There is a wide selection of sewing machines available on the market, from computerized machines that can embroider large, luxurious and expensive embroidery designs to second-hand machines that do little other than go back and forth. How should a budget-bound beginner get started, and what features might not be necessary?
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Step 1. Consider the reasons you want a sewing machine
Do you want to sew curtains? Making crafts? Making clothes? Making repairs or changes? Embroidery or quilting?
Step 2. Be honest with yourself:
how much time will you spend using the sewing machine?
Step 3. Consider the above factors when comparing sewing machines
The types and qualities of sewing machines range from very basic machines for the occasional fix to expensive machines used to sew multiple layers of hockey material and even to machines that can embroider just about anything you can imagine. The price ranges from around 1.8 million to 18 million rupiah and above.
Step 4. Survey first on the internet
It's a good idea to have a look at the prices and items available. When you come to the nearest store, you are likely to be encouraged to buy a more expensive machine than you need, not because you need the machine, but because the seller needs a commission.
Step 5. Find an idea of what you can get in the price range within your budget
- 0-Rp. 2, 4 million: A "disposable" machine with plastic parts that are hard to find/replace. Brands in this price range are "Brother", some of the cheapest engines from "Singer" and "Kenmore" and some lesser-known brands such as Riccar. If you live in the US and buy a machine at a convenience store like Kmart or Walmart, this is what you will get.
- Rp. 2, 4 million-Rp. 7.2 million: A regular machine that's great for the occasional seamstress, but won't last very long if you sew often (say more than once a week). Good brand names that have machines in this price range are Singer, Bernina, White, Janome etc. These machines can occasionally be found at more expensive department stores such as Sears or JCPenney.
- Rp. 8, 4 million to Rp. 24 million: Machines in this price range tend to last longer because they are made from better materials and better engineered. the availability of spare parts is also much better when needed for repairs. Most good brands have machines in this price range as well as in the average price range. The price range in the middle to the more expensive ones owned by Baby Locks, Bernina, Viking Husqvarna, Janome, Juki, Pfaff and some luxury ones from Singer can be found in this price range. these machines are usually not available in department stores and must be purchased at a sewing supply store or online.
- Rp.24 million and above: machines used by tailors, tailors, seamstresses, seat tailors, and others who use their machines almost every day. Machines above Rp.24 million are usually specialized machines such as long-hand quilting machines, upholstery sewing machines, and embroidery machines. Many sewing supply stores rent out these machines for a fairly affordable price, saving time and money compared to buying your own (and saving space to store them).
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Image A serger or overlock machine. The serger, or overlock, is another special type of sewing machine. Sew with a few needles and a few threads to produce a seam suitable for stretch fabrics commonly used for t-shirts and swimsuits. This may not be what you want for all purpose sewing. If a serger is the type of machine you want, it ranges from around 2.4 million rupiah to several tens of millions of rupiah.
Step 6. Narrow your selection to two or three machines
Step 7. Visit a sewing supply store and ask for a demonstration of each machine
You may have to go to different stores looking for a different brand of machine.
Step 8. Compare your budget with the price of the machine you want, and determine the compromises and adjustments you need to make if the price and budget don't match
Would you buy a used one? Will you save longer first? Would you choose a slightly lower quality machine?
Step 9. Survey prices again on the internet and check eBay prices
Often times, and can get a cheap price for a machine that is rarely used if you do a thorough survey beforehand.
Step 10. Consider whether the personalized instructions in the store are worth the extra 2.4 - 6 million rupiah you have to spend when shopping in the store
If you already know how to sew and you can get the manual, you probably don't need to talk to anyone to know how to use the machine.
Step 11. Buy your machine, take the time to learn to use it, and enjoy
Tips
- Well-known and respected brands tend to be expensive, but they are worth the price. These brands include Baby Lock, Bernina, Elna, Husqvarna Viking, Sears-Kenmore, Pfaff, Janome, and Singer.
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If you are a beginner or will be using the machine for occasional use, these are important factors to consider.
- Sewing lessons - if you buy at a sewing supply store, you can learn the basics and understand the options you need before buying a sewing machine. It can also help you decide if you want to sew and take your sewing skills to the next level.
- Number of straight stitches, basic zigzag stitch plus zigzag variation, button stitch, double stitch (requires 2 needles, used to reinforce stitches, invisible seam hem). Apart from that, all the stitches are not important. About 30 kinds of stitches, the most useful are there, the rest are decorative stitches.
