Debbie Ramseyer told me that she belongs to a facebook group for sewists and a newbie asked the question, “What Sewing Machine should I buy?” Debbie responded with the following list of questions:
Look at this the same way you would if buying a car.
1. First, and most importantly, what is your budget?
2. Do you want new (with possible warranty and classes) or used (as is)?
3. Consider your brand options. Is there a repair shop nearby to service your machine?
4. Has the machine been regularly serviced?
5. What kind of sewing are you planning to do? Machines made for quilting have a larger bed opening. If you plan on sewing with heavier materials, you may need to consider an industrial machine.
6. Test drive any machine you’re considering. Does it run smoothly?
7. What features are “must haves”?
8. Do you want a manual, electronic, or computerized machine?
9. Do you want to use it for embroidery?
10. Are you looking for lots of stitch pattern options?
11. Will the machine be used often, or just for specific projects?
12. Research common problems with your chosen machine.
13. If the machine doesn’t come with one, you’ll want to get the manual for it. Some manuals are available online.
14. Do you prefer a top load (easier) or front load (holds more thread) bobbin case?
15. Do you want to purchase locally, or have it shipped?
Once you have answered these questions, you can narrow your search.
What questions would you add?
PatternReview.com has a questionaire that asks these questions then gives machine reviews fromit’s over 550,000 members. It is a fremium site, as you can have a free membership with limited search capabilities or small yearly fee.
I was asked recently about buying a second machine. I advised my friend that if she is happy with the one she has (she is), she might consider the same brand, or at least a machine that uses compatible bobbins, needle plates and presser feet. This way, the most used parts can be interchanged between the two machines. This is a real time saver when working on multiple projects simultaneously.
Great ideas to consider.