Community Chat

[september]

My advice is similar to what many have already said.  Go to a local shop where you can get personalized service to meet your needs.  Once you buy,they add in some free classes to help you learn how to use your new toy!

I have these machines: a Singer featherweight....very small and basic.  I don't use it as much as I thought I would.  I bought it used because I just couldn't resist it 

A Viking Husqvarna...my first "real" sewing machine.  I do love this one.  A relative is borrowing it at this time.

A Bernina, with embroidery attachments. I don't use the embroidery function too often anymore.  I like the machine for all it can do.  A machine that can only go forward and backward would be too limited for me. 

[brandiwine]

I've been sewing for 50 years.  The very best and easiest machine is a Janome.  They range from basic to very high end.  They are easy to understand, easy to thread and they sew beautifully.  I agree about trying them out at a sewing store and many of them give free lessons when you purchase.  If you have budget constraints then order one through Amazon or several other online stores.  Prices are much lower, but no personaI attention.  I have found the new Singers are very cheaply made, skip stitches and jam up.  My neighbor got one.  

[sfnative]

@Goldengate8361

Hi Goldengate,

Hope you end up having a wonderful experience sewing on your new machine.

Because you're new to sewing, I'd suggest purchasing from a dealer or business which offers classes, not just demos (once every 2 weeks, as there's a huge difference).

There had been some mention here of Singers.  Need to tell you that right now there is such a range of Singers out there that you need to be aware.  The ones you'll find "on shelves" are junk: I've seen and evaluated them myself.  Oy vey!

I have an Elna and my husband buys and refurbishes machines.  He's kept a Bernina for himself, so he can do the hems on his jeans and stuff.

In 2011 I took a quilting class and just about everyone had a Janome.  This machine was new to me, so I had an opportunity to get to know it at a weekend quilting weekend.  As with other brands, there are a number of models from which to choose.  I liked that the machine is solid, option layout made sense to my left brain - just lots of practical stuff like that.  And, they don't tend to have a small neck.  My one big rec would be to make sure you get a machine with a decent neck, so that if you make something that is moderate to large sized, you don't have to cram it and fight with it all the time.  Believe me when I say that if your machine has a small neck, you will regret it and fight with your sewing projects.

About 5 years ago my daughter called me.  She wanted to start making one type of quilt for all of her friends having babies: all 4" squares, then you snip the exposed edges.  Really simple.  However, the sewing machine I had gifted her with one Christmas about 10 years earlier she had given away (!), so needed to buy a new machine.  I recommended a Janome machine and would do the same today.  She loves it!

(My only exception to that rec would be if you live in the Pacific Northwest.  If you do, my husband has several refurbished machines ready to go and would be glad to give you one.)

Again, I'd recommend finding a Janome dealer, spending time looking and experiencing the machine, even if you have never sewen, establish a budget (once you know the price ranges), make your purchase and be sure to sign up for classes.  *Also, many community centers have sewing classes.  If you live in a city with community centers, check out their curricula.

Further recommendation:  Go online and check out Nancy Zieman dot com.  Over the years, she wrote some great, to-the-point instructional wire-bound books with DVD on things like the basics of sewing, the basics of quilting, art quilting, and so much more.  These usually cost about $14.97 for the book and DVD and are a great investment when learning a new skill.

Good luck and have fun sewing.

[Goldengate8361]

@sfnative Thank you for the detailed advice! Really appreciate the time you took—-and that everyone took—-to help me out. After X-mas, I now plan to visit a couple of shops locally and see a few up close. 

Again, many thanks!!!