Sewing machine recommendations?

[becalubob]

My daughter has a sewing machine on her wish list for Christmas. She loves costumes and crafts, and keeping busy. I think she will get a lot of use out of one. My sewing skills suck, and on the rare occasion I need something sewed, I have my mom do it for me, so I have no idea what I'm looking for, capabilities, brands, etc. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Thanks!

 

[Willow Ufgood]

My daughter has a sewing machine on her wish list for Christmas. She loves costumes and crafts, and keeping busy. I think she will get a lot of use out of one. My sewing skills suck, and on the rare occasion I need something sewed, I have my mom do it for me, so I have no idea what I'm looking for, capabilities, brands, etc. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Thanks!

How old is your daughter? Does she have any sewing experience up to this point? What kind of price range are you aiming for?

There are a lot of choices from budget machines with limited capabilities to highly computerized machines that will do embroidery and specialized stitches. A little background information can help with recommendations.

 

[becalubob]

Sure, she turns 17 in January. She can sew pretty well with just thread and needle. I'm open to price ranges as this will be her big gift. I'm not sure if she wants to embroider, she hasn't mentioned that. I know she wants to make clothes for sure. I don't want to ask her too many questions, as I'm trying to keep the gift a surprise.

 

[Donald - my hero]

I'll add to the above comment , it's really important to know what she wants to do with the machine so you don't end up listening to her curse at it when it can't handle what she wants! I was forced to get a new machine early in the lockdowns of COVID-19 when mine died while making masks. I was limited to what was in stock at our small local shop and i truly hate it!!!
example- you mentioned crafts, if that includes bag making, a free arm is almost essential, as is the ability to handle multiple thick layers of materials.
If she's leaning towards wanting to do any type of quilting or even heavy materials like vinyls, a walking foot will really help.
I can't emphasize strongly enough that "throat space " (distance between needle and the working parts of the machine) can never be too big!
Lighting, OMG I feel the need to wear a miner's helmet with my current machine, can't see the needle plate without multiple lights.
You can get some really good ones off of Amazon or even the big box stores that range from 2 or 3 hundred, to upwards of tens of thousands of dollars.
if this is just a starting proposal and you don't think she'll stick with it, don't spend a lot, but also don't buy a cheap one that will just lead to disappointment.

 

[Lumpy1106]

Keep it simple. It should have a self-threader but they may all come with that these days.

POR; DW wanted a sewing machine years ago. I am the only one who ever uses it.

 

[jdb in AZ]

What sewing machine dealerships are in your area? They will be teaching her how to use it, and lending techie support as necessary. Does your DD have any requests?

FWIW I've been a Bernina persona forever, and wouldn't change.

 

[bjscheel]

I've had a $125 Brother from Walmart for 28 years and made many quilts and and other projects. Maybe keep it simple till you see how much use it gets or if she ends up needing more features or not.

 

[becalubob]

You all are fabulous; I'm googling a lot of terms here! lol

We have a store downtown that specializes in sewing machines, but I've never stepped foot in there and I was told the machines there are for when "she really gets into it." That leaves WalMart and Target in my area. I'm open to checking out the specialty store there if there's a certain brand I should be looking for.

 

[Imzadi]

Consider getting her an old, second hand sewing machine from eBay or Craigslist or garage sales.

That's if you can find one. Take your time and wait for one. Those old sewing machines from the 1960s to the 1970s are in high demand and for a lot of money nowadays. Those machines are made of ALL Metal and do not break down as the newer plastic, and worse: plastic and run by computerized components do. The ALL Metal machines are true work horses. They sew through thick fabric and densely woven fabrics like 6 layers of denim (along seams and over hems) at the same time, like a hot knife slicing through a frozen stick of butter. Whereas the computerized or electronic machines will jam up on many fabrics. Especially if she wants to sew different types of fabric and different weights of fabrics together for costumes.

Also, if one lives in the snow belt and wears thick winter clothes, a new "light duty" or "starter" sewing machine will be nothing but frustration.

When you read reviews or the sewing machine description, most people will say whether a machine is capable of sewing through several layers of heavyweight denim jeans or not. That's usually the benchmark for how heavy duty the machine is. There are some lighter weight chambray cotton materials that some people think of as denim because of the color, or very lightweight, summer clothes are made with it. But it's not really the heavyweight denim jeans material. So, if more reviews say it doesn't really sew through several layers of denim, go by them.

