Our Sewing Machine Buyers Guide
Sewing machines have been an essential in almost every household for decades. Being able to repair or create new materials with this monumental invention has been a historical part of human innovation. Now, whether you are a beginner to sewing or have been a tailor or seamstress for years, owning a quality sewing machine is fundamental to improving and maintaining your skills. There are endless brands and models of sewing machines on the market today, and this can make shopping for one a difficult process. But luckily, we are here to help.
Our buyers guide will provide you with a fundamental base understanding of what you should be looking for before you enter the shopping journey. We will not be providing an in depth explanation of each topic, but a simple checklist of things you should consider and research before you begin.
Why do you want a sewing machine?
This may sound like a silly question at first glance, however, it is one of the most important questions to ask yourself before you begin your shopping journey. Selecting a sewing machine is highly contingent to your specific needs. For instance, if you work as a tailor and are sewing for multiple hours every single day, you would certainly require a higher quality, more durable sewing machine than someone who sews casually as a hobby. Evaluate your purpose for wanting a sewing machine and proceed accordingly, this will also help you establish a budget for yourself (which we will discuss in a later section).
Brands
Whether you are a beginner or a pro, one of the most important aspects to consider is the brand name of your sewing machine. Purchasing a reliable brand protects you from the various pitfalls and shorter lifespans of the cheaper varieties. Larger brand names also provide significantly better customer support and warranties, protecting you in the case of product malfunction or defect.
Some of the most famous brands include: Singer, Juki, Brother, Pfaff and Janome among others.
Different features
Different sewing machines also come with a potential variety of features. Some of the different types of sewing machines that exist are: sewing machines for embroidery, mechanical, quilting and computerized. Some features that are also commonly sought after are: automatic needle threading, presser with adjustability and free-arm features. Before shopping be sure to research these different features so that you can find a sewing machine that has the ones necessary for your specific needs.
Budget and skill level
Our last factor to consider before you begin shopping for your new sewing machine is budget. Setting a budget for yourself beforehand makes the shopping process significantly more enjoyable.
Setting a budget for yourself before shopping immediately reduces your overall amount of choices and makes it much easier to make a selection.
The prices of sewing machines vary widely in price, so if you do not set limits for yourself ahead of time, you may find yourself engaging in too many options, making the whole experience overwhelming.
Other considerations
Some other factors to consider when shopping for a new sewing machine are how easy the machine is to use, the variety of stitching, your independent skill level, overall quality and durability, amount of noise, additional attachments, reviews, customer support as well as any other additional features. Take your time and evaluate each of these while taking your individual needs into consideration. Not all of these features are important for everyone and there is no shame in opting for a very standard style of sewing machine, especially if you are a beginner and new to sewing!
Final Thoughts
We understand that searching for a brand new sewing machine can be an overwhelming process. There are multiple brands, models and features making it difficult to hone in on which one is perfect for you and your needs.
We hope you ask yourself why you want a sewing machine in the first place, so that you can search for one that fits your needs and skill level. We also encourage you to take into account the brand name and the importance of sticking to quality companies.
Remember to also evaluate the different types of sewing machines and features that are available. Research each that we mentioned above to ensure you are looking for the right product for you. Also, do not forget to also set a budget for yourself ahead of time! It will simplify the shopping process immensely.
Following our buyers guide will direct you with just the right amount of education and preparation to find the sewing machine!
We have also went out of our way to create a comprehensive list of The Best Sewing Machines for Beginners to Experts.
We took into consideration all the factors we mentioned in our buyers guide so that our readers can get the best possible deal!
Happy Shopping!