing an order, and ask about their return policy.

Some companies will ask you to pay return shipping costs and possibly a fee. Even if you decide to purchase a machine online, be sure to first visit a local dealer to try the machines in which you are interested.

8) Make a list of the items you either already enjoy making, or items you wish to make and take it with you when you visit a local dealer. Take along samples of fabrics you use most.

9) Test the basic stitches on the machine, as well as any other features of the machine you might use. All stitching should appear balanced, not loose.

10) Ask the dealer about the availability of replacement parts if they should be needed, the cost of servicing the machine, optional upgrades, and warranties. A reputable dealer will be glad to answer any questions you have and allow you to try out any machine in their store. Be sure to ask also if they offer classes as a bonus with your sewing machine purchase.

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Although it is probably very simple to buy a sewing machine from an online dealer, there are several advantages to purchasing your machine from a local dealer. He is only a phone call away, he has direct support from the manufacturers of the machines he sells, and he probably already has a repair department on site, which means you won't have to wait as long for your machine to be fixed.

Let's say you decide in a few years that you want to upgrade your machine. Some local dealers will gladly accept the machine they sold to you as a trade-in on an upgraded model, which could save you some money.

Buying a sewing machine can be an enjoyable and educational experience, as long as you are prepared ahead of time. You'll have the tools to make an informed decision and be very happy with the machine you do purchase. Once you've purchased your sewing machine, all that's left to do is take it home and start getting creative!

Before you buy a sewing machine, take the time to check detailed sewing machine reviews and choose the best sewing machine for your needs at http://www.sewingmachinereviewer.com website.

The Best Sewing Machine For Beginners

Learning to sew is a lot like learning to drive. You don't need a fancy sports car to learn the skills. In fact, learning on an older, reliable car is sometimes better. But on the other hand, you do need a car on which the starter, motor, steering, and brakes work correctly and reliably. There's nothing more frustrating than trying to learn a new skill when the machinery doesn't work well.

So where does that leave the beginner sewing enthusiast?

You need a machine that will do an excellent straight stitch and zig zag stitch. Those two stitches will do almost everything you will need. It also needs to have a reverse. Just like a car, you sometimes need to drive forward and sometimes backwards.

I bought a car once without test driving it first. Big mistake. Now I insist on test driving the actual car I want to buy, not just another of the same make and model but the actual one I will be taking home. The same thing goes for sewing machines. Test drive before you buy.

The best value for a beginner sewing machine is a used machine. There are many times in life where we want something new, but this isn't one of them. A reliable sewing machine dealer that takes trade-ins will usually have an array of older machines that have all been serviced and are ready to go. These machines have years of use left in them and are a great investment.

You don't know yet whether sewing is something you are going to enjoy or whether it's just a passing fad. Investing $100 into a good, used sewing machine is much wiser than buying a new $149 inferior machine.

When you walk into the sewing machine store, browse the used machines and get a staff person to help you if you can. Tell him/her what you are looking for and what your budget is. Don't let him/her sell you something out of your price range.

Machines that are known to be "good" are ones with brand names like Singer, Elna, Janome, Husqvarna Viking, White, Brother, and Pfaff. I've had personal experience with White, Singer, Brother, and Elna. They will all feel a little different, just like cars.

Don't even consider the Walmart machine, the Kenmore (some are OK but you are taking your chances), or any 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 one of the brands I listed above.

You don't need a computerized machine or 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 had a 1 step button hole maker on a couple of machines and, I actually prefer to make buttonholes "manually". These automatic buttonholers are not as great as they sound. If they get stuck or mess up, what a terrible job it is trying to rip out those stitches! All you really need to make a great button hole is a straight stitch, a zig zag stitch, forward and reverse, and a stitch length and width adjustment.

When test driving the machine, take some fabric with you. If you know you're going to be making jeans, take a 6" x 6" or so scrap of denim (even cut a piece from an old pair of jeans). The sewing machine store will have small pieces of light cotton fabric for you to test on. Those are fine but if you have a certain type of project in mind, make sure you take some representitive fabric.

Try the machine and see how it feels. Is the foot pedal sensitive enough? Is it too sensitive? Does it depress smoothly or is it jerky or sticky?

Can you smoothly sew a curve or is the machine foot sticky?

Does the machine sound like it is straining to run? Most of these machines are fairly noisy but you'll get a pretty good idea if the motor is running smoothly as you sew.