A new computerized sewing machine that is capable of going through thick or many layers of fabric are called "professional level" machines and they can run $500 - $1200. Whereas, if one finds a 1960's machine in working condition (that basically only needs oiling and a tune up,) at Goodwill or eBay for $150 - $200, that is a STEAL! They may not do all the fancy stitches a computerized machine is created for. But, for altering, repairing or sewing heavy, thick clothes, they are the bomb!

Just make sure it can do the zig-zag stitch. The zig-zag stitch will also sew over side seams when necessary to stop certain fabrics from fraying. But, a good pair of pinking shears stops most of that. If it is capable of using a button hole attachment, great. But, it's really not that hard to learn to do one totally manually with the zig-zag stitch.

Here is an old DIS thread where I talked about how I threw out my old machine when the motor caught fire, instead of simply replacing the motor. I was so happy to get a new machine capable of 36 fancy stitches, only to hate it so much as it wouldn't do "basic" sewing repairs, that I ended up searching eBay for months until I was able to buy my exact same old model again. I didn't want any more unpleasant surprises. That old machine was so reliable. That post was 12 years ago, and I still stand by it!

https://www.disboards.com/threads/j...kenmore-sewing-machine.3032436/#post-46911756

 

[NYCgrrl]

Still available at second hand and thrift shops throughout the nation: Singer Stylist preferably from the 1970s.
A workhorse non parelil that’s easy to repair and maintain. If you can find one with zigzag and stretch stitch so much the better. One of the major advantages is there are no easy to break and hard to bore machine parts; all metal. A Kenmore from the same period is pretty good though not as good as well. Plastics already creeping in starting with the bobbins. Made by Singer to Sear’s specifications.

Sad they (Singer) are no longer made. For modern machines, Elna and Bernina are complex electronic machines and require a lot of reading before operating. As elder sister, also a daughter of a fabric store owner, learned the hard way.
Still, get past the massive learning curve and they are well designed for the most part. Not a fan of “Husky” although many are; the motor doesn’t run as smoothly to my ear. Stay far away from the models sold on HSN and QVC- they tend to be expensive toys.

 

[akrosie]

Don’t write off the specialty shops. They may have good quality basic machines, or trade ins, and would love to start her off in hopes that she will upgrade as her skills progress. They probably offer support and classes that you won’t get at a big box store as well.

 

[mom2rtk]

If you have a sewing machine shop, go visit and pick their brains. Maybe they'll come up with a deal on a second hand machine. Maybe they will educate you on things you want and don't even know yet. I generally don't recommend the basic model at Walmart. I've had a couple of those didn't hold up well over time. Parts break, tension gets out of line, etc.

My machine is a very basic model Janome 3018. I have 2 of them so that when one needs serviced, I have a spare since I sew for a living. Not fancy at all, but very sturdy and likely has millions of stitches and still going. I like it so much I bought a duplicate on Ebay about 10 years ago.

 

[NYCgrrl]

Here is an old DIS thread where I talked about how I threw out my old machine when the motor caught fire, instead of simply replacing the motor. I was so happy to get a new machine capable of 36 fancy stitches, only to hate it so much as it wouldn't do "basic" sewing repairs, that I ended up searching eBay for months until I was able to buy my exact same old model again. I didn't want any more unpleasant surprises. That old machine was so reliable. That post was 12 years ago, and I still stand by it!

This to the nth!!!

 

[CGB]

I've had a $125 Brother from Walmart for 28 years and made many quilts and and other projects. Maybe keep it simple till you see how much use it gets or if she ends up needing more features or not.

Totally agree. My favorite machine is a Brother I bought cheap at Wal-Mart as well. Simple, straight forward, tension is a dream, and easy-to-use ... it'll be a great machine for her to learn on. I've been sewing for almost 35 years and sold countless quilts (as well as hundreds of masks during COVID).

Save the money for a serger in the event she really gets into sewing and makes the jump to clothes.

 

[Imzadi]

This to the nth!!!

I was just going to say the same to YOU!

 

[smrice95]

I love my Viking machine. It is a simple machine without any frills. I received it as a high school graduation gift and never had trouble with it. I get it serviced every few years to be sure it keeps going. Viking is now Husqvarna. I hated my mom's SInger. It worked well for her but knew when I was sewing on it! LOL! If your daughter really enjoys sewing, I highly recommend down the road a serger. I also agree about giving the specialty store a chance, especially around Black Friday. However, I would go now and get familiar with the machines. Some are computers and can do unimaginable things!

