I want to start making my own clothes .what sewing machine is best?
When you’re just starting out, it’s usually a good idea to get a cheapy machine so you’re not out a big investment if it turns out you don’t like it after all. My favorite recommendation is Janome (same brand as New Home and Kenmore). They’re quality machines without having to pay for a name brand, and they have some great low-end models. When I worked at Hancock Fabrics, we supplied these machines for the kids’ classes. They were heavily used by young children and weren’t any worse for the wear.
If you sign up for Hancock’s mailing list or check out their website, you can see when these machines will go on sale and get some really good deals. There is one that is around $100ish, and often goes on sale for lower, and there is one that is a step up for around $170. I’m not listing model numbers because it changes yearly, as do the prices. Often if a store has extras of last year’s model in stock, they’ll sell at a discount.
The choice between these two machines depends on whether you can put up with the smaller size of the cheaper one that gives you less work area inside the C-shape of the machine. Even a half-inch difference can be drastic. But if you start with a small machine, it won’t be as annoying to a newbie. Also, the small machine has a 4-step buttonhole and the larger one has a 1-step buttonhole. If you don’t plan on doing many buttonholes, you’re probably okay with the 4-stepper. But if you plan to do any buttonholes, the 4-step style is crappy and slow.
Whatever you do, DO NOT get a sew-mini or any of those undersized kids’ models, even if they are made by Janome. These are garbage. They usually run around $50 regular price and sometimes go on sale for less, but paying $1 for garbage, you’re still out $1. A lousy machine will only frustrate you, and you won’t get a good idea as to whether you hate sewing or you hate crappy sewing machines.
A front loading bobbin is stronger and easier to get un-jammed if you aren’t familiar with troubleshooting a sewing machine.
When it comes time to make an investment in a machine, be wary of purchasing from a non-dealer store. They may carry the same brands, but they are made differently. The motors and parts are usually weaker, and this becomes apparent after working with the lesser machine for any length of time.
Most stores will let you try out a machine before buying it. If you purchase from a dealer, they will work with you to show you all the features, and the employees are usually significantly better trained. They can explain the differences among their merchandise and can help you choose features based on your needs.
Many workers at a fabric store or some other place that sells machines but doesn’t specialize aren’t trained at all, or are very little. Sometimes you’ll get lucky and someone there will be knowledgeable, but beware of clerks who don’t know what they’re talking about and are embarrassed to admit it.
All of my machines are Janome/New Home/Kenmore or Baby Lock. I plan to buy a Baby Lock embroidery machine when I can afford it. I would never buy a Janome embroidery machine. Kenmore sergers are fantastic and about the lowest-priced decent serger I’d ever recommend. I would only use a White serger for the cutting blade and never bother to thread it; that or use it for target practice.
http://www.cet.com/~pennys/faq/smfaq.htm is the best advice I can give you. Try machines till you find out what machine suits you. If you’re on a very tight budget, definitely go for a good used machine — the cheapies rarely are well enough made not to frustrate the daylights out of you eventually.
