07 Oct 2012 25 Comments
3 (Busted) Myths on How Expensive Your Sewing Machine Should Be
Are you just starting to sew, want to learn more about it and eventually sew your own clothes? You’ve probably bought a sewing machine. From my experience as a sewist, there are 3 ways of looking at sewing out there:
They say “Oh you made that? That’s great!” only to realize a few moment later “Oh, but you must have a sewing machine. Oh I see. So that’s how you do it.
Some people think sewing machines are magical. You put your fabric in and they create a garment for you.
It really doesn’t matter all that much what kind of sewing machine your own. If you’ve set your upper and lower tension correctly, the machine is cleaned, oiled and serviced, you can make almost anything. It’s all in the skill of the sewist and how well you know and love your sewing machine.
Of course there are sewing machines that are sturdier, sew better stitches or even do things like threading your needle and embroidering your logo on your garment, but do you really need that? It’s nice to have it, of course, but I wouldn’t say you “need” it.
“Oh I have a sewing machine that costed me a fortune. I use it to hem pants and coverstitch my kitchen towels”.
If you’re just hemming pants and sewing little projects a basic sewing machine is perfect for you. It might even be easier to start using it and make friends with it.
Other people think sewing machines are old-fashioned and don’t see why would anyone bother to make something that can be bought from a shop, many times cheaper (in both terms of time and supplies) than the self-made item.
And then there’s the third angle, the one I disagree with most.
“I do a little bit of sewing and I am planning to learn more but I am saving to buy a new sewing machine. Oh yeah, I have one, but this one is you know, just basic and I can’t do all the things I want on it.”
I’ve owned a basic sewing machine for years. I bought it from the supermarket. That didn’t stop me from making everything from bags, to sheets and pillowcases, to pants, skirts, dresses and even a cape before after 7 long years it decided it needed surgery that was almost more expensive than buying a new one.
The only things I couldn’t sew on it was lycra and leather. Everything else worked just fine. I hemmed jeans, made backpacks and lots and lots of purses.
What about you? What kind of sewing machine do you own? I now own a Sigma, which is a domestic sewing machine and I’ve previously worked on a Hyundai. I also own a Brother serger, but about that in a future post.
I am curious to see what you think of this subject. Do you really need an expensive sewing machine to start making your own clothes? What kind of sewing machine do you own? And before that?
Oct 07, 2012 @ 15:16:00
I have a little tiny Janome Gem. I make lots of stuff on it, but it likes to jam, and I don’t know why. I’ve made stuff on my mom much older, much nicer machine before and don’t have the same problems. I’ve often wondered if I took my little machine to be serviced if it would perform better, but that’s expensive for my budget…
Oct 07, 2012 @ 15:28:09
Hmm, are you keeping your sewing machine covered when you’re not using it? This could happen because the machine is dusty. My old machine was doing that at a point and after cleaning it and re-adjusting the tension it was sewing like a dream.
As of the older machines, when people say “they don’t make them like they used to” they’re right. Appliances are now made to last 5, 10 years after which you should get another one, which allows producers to sell you more than just one sewing machine per life.
I’ve talked about this with the guy who does the servicing on my sewing machines and he says manufacturers are now using plastic on parts that used to be made of metal and this is not just a one brand thing (I had my eyes on Singer), but all of them. Janome, Hugsvarna they tend to be sturdier though, he says.
Oct 10, 2012 @ 08:14:00
Hmm, are you keeping your sewing machine covered when you’re not using it? This could happen because the machine is dusty. My old machine was doing that at a point and after cleaning it and re-adjusting the tension it was sewing like a dream.
As of the older machines, when people say “they don’t make them like they used to” they’re right. Appliances are now made to last 5, 10 years after which you should get another one, which allows producers to sell you more than just one sewing machine per life.
I’ve talked about this with the guy who does the servicing on my sewing machines and he says manufacturers are now using plastic on parts that used to be made of metal and this is not just a one brand thing (I had my eyes on Singer), but all of them. Janome, Hugsvarna they tend to be sturdier though, he says
Oct 07, 2012 @ 20:40:00
I own a Singer Smart II that I got for quite cheap from a shop that performs services to sewing machines(I think that is a great way to buy a good sewing machine for a lower price!).I don’t disagree that you can sew almost anything with a cheap machine,but sometimes cheap machines tend to jam the thread(I used to own one from a supermarket before that did that).
Oct 10, 2012 @ 08:16:00
I remember the jamming, my old sewing machine used to do that before she passed away, but in my case it was a lever under the needle plate that was making things difficult.
