Choosing the perfect sewing machine!

Have you ever made the huge mistake of hitting the wrong computer button and deleting all your work that you thought you had saved?! Yep, me too! Just now. Could have sworn I had written this entire blog already! This weeks Sew Amazing blog is all about choosing the right machine for your needs. So get stuck in!

Buying a sewing machine can be fraught with difficulties. I usually want them all!(I suffer the same problem with bags of Kettle chips!). I have been really good lately and restricted myself to a mere three machines! To me a sewing machine is a far sexier beast than a car (yes, I can hear you groaning!). In the real world of course one sewing machine is usually enough, but where to start?
There are sew many machines out there, (from those perfectly awful mini machines to those that can embroider pictures from a photocopied image!), and so many brands. agh!!!!!! Well it needn’t be too stressy if you do a little bit of thinking and a little bit of research before heading to the local sewing machine dealership with your hard earned cash.
I have three Brother machines all form the Innovis range. Personally for me I know they offer the best bang for my buck, are reliable and easy to use. A few years ago I was bought a Singer machine and within three weeks it was broken and cost more than the machine was worth to repair. The guy who was going to mend it told me that Singer aint what they used to be - you know, completely reliable and fab. Apparently they are not made by Singer any more - a company buys a license to use the name. I am also lucky enough to have a Babylock felting machine and have to say I do like the reliability of Babylock but my Brother machines are just that extra bit special!

Easy or complex projects to sew?

Designer dresses, interior design or a few repairs now and then?
If you are a sewing machine virgin you will probably find a good basic electronic machine will do everything you want but if you plan to develop your sewing or need more features then invest in a machine with a really good range of stitches and accessories. If you plan to be super creative and want to do lots of embroidery go for a dedicated embroidery machine (they are flipping expensive!). If you are making a lot of clothes you may need an overlocker, however a really good sewing machine will do this for you. Check for this function before you buy as there is no point wasting your cash!

A good basic model machine will cost around £200 but for another £99 I can’t recommend the Brother Innovis 20 enough.

I have recommended it to several people now and they love it. Check its features out. This was my starting point in to Brother and it has served me amazingly well.

If you want something really fab that’s easy to use and doesn’t cost a bomb check out the Innovis 50. I am the lucky owner of this model and it is beyond awesome! It might look simple – it is to use but it does everything I need and more. Look it up on the internet – you will be impressed.

If you are desperately wanting to splash thousands of pounds go for a fab embroidery machine. I can’t recommend a particular because I don’t use one! I have seen them in action and they look awesome.

Do I need a specialist machine for quilting?

As a prolific quilter I would say NO! I use my Innovis 50 and the Innovis 20 with the quilting foot. Unless you plan to be quilting king size duvets you don’t need to splash the cash.

Key things to consider…

How much money have I got?

What projects do I want it for?

Am I planning to develop my sewing abilities (if so perhaps go for something less than basic?)

Try some machines out at your local dealership – you need to be comfortable with it

Don’t be swayed in to buying something you don’t want

Don’t be tempted to economise – do a lot of research and check out reviews for different machines – some brands are far more reliable than others!

If you have any questions send me a message on the blog and I will get back to you.

Next week we will be looking at the right needles to use for different fabrics when using your fab new sewing machine! Don’t forget to look in and send me any feedback you have for the blog.          Janie xxxxxxxxxx

PS. the lovely sewing painting from the top of the blog was sourced from http://slovly.com/2010/01/03/sewing-machine-paintings/