Sewing machine recommends

Refurbished vintage machines are fantastic (I like Janome brand machines).
Avoid cheap, lightweight plastic machines; they break down quickly. Look for a solid metal machine.
Don't get a fancy one with a bunch of computerized functions; they're hecking expensive to repair and service, not worth it imo.

 

I agree with @Doll-Mage! My circa-1979, heavy, metal sewing machine with just a few stitches does everything I need it to!
And it's still running!

 

Singer or Brother make the best sewing machine, in my experience. Over the years I've had a few Brother sewing machine, both entry level and meant for a more "seasoned" user, and I've never had any issues with them. My family has a few very old Singers sewing machines and they still work like a dream.

 

I use a relatively basic Brother (basic stitches, no automation, no electronics), and I put it through hell on earth sewing things that definitely should be sewn on an industrial sewing machine (thick layers of pleather, a million layers of pleating, ect) and I've never had any issues with it, and yes, it has a plastic case. It's 10 years old now.

Just make sure with any sewing machine that you get to read the manual and understand how to clean and oil it, and that if it's giving you trouble you might need to just replace the needle or redo the bobbin. New needles save lives.

Good luck with whatever machine you settle on, though!

 

I've been using my brother cs6000i since back in 2009/2010 and it's still going strong, but it has difficulty with thick fabric like denim and felt. Otherwise everything else is smooth sailing. It is computerized and does have fancy stitches, but when I got it I was also making bags and little gifty things that I used them to trim up. I also have a single heavy duty that I use for the heavy fabrics and really big projects (this was gifted to me by my mom who got it for herself but then never used it). It only has basic stitches and isn't computerized. Both also have auto threading levers and I swear I can't have a machine without it these days. Both are great and I would recommend them especially for beginners. Also short handled screw drivers are your best friend. You need to be able to get under the sewing plate to clean out "fabric dust" every now and then inbetween services. And depending on what kind of fabrics you use.

 

Second trying to find a refurbished machine. I have a viking that was a floor model and it has been abused for 15 years without any issues. Check your local sew/vac repair center for good deals!

 

Also seconding Brother. It's a moderately-priced machine that is much better than a cheap Singer IMO.

 

If you can find it, anything older with an all metal interior is more likely to stand the test of time. Modern Brothers have a good reputation for being well made and affordable too, though I'm pretty sure they're not entirely metal interiors. Older Singers that still run are extremely good, but I've heard newer Singers can sometimes disappoint.

If you're stuck on a few options that all seem pretty good, check the price and availability of specialty feet. A walking foot is especially valuable if you're interested in sewing knits and they can vary hugely in price and availability depending on the machine.

 

There's always Bernina, which is a Swiss company that makes high-end machines. They also sell the bernette line, which is quite reasonably priced!

 

A good sturdy basic machine from a reputable company like Janome, Elna, Bernina, or Brother would be a good investment - if you can find an older refurbished machine that would work for you too - back in the 70's the machines were good solid workhorses.

I also agree that you don't need a fancy computerised machine - you're paying for the extra tech that beginners don't need and lots of features you probably won't use much ('ve ben sewing full sized costumes since the 80s as wells as making dolls clothes and toys and I haven't used a even quarter of the fancy functions on my computerised machine.

Teddy

 

If you mean lace fabric (rather than sewing lace trim onto a garment of other fabric) that will depend on the machine - I've sewn lace fabric on old machines, but how well they do with it varies. If you want to sew a lot of lace fabric items, rather than just the occasional garment, it might be better to invest in a modern machine that has comes with a straight-stich base plate, or from a range where you can buy a straight-stitch baseplate as an optional extra (it has a small hole in the baseplate for the needle to go though - the smaller the hole the less chance the fine lace fabric will be sucked down into the works of the machine).

It would be best with a refurbished machine to ask for a demo before you buy and take along some lace fabric to try on it during the demo.

