This is what most people don’t tell you about buying a sewing machine. It’s not as easy as it looks. And it’s definitely more confusing than ever. But buy it, you want to. So what do you do?

Avoid making your journey into buying a new sewing machine a nightmare. Clearly, it’s not enough to want to sew or possess the skills to. You cannot be good at sewing without a sewing machine! It’s like saying you’re good at cooking when you’ve just made one dish in your entire life.

To get really good and skilled at sewing, you need practice. And to practice, you need a high-quality and professional sewing machine. The kind that suits all your needs, has plenty of useful features and will last long.

So buying a new sewing machine should look something like this.

3 Tips on Buying a New Sewing Machine

1. Purpose of Purchase

There are a lot of questions you need to be asking yourself. Here, I’ll put them down one by one.

Why Do You Need A Sewing Machine?

Your project determines a sewing machine’s worth, budget, and features. For sewing thin fabrics as opposed to sewing heavyweight ones like denim or curtain. The features that separate the two are significant.

For lightweight material like cotton, the need for placement and speed are different. For denim or curtain, the machine is heavier, sturdier, with better functions.

Not to forget, you can’t expect to use a beginner machine for heavy-duty work. But you may use an advanced machine for light and heavy work.

How Often Will You Use The Machine?

For frequent use, durability is a must-have feature. For occasional ‘over-the-weekend’ kind of use, an affordable and high-quality machine would work. But that’s not all.

You won’t stay a beginner for longer if you use a sewing machine frequently. It’s all about learning new techniques, improving skills, correcting mistakes. So you need a professional sewing machine to suit your needs.

However, for mending plain stitches and clothes, you don’t need an advanced machine. So you save yourself the trouble of putting in hundreds of dollars for nothing. Think about it. Why waste money on a professional sewing machine when most of its features are never going to be used?

2. Look for Must-Have Features

Let’s say you’re looking at the best entry-level sewing machine. You obviously want the best features and the most essential. In the days of creative art projects, you can do a simple mending work in the most interesting manner.

So to be able to do that, you can’t have a sewing machine without the following features.

Needle Threader

Only good sewing machines come with a built-in needle threader. It is what allows you to try out new designs, stitches, and colors. Not only that, it makes “threading the needle” a quick and effortless thing. Especially for a beginner looking for good practice to keep hands steady.

Top Loading Drop-In Bobbin

This could make or break any sewing machine. A high-quality or weak top-loading drop-in bobbin. The cheaper and most annoying alternative is to have the drop-in bobbin on the inside of the machine. It’s difficult to access and wastes time.

A top-loading drop-in bobbin is modern and time-saving. You don’t have to remove the front case or remove the vertical bobbin from inside the case. Since it’s at the top, you will know when there’s not enough thread on it. And it saves time assembling and disassembling.

Free arm

A free arm promotes better flexibility and accessibility. You can sew versatile garments including sleeves, pant hems, or round cushion covers. The free arm reaches narrow pieces of fabric easily.

Without it, sewing a unique piece of fabric is a head-scratcher! Don’t think only advanced users need a free arm. As a beginner, you can benefit from a free arm as much as any other professional.

But wait – there’s more!

Quiet operation

A lot of people hate the loud noise of a sewing machine. It may sound like a secondary issue for some. But if you don’t live alone, it can cause havoc. You must think about how noisy the sewing machine will be or can be.

If you plan on sewing in the evenings, you may let this one slide.

Ask yourself what really defines your sewing machine. The noise of the presser feet, the motor, and the needle going back and forth on the machine.

Stitch options

How many stitch options do you need? The options range from 10 stitches to 300 stitches. If you want to become a professional craftsperson, you need as many as you can get. But for someone with basic sewing needs, 10-50 stitches are perfect.

It includes zigzag, straight, and a few common shapes. In machines with over 100 stitches, you can customize their shape, length, width, and style.

3. Compare & Review

I’m sure you know there are many types and models of sewing machines. Some come with basic features while others with additional features and accessories. Some allow you to sew every type of fabric there is while others only a select few.

So how do you know what to buy? Before you start to worry about that, let’s get things underway.

My recommendation for a solid sewing machine brand is Singer. Singer machines are great with high-speed performance and durable construction. Just take a look at a few of their most sought-after machines as such as Singer 4411, singer 4423 or 4432 or 4452.

Super-reliable, versatile, and convenient. They offer all the must-have features I’ve mentioned above and then some.

I love me a sewing machine that gets what I do. Almost as intimate as if it can read my mind. And the reason why I love these Singer options is simply that it makes sewing fun and exciting and not a bore!

Conclusion

What is stopping you from buying the best sewing machines on the market? The most essential to take home here is ‘don’t buy cheap’. This means don’t buy just by glancing at the price tag. Meanwhile, the features the machine has been left in the dark.

Imagine the world of sewing hundreds of new stitches and materials opening up for you. Unless you come across a sewing machine that is supportive, keep searching.

And I hope this article contributes to your personal efforts and expectations. A higher life expectancy, solid build quality, and useful features. These are all true markers of a high-quality sewing machine for home use. What do you say?

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