who can help me with picking the right sewing machine?

Question

Im am a beginner in sewing. In school i am taking fashion design and illustration as an elective. Last year we just sketched but this year's course is all about sewing things. we use "Brother NX-250"sewing machines. I like the machines that we use but Im only a beginner I find the machines kind of hard to use. Im interested in buying a sewing machine to use at home. Ive been looking around for one and I found the "Brother 10- stitch portable sewing machine, LS-2125i" at walmart. I know its not like the ones in my class, but its in my price range and I was just wondering if someone has experience with it and recommends it or another machine that would be good for me.

Answer 1

This is a response to the comment about Brother machines not being good. Brother makes several lines of sewing machines; I've heard that their less expensive department store machines can have problems. But their dealer-grade machines are fine. I've had the NX-250 for about 6 months now and I love it; but I'm an experienced sewer. I think this machine probably has way more stitches and features than a newer sewer needs. A lot of people really like the new Janome Heart Truth machine, though it has a lot of stitches, too. The 40-stitch Project Runway machine by Brother might be an option to consider. I suggest you go to PatternReview.com and look through the sewing machine reviews there, which have been submitted by sewers of all different experience levels. You probably don't NEED more than 6-10 different stitches at this point. A machine that does 1-step buttonholes would be good for fashion sewing, as you will get much more consistent results with it than with a machine that does 4-step buttonholes. You might be able to find a well-reviewed refurbished machine through a place like Ken's Sewing Center or Allbrands.com on the web. If at all possible, try the machine you are interested in; this is the biggest plus of buying from a local dealer as opposed to a department store or the web. The way the machine feels to YOU is what matters most. Are the controls easy to understand and intuitive? Is the machine comfortable to use? Easy to thread? A lot of dealers sell trade-in machines at a good discount, and they can service them after the sale. Another option if you live in a bigger city is Craigslist -- many sewing machines are sold there by people who have upgraded or inherited a machine they don't plan to use, and you will probably get a higher-quality machine than you will at Wal-Mart. Be careful buying on eBay, as there are some sewing machine scams there that can burn you. Also beware of buying the "school sewing machines" from an ad in a local paper, as these are often scams, too. Good luck and happy sewing!

Answer 2

I've been sewing since I was 11. I'm now 53. I've used Singer machines for most of those years, but not any more. I got a computerized one last year and had nothing but problems with it. I took it back, got another one, same thing.. I couldn't get help from the Singer website, only generic answers that didn't help. So I took it back and got a Brother computerized machine. I sew for a living so I use this thing pretty much every single day! It's been a great machine. I bought it from Walmart at a very reasonable price. The fabric depart manager told me if I have any problems with it, bring it back and walmart will send it in to be fixed, but she added that in her 20 years of working at walmart, she'd never had a brother machine come back to be fixed.. You can get a basic brother machine for around $100 and the computerized ones from around $175 and up.. By the way, I don't agree with one of the other people on here who state you need a really good, expensive machine..Not true.. You can get great results from less expensive machines that run for ever! Also, on purchasing an older machine. That is a good alternative, except if you get a machine that's 20 years or older, you might have a lot of frustration getting a good stich with today's fabrics, especially stretchy fabrics. Best of luck with your new machine. Happy sewing :o)

Answer 3

Please try some other brands... I am not at all impressed with Brother home sewing machines' quality-- and I've sewn on many, many different machines. A machine that doesn't suit you is just a misery to work with, and makes learning much more difficult.



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).

Answer 4

What I have heard this machine would be perfect for you. I learned on a Kenmore, which is similar. My sister gave me a machine that has some fancy controls and I never use them.

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Answer 5

yeah, start off with that one for awhile until you get good with sewing then move up to a better one