Sewing machine for beginner?

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TravisandJill

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Hi! Can anybody recommend a sewing machine for a beginner? I have never sewn anything in my life but am interested in learning so I can make crafts and simple projects. Thank you!

Jill
 
Not too many stitches.
Not too many moving parts, or parts that have to in place to sew.
Automatic bobbin and button-holer.
If you buy it from a sewing store such as JoAnn’s, see if they include machine lessons.

I still say the best machine ever made was the 1960-series Singer Featherweight, but that’s when girls learned to sew at ten or so.

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I read on another forum that machines made before the early 1980’s are best. They have metal gears (not plastic) and no computer chips to go haywire. Theoretically, something that old should cost less, too!
 
I recommend the Singer 285 XL. Instant threading, ABS (Automatic Back Stroke for when ya mess up) power foot pedal, special alloy needles, powerful 285 motor, and 4 wheel drive needle pusher to get through the toughest of fabrics. All come standard on this model.

Options include power case, that lets you take unit out with just touch of button. Also look for power chair that lets adjust the height so you can sew at just the right angles.

All in all a great performer. They offer a extended warranty good for 10,000 yds of stitched up fabric.

It has all the features of a advanced sewing machine but simple to use for any beginner.

Lemme know.
 
I have a a fancy computerized Singer which I just love, but I am really impressed with the Husqvarna machines. They are a well-made quality machine from an old company with a good reputation. I have three friends who have them and they are really pleased with them. You can usually find them at a JoAnn Fabric Store, although they aren’t affiliated with JoAnn’s, they are a separate company. There is a wide variety of models to choose from.

A Bernina is also a very high quality machine, but they are pretty expensive. If I were starting all over and did some serious sewing and quilting as I did when I was younger, I would buy one of these. I’ve sewed on all 3 brands and I like this one the best. But I’m not sure I’d want to invest in one unless I was a serious sewer.

These are probably your 3 best brands for a quality machine. You just have to go to the dealers and play around on the machines and see which one fits your needs and your pocketbook.
 
whiteyacht said:
I read on another forum that machines made before the early 1980’s are best. They have metal gears (not plastic) and no computer chips to go haywire. Theoretically, something that old should cost less, too!
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I’ve had 2 computerized sewing machines in the last 15 or so years (I traded my last one for a computerized embroidery machine) and I have never had a problem with a computer chip and I’ve done a lot of sewing. I have had much better performance with them than my mechanical machines (I’ve had 5 machines) and much less time in the repair shop, only for maintenance. But they do cost a lot more. You do have to keep anything magnetized away from them, though.
 
My daughter bought a brother CE-4000 last year at WalMart. She wanted to learn to sew for a theatre class she was taking, but was not sure it would be something she would continue to enjoy. She didn’t want to spend a lot of money until she was sure sewing would be a long-term hobby. I believe she has been very happy with her purchase. It has the features she needs, but is not terribly fancy. Also, I think the cost was well under $200. Can’t really remember, however!🙂
 
I started a thread on this a while back. After much consideration and advice from the ladies on here I went with a Kenmore. I got it for around $80 and it’s a great machine. It’s very easy to use and it sews my slings very well.
 
LOL Guy is that a sewing machine or a car?😃

StratusRose: Do you have the model number of the Kenmore? I think that sounds like an excellent price for something for me to try out and see if I like. I would hate to spend a few hundred dollars for a hobby I might not even like.

Outinchgoburbs: I know those old machines are great…my mom has a Kenmore that is 40 years old and she still sews on it, and only had it serviced twice.

Thank you everybody!
 
BamaRider said:
I recommend the Singer 285 XL. Instant threading, ABS (Automatic Back Stroke for when ya mess up) power foot pedal, special alloy needles, powerful 285 motor, and 4 wheel drive needle pusher to get through the toughest of fabrics. All come standard on this model…
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Guy - That sounds like an awesome machine!

I thought that the model numbers would get higher as the new models came out. I have a Singer 328K machine that I purchased 46 years ago. Must be that they started the numbers over to have such a fancy, presumably new, model with the model number 285!!! 😃
 
Since this thread is going, my question is a bit different. I want to move from a normal sewing machine to a embroidery &/or Serger. Due to cost the surger will probably come first.

Any recommendations on a surger &/or embroidery machine?
 
JustAnotherThou said:
Since this thread is going, my question is a bit different. I want to move from a normal sewing machine to a embroidery &/or Serger. Due to cost the surger will probably come first.