Check the bobbin out. (That's the tiny "spool" sitting below the needle.) Metal spools will last longer and are readily available. Price out the bobbins for the machine you are considering. Some bobbins are expensive or difficult to find. You will want to have lots of bobbins on hand.

Ask what kind of shank the machine has. You will need to know this if you buy any additional presser feet for the machine. There are 3 types: Low Shank (most popular), High Shank (adapters are available), or slant shank (least common). Low Shank presser feet are the easiest to find and often the least expensive. Write this shank type down if you buy the machine.

Also ask what feet are included with the machine. At the very least you will need a universal or zig zag foot and a zipper foot. If the machine does not come with both of these feet, buy them. An extra few dollars to have both of these machine feet is worth it.

Set the machine for a wide zig zag stitch and sew forward a few stitches then reverse over those stitches. Does the machine zig zag in reverse? Some will only sew straight in reverse. You don't want this.

Take the fabric scrap out of the machine after you have sewn on it quite a lot. Run your fingers over the stitches on top and bottom. Does it feel like they are raised above the fabric on one side? They should feel like they are laying very flat on the fabric without puckers. If anything feels amiss, the tension could need some tweaking. Have staff at the store do this for you. When you walk out with your machine, it should be sewing the very best it can.

Ask if the machine will handle a second spool of thread. Some machines have an extra spindle and some require an extra spindle to be added on. Some won't have any way to handle a second spool (you need to have an external spool holder for these). Having that extra spindle built in is a great time saver you will want. (It's used for twin needle stitching.)

Have the staff show you how to thread the machine and the bobbin and where the machine needs oil (if it does). Ask if they have the original manual for this machine. They seldom will but you can get most manuals online.

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Ask how the upper and lower tensions are adjusted, how you wind bobbins, and how to adjust the pressure for the presser foot. Ask how to raise and lower the feed dogs and the presser foot. Ask how to change the stitch width and length and where the stitch selector and reverse are. Ask if the machine has a thread cutter (even if you don't use this, you want to know where it is so you don't cut yourself).

Before you are done, ask what accessories originally came with this machine and what the store has included with it. If lots of pieces are missing, the store may throw some replacements in for you. Ask if it has a carrying box or a dust cover.

Many sewing machine stores also offer free and paid lessons. You may want to sign up for these to get to know your sewing machine a little better.

Follow all these suggestions and you will walk out of your sewing supply dealer with a great sewing machine for a beginner to learn on.

Barb Pattison owns an online sewing supplies and notions store at http://www.ciscosewingsuppliesandnotions.com and has been sewing for over 20 years. She enjoys teaching and is more than happy to help anyone with any sewing challenges.

A History of the Sewing Machine

Before the invention of the sewing machine, all clothing, home furnishings and even agricultural sacks were sewn by hand. The series of events and inventions that led to what we recognise today as a sewing machine were a very important part of history. Here is an overview of some the inventors, their contributions and how we finally made reality the dream of a machine that could take the labour out of sewing.

The first person to apply for a patent for a sewing machine was a British inventor named Thomas Saint in 1791, however his machine was not known to have ever been developed. The first actual working sewing machine to be presented as such to the world was in 1814 by an Austrian tailor Josef Madersperger, although no apparently working machine is thought to have come from his work.

In 1830 Barthlemy Thimonnier from France patented a working machine that was capable of sewing straight seams with a chain stitch. By 1841 he had a factory of these machines but it was allegedly sabotaged and burnt down by French tailors, they were reported to have seen the existence of these machines as a threat to their jobs rather than the invaluable work tool that the sewing machine came to be. Thimonnier eventually came to England with a machine and was apparently the first person to offer working machines for sale, he also ran a garment factory.

An American Walter Hunt invented the first lockstitch sewing machine in 1833. This machine used 2 spools of thread with an eye pointed needle similar to machines of today, however the machine needed resetting too often to be viable. Another American, John Greenough, produced a working machine in which the needle passed completely through the cloth but was unable to generate enough interest to produce the machine for resale.

Elias Howe created a machine similar to that made by Walter Hunt in 1845. There were a number of improvements which made his machine the most viable yet although he struggled to gain financial backing. After attempting to sell his machine in England he return to the US to find lots of people had taken his idea and producing similar machines that apparently infringed his patent.

Isaac Merritt Singer was an engineer who decided to redesign the rotary sewing machine. His machine used a flying shuttle instead of a rotary one; the needle was mounted vertically and included a presser foot to hold the cloth in place. It had a fixed arm to hold the needle and also included a basic tensioning system. Singer got an American patent for his machine in 1851, he developed a foot pedal or treadle, for use with his machines. Howe took Singer and a few others to court over patent breaches and was awarded some compensation.

