I often come across beginners asking questions about sewing machines. Which brand is better? Which model is better? How do you decide what is the right machine for you?
For many, this is a very challenging question. There are a minimum of 22 different sewing machine brands out there (that I know of; and trust me, there are probably more). Within those brands, there are thousands of different models out there to choose from. Where does someone even begin???
Let me start off with saying there is no right or wrong brand. There are people out there who have their favorite brands, just like with cell phones, cars, and gaming systems. You will always hear people say "Oh, ABC is crap. You should get XYZ! They are so much better!" Sometimes, it's true. Not all machines are made equal (even within the same brand).
Obviously researching machines is a must. You can find reviews, blogs, and videos online for just about everything out there. Ask a friend, mother, grandmother, coworker or anyone you know who sews to see what they like and why. Get a feel for what people think about the brands they bought. Chances are, you'll end up buying something similar to someone you know because they will teach you the ropes. Right?
Also keep in mind that you should not base your purchase solely on reviews online. More people will post reviews when they have something negative to say. Think about it, how often do you post a 5 star or positive review on something you bought online? You say you will but it just slips your mind and never happens. Happens to all of us. And yes, there are people out there who do. Just saying, keep it in mind!
I'd also like to point out that a lot of what I write is my personal opinion on any brands that I list. No, I have not sewn on every sewing machine out there (as much as I would love to) but I do hear a lot about the top brands and their inner workings (both machine and company wise).
First off, have a game plan. What kind of sewing do you want to or plan to do? Are you more into sewing apparel or fashion? Crafts? Home decor? Cosplay? Mending/alterations? I personally like to think a head. Think of it as an investment. You want something that's going to last you a long time! Or at least something to get you started till you are ready to upgrade.
Okay, so you have an idea on the type of projects you're going to work on. Now think about features you want your sewing machine to be able to do. This will go hand in hand with pricing as well. The more features a machine has, the more it's going to cost. Currently the new top of the line Brother and Baby Lock machines MSRP is $20,000. Yup. That's right. Not a typo. BUT! No one ever buys a machine at MSRP. Dealers always have sales going on and they take trade ins. So you can always buy a mid-end machine now, and trade in for a fancy one later.
Truthfully, the best thing to do is go to a local dealer. They are (usually) friendly and very knowledgeable. They can help you find a machine that's right for you. It also gives you a chance to see what kind of features are out there and prices. You'll notice that sewing companies don't list prices on their website and dealers are generally not allowed to tell you prices over the phone. This is because companies want you to physically go into a store to look at the machines. And yes, you can find lower end sewing machines listed in stores at Wal-Mart, Target, and Joanns or online on Amazon. But please note, that these models are LOW END machines. They are not built to last more than maybe five years or so and generally have cheaper components inside. Now, I'm not saying that you shouldn't buy any of the low end machines. If it's what you can afford, then by all means, go for it.
When you buy a sewing machine online or from any big box retailer (Joanns, Wal-Mart, Target) you are pretty much just buying the machine. Yes, they come with manuals so you can typically figure out how to use it. But if you have a problem with the machine or if you have any questions, what do you do? Sometimes you can get lucky and have a lady at Joanns help you out. But usually they either don't know enough about the machines or are to busy to be able to go over it. Good luck getting any support from Wal-Mart or Target employees. Sure Joanns offers classes to learn to sew, but they don't offer support on the machines they sell.
So what about dealers? When you buy a machine from them, you are buying much more than a machine. You are buying the support of the brand and support throughout your sewing journey. Dealers offer an intro class free of charge (at least every dealer I've encountered). Dealers are usually warranty centers as well. So if you have an issue, they typically take care of it. They also are there to answer any questions as well. Puckering in fabric? Thread tearing? Bobbin jamming? They'll help you figure out what the problem is and give you options and solutions.
I hope this gives you a little insight on buying a new machine. When possible, stay away from low end machines. Save up an invest in something a little better. You'll be happier in the long run!
~Serenity
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