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Choosing your first sewing machine
If you're buying a sewing machine for the first time it can be a bit of a mine field!
If you're buying a sewing machine for the first time, it can be a bit of a minefield!
The first thing to think about, apart from the price, is what you're going to use the machine for. Don't spend a fortune on an 'all-singing, all-dancing' machine if you're not going to use all its features; you'll be wasting your money. For a first sewing machine, you will likely be working with simpler projects that will require only a few basic stitches, so you don't need an expensive machine with lots of features. Once you've started to sew more, and built your experience, you can look into machines that include complex stitches and other extras.
There are two basic types of sewing machines: electronic and computerized.
Although their features will vary from model to model and with each brand, generally, an electronic machine will have a foot pedal and a dial to select the stitches. All will have a straight and zig-zag stitch, a few decorative stitches, and a four-step buttonhole stitch. Look for a machine with a needle threader, stitch length and width adjustment, as they will make sewing much easier; and if you want to do free motion embroidery, check if the machine can drop its feed dogs. Check the feet that come with the machine too – you don't want to be buying too many extras!
Although computerized machines are generally more expensive, if your budget will stretch to it, these would be the ideal choice. Why? I have found that they are easier to use and are incredibly versatile. They usually have more stitches (top-of-the-range sewing machines can have hundreds!), and the buttonhole stitches tend to be one step. There'll be a choice of different styled buttonholes, which are great for the dressmaker! Instead of a dial, you'll probably have push-button stitch choices, or even a touch screen. The stitch length and width are automatically set, but you should be able to override these if you wish. Computerized machines also let you choose whether the needle stops up or down – invaluable for pivoting around corners. With some machines, you don't even need the foot pedal to operate: they have a start/stop button on the machine and a speed control. As with an electronic machine, a needle threader on a computerized one is useful, along with the drop feed dog facility.
If you have a local retailer you can walk into, ask if you can have a trial of a few machines in store and get expert advice from their sales team.
To read about my sewing machine collection, take a look at my blog!
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