Did the sewing machine jam from the beginning or after a few years’ use?
Oct 10, 2012 @ 09:16:00
Unfortunately it did that from the beginning,I actually returned it,because of the jamming.I remember I was so bummed at first because I was really excited when I bought it.But I found the other one shortly after so I went with the Singer one.I think I’d like to buy a serger now that I have some more experience with sewing and I try to save some money(they are a little pricey),because I know that when it comes to sergers it has to be a good one.Do you have any recommendations?Will you recommend yours?
Oct 10, 2012 @ 09:20:00
Oh, do you remember the brand? So we keep away from it? :D
I do recommend mine, it’s a Brother 1034D and it works like a charm. I only had it for a few months and all new sewing machines tend to work beautifully the first six. We’ll see how it “preserves” :)
I was looking for a good second hand one for ages, but there were none in my area during the time I was searching. Maybe you could check out second hand sewing machine shops in your area?
Oct 10, 2012 @ 09:21:00
Ps. I really like your “photos from the week” column. Neat!
Oct 10, 2012 @ 12:58:00
Thank you so much! :)
The brand of the sewing machine I think was SilverCrest or something like that.
The idea of a second hand shop is actually really good!Thank you!I’ll search if there are any shops in my area!I really hope I find something!
Oct 10, 2012 @ 13:24:00
Fingers crossed, hope you find something nice!
Oct 08, 2012 @ 17:02:00
I’m with you on this! :D At first, I started with a USD30 machine (one of those mini toy looking ones lol) and sewed basic things like a mattress cover and mending some curtains.
Then after a while when I decided I wanted to pursue sewing a bit more seriously, I used a cheap portable machine that my mom bought on discount at USD65 (one of those supermarket types)… on average basic branded portable machines in Malaysia here are priced somewhere a bit below USD200. That machine was with my mom for a few years, and she passed it on to me and I used it for 3 years for some curtains, pillowcases, clothes, bags. I only had to get it repaired about half a year back while I was working on some bridesmaid skirts… the result after the repair was even better and smoother than before! The money spent on the repair was so worth it, so guys, if your machine feels a bit wonky, try to find a reputable service person– you will not regret it ;-)
My husband surprised me with a Brother NV30 for Christmas, it’s sort of in between a basic machine and a full on decorative stitches machine, which I think is just nice for the work I do on it. Then recently when I started receiving larger orders, I invested the money I earned to get an industrial machine, to help me be more efficient since they are faster.. it’s not a super brand like Juki or Pfaff or Brother, but it’s good enough for me. Right now I use both the portable and the industrial machine for different tasks, and I love them.
I’m quite a hardcore believer in the saying that “a bad carpenter blames his tools” haha… when I was studying design, I used to get irritated by people who made statements like “Oh I couldn’t design a nice poster because I didn’t have Illustrator on my computer”, but to me even with Microsoft Word you can design decent work if you know what to do with the tools. In the same way, an expensive machine isn’t going to magically turn anyone into a tailor…. oh man what a long comment post this turned out to be! :-S
Oct 10, 2012 @ 08:20:00
I totally agree with the servicing. Last time it costed me 25%of the full price of the sewing machine but it was 100% worth it. A clean, oiled, well tuned sewing machine is one of the most beautiful things in the world:)
I thought about buying an industrial machine, they look so sturdy, but they are also huge and very noisy. How do you cope with that?
I also agree with the bad carpenter story. I once made a green canvas leather trimmed backpack entirely by hand (with a couple of needles and thread). It helps to have nice tools, but you can learn and get better at sewing with basic tools. Such as the supermarket sewing machine :D
Thank you for the comment Ching :>
Nov 01, 2012 @ 16:53:16
Oh yes, the industrial machine is heavy and noisy. But it makes up for that by being incredibly fast haha. Sometimes I feel like I’m zooming around like a crazy motorcycle rider on it :P
Nov 01, 2012 @ 18:37:13
I like that: Ching’s motorcycle-fast sewing machine :)
Can you sew anything on the industrial machine?
