Sewing Machines

I felt like I couldn’t continue on with our sewing series without talking a little bit about sewing machines.  Let’s face it, you aren’t going to get very far with your sewing if you don’t have a good sewing machine!  Many of you probably already have one, if so, that’s great.  Here’s the thing though, I have not bought a  home sewing machine in almost 30 years, so I really don’t feel qualified to tell you what kind of sewing machine to buy, but I am going to give you a few tips for finding a sewing machine that is a good fit for you.

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Sewing Machines

If you are in the market to buy a sewing machine, please do some research and read some reviews.  You want to make sure you get a good machine that won’t be too frustrating to learn how to use.  You won’t have very much fun sewing if you are frustrated at every turn.

I would try to stay away from buying a sewing machine on-line.  Instead, try to  find a good local sewing machine dealer to help guide you in your purchase.  They will also be just a phone call away if you do have a problem with the machine, and often will have a repairman on-site.

Try to figure out ahead of time what your budget is for a new sewing machine, but I would caution you about trying to find the cheapest one that you can.  In the long run, it may not be the best deal.  If you do have a local sewing machine dealer, they may sell re-furbished sewing machines.  Sometimes an older machine is made with better parts than a newer machine, so a re-furbished one can be a good way to go.  I would make sure that if you do buy a used sewing machine, that you get the sewing machine manual for it.

Speaking of sewing machine manuals, read yours!  I am not always good about reading the manuals that come with things, but your sewing machine manual is one that you should read, especially if you’re new to sewing.  It will give you information about how to thread your sewing machine, make a bobbin, the different stitches and so much more.

Sarah from Dwell On Joy has written an excellent blog post, Sewing Machine 101, about her new sewing machine.  She did buy a re-furbished one, and after she bought it, she went step-by-step in setting up her machine, taking great pictures of each step along the way.  Of course, your machine may not be exactly like hers, but I think she gives some good basic tips in her post.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you are trying to learn how to sew on a new sewing machine.  Just take it one step at a time, and you’ll get the hang of it.  Practice different stitches and techniques on some scrap fabrics, and then try a simple sewing project.  I have written about 10 basic sewing terms, which may be helpful too.  Most important, have fun and enjoy your new hobby!