Which sewing machine is good and fits my budget? For most of us, buying a new sewing machine is quite a big purchase, so it makes sense to seek advice and think about it for a while. Sinterklaas and Christmas will be coming soon and maybe that is also a time when you ask for a new sewing machine …
Precondition: The most important thing is that you sew, not on which machine you sew. But, a nice machine ensures that you have a lot more fun in your hobby and I wish everyone that. Where your search starts depends on how much experience you already have… is this your first sewing machine or are you ready for a machine that can do more than your current machine? What are you going to use the device for, and how often? And what is your budget? Take your time and don’t rush to buy. Find out about the functions you can get on a sewing machine and see which ones are important to you.
Before I got my Bernette 38 I had already owned 11 other sewing machines. I know there are many them (and I’m not saying it to show off!). The reason was that I gave free Computerized Sewing Machines workshops as a volunteer work, for which I needed several machines. I have seen on very old machines and also on luxurious new machines. Because I have already had so many, I now know what is important to me when buying a new machine.
These are 8 tips that I would like to give you:
- Buy a decent machine
A sewing machine’s reliability is essential because you enjoy a quality machine more and more prolonged and less frustrating due to all kinds of problems. A good sewing machine is made with better parts that last longer and give a better stitch quality. Your device can, therefore handle different types of fabrics better. A decent machine does not necessarily have to be a luxury or elaborate machine. A proper machine is worth repairing if something breaks.
- Look closely at the functions
The essential functions of a sewing machine are straight stitch, zigzag stitch and buttonhole. If you’re a beginner or don’t sew a lot, these functions will go a long way. If you only want to shorten your pants a few times a year, you don’t need it anymore. But as you sew more often, you may need additional functions that make sewing even more fun and efficient. My sewing machine, the bernette 38 , leaves nothing to be desired with such extras. My favorites are:
The automatic thread cutter
This is a feature I’veI’ve wanted for years, but never had it before I got the bernette 38 . I love it! You no longer have to keep scissors nearby, just press the ”cut” button and the foot will go up and the threads will be cut. So convenient. This is one feature I never want to miss.
The needle threader
Especially when I sit behind my sewing machine late at night, my eyes don’tdon’t work that well anymore and I am very happy with my needle threader.
The handy and beautiful stitches
My bernette 38 has no less than 394 different stitches. There are more than I will ever use, but some of them I use a lot. The lightning bolt stitch, overlock stitches and the honeycomb stitches are my favorite extra stitches. I use them, among other things, to make skirts , shirts and baby pants. And when I sew maternity gifts, I love the decorative stitches for decorating blankets or burp cloths. I like to use the alphabets to make personal labels for my children’schildren’s clothing. Especially with the decorative stitches I like that my machine is a 7 mm machine, so the decorative stitches are larger and they stand out more. My advice is not so much to look at the number of stitches the machine has, but to see whether the machine has the specific stitches you want.
The adjustable presser foot pressure
I use this a lot, especially when sewing tricot. I set the presser foot pressure for tricot between 1 and 3 and my fabric always feeds perfectly. I sew a lot of garments with stripes and they fit together perfectly. The machine also goes very easily over thickenings in the seam
The speed controller
I like to use it when one of my youngest daughters is sewing on the machine. It gives a bit of security that I can then set the machine very slowly. I must admit that I am a very fast seamstress myself and actually always leave the machine at maximum speed. The machine responds so well and quickly when I take my foot off the pedal that I never really have to slow it down.
The twin needle test
Before I had this machine I didn’tdidn’t use my twin needle very often. Getting the twin needle stitch tension right on many machines is difficult. If you set it too low, the back will ”zigzag” too little and your stitching will not have enough stretch, so that your thread breaks when you put it on. If you set the tension too high, you will get a ”tunnel effect” in which the fabric is pulled together between the two rows of stitching. This is no problem at all with this machine. I set my tension for the twin needle to 5 (normal sewing on 4) and I get a beautiful stitching that doesn’tdoesn’t contract and zigzags nicely at the back. That makes me really happy! By pressing the twin needle button the machine automatically limits the possible needle positions, so you can never accidentally break your twin needle on your presser foot.
The automatic buttonhole
My bernette 38 has no less than 8! This is a wonderfully stress-free way to make buttonholes. You simply click the button in the back of the buttonhole foot, place the fabric under your foot, pull the guide down and the machine does the rest. Perfect buttonhole, just the right size, every time. I am a fan! If you regularly make buttonholes, a machine with an automatic buttonhole is really recommended.