Teddy

 

My fave basic tank like sturdy machine is old Kenmore all metal. Early 70's is the best time frame for good vintage machines. They usually have zigzag and cams or some built in stitches. I would look at the needle plate to determine wear. If the needle plate is pristine (no needle nicks) and original the machine probably has no problems and just needs a clean up. I repair old machines as a hobby. Sometimes I run across machines that have probably never been used and sat in a closet for years. It happens.

I just worked on a old New Home 672 which is Janome with embroidery cams and that machine does a beautiful stitch! It is a tank with all metal

My current machine is a old creative 1473 Pfaff and I love it for control and accuracy. It has some plastic parts and electronics but has stood the test of time. The Pfaff has a built in walking foot and auto threader which is REAL nice.

 

I have a refurbished Singer Heavy Duty and absolutely love it! It's my first machine, and as an amateur sewist, it was very affordable, excellent to learn on, and quite sturdy.

 

This.

Modern Singers are a little... questionable... but the vintage models are absolute warhorses. My mom is still using an ancient FeatherWeight that belonged to my grandmother as her "second machine".

For modern machines, I really do swear by the Janomes. I've had much less trouble with my mid-range model than I had with either the modern Singer or the Brother machines that I had before it.

 

From my experience, Pfaff is also a really good brand (though mine is...15 years old by now. So not exactly new any more).

 

You can usually find a vintage Elna Supermatic for under $200. It is made of solid Aluminum so it isn't as heavy as old singer machines made of steel. It's still heavy though. And it does zig zag stitches. Make sure your machine comes with cams, they can be expensive to buy. Anyways, good luck. Great deals can be had on Craigslist

 

Okay, I've been sewing for like 20 years now, and have a sewing buddy who likes to repair 1915 Singers for fun, so I have advice on this!

If you're lucky enough to find an old treadle machine, that will last you a lifetime with proper maintenance. Plus, over the decades an electric wire will tend to perish, but a treadle won't. Definitely have a machine checked out by a sewing-machine repair shop if it appears to be more than like 30-40 years old; electric wires perish, machines need oiling, etc. Often you can get a really good machine AND the checkup/oiling for less than getting a brand-new, high-end machine from the store.

Some vintage machines fold up into little side-tables, which can be convenient or a hassle depending on your needs. (I have two of these that don't run; at some point I'm going to see a repair shop to see about getting them fixed so I can play around with them.) These are nice for having in a corner with an electric outlet, and since they don't take up a lot of space, you can basically have your machine handy at all times, just a (careful) flip of a tabletop away. Plus, there's usually plenty of space underneath for you to store your sewing basket.

I personally got a Janome Gem Gold 350 when I finished HS, and it's worked well for me all these years. I've had to replace the bobbin case (Janome uses plastic bobbin cases, which can wear over time) and get it oiled once, but other than that it's run just fine.

Whether you go new or used, you want a machine that can do both straight and zig-zag stitches, either via a stitch-selector knob or a special lever. DO NOT buy a computerized machine; they're way more expensive, and while they have a lot of fancy features, it's nigh-impossible to repair or replace the internal computer if it fails on you. (Unless you're lucky enough to get the one from 20 years ago that used a Game Boy Color as its "computer," because Game Boys are easy to find on the secondhand market.)

If you can test a machine in the store, bring a piece of something satiny or a scrap of velvet, to make sure it can handle fabrics other than quilting cotton. The machine shouldn't jam or have any problems; it's a brand-new demo machine, if it can't handle your fabric, then it's junk.

I also have a serger, but I wouldn't recommend one for a beginner. Start with a "regular," one-needle sewing machine.

 

I wouldn't recommend a treadle for a beginning sewist; I'm very experienced, and I still haven't gotten mine ready to run. (Plus, depending on what you get, you might not be able to use standard bobbins, and looking for VS bobbins is a lot of guesswork and pain. Not to mention that the leather belt is a specialty item that, while easier to get than a VS bobbin, still takes you to specialty shops to purchase.)

