Chosing your sewing machine

Product Details

Choosing Your Sewing Machine

 

 

 

 

It is a good idea to consider the following points when you wish to purchase a new Sewing machine; For your convenience, some words are underlined. Click on them and you will be taken to the product or products the text is referring to. Click the back button to return.

The intended use of the sewing machine, not just now but for the future as well.

Consider your budget.

Do you want it easy to use and set up .

Do you need it lightweight for easy storage.

What is the availability of accessories and spare parts.

Check the product guarantee. Read the terms because many online retailers are making claims that are impossible to adhere to should you need to claim.

Do you need After sales service facilities. 

Make sure you always buy from a Sewing Machine Trades Association Member

 

Types of Sewing Machines

 

There are many different types of sewing machines available on the market today such as Computerised sewing machines, Electronic and Mechanical machines.

Mechanical sewing machines are usually divided into 3 Ranges 

a) Single Dial Sewing Machines They have a stitch selection dial with a stitch selection ranging usually from 15 stitches including a 4 step automatic buttonhole. 
These sewing machines are only suitable for the novice due to their limitations.

b) 2 Dial Sewing Machines These sewing machines have a stitch selection dial and a stitch length control. 
The stitch range is usually around 20 stitch capabilities including a 4 step automatic buttonhole.
This range of sewing machines would suit the ocasional sewer.

c) 3 Dial Sewing Machines 3 dial sewing machines have a stitch selector, stitch length and stitch width controls. 
The stitch pattern range varies from 21 to 25 stitch capabilities and sometimes include a 1 step automatic buttonhole.
These sewing machines would suit the more adventurous sewer and are usually suitable  for free motion sewing and embroidery also.

Some sewing machines have a rotary hook with a top loading bobbin such as the Janome 525s and Juki HZL-E61 sewing machines. 
Sewing machines can also have an oscillating hook with a front loading bobbin such as the Janome J3 series sewing machines.

Both these types of sewing machines produce a ‘Lock stitch’ and are ideal home sewing machines.

Computer sewing machines

This type of sewing machine is usually in the form of programmable machines such as the Janome 200e but is sometimes used to describe non-programmable machiines such as the Janome Horizon.

Electronic sewing machines

These machines are the most varied as the term refers from anything with an electronic foot controller to machines with electronic pattern control. In the main it would describe a machine that has a micro-processor that controls the feed and the stitch width  related to the pattern selected. This can usually be over-ridden to give precise stitch control and choice related to the project that you are producing.

Overlockers

These machines produce a professional finish to home sewing projects.
An overlocker stitches, neatens and trims away excess fabric in one easy operation and normally stitches at twice the speed of a conventional sewing machine.
It makes the perfect partner to one’s home sewing machine and speeds up the sewing time especially when turning up hems and neatening seams e.g. curtains and skirt hems. 
An overlocker works with looper and needle threads to form an overlock stitch. The overlocker loopers carry the threads that form loops on top and bottom of the fabric to bind the raw edges. 
These threads engage with needle threads to form an overlock stitch. For 2 and 3 thread overlock use 1 needle, for 4 thread overlock use 2 needles.
Each thread has its own tension control, which allows you to adjust tensions to sew almost any fabric type. 
Look for a 4 thread or 2,3,4 thread overlocker. All now have a differential feed, stitch length control, bite control and colour coded threading paths. It's always best to buy the best quality overlocker you can afford to guarantee reliability and versatility. Juki were the first manufacturer to produce a domestic overlocker back in 1976 and they're still the best. Have a look at their latest here.

 

Sewing Machine Features

 

Even a basic sewing machine should be able to handle fabrics from satins to denims without stretching, puckering or producing loose or loopy stitching.
A simple single dial sewing machine will have the basic sewing machine features, while a 2 dial or a 3 dial sewing machine will have additional features e.g. drop feed. 
Pay for those features which you know you are going to use but also consider quality as that is what will give you reliability in the long term.

