Sewing Machines

Choosing a home sewing machine for your personal use today is more complicated than when your mother was looking.  Among the questions to consider are:  Do you want a basic mechanical machine suitable for a beginner and/or for light use?  Are you in the market for an electronic and computerized machine offering decorative and embroidery stitching?  Or, are you a quilter with different needs and required features, which are not necessary for garment sewers.  In which category do you fit?

The price you are willing to pay and the use for the sewing machine are important factors to consider.  Research indicates that mechanical sewing machines usually vary from under $100 to around $350.  Computerized machines begin at around $350 and can go up to as high as $8,000 for a highly sophisticated machine.  

It cannot be stressed too strongly that, when considering the purchase of a sewing machine, you study up on the various machines that are on the market.  Also, are you considering purchasing your machine online and thereby passing up the benefits offered by buying from a local merchant?  Consideration should be given, not only to price, but also to available classes that may be provided in a store setting vs. a booklet or video instruction.  Repairs are not often needed on computerized machines, but it may be comforting to have someone nearby who can service the machine, if need be.  

There are many manufacturers of sewing machines, who produce a quality product, i.e., Singer, Pfaff, White, Bernina, Brother, Janome, Tacsew, and Kenmore, to name a few.  It will be your job to “test drive” the machines you are interested in and make the choice.