An interesting fact, if you find these things interesting, is that the first hire-purchase type payment scheme is reported to have first been brought about by Singer and a lawyer named Edward Clark, and was brought about in order to allow people to afford to buy their sewing machines. The success of the Singer sewing machines tends to be attributed more to the sales techniques used by Singer and Clark, rather than anything outstandingly different with their machines.

Over the years other people and partnerships brought improvements and manufactured more machines. There were more than a few squabbles over patents and threats to sue. Allen B Wilson and Nathaniel Wheeler created a quieter smoother machine under the Wheeler and Wilson Company manufacturing machines in the 1850s and 60s. As more people entered the design and production of sewing machines 'The Sewing Machine War' came about as everyone tried to protect their own intellectual property, eventually Singer, Howe, Wheeler and Wilson and Grove and Baker came together with their patents forming 'The Sewing Machine Combination' in 1856. This forced the other manufacturers to do things their way and pay a license fee for the privilege.

Knitting machines were first seen in 1877 in the form of a crochet machine, this was invented by a Joseph Merrow. This machine was in fact the first 'overlock' sewing machine and The Merrow Machine Company still produce overlock machines today.

In 1885 Singer patented the 'Singer Vibrating Shuttle' sewing machine using Allen B Wilson vibrating shuttle, this machine was more adapt at lockstitching, replacing the oscillating shuttles and continuing use till the rotary shuttle machines replaced them.

Electric sewing machines were actually originally developed in 1889 by the Singer Sewing Co. Up until this point they had continued on the tried and tested design with just more decoration. Electric motors were stuck on the side of the old machines to start with, but found their way into the case becoming an intrinsic part of the machine.

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Toyota produced their first electric sewing machine in 1946.

The 1980s saw the introduction of computer controlled machines to be used in all manner of industries including clothing, shoemaking and industrial manufacturing.

Embroidery machines no longer use cards to effect the stitching, they can now courtesy of new computerized systems, produce pretty much anything you like on fabric.

The invention of the sewing machine was a very important step in industrialisation and economic development. It also set free many women from the work of hand stitching clothes and linens. The contribution that these machines have made to art in all forms of fashion and interior design cannot be overlooked either, quite simply it is one of the most important machines of our time! (I'm trying to imagine what an apple 'i-sew' machine might actually look like and do!)

Amber Allen

[http://www.retro-makeyourown-styleguide.com/]

The style guide for making your own clothes.

Brother Sewing Machines: The Extravagant Variety

Are you one of the many sewing enthusiasts? Perhaps you have heard about Brother Sewing Machines featuring an extravagant variety. To give you a glimpse of what I am talking about, here are some of the showcased creations exclusive to this manufacturer. For sure, you will find your best sewing unit from the impressive collection.

Embroidery-Only Machine

Sewing is an art hence embroidery work that made a difference into sewing activity. For sure you have also been astonished by the fascinating needlework creation. As a matter of fact, it has mesmerized many fellows since ancient times. Compared in the past though, you need not exhaust your hands only to craft your sewing masterpiece. Embroidery machines simplified the entire process via powerful features and functions. Now you can do your embroidery pieces easy and effortless within short period of time. And you can get a share of this experience plus more exclusively with Brother Sewing Machines.

Serger Sewing Machines

Have you noticed the fancy stitches over the edges of your garment? These are specifically known as overlock or blanket stitch. In particular, it is considered as utility and decorative stitch types, alike. It is commonly utilized for hemming, edging, and seaming functions. This way, rest assured you can keep your sewpieces in tough yet artistic form. This is but no magic for there are serging machines especially crafted for this purpose. In turn, you can expect no less than expertise on this particular task. For the best sewpiece finish you would not opt to miss Brother's serger machine featuring integrated cutter and user-friendly controls.

Sewing and Quilting Machines

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Perfect for multifunctional stitching, sewing quilting machines will surely come handy. It is even a dream sewing unit to amateurs and professionals who are versatile enough to handle these jobs. Given this variant, there is no need to get yourself separate stand-alone machines to do the back to back activities. And in terms of performance either for sewing or quilting, Brother Sewing Combos are built compact with flexible functions.

