12 things you need to have on your first sewing machine:

Are you thinking of buying a sewing machine? 

There are a few suggestions about what to look for ~ before you purchase one.  Learning to sew is one of the most rewarding things you will ever do.  I love making clothing, home decor items, and quilting.  Give a person a quilt, warm them for awhile.  Teach a person to quilt, and  they will warm others for life.  I have been sewing for more than 50 years and have made clothing, home decor, crafts, gifts, wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses, and a plethora of quilts.  Continue reading to find out why your first sewing machine needs these functions.  

I buy all my sewing machines from a local sewing shop.  They have all been purchased from ‘The Sewing Nook’ in Amarillo, Texas.  They are so helpful for all your service and supply needs.  Plus, they offer free classes on the machine you bought.  It would be your best bet to purchase from a shop near you.  There are also tons of options on the world wide web.

Watch this on You Tube:

To begin,

I have a Pfaff that is still sewing beautifully after 21 years.  Recently, I purchased a Brother Embroidery/Sewing Machine.  It is a dream!!!  I also own a Bernina Baby Lock serger.  What I’m saying is that I’m not brand loyal because all of these are good.

Next,

You should make sure the machine you are looking at can function in all the ways you want it to, depending on what you are interested in doing, and depending on your skill level,  A few hundred dollars will buy a good, basic machine.  It can handle most clothing projects, quilting, and home decor or craft projects. 

For basic sewing, I suggest the machine has the following.  You will be glad you did.

Functions:

• Straight stitch – Most important because it is used in every sewing situation
• Adjustable stitch length – helps with gathering 
• Zig-zag stitch – Good for applique
• Double zig-zag stitch – For darning tears and sewing on elastic
• Blind hem stitch – Securing hems invisibly
• Buttonhole stitch and buttonhole presser foot
• Bobbin winder to wind your bobbins (get extra bobbins)
• Speed control – goes slower or faster when needed
• Needle down capability – helps when pivoting
• Automatic needle threader – helpful for older eyes and faster when changing thread
• Differential Feed – so top fabric feeds through the same as the bottom fabric
• A good selection of presser feet (Find out which ones come with it and which ones you are able to buy separately.)  I definitely recommend a zipper foot, a 1/4” foot for quilting, free motion foot for quilting, and an open-toe foot.

 

To continue,

If you want to be more creative and add decorative stitching to anything you create, look for a machine with additional decorative stitches.  Are you also interested in machine embroidery, then you should check into embroidery machines.

To conclude,

Above all, think about your purpose for buying the machine.  Will you just do mending?  Are you interested in making crafts?  Do you want to make your own clothing?  Is quilting on your agenda?  The more you answer yes to these questions, the more money you want to spend.  You can spend a few hundred or a few thousand.  Furthermore, be sure to consider your budget.  Just remember, when you get better and better, you will wish you spent a little more to have more bells and whistles.  Maybe start with a mid range one and get the high dollar one later when you are rocking this whole sewing thing. 

So… what are you waiting on?  Get yourself a machine and I’ll have more posts on teaching you to sew.  The machine below is a good option for a beginner.  Leave a comment below and let me know what you are interested in making.

An easy project to start with is a baby bib.  See this post for easy instructions.

 

How to make an easy pillowcase.

 

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