Bang for your buck, older machines are really where it's at, particularly one that can, at a minimum, do a zigzag in addition to a straight stitch, and can backstitch. I've seen plenty of "cheap" machines missing one or both of those extremely basic features, rendering them considerably less helpful. Older machines can often go for a bit cheaper, and are often made more durably--less plastic and more metal is what you want. Brand-wise, rather than a specific brand, go for a brand that you can get serviced locally (the downfall of one of my prior machines--really great, until it got mis-serviced).

I've personally used Singers, Brothers, a Kenmore, and a Necchi; the only "lousy" machine in the bunch was the newer Singer (with too many plastic parts, but hey, it was free plus the cost of having it repaired and wasn't ever going to be a primary machine). I have friends who favor Janome, Pfaff, and Husqvarna (and just started a layaway on the latter for myself) who are each brand-loyalists to those lines, frequently because their parents also swore by those lines, and they're all very good! But my mom jumped around a lot more between brands of machine, and local service options are far more important than "get this one very specific brand."

 

I have the Bernina 1008 and it is a classic. Heavy, noisy, clearly made of solid metal - it's a popular model for sewing colleges and schools, because it's a powerhouse. No fussy features or delicate bits that can go wrong, and none of it is digital - no screens or anything - it's just a machine.

Ex-display sewing machines at sewing machine shops are often 1/2 price - one of my sewing machines was used in the Alexander McQueen show, and for that I got a 50% discount

Industrial sewing machines are really dreamy. They have a flat bed, which is a joy to sew on - and only do a straight stitch, and they're big (take up a lot of room in your house). You also need a bit more confidence to set the knobs correctly. However, it's my baby. It runs faster than a regular sewing machine, and has a large foot pedal and a knee bar for lifting the presser foot, which is a much more ergonomic way of working - a lot more pleasurable to use. Mine is a Global 3900, and I use it by preference over my domestic machine. You just don't need to worry about damaging an industrial machine, they are designed to run constantly 7 hours a day and last for a decade in a factory.

In case you are tempted, do not get an embroidery machine. Period. They are nightmares.

 

Yes and no. If you're a new or inexperienced user, then no, don't get an embroidery machine, as they're far too complex for beginners. If you're experienced and take the time to learn how to use it, an embroidery machine is a great way to open up new options for embellishing your doll clothes (and other projects), and most of them are also great sewing machines. Personally, I don't use mine to sew, purely because I can multitask by loading one project into it and working on another one with my standard machine, but I know it's got some great options if I did want to use it for regular sewing. But, if I weren't experienced, and hadn't taken the time to learn to use it properly, it would be overwhelming.

 

I have a late 90's-early 2000's Singer and it’s worked pretty well for me for garment sewing, doll sewing, and quilting. I second whoever said to check out if you can get extra presser foot accessories for it. I quilt, and a walking foot is a must for doing basic straight lines. Another nice thing to have if you do people-sized garment sewing is a button hole stitch function. Other than that I don’t use the stitches mine came with other than straight and zig zag.

 

Ahoy! Costume designer here!

If you're looking for a beginner sewing machine, you can't go wrong with Brother.
Singer was bought out by another company and now their machines are terrible.

If your price point is bigger than Brother, Janome is very, very heavy duty as it's metal. Definitely a fan.

We upgraded to a Juki HZL-G220, which is a lower end of the industrial type machines but way better than Brother and Janome. If this wasn't our business, we wouldn't have changed from Brother since they're cheap, easy, and all purpose really. But with our business, the Juki is way superior. More even stitches, better variety of sewn materials, good variety of speed.

 

Oooh I'm glad to hear yours is enjoyable. I'm going to put my counter-take, if that's ok, on why I discourage people from getting one (but please don't hear this as a critique of you , I'm happy to hear that you're having good experiences because my embroidery machine is just this heavy lump of Extremely Negative Feelings in my life...)

The main problem with mine is size. It has a footprint of a square meter (to give the bit that moves space to shuttle back and forth); the heavy bit is the weight of a small car, and it vibrates when it moves, so it can't be kept on a table that's anything other than rock solid and sturdy oak in its own right - but the bit that connects and does the embroidering is delicate and feels designed to snap and be jostled.