Sewing and Embroidery Machines

Are you torn between sewing and embroidery activities? Good news for you don't have to worry much on this matter for you can absolutely enjoy both activities. This is made possible only with another sewing machine combo. It is an ideal fusion of functions that accommodates dual operations to suit your extensive demands. For more of multiple sewing utility, check out Brother Sewing machines with rich selection of multi-functional sewing units. These are but advisable for amateurs and professionals being differentiated from modest sewing machines for beginners.

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Are Cheap Sewing Machines Worth Buying?

Cheap sewing machines from Brother or Singer are absolutely worth buying. There are quite a few models available that are well constructed, have all the basic features needed for general sewing, and are priced less than $200. These also make great first sewing machines for beginners. These machines are not for those who sew for a living, or plan on sewing for many hours at a time.

Hundreds of positive user reviews across the internet prove the reliability of these machines for basic sewing projects such as simple garments, garment repair, home décor projects and other crafty items. Some of the heavier machines in this category such as the Brother CS6000I are capable of making smaller throw size quilts, but the lighter weight machines such as the Singer 1507 won't be able to handle the bulk. It's essential to understand what you plan to be using the machine for before making a purchase.

When researching cheap sewing machines, it is important to read through a sufficient number of reviews to spot common complaints that will alert you to the potential problems of a particular machine. Also, be aware that no single machine is going to be perfect and won't please everyone. Some reviewers won't like the look of the machine, or will complain about plastic parts that are standard in the industry. Others will sing praises for a machine that has a slower speed which in turn, will make the more experienced hobbyist unhappy.

Look for reviews that specify ease of use, consistency of the feed system and length of time owned. When writing your own review after purchasing a machine, wait until you've had it a year or so to offer a more valuable opinion.

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Many of the options in cheap sewing machines are very close in make-up and features and it can be difficult to decide which one to buy. In that case, you might want to use your eye to make the final decision. Do you like the look of one machine better than the other? If a certain machine has great reviews, but you find the appearance less than appealing, then it's likely to detract from your sewing experience when using it. Go for the hot pink one if it makes you smile!

Brother and Singer have both been in business for decades and are well respected by the sewing community. Low cost machines are one of their specialties and you can rest assured that such a purchase is worth it. For a list of quality, but cheap sewing machines visit Sewing Machines Review to begin your research.

Gracie Canfield is a freelance writer who sews and quilts in her spare time and has been since she was a teenager. She owns multiple sewing machines and has used many others during various classes over the years. She looks forward to retiring and make quilts for the rest of her life, but in the meantime she runs several websites, one of which is Sewing Machines Review [http://sewing-machines-review.com] to help others make an educated purchase of a sewing machine.

Best Sewing Machines for Beginners

If you're thinking of taking up sewing then I congratulate you, you have chosen a great hobby that will not only give you years of fun and an outlet for your creativity, but will also save you a lot of money over the coming years. When you have acquired the necessary skills, and, believe me, you will soon pick them up. You will be able to totally transform your home.

Take a standard pair of curtains and sew your own personality into them, make clothes for yourself or your children, virtually transform any piece of material into how you like. Think how satisfying it is to make your own clothes and home fabrics.

OK you may have already figured that out which is why you want to take up sewing. The question on your mind is which is the best sewing machine to start with? Right. OK let's have a look.

First thing that swamps the beginner is the sheer amount of machines available. Singer, Janome and brother to name just three great sewing machines.

It is obviously a matter of opinion and we all have our own opinions about what is the best machine. I will help you by giving you some guidelines. First I would go for a computerized machine. These are the standard today and I firmly believe in staying up with technology. I really don't see the point in learning on older machines when you can learn on modern computerized machines.

Some people would argue that it's best to learn on older machines and move up slowly. This is a fair point but not one I agree with. If you're starting from scratch you may as well learn on a new computerized machine with all the mod cons on it.

If you learned on an older machine you would soon want to move to a more advanced machine and take advantage of all the computerized functions which simplify many tasks. So you may as well start on a computerized model. You wouldn't want to learn to drive in a 1920s ford would you? So why learn on an old machine?

The good news is that the prices for a good machine are really reasonable and the functions these machines have are amazing. You can do things on a small machine in your home that required much bigger machines not so long ago.

All today's sewing machines are computerized which means everything you can do on a machine is made easier due to computerization. You can even get embroidery machines that will instruct you step-by-step on how to make things. The instruction takes place on the LED screen.

