Finding a sewing machine
I am very confused. I want to buy my wife her first ever sewing machine (she seems quite dedicated on learning it, and she has done basic repairs on clothing before).
The problem is that I see that lots of people on Reddit that don't recommend too many newer models due to lack of reliability or using poor quality materials (plastic housing/gears, etc.), but at the same time many people are saying don't pay too much for an older machine (like even $50 USD seems to be too much for some people lol) which does not have these problems because you don't know how they maintained the machine, but any of the machines that seem to be decently cared for (with my very limited knowledge) are at least $100 CAD.
So does anyone have a recommendation for a decent sewing machine? For reference, I was eyeing a Kenmore 158.13200 I found locally for $150 CAD, which seems to include lots of accessories and the carrying case.
As a sewist, look for a second hand machine made before 2000 or get a new machine, but avoid Singer.
The Kenmore sounds like a great deal. She's going to need bobbins, thread, presser feet and most importantly, needles. Needles should be based on what she wants to sew, so I recommend finding out what type of things she wants to sew and getting needles based on that.
People on reddit are sometimes not great at giving good sewing advice. If you want deeper insights, the reddit sewing discord is great, and the people there have bountiful advice on machines, and can even help you grab the best machine for you. Good luck!
Thank you very much for the advice - it seems this sale would include a variety of needles and bobbins, but if there's something missing I will definitely pick it up.
I am glad someone else is in agreement, it seemed very counter-intuitive with the different threads I've been seeing.
I had to move over to the discord to get better advice and to be in a more competent group.
I can't wait to hear all about the new machine.
So I just got it on Friday and after replacing the needle, it does zig zag and straight stitches perfectly, and I bought some sewing machine oil as well. It's in great condition too
That's so great to hear! I love that it's working well. Can't wait to hear about the projects it creates!
Buying used is definitely an option, but at least where I live, good-quality sewing machines almost never come up for sale unless there is something wrong with them. A good-quality sewing machine will easily outlive you, and they don't take up a ton of room, so people tend to hang on to their beginner machines to give to their kids and grandkids.
Beginners typically start with an unspecialized, mechanical/non-computerized sewing machine (typically with all-metal internal construction because they tend to be way less *finicky) from a reputable brand, such as Brother or Janome. (Other well-regarded brands include Bernina, Elna, Juki, Pfaff, and many others. Singer has a particularly dismal reputation.)
These are great to learn on because they are tough, uncomplicated machines based on extremely well vetted century-old designs. They don't have a ton of features, but this makes them generally more intuitive to learn on, and also helps teach the basics of how sewing machines work under the hood. Once she has more experience sewing, she may decide to get a more complicated and specialized machine (depending on what kind of sewing she finds herself most drawn to), but having prior experience with a basic machine will help her figure which features she actually wants and will help her diagnose problems in a more complex machine.
I bought my first sewing machine when I was a teenager, and it was the cheapest, most barebones Brother I could find. When I moved overseas and couldn't bring it with me, I upgraded to a Janome — a MyExcel 18W, as it is known in Australia (in the US, this machine is called the HD3000) — which is also pretty basic, but it is more expensive and has a higher build quality than my old Brother because it is oriented more toward sewing thick layers of fabric, such as denim and canvas. I mostly use my sewing machine to make new clothes and alter existing clothes, including jeans, so I wanted a more forceful machine than the one I started with.
I have tried out several different sewing machines, but my Janome has been my go-to for over a decade now, and I have no plans to replace it any time soon. I would heartily recommend it to any beginner because it is forgiving. It's a lot less finicky than my old Brother was — although Brothers are still excellent machines for the price.
One thing to watch out for when buying sewing machines: there is another class of sewing machine known as a serger or an overlocker. Make sure to exclude these from your search because they are not suited to be someone first and only sewing machine. They just do a few specialized types of stitch extremely fast and well, but they can't be used for regular sewing, so they do not replace a regular sewing machine.