Any recommendations on a surger &/or embroidery machine?
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I would recommend any Brother embroidery machine. We’ve had the Innovis 4000-D (with the Disney package) for over 2 years. It is wonderful!!! We haven’t had any problems and it is very easy to use (the directions on screen will tell you what you exactly what you need to do). We tried out several other machines before settling on this one. Our second choice would have been a Janome. As far as a serger anything by BabyLock is good. We’re still using the Riccar my grandma bought us in the '80’s but are looking into BabyLock. Many of the newer and/or computerized machines have a serger type stitch.

GiannaND
 
Check your phone book and see if there’s a sewing machine shop in your town. I was able to get a really good used Janome that the shop had taken as a trade in. While it was a little more expensive than I would have liked to have paid, it was much better quality than anything else I could have gotten. Plus the shop owner knew the previous owner and she had taken really good care of it.

I had bought one of the cheaper ones at Wal-Mart; but when the timing went haywire, it would have cost more to fix it than it was worth because of all the plastic parts. I used it for years until I decided to upgrade to one that has an automatic button hole maker 😃
 
giannand said:
I would recommend any Brother embroidery machine. We’ve had the Innovis 4000-D (with the Disney package) for over 2 years. It is wonderful!!! We haven’t had any problems and it is very easy to use (the directions on screen will tell you what you exactly what you need to do). We tried out several other machines before settling on this one. Our second choice would have been a Janome. As far as a serger anything by BabyLock is good. We’re still using the Riccar my grandma bought us in the '80’s but are looking into BabyLock. Many of the newer and/or computerized machines have a serger type stitch.

GiannaND
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Thank you Gianna

Just a question for the more advanced sewers on here (that would be probably everyone, including Guy)
I want to do a couple of appliqué projects. I currently have this machine sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02019233000P
I want to do the appliqué where the stitches are really close like an embroidery machine will do.
Do you think it is possible for me to do it on my current machine? Also, what is the difference between embroidery thread, the ones that come like little cones and the other thread?

I haven’t tried it yet, figure I will on a scrap piece of thread. Although, thought I would get some hints and tips before I try.
 
Can your machine do a satin stitch? (Satin stitch is just a zig-zag, but very close) Use the satin stitch on your machine or adjust your zig-zag stitch so that the length is very short (about .5). (you may have to play around to get it to run smoothly and neetly) Attach your applique with a straight stitch and then stitch over it with your satin. I made a cute baby quilt with appliqued hearts this way. Very cute! 👍 (I’m so modest! 😉 😛 )

As for thread. The difference in embroidery thread is usually the strength and the sheen. Embroidery thread is made in more vibrant colors and usually has an added sheen. It used to be that Rayon was stronger than Polyester thread, and would break less in embroidery, but now they have improved the quality so much that I do not notice much of a difference in breakage between the two types of thread. Cotton thread usually doesn’t come in the pretty and vibrant colors, but they are improving this as well. Metalic embroidery thread is very pretty and gives a good effect, but I only use this sparingly as it splits/breaks super easy. Do not use it for large amounts of stitching. It will drive you insane.

As for spool types, the cones hold more thread. You only need the large cones if you need a lot of thread. The small thread spools are good for small jobs.

My favorite embroidery thread is Isacord. I find that at my bernina store. Sulky and Anton seem to be about the same in my experience.

HTH!
 
Buy something that can do the basics. I bought a simple Singer about 13 years ago. I have used it to fix a few things, hem some stuff, make costumes and sew simple patterns. It has always met my needs at a novice. It works fine, but probably could use a good cleaning. Getting a decent used maching would probably be a good idea too.
 
MomaMary8 said:
Can your machine do a satin stitch? (Satin stitch is just a zig-zag, but very close) Use the satin stitch on your machine or adjust your zig-zag stitch so that the length is very short (about .5). (you may have to play around to get it to run smoothly and neetly) Attach your applique with a straight stitch and then stitch over it with your satin. I made a cute baby quilt with appliqued hearts this way. Very cute! 👍 (I’m so modest! 😉 😛 )

As for thread. The difference in embroidery thread is usually the strength and the sheen. Embroidery thread is made in more vibrant colors and usually has an added sheen. It used to be that Rayon was stronger than Polyester thread, and would break less in embroidery, but now they have improved the quality so much that I do not notice much of a difference in breakage between the two types of thread. Cotton thread usually doesn’t come in the pretty and vibrant colors, but they are improving this as well. Metalic embroidery thread is very pretty and gives a good effect, but I only use this sparingly as it splits/breaks super easy. Do not use it for large amounts of stitching. It will drive you insane.

As for spool types, the cones hold more thread. You only need the large cones if you need a lot of thread. The small thread spools are good for small jobs.

My favorite embroidery thread is Isacord. I find that at my bernina store. Sulky and Anton seem to be about the same in my experience.

HTH!
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Thank you for the advice. I am going to try it out (after Christmas!!!) 👍
 
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