Some places I've lived, I've just not had room to run it - the rooms haven't been big enough to support it on a table and not have it bang into the walls. Here, it goes in the middle of the wooden floor (which is itself a problem, keeping a machine this pricey in the middle of the floor where the dust is), and I'm frightened when my husband walks into the room in case his vibrations on the floor jostle the machine.

Unlike any other sewing machine I've ever seen or used, it feels fragile. New sewing machine owners are often frightened of damaging their machines, but if you have a good quality one that's not really an issue - they're designed for heavy, longterm use, they're metal monsters encased in plastic. But I don't think I'll ever get over this feeling for my embroidery machine; I got it to try and start a small business, and I feel unhappy and guilty that I have it, and constantly frightened of it getting damaged; it has mystery breakdowns, like no longer registering hoop size, and you can't just leave it to print off a design in case the foot catches under a thread - you have to babysit it, which is tense. Hoop sizes are surprisingly small, to get a machine that actually makes a decent size patch is an extra expense.

Plus, to make my own patterns - surely, that's the point of an embroidery machine, to express your creativity through your own designs - the programs to do that are, in their own right, hideously expensive and quite the learning curve to master. I'm relying on a piece of freeware written 12 years ago for an OS that no longer exists, and somehow I've managed to keep it running, and which I had to write tutorials for because the old ones have vanished into the aether. Digitising patterns is actually fun, and the sense of satisfaction of seeing your pattern come out is immense; but I'm uncomfortable that new embroidery machine owners are upsold on digitising programs that are janky and pointless at beginner level, or like $700+ get a program that actually does what it promises.

All told, it feels like it hasn't been fully thought through as a machine for domestic ownership. It feels like it's still in the expensive boondoggle category, like when you get a toastie maker or a multi-function blender as a wedding present and then it just clutters up your kitchen forever.

• Very, very expensive - especially if you want to do a pattern of a decent size, or if you want to create your own designs
• Ongoing expense of buying new patterns for it
  
• Very inconvenient to store and run unless you have a generous living space and the budget for a heavy piece of furniture to store it on
• Feels delicate, and needs to be watched while it runs to prevent malfunctions
• they try and sell you a $200 computer program to go with it without telling you it won't actually let you make your own patterns in the fullest meaning of that phrase, and for that you need a $700 program, even though there's a free one online
• Digitising is a whole new hobby to pick up
• I feel like nobody who sells, reviews, or talks about embroidery machines is writing about them from the perspective of being a 25-year-old living in a house-share, and therefore has a lot of blind-spots like "do you have enough disposable income to buy new patterns for it every time you want to start a new project" or "is your room big enough to run it without it crashing into the wall" or "how are you going to pack this when you inevitably need to move house".

I'd cautiously recommend it to anyone who is unable to learn to hand-embroider (i.e. arthritis), who only wants to use other people's patterns (Urban Threads is a dreamy brand), and who has a large hobby budget and large house and is settled in their life. I'd also recommend people look into getting a professional-quality embroidery machine, because I bet they're actually less fragile and temperamental than a domestic-quality one.

The one thing that has made me feel positive about this experience is that my husband is excited about getting to make his own designs; seeing it through his eyes has revived my own joy in owning this wretched, hateful monster, & helped me start clearing some of the negative emotions that have got attached to it (my unhappiness at needing to try and start a business to live, my unhappiness at the small places I was living and having to move and store it every few months while being homeless). I've been thinking about whether I could use it for doll things, and I've got some digital artist friends who are letting me make patches of their designs which is lovely to collaborate on because my own design skills are quite bad.

So, maybe check in with me in six months and see whether I'm feeling more positive!

