Whether you’re buying a sewing machine for yourself or as a gift, you’ll need to ask yourself a few questions to be a more informed consumer. Here are 5 tips for buying a sewing machine:
- budget. Decide how much you want to spend. The caveat is that if you spend too little, the machine will be worthless and you will never be able to accomplish the stitching you desire. What is the very low price? Don’t buy anything under $100 new. A $200 budget will get you a good basic machine. Sometimes you can find good used or refurbished machines for under $100. That would be fine, just don’t buy a “cheap” new machine.
- level of tailoring requirements. Is this machine for beginners? Or someone who just needs basic sewing and simple repair functions? If so, look for simpler mechanical and electronic sewing machines. Is this machine for someone who will be running a small business or teaching sewing? Look at commercial grade or industrial sewing machines. Is this machine for advanced craft person? Check out our combination embroidery and sewing machines. Is this machine for a professional tailor? Consider getting a serger, too.
- Don’t overbuy. The vast majority of sewing machine owners never use the many fancy stitches available on their machine. Usually a few extra decorative stitches are fine. Make sure you have a zigzag stitch and some method for making buttonholes if the machine will be used to build the garment.
- Look for the included accessories. Foot pedal attachments, lint brushes and the right machine oil can help you get the job done right. If you can find the same device with accessories for the same price, get it.
- Read reviews. This is the age of the Internet, even if sewing machines still need to be sat by to do the repair. Read reviews of the machine model you’re considering purchasing. Pay close attention if the same complaint appears over and over again.
- Read the user guide. Many user guides are available on the internet, and you can download them to read them. Make sure the instructions make sense to you, as they can often make or break your experience.
Once you have handed over your sewing machine, re-read this user manual. Follow the instructions the first time, even if you are an experienced worker. You will find that it will save you time and frustration by simply following the instructions that came with the device.
If you’re buying a sewing machine as a gift, all of these points are exactly the same, just ask yourself the reference point for the gift recipient. And remember, don’t buy a new machine for less than $100. You might be lucky to find one that will hold up to decent use, but most really “cheap” sewing machines are just too cheap to last with normal use.