Here are some useful features which may be found on or in sewing machines.

Lightweight – if you have to store your machine in a cupboard after use, make sure it is easy to lift and carry. Most of our sewing machines are lightweight and portable.

Good ergonomics - the machine should respond to pressure exerted on the foot controller, there should be no stalling or growling when sewing thick fabric or layers of fabric.

Controls - should be easy to reach and manipulate and the symbols on the machine easy to read.

Free arm and flat bed sewing facility- when the accessory container/extension table in front of the needle plate is removed the sewing machine is converted from flat bed sewing mode to free arm sewing mode. Free arm sewing mode is useful when sewing circular areas e.g. trouser leg hems.

Needle threader – some sewing machines have built in needle threaders which pull the upper thread through the eye of the needle. They are useful if you have trouble seeing the eye of the needle. Once you've had a machine with this facility you wouldn't ever look back!

Top loading bobbins – you simply slide open a see through cover to insert and remove the bobbin. They are easy to load and one can control the amount of thread on the bobbin.

Front loading bobbins - a bobbin is inserted into a bobbin case which is inserted into the raceway hole normally situated under the needle plate. 
A front loading bobbin is one of the earliest designs by Singer and is used on the majority of lower priced machines but not exclusively.

Presser feet – a presser foot holds the fabric flat under the needle, in place against the feed dog/teeth, which aids in an even feed of fabric as you sew. 
There are different feet available for different sewing processes such as zipper insertion or button hole making.

Needle plate – this is the part that is around the feed teeth and prevents the fabric from being damaged in the race area while sewing. There is a hole in the plate to enable the needle to pass into the race area to form a stitch. 
A needle plate can have seam line markings or it can be plain without seam line markings.

Feed dog – the feed dog is the serrated teeth, which protrude up through the holes in the needle plate.

Feed teeth – the feed teeth feed the fabric from the front to the back of the machine and is sometimes used to describe the feed dog.

Drop feed – some sewing machines are fitted with a drop feed facility which enables the sewer to drop the feed teeth and manually move the fabric backwards, forwards and side wards. This feature is useful when doing free motion embroidery or quilting.

Stop/Start Button - This allows you to use the machine without the controller plugged in, allowing you more freedom but with complete control of the speed due to the slider control on the front of the machine. This is a very popular feature and is a feature of many new models such as the Juki range of machines or the Janome QXL605

Presser foot pressure control – this feature enables one to adjust the pressure exerted on the fabric by the presser foot. This can be an added feature or it can be controlled automatically as with the Juki HZL-E61.and can also incorporate a thread cutter as in the exceed series of machines.

Finally...........

If you are looking to purchase a machine online. For your safety and piece of mind you should always ask the following:-

Is the site secure?

Is there a local phone number for contact?

Are the terms and conditions visible on the website?

Long guarantees (often 10 or more years) are not possible due to the availability of parts so the terms are set out so that you will never be able to make a claim. Are you able to keep the original packaging for 10 years? If however there are no terms on the website then just look elsewhere because you will have no recourse at all if there are any problems and the dealer is irresponsible.

Have you checked out reviews on the business? Very important. Dismiss the ones about quick delivery because that's just the carrier but look carefully at the ones referring to aftersales and problem solving.

Many websites use the brand name followed by the word "direct". These sites are not operated by the manufacturer. For example: many websites claim to be Singer, but are not the singer company. You will be buying from a dealer.  Check on the contacts section for the business owners and then google them for reviews. Some of the most prominent websites have the most horrendous reviews. All of this may seem obvious but it's surprising how many people click that buy button without thinking.

Lastly, Does the retailer belong to the Sewing Machine Trade Association? If they do then you can rest assured that they are honest and will offer the best advice and support possible.

Remember the old adage. Buy in haste, repent at leisure! You may need aftersales help if your machine breaks down and a local contact will be invaluable and will be a friendly face in times of need.