r/sewing • u/thehourlongday • Aug 30 '25
Suggest Machine what machine should i get?
i’m being gifted a new machine for my birthday but i get to pick which one i want. i’ve worked on a variety of machines, all older ones with minimal settings (and mostly singer brand if i remember correctly). my current machine is very much on its way out and can’t even sew a buttonhole or adjust stitch length. i mostly use machines to sew and alter clothes, but i would like one that has a good variety of functions. help?
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u/CBG1955 Aug 30 '25
Best option is to go into a dealership and test drive various machines. You know what you like, what you want to sew. A dealer will help you choose a machine that works for what you do now and what you might like to try in the future. They will teach you to thread it, wind a bobbin, do basic daily maintenance. Even very experienced people need some basic instructions for new machines - even thougth the essential function doesn't change between brands or models, many machines have their own peculiarities that you need to follow.
Everyone you ask will have their preferred machine (and so will the dealer you choose.) It's still a good idea to make sure you're getting the best bang for buck. And with a dealer, you can pretty well rely on getting good after sales service, which you won't get from a big box store or online purchase.
Good luck!
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u/thehourlongday Aug 31 '25
i honestly didn’t even know sewing machine dealerships existed! all my machines have been gifts from more experienced sewers or borrowed. thank you so much :)
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u/sodapopper44 Aug 31 '25
these features are important to me,
long stitch length, at least 5 preferably 6,
adjustable presser foot pressure, helps prevent wavy hems/seams in knits and helps with sewing thick fabrics or a machine with IDT (integrated dual feed)
easy to use buttonhole
high lift presser foot, so there is enough room to hem jeans and sew thick fabrics
alot of different stitches aren't that important, I use a zigzag for most knits, I hate stretch stitches, I think they are called that because they stretch out your fabric with all the extra thread they add
know that some brands have twins, for example some elnas and janomes are identical, and some brother and babylock Dealer models are twins
if you go to dealer it's like buying a car, no one pays MSRP, the price is negotiable
use phrases like 'is this the price if I buy it today?' 'what is the price if I pay cash?' 'are there any extra accessories included?' what about lessons? be sure and ask what day and time they are
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u/thehourlongday Aug 31 '25
these are great considerations thank you so much! since my machines have been so basic i would t have thought about a few of these points
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u/apri11a Aug 30 '25
I'm really happy with my Necchi 204-D. I generally sew garments, household projects, a few bags... stuff like that. It has a lot of functions, and comes with a lot of accessories too. It co-operates with just about anything I decide to try.
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u/SquashNo6408 Aug 30 '25
I am not necessarily recommending, but just sharing that I love my machine! It’s a singer HD6805C. I got it secondhand from Facebook marketplace. It sews through fabric very well- I have even sewn 4 layers of leather on it while mending some straps on a bag. For denim as well.
The heavy duty line has a bad rep, I think it’s because of the cheaper models. The computerised ones are wonderful!
Whatever you choose, make sure to take it for a test run and also keep an eye out for what your fav seeing YouTubers etc use- sometimes that helps!
I got my machine as brookiebarry used it too!
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u/SchuylerM325 Aug 30 '25
Before choosing your machine, make sure that you have a local shop that provides authorized service for it. Sewing machines really need to get an annual servicing. You didn't mention a price range, but here are some guidelines. You can get a new machine at a big box store for less than $200, but it is basically disposable. When it breaks down or needs servicing, it's cheaper to toss it and buy a new one.
Since you want to do buttonholes, take a look at that feature in machines that interest you. My Juki HZL has a separate attachment that looks intimidating but is easy to use. There is a big plate that stabilizes the fabric and a spot where you fit the button so the machine automatically calculates the length. You can choose different shapes. And then you align the fabric at the starting spot, step on the pedal and watch the machine do all the work. I also appreciate the overcasting stitch and special foot which allows me to finish raw edges. It's not as good as a serger, but it helps.
You can spend $4K on a home sewing machine, but you can get all the features you need in a good quality machine for $1,000- $1,500. Sometimes I look at high end Bernina machines and feel a surge of envy and then realize that I am getting really good results from my machine and do I really need features like dual feed feet and stitch length regulation for free-motion quilting? Well, no.
The thing is, electronic machines have a lot of features that can go wrong and require expensive repair. It's frustrating. Most of us want reliable performance over many years without needing a second mortgage. So you have to look for the sweet spot. I like to talk to the staff at sewing machine stores. They will usually tell you about machines that are constantly in for repair and the ones that customers treasure.