The extension table and hard cover
The extension table is very useful when you work with large pieces of fabric, such as when making curtains or when making sheets. The extension table is easy to remove if you don’tdon’t need it. Thanks to the hard protective cover, the machine is well protected during transport, making it easy to take to sewing lessons and on vacation .
The built-in accessory compartment
All presser feet and accessories can be neatly stored in it, so you always have them at hand.
The free arm
It’sIt’s nice to be able to remove the accessory compartment for sewing necklines and hems.
- Get advice
If you are looking for a new machine, be well informed. Ask in the sewing machine shop what the differences are between the machines, ask advice from the teachers of sewing class and from friends who have been sewing for a long time. Read reviews on the internet and join the sewing groups on Facebook. But, ultimately you have to decide for yourself which machine suits you and which one you like, and then I come to my next tip …
- Try it out
It’sIt’s really important to try out sewing machines. It is also best to go to the sewing machine shop for this. In addition, you can of course ask other seamstresses in your area if you can try their machine. Take several pieces of fabric with you, such as tricot, cotton, silk, fleece and see if the machine can handle them properly. Pay attention to how much noise the machine makes and how quickly the machine responds when you start and stop sewing. In any case, sew the straight stitch, zigzag stitch and a buttonhole and see if the stitches are nice. Check that the lighting is good on the machine. My bernette 38 has bright LED light, which I think is ideal, because it allows me to make progress with my sewing even in the evening when it is already dark outside.
Determine your budget
Budget is tricky! I can’tcan’t look into your purse, but a good starting point is to buy the best machine you can get with your budget. Bernette and BERNINA offer sewing machines in every price range, from around 300 euros for the bernette 33 to a multiple of that. Many novice seamstresses find it difficult to gauge whether sewing is an enduring hobby worth spending a little more money on. I think you have the best chance of it becoming a lasting hobby when you invest in a good machine. When determining your budget, try to make sure you can buy a machine that will last you longer. Containing the functions you need now, but also the functions you would like to use later.
Read More: Sewing Machine under $500
- Take advantage of promotions
Please note: the promotions and competitions below are no longer current.
Sometimes there are nice promotions that you can take advantage of, so that you receive accessories or other extras as a gift with your purchase. For my sewing machine, the bernette 38 , two actions are currently running . If you buy a bernette 37 or bernette 38 sewing machine before December 31, 2017 , you will receive an annual subscription to the online video sewing lessons from “”Mode Maak Doe Je Zo”” as a gift (worth € 67.50). If you buy the bernette 38 , you also get a walking foot for free (worth € 49.50). This is very handy to have, especially if you want to sew oilcloth, vinyl, leather or silk. In addition to this promotion, there is also a sewing contestwhere when you buy a bernette sewing machine you have a chance to win a bernette overlock, and vice versa, when you buy a bernette overlock, you have a chance to win a bernette singer 8060 sewing machine reviews. Click here for the details of the competition and keep an eye on the messages from my blog colleague Lisa Suijker . She will make her own version of one of the bernette projects from the competition.
- Buy locally & get service
You can buy a decent machine in a sewing machine shop, where you will also receive an explanation about your machine, so that you can get started right away. I recommend buying from your local sewing machine shop if possible. It is handy to be able to go there for maintenance, as well as for service and warranty in the unlikely event that something should break on your machine. I can tell you from my own experience how nice it is to have such a point of contact. When I bought my first sewing machine six years ago and was enthusiastic about using it at home, I was unable to pick up the bobbin thread. I thought there was something wrong with the machine and frustrated I drove it back to the sewing machine shop. The saleswoman sat down with me patiently and looked at what was going on. The problem? I turned the balance wheel away from me instead of towards me … * shame * I’llI’ll never forget that! … And without the help of the salesperson, I would never have known why I couldn’tcouldn’t do it.
- Negotiate, a little …
Like everyone else, I also pay attention to price. And since a sewing machine can be quite a big expense, it makes sense to start comparing prices. Sometimes a machine on the internet is a little cheaper than in your local sewing machine shop, but at the sewing machine shop in your area you will get a lot more explanation and service. A local dealer puts a lot of time into its customers. It is not surprising to pay a little more for that service. However, if you believe that the price difference is very big, then you can try to negotiate a little (* respectfully *). Sometimes the dealer can offer you a discount on the recommended price, or you can, for example, receive spools of thread or a maintenance service as a gift. That way, the price at a local store is usually comparable.
Those are my tips! I hope it helps you. Whichever machine you choose, I hope you enjoy it. That he lets you grow in your sewing skills and gives you the confidence to try new things …
If you have any questions about my sewing machine, you can always send me a message via Facebook or Instagram, and I will do my best to answer them … good luck choosing!
Comments
Loading…