- Sleeve sewing - usually when you move the sewing base to use a slimmer base that can be used to sew round sleeves. Most machines have this feature.
- The above types of stitches or stitches will produce the most basic flat stitches including reinforced stitches. However the heaviest stitches, such as those found on jeans legs require several stitches. For speed, you need a more expensive engine or a serger. For pleated or ruffled seams produced by pulling on the stretchable fabric you are sewing. It is possible to sew the pleats using the special feet but controlling the pleats is quite difficult with a basic machine. Pinning the pleats by hand before sewing will be more accurate. Pleated feet are very difficult to find because these produce items that require a high quality of care.
- Type of fabric-if you plan to sew jeans and other heavy fabrics, such as heavy curtains, you will need to use a more sophisticated machine than the basic machine. Trying to sew denim with a lightweight machine will break the needle. If you have a machine that can't sew denim, you may be able to make the stitches by sewing at a low speed, turning the wheel by hand when you reach a seam with more than two layers of fabric. Sewing machines are not made for sewing leather. There are special skins that may be light enough to be sewn-consult a dermatologist.
- The sewing lights that are on the machine are usually not present in the basic machines but good lighting is always necessary.
- Machine weight-the lighter the better. Look for a machine that is easy to handle. Users will occasionally store the machine and eject each time it is used. For advanced users, the edge of this machine is usually used as a portable machine.
- Sewing speed control- for beginners, the fastest and slowest speed should be according to sewing skills.
- Lifecycle -this is not written on most machines and it takes an expert who understands various engine models to figure it out. For a basic level, this is important only when you plan to sew often. Machine overheating can be avoided by taking breaks between sewing sessions.
- Hard cover for engines- most basic machines come with a soft cover or no cover at all, but the lid keeps the engine dusty, reduces maintenance or protects the engine if you plan to take it on a trip.
- Accessories- these can add to the price significantly. Accessories can be difficult to find if they are not non-standard parts (most accessories are very standard). Must-have accessories include a tailor's foot that matches the stitch or seam; straights, zigzags, rolls, trims, buttonholes, and more when the machine is equipped with decorative stitches. High-value accessories include a variety of bobbins, engine oil, stitch opener, thread needle, fabric chalk, a pack of various needles, screwdrivers, even scissors and thread.
- Cost-no need to spend a fortune at this level.
- Machine precision – sewing speed, evenness, control of stitch width and length, control of thread pressure, precision and precision of the pressing foot will determine the quality of your final product. Machines at this level are manifold and making comparisons is necessary.
- Electrical control vs. mechanics – at this level, the best machines compete in each category
- Machine reliability -compared to more expensive machines, more or less machines made of plastic can't be compared, but still a good investigation for the occasional seamstress.
- Maintenance-some machines require weekly cleaning and oiling (or maintenance every use)
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What to do after purchase.
- Learn how to set up and use the machine. This is important even for experienced ones. Usually each new machine requires a different setup procedure.
- Do the treatment just to learn the procedure.
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Purchase/assemble all the accessories needed to perform the test as follows.
- Adequate lighting.
- Scissors, seam opener
- Needles that match the weight of your fabric. Tool for threading the needle is optional but useful.
- Press feet or other accessories for your stitch type
- At least 2 yarn colors that are not the same color as your fabric. If you are testing multiple fabric thicknesses, you will need to match the thread weight to your fabric weight.
- Fabric samples – large enough to sew stitches, buttonholes and test all kinds of stitches. Collect fabrics of various weights and materials- silk, cotton, wool, microfiber and stretch fabrics can represent fabrics that exist today.
- Fill the bobbin with thread. Use a contrasting color for the top thread.
- Test different types of stitches on a variety of fabrics of different weights.
- Adjust the thread pressure at the top and bottom of the fabric and stitch. Are you planning on sewing silk? Light silk is a formidable challenge. How about denim?
- You should test the buttonhole feature. If you cannot use it properly, seek help or return the machine.
- Experiment with other options, such as more decorative stitches or special legs (bisban, pleated, etc.)
- At this time, the machine has passed basic testing or needs to be returned.
- To avoid bad results, (unless you only use it infrequently) you need to look at online rankings as can be found in the Customer Report.
- Don't let the number and variety of stitches on the machine tempt you to buy a more expensive machine. If you're not using it, it's better not to have one, so consider using your usual stitches. You can sew with a forward, backward and maybe a simple zigzag stitch.
