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If you’re in the market for a sewing machine, you already know that the selection is huge and that picking the right one can be a bit overwhelming. Ask a hundred sewers which machine you should buy and you’ll get a hundred different answers. So, step back, take a breath and read on to make the process simpler.
Believe it or not, all the machines you’re looking at are more alike than they are different. At the consumer level, and aside from sergers, the machines you are looking at are lock-stitch machines. They form a stitch with two threads – the spool thread on top and the bobbin thread on the bottom. They all have a thread delivery system that includes a spool pin to hold the thread, some thread guides to get the thread where it needs to go, a tensioning device to assure that the thread flows smoothly and consistently, and a needle to bring the thread through the fabric to form the stitch. They all use a thread-filled bobbin to deliver the bottom thread to the underside of the fabric. The two threads “lock” in the middle to sew your fabric together.
The differences that you see are all the bells and whistles and therein lie the decisions you have to make about which one to choose. All machines are similar in that they will offer you a variety of stitch “types” and the ability to change the two parameters of the stitches – length and width. Like cars, they all have different chassis and options and the models change from year to year.
At the consumer-level, machines fall into three basic categories: mechanical, electronic and computerized. Choose the category based on the sewing you’ll be doing. Then pick the features you want and need.
Machine Categories:
- Mechanical: You will know these by the knobs and levers used to change stitch settings. They are basic machines offering a handful of “utility stitches” – a straight stitch, zig-zag, buttonholes, blind-hemming, etc. – and are appropriate for the infrequent sewer who will do occasional alterations or some simple straight-stitching home-dec projects. They are also good for beginners who aren’t quite sure how strongly they are going to embrace sewing.
- Electronic: These machines use push-buttons and some sort of illuminated display for stitch selection and setting changes. They often offer more stitch types than mechanicals, including what are known as “decorative” stitches – embroidery-like rows of patterned stitches. But keep in mind that these are not “embroidery” machines. The "convenience" factor is a selling point for these models.
- Computerized: These are the higher-end and top-of-the-line machines offered by all of the major companies. In sewing today, two of the most popular aspects are quilting and hooped embroidery and these machines allow you to do them. They usually have a built-in hard drive that stores and processes stitch and function data and can be connected to your computer to make use of companion software. Many offer a touch screen for stitch selection and setting changes.
All three categories offer a range of features, so in the next installment, we’ll cover how analyzing the type of sewing you do will make the decision process easier.
Read more about choosing the right sewing machine in Part 2.
Contact JoAnn at: joann@gardenofdaisies.com or www.gardenofdaisies.com
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