Sewing Embroidery Machine Comparison

Help choosing a sewing machine ?

I am completely new to the sewing world, having only stitched a few things by hand and sewn on a few buttons (and done a little cross-stitch as a child). I really want to get into sewing, and there aren’t any sewing classes offered in my area, so I will have to teach myself. I am leaning towards a Brother machine, but I am not opposed to other brands. I want a machine that is computerized, sews, does embroidery, and monograms. It would be great if it had a USB port or SD card. I have googled and youtubed and googled more. I’ve checked amazon and every other online store out there, but I still can’t find a decent comparison chart. Can anyone recommend a good chart or even better, recommend a machine that would suit my needs? I don’t want the cheapest machine out there, but I don’t want the most expensive one either. I will be using the machine mostly for making clothes for the family.

If you’re a beginner, you really need to go talk to a dealer and TRY SOME MACHINES OUT. I’d personally suggest putting the embroidery option on hold for awhile and learning with a basic machine — there’s enough added complexity that it can take the learning curve from steep to near vertical to try to learn all of those machine capabilities at once. It can be done, but I think you’ll be more frustrated than needs be.

When you’re up to speed on a basic machine, then consider an embroidery machine — it takes quite a while to stitch out most designs with a home embroidery machine, and it’s handy to have your basic machine available to sew on while the embroidery machine is working. In fact, it may be more economical to buy an embroidery only machine instead of a combination machine. And even if you do decide on a combo machine, it’s nice to have another machine sitting in the closet for the night that you *have* to get something done by the next morning and your “good machine” decides to sew in reverse only, or something equally maddening.

Whatever you choose, you might want to check in the sewing machine reviews section at http://www.patternreview.com when you get things narrowed down to a few possibilities.

Here’s my standard sewing machine advice for beginners:

http://www.cet.com/~pennys/faq/smfaq.htm

What I want for beginners in sewing:

- a machine that doesn’t scare you
- a machine that isn’t balky (cheap new machines are often very
balky or need adjustments often and are rarely repairable –
just too frustrating to learn on!)
- very good straight stitch
- good zigzag (4-5 mm is fine, more than that is gravy)
- a method of making buttonholes that makes sense to you
- adjustable presser foot pressure (which helps some fabric
handling issues)
- accessory presser feet that don’t cost an arm and a leg
(machines that use a “short shank foot” typically handle
generic presser feet pretty well. Some brands of machines use
proprietary or very expensive presser feet)

If the budget stretches far enough:

- blindhem and stretch blindhem stitches
- triple zigzag (nice for elastic applications)
- a couple of decorative stitches (you won’t use them nearly as
much as you think)
- electronic machine because of the needle position control and
because the stepper motors give you full “punching force” at
slow sewing speeds — mechanical machines often will stall at
slow speeds.

Please go to the best sewing machine dealers around and ask them
to show you some machines in your price range, *especially* used
machines you can afford. You’ll get a far better machine buying
used than new, and a good dealer is worth their weight in sewing
machine needles when you get a machine problem — often they can
talk you through the problem over the phone. While you’re trying
things out, try a couple of machines (sewing only, not combo
sewing-embroidery) over your price limit, just so you can see
what the difference in stitch quality and ease of use might be.
You may find you want to go for the used Cadillac. Or you might
want the new basic Chevy. Might as well try both out.

Suggested reading: John Giordano’s The Sewing Machine Book
(especially for used machines), Carol Ahles’ Fine Machine Sewing
(especially the first and last few chapters) and Gale Grigg
Hazen’s Owner’s Guide to Sewing Machines, Sergers and Knitting
Machines. All of these are likely to be available at your public
library.

Used brands I’d particularly look for: Elna, Bernina,
Viking/Husqvarna, Pfaff, Singer (pre 1970), Juki, Toyota

New “bargain brand” I’d probably pick: Janome (who also does
Kenmore).

Embroidery Speed Test of the SWF High Speed Embroidery Machine

Needle-Felting Magic: Easy Machine Techniques and Projects (That Patchwork Place) $16.95 Take the traditional craft of needle felting and turn it into an adventure on your sewing machine! In this ultimate guide to “painting” with fiber, you’ll learn to use wool roving to create incredibly soft, lush, and tactile projects–all by machine. * Choose from five projects; learn-as-you-go techniques will lead you to endless creative possibilities * Combine colorful wool fibers with sumptuous…