Nov 01, 2012 @ 19:18:08
Maddie964 below is right about the industrial machine–it can only sew single straight stitches :) I was also surprised when the shop owner told me that. According to him 1 industrial machine can only perform 1 function, but it can perform it very well. So imagine my brain going crazy calculating the price should I need 1 machine to sew straight stitch, 1 machine to do overlock, another machine to do button hole… Hahaha. Of course I don’t need all that since I am not a factory ;) I owned a 2nd hand Juki industrial machine briefly, it’s a beautiful machine but I discovered too late that the model I had could not handle thick layers well :( So I traded it in for the one I have now, which can sew thick and thin fabric (the feed dogs need to be changed to handle thinner fabric). But so far I use it mainly for thick sewing like layers of faux leather… Anyway, I’m waiting for someone to create an industrial machine that is as small and light as a portable machine…life would be perfect then :P
Nov 04, 2012 @ 17:27:35
I am also waiting for that machine :) Until then I am still teling myself those difficult to reach grapes are still sour :>
Oct 09, 2012 @ 17:12:00
I agree with you one hundred percent that a ‘good’ sewing machine doesn’t have to be expensive. A good sewing machine is one that is the right fit for you and I think that is determine by the type of stitch you need.
My first sewing machine was a home sewing machine. It was perfect for what I needed at the time – portability. Although I learned on an industrial sewing machine (I worked at a tailor shop), there was no way in hell I was carrying an INDUSTRIAL sewing machine to the sewing classes I would take.
When I went to school for Fashion Design (SCAD), I was working with a lot of leather and thus, I ‘upgraded’ to an industrial machine. To be honest, I liked it less than a home machine – it ONLY HAS ONE STITCH!!
I recently started sewing lingerie and this past weekend, I bought a home machine again (I sold me old home machine when I upgraded to an industrial machine) because I NEED a zigzag stitch. I went to Target and got a Singer Brilliance for $120 (it was on sale).
But when it comes to sergers and overlocking machines – I believe industrial machines are better. I have never had success with a home serging machine.
Oct 10, 2012 @ 08:24:00
A bit off-topic: I am so jealous that you know all these industry things. You worked in a tailor shop, you went to design school, for a self taught sewist like me, what you share is always so interesting.
Back to the topic: I didn’t know industrial machines have only one stitch! I have a home serger, a Brother 1034D that I am quite happy with. But then again it’s the only serger I tried sewing with :)
Five Easy to Make Projects to Enhance Your Sewing Skills | ginnyssewingboutique.com
Nov 05, 2012 @ 19:55:29
[...] 3 (Busted) Myths on How Expensive Your Sewing Machine Should Be [...]
Nov 16, 2012 @ 14:24:04
i sew for years, and have toyota sewing machine, one that i bought in supermarket (and i choose the cheapest one).. i made coats, and chiffon dresses an d swimsuits and everything you may think of, on that very machine.. so, yeah, i agree with you, you can make everything on it.. but then, one day, i visited my aunt, and sewed a bit on her machine, a bit more professional one (think less plastic parts, more metal ones) and it was a whole different story.. it saves insane amount of time and nerves.. so, since that day, i;m saving to by myself one good machine, probably industrial one (i sew a lot, and do have plans to try developing my own little design business, so to me, that makes sense).. but for those who only sew sometimes, and are patient enough, supermarket sewing machine can do wonders
Nov 16, 2012 @ 14:44:32
I couldn’t have said it better myself!
+ what a great blog! Added to my reader :)
Thanks for commenting :)
Dec 13, 2012 @ 23:15:25
I started out with a cheap Brother and boy, it could sew anything.
Then I got drawn into the whole vintage thing and bought a Singer Featherweight. It is a very cute machine, great for piecing patchwork. Only a straight stitch though.
Finally, I went with a second-hand Husqvarna. It was good value but still feels a little complicated to me. I gave away the Brother, but really I did much the same things on it and it was simpler to use. It did feel very cheap though – like the plastic bits were going to break off at any minute.
Dec 17, 2012 @ 10:35:01
I know that feeling, this is what I felt when I switched to my grandma’s machine, a sturdy foot pedal Singer, to my first sewing machine, a supermarket Hyundai. Fortunately they are sturdier than they look :>
Apr 17, 2013 @ 04:21:33
I gotta say I love my Brother SE400 sewing & embroidery machine. Bought it for $350 USD almost three years ago, and I am still discovering new things it does. The machine I had prior to that I bought nearly 20 years ago – for $700. That was a Viking/Husqvarna computerized machine, but it had nowhere near the variety of stitches/capabilities as the Brother does.
In my experience, you really don’t need to spend a lot of money to have a good machine. As you mentioned above, keeping it clean and maintained goes a long way in extending a sewing machine’s life.
Apr 17, 2013 @ 07:31:00
Indeed, my €250 machine I bought last year is still sewing perfectly. My serger is a Brother and I am also very happy with it! Thanks for the comment!