So I want to get a sewing machine, because I want to start making stuff on my own. I've got an artistic streak and my sister has offered to buy me a sewing machine as a belated b-day present. Problem is... I don't know what to look for.
I guess what I want to know is: what do you find best?
Any help is wonderful!
<3
A clueless Rant hound x.x
What kind of machine you should get really depends on what you intend to do with it.
If you are just planning on making and mending clothing in general, as well as other small sewing projects, a very basic, no frills machine will work just fine.
If you are planning on doing much work with leather, denim, fur, or heavy canvas, I suggest that you look for a heavy duty machine that has the capability to handle those materials.
If you want to be able to do fully finished, professional projects, you need to make sure that your machine either comes with or that you purchase all the accessories to do things like zippers, button holes, etc.
Also, if this is your first machine, I would suggest that you stay on the more inexpensive end of the scale to start out. Sewing can get frustrating, and some techniques and tasks can be incredibly tricky or delicate, depending on what you are doing. If you start out inexpensive, and find that you really enjoy sewing, you can always upgrade to a better machine. On the other hand, if your sister spends a bucket of money on a top of the line machine, and you find that you don't much care for sewing, your expensive machine will sit there gathering dust.
Just a thought.
Thank you very much. The idea is to learn and teach myself to make fur suits! I'm not the kind of person to give up easily either! (just ask my mate! Haha!)
Big thing to look for, for 'durable' or harder crafting is Metal Gears. There are a lot of plastic gear ones out there, and they are more likely to break. Metal isn't, but is more expensive.
I totally agree, Fazar.
As a matter of fact, Rant, you might want to look into a second hand machine. One, it's going to a LOT cheaper than brand new, and two, I find that older machines are better built. Heavy as hell, occasionally need tune-ups and what not, but reliable to beat the band. And they will last for friggin ever, if you take good care of them.
My mother's machine, for example. She's had it a good 15 plus years, and it's a bloody tank. This thing can handle anything I throw at it, and then some, and it's never let me down. When I was out second hand store shopping one day, I found a machine that was nearly identical to my mother's, only a year or so newer, and I paid under ten dollars for it. All the parts were there, and it runs like a dream. (After a good oiling, and a loving tune up my myself.)
I was/am thrilled to finally have a tank of my own. ^.~