What kind of Sewing Machine is best for a Fashion Student?

Question

What kind of Sewing Machine is best for a Fashion Student?

Answer 1

Student Sewing Machine

Answer 2

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I had a Huskvarrna & hated it. I love my Brother machines. Easy to operate & very reliable. At a club I belong to they have Pfaffs & they are always breaking down and hard to operate.

Answer 3

Hi there,

No, you don`t need an expensive new machine. An older metal sewing machine that is in working condition will serve you much longer with wonderful results. I have a sewing shop in my home and all my machines are 20 years old or more and they are all Kenmores. There are alot of Singers out there too. Check on Ebay or in your local second hand shop. Most of the newer machines in the stores are all plastic unless you go to high end price range. Ebay has alot of good deals on quality sewing machines. I usually look for a machine that has the higher needle bar, meaning you can do thicker fabrics for sewing, mending etc.Check for extra stitches that you are looking for, most do have decorative stitching or have cams with them. Take time to research it a little so you get the one you want. I expect to pay somewhere close to $100.00 or more for a good used Kenmore,not including shipping. You will be happy with a heavier machine that will stand up to everyday sewing. Then learn to clean it and service it so it lasts for many years. Most machines will fit in standard sewing tables or you can use them on your kitchen table too. Good luck in your search.

Answer 4

You should buy the machine with the features you want on it and the most machine you can possibly afford.



I have a Bernina 830 (on a walker now) that I have been useing for the past 30+ years. I couldn't really afford that much machine but it has come in so very handy. I thought I had lost it when the motor blew a couple of years ago and started researching something to replace Bernie!



I am really impressed with the Janome machines. http://www.janome.com/ You can get them with any combination of attributes you think you will really use. And they will sew from chiffon to leather without having to have all readjusted like my Bernie.



Um, Yeah!! they are a bit on the $$$ side of life, but you do want a machine to last for the rest of your life! So go ahead and get a loan to buy enough sewing machine that you won't be like my little sister and getting some junk that lasts a year then needs to be replaced. She has spent enough over the past 30 some years to have bought a Bernie or a Janome too.

Answer 5

Most of the folks I know who have done fashion design courses get impatient at how slowly home sewing machines work... they wind up using the industrials at school for almost everything except buttonholes. Some have also used one of the faster home sergers (like the semi-industrial Jukis) to good effect, especially if they did a lot of work with knits.



Here's my beginner sewing machine rant, though it's aimed at home sewing machines:

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).