yearning for the perfect sewing machine
a feature-first guide on making The Purchase
I could tell you what type of sewing machine to buy and then you would and then I could make a dime off your purchase. We could move on. However, that’s boring. I want you to be able to make the call on buying ANY sewing machine. You never know when an opportunity will present itself. You could be scrolling on your phone, at a thrift store, or eating cookies at your grandma’s house when suddenly, BAM! Someone is getting rid of a machine, or upgrading, or you are her grandchild and you want it and she loves you. Responsible sewists are always ready to commandeer. Sewing is an alien planet and you are the invasive species and when there is a sale on fabric, it is time to infect.
My goal for you is to be able to understand which sewing machine features are important when you want to sew clothes for your body. What do you need, what do you want, and what would make your little sewing life easier?
What do you need?
A sewing machine needs to sew, which is a stupid thing to say but you know what I mean. The most important function for any machine is pretty basic: the machine needs to sew in a straight line. This is called a Straight Stitch. You may be thinking, “Wow! That is basic!” You would be right, but it is important to establish this truth so that we can examine other types of stitches that you NEED. For example, a Zig-Zag Stitch is extremely common in sewing. This stitch is the most basic way to keep a frayed edge from unraveling or to sew fabric with stretch. In the Upcycling world, this stitch is sort of like a catch-all. The chaotic Swiss Army Knife of sewing, if you will. These two stitches work well together and are absolutely crucial when making your own clothes. Simply put, I would hurl a sewing machine into the sea if it did not at least have these two features.
What do you want?
I don’t give a freak about decorative stitches. I don’t know why companies advertise them like they are THE major selling point for a particular sewing machine. Give me 97 ways to care less, please. To me, there are so many other things that make machines surprising and useful. For example, I did not know that my sewing machine could sew with stretchy fabric! When I found out, I was shocked and angry because you mean to tell me that I knew about its rose-stitch feature (???) but not its Stretch Sewing capabilities?
Additionally, I would want a sewing machine to be capable of adding a buttonhole to a garment. There are different mechanisms for this depending on the machine, but they all have one thing in common: they are confusing. Nevertheless, it is a solid feature to want.
One truth in the sewing world is that they don’t make them like they used to. Many machines on the market have a plastic interior, as opposed to metal. This makes the machine less sturdy. Literally, The Diary of a Wimpy Sewing Machine. Remember, older sewing machines are not bad. In fact, they may last longer than some newer ones. Also, some new machines have a metal base or a mixture of plastic and metal; keep a lookout for those. The moral of the story here is that a Metal Base is the gold standard. If you find one, it may very well last a lifetime.
What will make your life easier?
I use the following features all the time and think you should consider including them in your Purchase.
Reverse Stitching
Automatic Threader
Walking Foot (Prevents Stretching)
Overcasting Foot (Serged Seam)
Blind Hem Foot
Zipper Foot
Free-Motion Foot (Quilting/Upcycling)
A Final Consideration:
I think one really important thing to consider is how commonly a machine is used by online teachers and content creators. You are going to have questions when you first get started, and having plenty of videos to consult when things go wrong is a must.
So, now what?
I am going to link a few machines that I think meet the above criteria. These are not affiliate links. They are links to a smaller business that I think could use our help right now.
Singer Heavy Duty 4423 (shop here)
I use this machine and love it!
Brother CS7000X (shop here)
Baby Lock BL35B Zeal (shop here)
I love Baby Lock as a brand, my serger is from them!
Thank you so much for reading! If you have a feature that you think should be added to this list, please comment below! Also, tell me what sewing machine you have and why you love it! I would love to know!
If you are looking for a starting point for your sewing journey, check out my sewing zines here!
As an older person I could finally afford the machine of my dreams. I have a machine that makes buttonholes completely anxiety free, completely replicable, and beautiful, even on uneven lumpy areas. I love it and it makes sewing a joy. It is a Bernina 770.
Your writing is a delight! Thank you for delivering valuable information so playfully.