* By finicky, I mean that the machine will balk if you don't have the tensions settings just so. A finicky sewing machine is more likely to skip stitches, break threads, and get horrible snarls when, for example, you sew over a seam — requiring you to frequently stop to unpick mistakes and fuss with the settings. A sewing machine with better build quality will just keep trucking, even if the tensions settings are not ideal, which means projects will complete more quickly, you will spend less money on wasted thread and ruined fabric, and sewing will be a fun hobby rather than a frustrating chore.
Thanks a lot for your detailed input. I really appreciate it.
I am guessing these machines are more prone to breaking/needing repairs? Or has your Janome been relatively trouble free since you have gotten it?
Just like any piece of machinery, a sewing machine should be cleaned and taken in for maintenance regularly. A dust cover for when it's out of use for a while is also a good idea (and can be a fun project to make using the machine, as well). I'm not an expert but I've had & used a few machines over the years, and in my experience poor quality build is much more likely to cause issues than whether it's a specialty machine or not, as long as it's well-maintained. If you end up getting the used machine, you'll probably want to take it to a repairperson to get it looked over and tuned up.
Edit: While you're taking in your machine for maintenance, you may as well take in your fabric scissors (make sure to get good ones) to be sharpened, if you can get it done at the same place. You can take kitchen knives at the same time as well. If you have any local fabric stores instead of a big chain store, they may have partnerships with local repair specialists and knife/scissors sharpeners.
I've really only ever used my mom's old expensive Singer brand sewing machine and then a cheap Brother sewing machine I picked up from a dept store like a few years back for like $80 when I moved out. She never really cleaned or maintained her Singer well and the Brother has been worlds better. Despite the Singer being an old, metal, reputable model, you couldn't pay me enough to go back to it.
Totally anecdotal, but I'd say from my limited experience, to just buy a cheaper one new and you'll have the warranty and be able to buy replacement parts if need be. As you or your wife sews, you'll get a better idea of what features you might want (or not want) in a future more expensive machine.
Hey thanks for your input; like you said, it seemed your mom neglected the machine quite a bit, so I'm not too surprised it didn't give you a pleasant experience. This machine I'm looking at is already quite cheap in my opinion so I think I'll take a chance with it. Worst option, I can sell it again for a cheaper price and recoup some of the cost or try and repair it myself if possible. Thanks!
I go to estate sales in my area on a semi-regular basis. One thing I see really consistently is sewing machines. They aren't my thing, so I'm not sure if they are good models or not, but every weekend I see at least one.
I had this journey a while ago and landed on a Janome HD-1000 or HD-3000. It’s a simple but robust machine with a strong motor that can handle heavier fabrics.
Beware of the machines that have dozens of different stitches. In general, if a machine is prioritizing adding in stitches, it’s cutting corners in other places. You really only need a few stitch types to do everything you need to do. If you want to do more ornamental stitches or serging, a dedicated machine will be preferred over a jack of all trades machine.
My daughter got an old Singer sewing machine earlier this year and I helped her get started. There are great tips in this thread and all I can add are: (1) carefully learn the mechanics of how your machine works so you can avoid damage, do basic preventative maintenance and repair, and know when it’s time to consult a real repair person. You’ll find there are a lot of enthusiast communities online (some good, some less than helpful) and some have great guides showing how specific models work. And (2) ask around your local sewing community for people who work on old sewing machines. If you can find “that one person” who has been working on these machines for 40+ years, their advice and maintenance support is golden. We lucked out and found someone like this and our old Singer is now a rock solid and perfectly tuned-up machine.
For fun, if you’re interested, we got a 1960’s Singer Style-o-Matic 328. It has been fun tinkering with it and learning how it works. The goal is eventually to get a Singer Featherweight, but I’ve never seen one that is cheap enough that I’d buy it for a second machine.
Check local sewing machine repair shops if there are any near you. Sometimes they'll sell old sewing machines and you can be reasonably sure they'll be in good working order.