BUYING A SEWING MACHINE

Tips and must haves when buying a regular sewing machine.

Before you buy a sewing machine,

it is worth asking around among friends and family to check if anyone has a sewing machine to try out/borrow/sell. Older sewing machines from grandma, grandpa & co. are often more sturdy and usually have a stronger engine than regular sewing machines nowadays. If you decide to invest in a new sewing machine, it makes sense to try out different sewing machines in a shop, sewing course or at a friend´s place before you buy eventually buy. Regular sewing machines are totally sufficient in terms of their range of functions for getting started with sewing, as they process non-stretchable materials well and have all the necessary functions to process a variety of seams and sewing projects. Price wise sewing machines are available starting at €100 at discounters. Theywill serve their purpose for sewing beginners, but usually come with a higher level of noise, less powerful engine and fewer functions. If sewing is planned to become a long-term hobby of yours, then I recommend the Brother Innovis-10a sewing machine (~300€), which I also use in my classes for children and adults.

Which functions I consider to be important when buying a new sewing machine:

• Utility stitches (essential: straight stitch, zigzag stitch | optional: stretch stitch, imitation overlock stitch, buttonhole stitch, button sewing function)

• Decorative stitches (hearts, stars, letters, etc.) are not essential and only contribute in making the sewing machine more prone to failure and are usually not used anyway

• Adjustable sewing speed (especially helpful for children, as it can be difficult to regulate the speed with the sewing pedal alone)

• Integrated LED sewing light, so that there is no need for an additional table lamp

• Adjustable stitch length & stitch width

• Explanation/image printed on the sewing machine for the correct threading of upper thread, lower thread & bobbin

• Adjustable needle stop position, so you can determine whether the needle stays over or in the fabric when sewing stops

• Adjustable thread tension for the upper thread so that the stitch pattern can be adapted to different types of fabric if necessary

• Sewing Machine Accessories (zipper foot, screwdriver, dust cover, spare bobbins, spare needles) easy-to-understand and illustrated operating instructions

• Adjustable sewing foot pressure (optional and useful for knitwear, but only available on higher-priced machines)

Overlock machine

In addition to sewing machines, there are also so-called overlock machines, which differ visually from regular sewing machines in a way that they use 3-4 large sewing threads (cones) and are particularly suitable for processing stretchy materials such as jersey. With an overlock sewing machine, only edges (e.g. the inside seams of t-shirts) are processed or trimmed (by an automatic knife) and connected at the same time. For, among other things, sewing on pockets, sewing in zippers and hemming edges, you still need a regular sewing machine. Overlock machines are therefore suitable as a second machine for ambitious hobby sewers who often process stretchy materials such as jersey.