You want to be looking for a machine that doesn't cost too much to begin with. If you are just taking sewing up you could look at a second hand machine. The argument for buying a second hand machine is that it's better to spend $120.00 on a second hand expensive machine than to spend $120.00 on a new inferior machine.

This is a good idea but not one I agree with. A few years ago this may have been a good strategy but the cost of machines has come down so much I think looking for a new machine is the way to go. As you become a more experienced sewer you will come to love particular machines. The best way to choose a sewing machine is to ask yourself some questions.

A beginner will need a machine with a number of basic stitches; every machine on the market will give you this. As a general rule the more stitches the sewing machine has the more expensive it will be.

Ask yourself what you want to do with the machine. Are you looking to make clothes, home furnishings, repairs, quilting or other crafts? For clothes for example you want a machine with a "free arm" this makes sewing sleeves and things like that much easier. If you are looking to do quilting then you need a machine with a wider range of stitches. If you are looking to do upholstery then you will need a strong heavy duty machine. A cheap machine will not cope with upholstery.

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How often do you think you will use the machine? If you intend to get into sewing in a big way then you need to buy a more expensive machine that will stand up to heavy use. It's not possible to name a machine and say this is the best one. I know people who swear by Janome sewing machines, saying they are the best machines on the market, others will swear by singer sewing machines, we all have our own favourites.

You can get an excellent machine for between $150 to $200. The more you're willing to spend the more you will get. The first thing you should do is get familiar with what a machine does and learn about all the parts on the machine and what they do. Do some research, even download some manuals. Singer has excellent manuals that you can download and read. These will familiarize yourself with the parts of machines.

Rosie has been sewing for over thirty years. She has worked in sewing all her life and has taught sewing in evening classes and colleges for years. She writes about sewing in a number of places. She is also the author of the website Best Sewing Machines where she looks at the advantages of different sewing machines. For information about sewing machines and sewing articles visit http://bestsewingmachines4u.blogspot.com/

Walking Foot Sewing Machine - Can You Sew Leather Without One?

If you are new to leather sewing, you may be wondering if you can use a normal domestic sewing machine or whether you need a walking foot sewing machine to sew leather. It's certainly a tricky question but you can find the answer right here in this article.

There are three ways in which you can attempt to sew leather on a sewing machine, and only one of them involves using a walking foot sewing machine. Let's look at each method:

Using a domestic machine -- this is the cheapest way of sewing leather if you already own a machine, at least on the face of it. Unfortunately, if you use a cheap machine to sew leather; even lightweight leather; something will very soon give and it probably won't be the leather. Either you will bend or break a part or the motor will burn out. However, it is true that a heavy duty domestic machine may well be able to sew lightweight and medium-weight leather even without a walking foot. A clue to its suitability is whether a machine is advertised as being able to sew several layers of denim or canvas. Such a machine, even if leather is not mentioned in the description, is quite likely to be robust enough to cope.
Using a universal walking foot attachment -- for about twenty dollars you can buy a little foot and attach it to a domestic sewing machine. The same caveats apply here as to the previous method. The machine's motor may not be as resilient as that of a true heavy duty machine and may simply give up the ghost, or you may break or bend part of the machine. However, if you have a heavy duty sewing machine, attaching a foot is a way of ensuring that the needle and feed mechanism are suitable for leather when the mechanism of the underlying machine is not, perhaps because the leather slips or the machine cannot make long enough stitches. Personally, I would not want to sew anything more than lightweight leather into items like purses and bags on this sort of set-up.
Using a true walking foot sewing machine -- this is the way to sew leather if you are intending to do it often, or if you need to sew heavier grades of leather. A true walking foot sewing machine is designed as a heavy duty sewing machine and will happily feed through and sew the heaviest of materials, whether denim, canvas, sailcloth or leather. What's more it will carry on doing so without complaint for many years. It's a great investment and if leather sewing plays a significant part in your world, then you might as well get the machine for the job if you can afford it. Apart from being a sound investment, it will also be much more enjoyable to sew all those leather purses, bags, belts and clothes on a machine that really is up to the task.
Note that whatever machine you sew leather with, you need proper leather needles (three-sided chisel-tip needles) and your machine needs to be able to make long stitches so that you don't tear the leather.

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It can be particularly tricky to find accurate information on the walking foot sewing machine [http://walking-foot-sewing-machine.net]. Jordan Irwin has some great information for you if you are considering one of these. You can find it right here: Walking Foot Sewing Machines [http://walking-foot-sewing-machine.net/walking-foot-sewing-machine/walking-foot-sewing-machine].