 

[DodgerGirl]

When my mom was starting to learn how to sew she first learned to sew with a portable sewing machine and hers was a Singer Handi-Stitch and you probably remember these sewing machines becoming popular in the 90's by watching the commercial and I think my godfather got my mom that portable sewing machine for Christmas and she liked it a lot and the first thing she made was an apron for me when I had to dress up as a pioneer girl for a school project once and that machine worked so amazing on it. Mom still has her Singer Handi-Stitch today and the amazing thing about that sewing machine is that it was battery operated too. I don't know if Singer still makes the Handi-Stitch today but find the commercial on Youtube and you'll see what I mean. Mom later got her first big sewing machine by accident from HSN "and it wasn't even ours but since we couldn't return it to it's owner" we decided to keep it but it was a pain to set up but Dad finally set it up for Mom and she loved it and she made doll clothes for my plushies the very first time she used it. I can't recall what brand of sewing machine it was but Mom still has it today. You might also want to check out craft stores like Jo-Ann Fabrics and Michael's and see if you can buy sewing patterns for many different clothing even doll clothes if your daughter can sew doll clothes for neighbors children to go with her sewing machine and you can also get your daughter sewing and craft magazines so she can see what she can make with her new sewing machine
Hope this advice helps Becalubob
Dodger

 

[Willow Ufgood]

My mom had a Singer Quantum CXL and she sewed amazing clothes and costumes for me. I inherited it and use it on occasion. Nothing like she did. That machine was always out and the dining room table was littered with scraps of material, loose threads and pins.

I was having trouble with it last year and my DH heard every cuss word as I struggled with broken threads and tangled bobbins. I know the machine only needs to be serviced. But last Christmas he bought me a new machine...another Singer. Truth be told, I would not have purchased a new Singer if I was in the market for a new machine and definitely would not have bought this one, a Quantum Stylist model 9960. But he was so excited to surprise me with it. It's not that it's a bad machine. It just doesn't do anything more than my CXL does. It just does those things "different" from the machine that I learned on.

I think the advice to visit the specialist shops and pick their brains is sound. They may have good reconditioned machines that are perfect for a novice. She can always level up to more complex machines as her skills develop. They can steer you away from cheap machines that will frustrate her (like what you will find on QVC and Walmart). At the very least, you want straight stitch, zig-zag stitch, variable stitch length, the ability to manually adjust tension, a light that doesn't get blocked by your hands or fabric when working, easy threading and bobbin winding. I prefer a foot pedal but my CXL also has the ability to run without one. I just find it easier to control speed with a foot pedal. It's like using the gas pedal on a car. A lot of these places will offer instructional classes with the purchase of a new machine. This would be especially helpful since you yourself do not sew.

 

[disneyseniors]

My daughter has a sewing machine on her wish list for Christmas. She loves costumes and crafts, and keeping busy. I think she will get a lot of use out of one. My sewing skills suck, and on the rare occasion I need something sewed, I have my mom do it for me, so I have no idea what I'm looking for, capabilities, brands, etc. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Thanks!

It depends on how much you want to spend? If she is serious, then I would get her a nicer one. I have upgraded to an Elna, which is now owned by Janome. They are wonderful dependable machines, and I love mine. I started out with a cheaper mechanical one and moved up as I started to love sewing. What kind of machine differs with the person's wants and how they will use it, if at all. Good luck. You can always upgrade if she just loves sewing and uses it a lot.

I agree with Mom2trk. A trip to a local sewing shop would be a good idea. They know how to instruct you on whatever machine you buy from them. They have a wealth of information on machines.

 

[tamitru32]

I learned to sew on a Bernina and then owned a Viking machine for many many years. Finally after several moves and about 30 years, they were done. So during Covid for mask sewing I bought a Brother Project Runway limited edition (Joanns) and have been pretty impressed with it. You can easily spend thousands of dollars on a machine but I just don't think it's necessary. I think if you go $300 max (maybe sale?), it will make her happy. This should get you needle threader, bobbin winder, the assorted feet and a good selection of specialty stitches. Those stitches combined with length/width adjustment should supply what she needs. It's true the new machines are a lot of metal and plastic unlike the solid metal ones from the past. But they may be hard to find and also heavy to move around. Good luck and she's going to love whatever you get for her!