Five tips for buying a sewing machine

Whether you’re buying a sewing machine for yourself or as a gift, you’ll need to ask yourself a few questions to be a more informed consumer. Here are 5 tips for buying a sewing machine:

1. Budget. Decide how much you want to spend. The caveat is that if you spend too little, the machine will be worthless and you will never be able to do the seam you want. What is too low a price? Don’t buy anything new for less than $100. With a budget of $200, you will get a good basic machine. You can sometimes find good used or refurbished machines for less than $100. That would be fine, just don’t buy a new “cheap” machine.
2. Sewing Requirement Level. Is this machine for a beginner? Or someone who just needs basic sewing and mending functions? If so, check out the simplest mechanical and electronic sewing machines. Is this machine for someone who is going to run a small business or teach sewing? Look at industrial or commercial grade sewing machines. Is this machine for advanced craft person? Take a look at the combination embroidery and sewing machines. Is this machine for a professional tailor? Consider getting an overlock as well.
3. Don’t overbuy. The vast majority of sewing machine owners never use the multitude of fancy stitches available on their machines. A few extra decorative stitches are usually fine. Make sure that the zig-zag stitch and some form of buttonhole is available if the machine is to be used for garment making.
4. Find the included accessories. Presser foot accessories, lint brushes, and the right machine oil can help you get the job done right. If you can find the same machine with accessories for the same price, buy it.
5. Read the reviews. This is the age of the Internet, even if sewing machines still need us to sit next to them to fix them. Read the reviews of the model of machine you are thinking of buying. Pay special attention if the same complaint comes up over and over again.
6. Read the user manual. Many of the user manuals are available online and you can download them to read them. Make sure the instructions make sense to you, because they are often what can make or break your experience.

Once you receive your sewing machine, please read the user’s manual again. Follow the instructions the first time, even if you are an experienced operator. You’ll find that you’ll save yourself time and frustration by simply following the instructions that come with the machine.

If you are going to buy a sewing machine as a gift, all these points are exactly the same, just ask yourself from the point of reference of the gift recipient. And remember, don’t buy a new machine for less than $100. You might be lucky enough to find one that will stand up to decent use, but most really “cheap” sewing machines are too cheap to last with normal use.