Despite the abundance of ready-made clothes in stores, women's interest in sewing does not disappear, and is even fueled by the rich possibilities that modern sewing machines have. The desire to sew also appears after visiting fabric stores, where materials of the most modern colors and textures are presented. If you also want a sewing machine in your home, choosing a good one will not be a problem, especially if you have a clear idea of what purpose it may be required for.
Functions performed by sewing machines
In a regular store, you can buy an electric sewing machine equipped with a computer and capable of performing hundreds of different stitches and many operations. But if you are learning to sew and for now are only going to provide for the needs of your family, there is no point in spending money on such expensive equipment - most of the operations are unnecessary for you. Therefore, when choosing a sewing machine, you should limit yourself to those functions that will always be in demand and which will allow you to automate the sewing process as much as possible.
For a beginner and even an experienced dressmaker, it will be quite enough if the machine will perform several different stitches (from 5 to 15), including a blind stitch and a "zigzag", with which the inner seams of the products are overlapped. The set must include stitches that allow you to work with elastic fabrics. It is necessary that the machine be able to process buttonholes in automatic or at least semi-automatic mode. Better if she can do several different types of loops.
How to choose a quality sewing machine
Having decided on the necessary functions, pay attention to other characteristics of the machine. An important parameter is the type of shuttle. It can be vertical and horizontal. Sewing machines using the vertical shuttle are noisier. During operation, you will not be able to see how many threads are still in the shuttle. Horizontal shuttle machines are more expensive, but they are more convenient to use.
How long the car will serve you and whether it breaks down at the most inopportune moment depends on the material from which its parts are made. The cheap plastic that is often used in Chinese sewing machines is short-lived and you will often have to repair such equipment. Choose a clipper with metal internals.
If you are sewing thick and dense fabrics such as denim, pay attention to the maximum height the presser foot will lift and the force of the puncture, which is determined by the power.
Make the choice of the machine depending on the quality, which is mainly determined by the manufacturer. Trusted and well-proven brands are Pfaff, Brother, Husqvarna, Bernina, Juki, Janome, Family and the famous Singer, which is still in service and has been producing quality sewing machines for over 165 years.