(and if you own an embroidery machine, you want to download Thred to make patterns instead of buying a program - PM me for help getting it installed, or to send you my tutorial for it)

 

Oh absolutely! It's good to hear the differing opinions! From yours, I'll add that my existing one, being a small hobbyist model (only does 4x4 designs), has considerably less of a footprint, and at least with standard threads doesn't take too much monitoring while running. As of yesterday, I now own one of the fancier models with the larger footprint, though that size is why it's not actually set up anywhere yet.

For the machine itself, the new one (Husqvarna Viking) is a VERY solid machine, but also, just based on the tutorial videos I've made it through, way too complex for a beginning sewist. The old one (Brother) is a lot more straightforward, though the computer functions might still be a bit much for someone who's brand new to sewing, though on the flipside, being able to control things more precisely might help someone who's just learning. I personally learned on very old, very mechanical machines, and still use a fully mechanical machine for the bulk of my sewing; computerized machines flat out didn't exist when I was learning. For someone younger who's grown up with everything from cars to toasters being computerized, maybe they'd be more comfortable sewing on that machine than I am. Neither one feels fragile to me at all.

It's absolutely not a "pick up on a whim" kind of machine! But if you have experience and can get a good deal on one, I still think they can be worth it, and I hope you do start getting the feel of yours. I've really loved having the smaller one (even when it was eating metallic thread a couple of weeks ago), which is why I personally upgraded, but in the end, not everyone loves the same things.

Heck yeah it is! I've shared a few embroidered doll outfits in other threads, and I think so far everything's been UT designs. (Their sister company Embroidery Library also has some fantastic stuff!) My biggest issue now with moving toward switching out my machines is that they don't take the same format, so I have to redownload everything, and since I've had the old machine for a few years, it's a lot of stuff to redownload...

 

These views on embroidery machines is really helpful.

I'm constantly tempted to get one but haven't decided if I will use it enough to justify the expense.

And I hadn't even thought about the footprint. Thanks to my boys being 70cm size, I think I want the hoop size to be kinda big. I keep wanting to do a super embroidered 18th century coat but I don't have the mental stamina to do it by hand.

 

I'll offer this: I started out with a 4x4" machine, and was able to do most of a pretty heavily embroidered human-scale fantasy robe. So it's certainly not impossible, just slower and requires a certain level of tenacity. Additionally to that, the 4x4" machine cost me around $500 at the time (comparable currently available machines are around $500-700). Compare that to the $2000 I paid for a reconditioned large-size machine (which originally ran around $16,000 or more, iirc), and the cost of entry was far more reasonable for something I didn't know if I'd use enough to justify it. Just some food for thought for you as you consider your options.

 

Ah. Good to know!

 

Great recommendations, thank you! I feel like I have a path from beginner to expert now

 

Hi! Beginner sewist here as well!

I previously used my mother's Bernina machine, which is a very good machine, that still works well even though my mother bought it as a young bride and the machine served well over 30 years.

But I recently got a hand-cranked toy Singer machine from the 70s (apparently a Singer 20-10) at a garage sale. I got it because it was cute, won't take much space and I wanted to see if an antique machine with a handcrank would work for me.

The toy machine works surprisingly well, and I have a lot less difficulty to control my stitch with it than with my mother's electric sewing machine, the fancy Bernina, which is a real machine aimed at adults (it may also help that since it's a handcrank, I can't go crazy with the pedal so a lot of user error potential here XD). It became my main sewing machine and I was very impressed that, though the the toy Singer can only do a chainstitch, the stitch size can reach tiny territory, less than a mm, a size that I would never have been able to do with the electric machine (or it's possible and I suck and don't know how). And since the machine is cast iron, it will probably stand the test of time with good maintenance. The manual said that it could also sew silk or heavy fabric, if there is the appropriate needles, so if I ever find them, I'll probably try it.

