![\"Ask](\"\/\/o.osimg.net\/community\/content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/ask-me3-580x80.jpg\")
<\/p>\nIt’s been a long time since our last Ask Me feature. But with the holidays just around the corner, this question seemed especially timely.<\/p>\n
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I\u2019m thinking about buying a new sewing machine, do you have any advice to share?<\/strong><\/p>\n Yes! I have one big piece of advice and then a bunch of smaller bits to add to it.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The big piece of advice is to not<\/strong> go to your local big-box discount store and buy whatever machine (usually Singer or Brother) they have on the shelves. Those machines are not a good deal, and you will be much better off going to a specialty shop that sells sewing machines. The people at your local shop will really know machines and will be able to help you find the best machine for your needs. They can also service the machine if and when it needs servicing. And you don\u2019t necessarily need to spend a lot more than you would have on that discounted machine at the Target\/Costco\/Walmart\/etc., but you\u2019ll get a much better machine for the money you spend.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Before you go to look at machines, take a few minutes to write down the types of things you think you\u2019ll be sewing. Are you planning to make quilts? Kids\u2019 clothes? Will you be sewing for yourself? Are you interested in making handbags or curtains or slipcovers for your sofa? What sorts of fabrics do you plan to sew? Cotton, silk, leather, denim? All of the above? The more information you can give the salesperson at the shop, the better they\u2019ll be able to guide you to a machine that will suit your needs.<\/p>\n Different machines have different features, and the more expensive the machine, the more features it will include. Some machines are specially designed for quilters and have a larger space between the needle and the machine so you\u2019ll have room to fit a quilt. Other machines have lots of fancy stitches and even computerized embroidery features, if you think you\u2019ll be doing a lot of embroidery. Some machines are especially durable and can handle heavy fabrics. And other machines are designed to be light and portable.<\/p>\n While you don\u2019t need to spend a lot of money to get a good machine, the larger your budget the more bells and whistles you\u2019ll get. I do love the automatic thread cutter and the fancy automatic buttonhole feature on my high-end Janome, but I\u2019ve sewn all sorts of things (silk, wool coats, etc.) on my little portable Janome Jem, too. I could probably get by with just the Jem, but the fancy machine offers lots of little features that make my life easier. And it keeps up with me and my needs really well. The Jem doesn’t have a lot of the settings I prefer, so it’s not as convenient as my fancier machine.<\/p>\n It\u2019s always a good idea to go shopping with a budget in mind. While you\u2019re considering your budget, think about how flexible it is, too. If you see a machine with a feature you think would be really useful, are you willing to spend a little more for it? When you\u2019re buying a sewing machine, I think it\u2019s important to think down the road a bit. You\u2019re investing in a machine you will probably keep and use for a very long time. So if you\u2019re able to spend a little more for something that will keep up with your developing skill level it will save you money down the road.<\/p>\n Think about your sewing goals, and try to buy with those goals in mind. And don’t be afraid to ask questions. The salesperson wants you to be happy with your purchase and really knows sewing machines. Take advantage of this expertise. Sewing machines shops aren’t run like car dealerships; there isn’t a lot of negotiating that needs to go on. You just need to decide which of the machines is most suitable to your needs. (Not that I’ve ever bought or owned a car…)<\/p>\n While you\u2019re shopping, look at a variety of machines with different features and try out a few before you decide. Try threading the machine<\/a> and sewing a few seams to see how it feels. Bring along scraps of different fabrics you like to sew in order to see how the machine responds to those fabrics. Try a buttonhole. Finish a seam allowance. Take your time to try it out!<\/p>\n Different sewing machines offer a mind-boggling array of options. Don’t be distracted by the features you don’t need, and instead concentrate on the features that will be important to you. Here are a few of the features I look for in a good apparel sewing machine. These are my personal preferences. Your list may be different than mine.<\/p>\n![\"sewingmachineTITLE\"](\"http:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/sewingmachineTITLE.jpg\")
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