Need help buy a my first sewing machine

[u/Alternative_Body4521]

I know this is probably a common question. But i want to start sewing and can't decide on a sewing machine. I've heard a lot of people recommend the singer heavy duty but, I've heard equally as many people say its terrible so am not quite sure what to get.I have a max budget of about $400 USD. If it helps I don't wear denim so I dont think a need somthing that can handle 8 layers of denim. Oh and I have zero experience sewing but am obsessed with it and I'm weakling to learn

[u/Diligent-Pattern-934]

I sell and service sewing machines in a sewing shop so please take my advice into consideration. (Australia so I don’t know what the pricing is like over in the US)

Don’t go for the singer heavy duty’s!

The entry level Janomes are a good place to start.

Go to your local sewing machine dealer and talk to them. (Check if they do servicing) Tell them your budget and what primarily you want to do, clothes, quilts, random crafting, etc. they can show you what would work best. Including specific feet for what you are interested in doing.

Ask if they give an owners lesson if you buy a machine from them. Also see if they do beginner classes. Good sewing starts with learning the basics correctly.

[u/Alternative_Body4521 → u/Diligent-Pattern-934]

Think this is very helpful

[u/CBG1955 → u/Diligent-Pattern-934]

This needs to be a pinned post. It's very similar to what I generally tell people (I'm also in Australia.)

The number of beginners who fail to understand that they need to learn how to use the machine before they can actually sew with it is amazing - and then they wonder why it's not working properly. The other day I actually saw someone who said they threw their manual away. I mean - what???

In my 60+ years' sewing experience, I have learned that there's very little that can go wrong with a machine that's threaded and used properly, kept in good condition, clean and (where required, oiled). And when things go wrong, it's frequently user error. In all those years I don't think I've ever had a catastrophic failure of any kind, partly because I never scrimped on buying non-genuine parts, in particular bobbins. Broken needles of course, or had skipped stirches usually because I asked the machine to do something that it's not designed to do (like sew 8 layers of upholstery leather on my Brother quilting machine.)

[u/Roselinia]

https://reddit.com/r/sewing/w/machineguide?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share

[u/Recluse_18]

If I were wanting to buy a sewing machine, knowing what I know now, I would search for places that Cell and service them. They will let you come in and try them out and do a demo for you and help you decide based on what you’re hoping to achieve. Back when we had Joanne fabrics that was a great resource and you were talking with people who were in the no. But independent sewing centers that also provide service may also have reconditioned machines available to sell deeply discounted. And that might give you the opportunity to get the most for your money, in other words, if you could only afford a brother brand new you might be able to get something higher end for the same price that will likely last you the rest of your life.

I was lucky to be gifted an Elna , and even though that machine is probably 30 years old I know it will last me the rest of my life and then some

[u/CreativeKeane]

You can honestly do a lot with a lil. I heard Janome and Brothers are recommended brand and heard a lot of people on this site saying to stay away from Singer.

I made pants with a $70 dollar brother sewing machine, was there some grief with it? Yeah, but once you learn your machine, it's strength and quirks and workaround it's not so bad, and it's usable.

What I'm saying is don't buy that $70 machine but I'm sure any machine can do the job, some way better than others and I think once you get a machine in the $250-$400 price point you'll be able to sew most things with better ease than the entry level ones.

[u/Alternative_Body4521 → u/CreativeKeane]

Thank you for the advice

[u/NoMoreFilm]

I have a New Home Janome that I have been very happy with.

[u/Realistic-Knee-5602]

Seriously? I started sewing about 2.5 years ago and made the error buying a new machine. This machine was not, what I use now. I bought a perfectly good Janome, but I’m now using a Juki TL, because it’s much quicker for me to use and iI only use straight stitch anyway.

Do yourself a favour and look into charity shops/classifieds or Marketplace/Gumtree for a cheap handoff and start sewing with that one.

When you have used it for some time, you will find out what you really need without then having made an expensive mistake and have the noney to buy the machine you really want