My own take is that antique hand-cranked machines (at least the toy Singer machine) are definitely worth it if you work in very small scales, but they do come with several (debatably major) disadvantages:
-they may not work or be reparable, so even if we are careful when buying it, there is some luck involved
-it can only do one stitch, the chainstitch. No zigzag can sometimes be a pickle to find ways around it.
-if you want replacement parts they may not be easy to find
-it has no backstitch, so you have to turn your work manually
-they are slower than an electric machine (but you have way more control, so IMO it's a very fair trade-off and not a disadvantage)
-the tension does not adapt automatically, you have to test it out. Personally I have a piece of "test fabric" in which I test out stitch until I got the right adjustments and then I sew on the real thing).

Basically, the toy Singer is a sturdy machine that can excels at the very tiny seams and a beautiful neat chainstitch but cannot do much else. I love it and probably will keep it and use it a lot, but it does have a lot of drawbacks (that I am willing to work around). It's super tiny, ideal when I only have a room ATM (it has also been marketed as an adult portable machine, and while I can slip it in my handbag, it's fairly heavy). And I suppose I am amused by the idea of using a antique toy sewing machine to sew my toy/doll some historical/"antique" clothing!

Things to keep in mind if you ever find such a machine for cheap in a garage sale and be tempted like I was !

 

Wow! @lyaam12 I have a toy Singer chain stich machine and have not used it for sewing doll clothes since childhood. I am intrigued by your comment and will give my little machine a new look. What a fun idea!

 

@tinyseams: Yay! Tell me how it goes! I think you know it, but since a lot of user manuals have been lost, I'm putting the information here: to get the tiny tiny stitches, you have to push the lever at the bottom towards you and play with the tension (the nut at the top in front of the tension wheel). I think the tiny tiny stitches have a very beautiful look to them! (And it would go so well with your username!)

 

In my doll sewing experience, I rarely ever need the machine to do more than these: an adjustable length straight stitch, an adjustable zig zag stitch, and maybe a few decorative stitches. I've sewn whole outfits on my Juki straight stitch only machine. I also like to be able to adjust the speed because I'm bad at fast sewing, but it's not really necessary.

All metal machines are absolutely great and will last longer. However, most modern machines are made with some plastic parts, even if they're a nicer brand. You can get an older machine with metal parts, but keep extra budget for any repairs that are needed. If the necessary repairs are extensive, it may be hard to find the parts for an older machine. When I broke my mom's old Singer, the parts were so difficult to find (and therefore expensive) that it wasn't practical to repair the machine. Happily, the sewing repairman was very happy to buy the remaining parts which helped fund a new sewing machine! Speaking of, sewing machine repair shops often have older, repaired machines they will sell at a discount.

I had a modern Singer Simple and it was an absolute nightmare to use. I've heard better things about the Singer Patchwork or Heavy Duty, but I can't really recommend Singer machines. I have heard better things about Brother machines and Janome machines if you want something modern. I had a Husqvarna Viking I really liked but have heard they're owned by Singer now. I use a Bernina that I love, but it may be pricey for a beginner.

In any case, basic sewing machine maintenance will help any machine you get. Make sure to oil it per the manual recommendations, change your needle frequently, and dust under the throat plate after projects.

 

This thread is so incredibly helpful, thank you everyone for all your advice!!

 

I second this. I received a refurbished Brother machine for my birthday about 20 years ago, and it still works great to this day. It's not fancy, it's almond colored so it's probably from the 90s, but it works like a dream.

 

I live in a fairly rural area, so buying a refurbished vintage sewing machine in person would be very difficult. I have a modern Singer Tradition that I bought a few years ago that I find to be user friendly for both doll clothes and small quilt projects. Covering it with fabric when not in use to protect it from dust and being comfortable re-threading the bobbin has so far kept it running smoothly.

 

I have two sewing machines. One is a hand-cranked 126 year old workhorse who can do exactly one stitch but by gum, she will do it very well and through basically anything.

The other is a computerised one which is fussier but had certain functions which were absolutely necessary to me.

In terms of buying one. If you can go somewhere where you can actually see and handle them, that's ideal. There's also youtube which is a fantastic resource for questions like 'hey, I just acquired a centenarian sewing machine, how do I thread this', basic maintenance and even minor repairs.