4 Essential Tips for Sewing Machine Shopping

It’s one of my most frequently asked questions: which sewing machine should I buy?

A sewing machine is an investment, and selecting a good one can make the difference between sewing frustration and sewing bliss. Here are 4 tips for choosing a model you’ll be happy with.

What type of sewing are you most interested in? Home decor? Garment construction? Quilting? Embroidery? Answering this question will help you decide which class of machine to consider. Do you need a free arm or a long arm?

Shopping with Marzipan: I’m not interested in embroidery; basic stitches are enough for me. I do a lot of garment construction, so a free arm machine is important for sewing sleeves and cuffs. I do some quilting, so an extension table would be nice, but not an absolute necessity.

2) Freshen up on features.

If it’s been a long time since you purchased a new machine, you’ll be surprised by what’s available.  Automatic needle threaders, knee lifts, pedal-free sewing, one-step buttonholes… know what they are so you can weigh their value.

Shopping with Marzipan: The #1 new feature I wanted was the automatic thread cutter! It cuts the thread to a tidy 1/2 inch, saving me a lot of thread (especially when quilting). #2 was a knot button. It creates a neat knot that can replace sloppy backstitching. #3 was the one-step buttonhole foot… buttons were a nightmare on my last machine.

3) Visit a sewing machine shop.

I would highly encourage you to purchase your machine from a dedicated sewing machine shop. They’ll be able to answer all of your questions, teach you anything you want to know, and fix your machine should problems arise. But I know some of you are bargain hunters and will purchase a machine online instead. Even if you decide to buy elsewhere, at least visit a shop to try out the machines.

Visiting a sewing machine shop gives you a chance to try out those new features. It tips you off to any negative aspects of a machine that might drive you crazy in the future. It gives you a better idea of how heavy, how noisy, and how well-behaved a machine is. Take notes about what you like and dislike.If you’ll be visiting several shops, take along a scrap of fabric and test the various machines on the same sample for comparison.

Shopping with Marzipan: I visited a few different shops, testing out Babylocks, Berninas, and Janomes. I expected to like the Berninas best, but it turns out I’m a Janome girl! Also, I was surprised to find that I preferred a lower-end machine, simply because the next model up had so many stitches that it required a separate plastic card that flipped up to list all the stitches. It drove me nuts, I just wanted the information printed on the machine itself!

4) Be Budget Savvy

Again, I would highly encourage you to purchase from a reputable sewing machine dealer. You can expect to pay a little bit more than purchasing one online, but it doesn’t have to be a lot more. Print out the online prices (include the links), and show them to the salesperson. Let them know that you prefer to shop locally, and that you value their service… then ask how close they can come to the prices you found online.

If you do choose to buy elsewhere, make sure you read the company’s return policy. It’s also a good idea to call your local sewing machine shop and ask whether they service that brand of machine.

Shopping With Marzipan: My dealer came down $200 off their sale price, for a whopping $400 off the MSRP. Plus I get free sewing machine repair for 3 years, and free classes for life!

So, which machine did I end up choosing? Drumroll, please…

Janome 3160 QDC

I chose the Janome 3160 Quilter’s Decor Computer. This baby has the automatic thread cutter, automatic needle threader, and knot button. It has a free arm and included an extension table. It has several 1-step buttonholes, as well as a pedal-free sewing option. It’s a lightweight at 12 pounds, and it’s a good fit for my needs.

The one downside: I find the built-in lighting is rather poor compared to my Elna. That’s okay, I can turn on a lamp :)

Ready to start shopping? Here are some websites that will help with your initial research:

Bernina.com The official site for Bernina sewing machines. They also list MSRP, which is helpful. Try out their sewing machine comparison tool.

Janome.com The official site for Janome sewing machines. It’s very difficult to find listing prices for Janomes, so you’ll just have to call or visit a shop. Be sure to look at their “retired” machines, you can get a bargain on a great machine by purchasing a retired model.

Brother Innov-Is 80

Brother.com The official site for Brother sewing machines. The quality of Brother machines varies greatly, and you can expect to get what you pay for, in my opinion.

HusqvarnaViking.com The official site for Husqvarna Viking sewing machines. Check out their collection of free sewing tutorials.

SingerCo.com The official site for Singer Sewing machines. I’m not a Singer fan myself, but their high-end machines have a high consumer satisfaction rating.

Overstock.com This is a good place to find brand-name machines for cheap. Be sure to research specific models thoroughly before purchasing.

Images courtesy of their respective companies.