Question:
Will a very basic sewing machine help me make decent quality pieces?
alex
2015-05-28 02:54:13 UTC
I have a very basic sewing machine, and I want to learn how to sew better, I already know the basics. I was wondering if I wanted to make clothes of a decent or high quality, would I have to upgrade my machine, it has about 15 stitches i think, it's in my attic and I don't remember lol
Nine answers:
HMFan
2015-06-05 04:55:01 UTC
It's not the tools that will help you to sew better. A sewing machine is a sewing machine is a sewing machine. Experience, training under a mentor and having an eye for aesthetics is what will help you the most. You can give a person the most sophisticated dental equipment in the world but that doesn't mean they know how to fill a cavity. The quality of work is within YOU, NOT your sewing machine.
Roz
2015-05-28 12:15:33 UTC
I learned to sew on a Singer treadle machine. Then I was given a hand operated Singer. This was followed by a New Home that did buttonholes and some fancy stitches. The only reason it had to go was because it was too heavy for me to lift onto the table.



You do not need an expensive machine, all you really need is a machine that sews straight seams. My present machine has 80 different stitches, including four different buttonhole stitches. Why I would ever need four I have no idea.
kay
2015-05-28 11:19:05 UTC
If your machine is capable of making precise stitches, that's all you really need. Many of the modern, cheaper, basic machines do not have adjustments that I find useful in "fine tuning" the machine to sew with some of the more difficult fabrics, such as a presser foot pressure adjustment, a better than average feed dog system, and the ability to use many different specialty feet. But the "decent quality pieces" you're talking about are mostly due to your skill, not the machine's. I say that having sewn more than 35 years with a straight stitch only machine, a Singer 301, and knowing that I can probably produce a better looking shirt or suit on my $10 Singer 15-91 straight stitcher or my mother in law's 1873 Wilcox & Gibbs than 95% of the people who've sewn for at least 10 years.



One of the cheapest upgrades in quality of work for a machine that has a presser foot pressure adjustment and good feed dogs is a straight stitch throat plate and straight stitch foot.



Suggestion: work through some of the exercises in Carol Ahles' book, Fine Machine Sewing (you should be able to find it at most libraries: http://www.worldcat.org/title/fine-machine-sewing-easy-ways-to-get-the-look-of-hand-finishing-and-embellishing/oclc/45172030/editions?editionsView=true&referer=br ) Take what you've learned about the quality of your stitching and your machine's precision to a couple of good local sewing machine dealers and ask to try those techniques on your fabrics with the most precise sewing machines they've got in stock. Not the fanciest; you're asking for precision. Then compare the results you get from your trials with the results from your own machine. If the trials show vastly superior stitching, then and only then consider replacing your machine.



I've traditionally "upgraded" my machine only when I've worn it out -- can't be repaired. I did buy a new machine about 5 years ago without having worn out the previous machine because the new machine was much better at fabric transport and did buttonholes better than the 20 year old machine I'd used before that. I've an acquaintance who "upgrades" every few years, usually to the most expensive new machine her preferred brand makes; the last one set her back about $15,000. She still can't sew a collar with matching collar points because she's never learned to handle fabric properly.



Here's another resource for you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zyTaEfo-J0
drip
2015-05-28 06:10:12 UTC
I have seen for over 30 years. 97% of the time I use the straight or zig zag stitch on my machine. The only other thing you need is for the machine to give you a good button hole,

Get out your machine and take it in for a tune up. Spend your money on a good used serger instead.

Making good quality clothes is up to the person's sewing skills, not the machine.
Linda S
2015-05-28 05:40:18 UTC
My big, professional quality machine that I use to make very high quality garments has two stitches: Straight and Zig Zag. That's it. And I can make magic with it. Okay, not magic, but I can make everything I want to wear with it -even t-shirts! It's not how many fancy built in stitches a machine has: it's how they are used that makes a finished piece high quality. Also important is the other things you do between sewing seams: cutting, pressing and finishing. High quality pieces all have well-finished insides so neatening seam allowances is essential. A row of zig zag stitches along a raw edge is sufficient, or using you can use bias binding which is attached with straight stitches. One of your 15 stitches is probablyt a really nice overcast stitch -and it will also neated a seam aloowance so it never frays.



Other stuff you need more than 100 built in stitches (85 of which are seldom used) I hope you have high quality scissors; they make a huge difference. A neatly cut piece of fabric is easier to sew than one that's been chewed up with dull scissors. Marking is important: carefully transferring pattern markings to the fabric will take the guesswork out of construction and allow for precisely matched seams, and symmetrical necklines, collars and armholes. Many pros use simple chalk or thread marking with cheap thread and a hand sewing needle. And just as important as a working machine is a good working steam iron. Pressing is just as important as sewing so get yourself a good quality iron with multiple heat and steam settings. Well pressed is well made -according to one of my long ago teachers. Also you need pressing cloths to protect fine fabrics from direct heat and a sleeve roll to press tubes -such as sleeves and pant legs.



When you get your machine out of the attic take it to a sewing machine shop to get it cleaned, oiled and tuned up. Sewing machines don't like attics; it's dusty, dry, damp, cold or too hot. And they don't like being poked and prodded in certain places -oil the wrong part and your machine will drip grease. Or worse, you could take it apart to clean it and end up with three extra screws and a leftover do-hickey and a machine that won't work. Let a pro clean and oil it. When you set up and before you sew anything get some scrap cloth, thread, and the sewing machine manual and practice basic operations: threading, winding the bobbin, straight and curved seams, changing needles, changing the stitches, which settings work best for each stitch, changing presser feet and more. Good sewers are completely familiar and comfortable with their machines and the more at ease you are at the machine the less you think about it, freeing your brain cells up for the actual construction of a garment. You can't think about how to set in a sleeve and match all those notches and match points -notwhen you are worried about your machine malfunctioning or the bobbin flying out and a needle breaking!



So your machine is probably more than adequate for fine sewing and those 15 stitches will make everything from a simple dress to a t-shirt to suit of coat. High quality is more about what you do with the machine and the little details than about the actual stitches used to sew.
Kathy
2015-05-28 07:56:32 UTC
My mom made kids clothes out of Sailor's wool uniforms in 1945 on HER mom's pedal sewing machine. Someone gave me her skirt that mom made at a reunion 10 years ago. It was beautifully made. So if you want to be a great seamstress--it doesn't depend on the machine.
2015-05-28 04:51:18 UTC
More expensive machines are not superior. They just have lots of fancy stitches that most of us never use. They may include special feet that we can buy as an extra for the cheaper machines if and when required.
2015-05-28 09:34:19 UTC
Get it down and start sewing. Practice - and ONLY practice - makes perfect!
Tippi
2015-05-28 03:03:25 UTC
to sew better you just need to use more complicated patterns. You really only need basic stitches.



to make better clothes having an overlocker is even better


This content was originally posted on Y! Answers, a Q&A website that shut down in 2021.
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