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Gone are the days of the ’sewing machine’ – bought to sew straight rows of stitching, taking much less time than doing the job by hand.

Today, as with most things, we have so much choice and our sewing needs have not been neglected in the choice department.

A word of advice, don’t take your husband, spouse or male partner with you or worse still, don’t send him to do your buying.

Admittedly you will get one beautiful sewing machine with everything that opens and shuts, will probably be the top of the range because the “mechanical” side of it will be what he takes into account, not your sewing needs.

You may only want a machine for mending and maybe the odd outfit or costume for a school play.  You will find yourself with every sewing option anyone could ever need or want.

Buying a sewing machine is all about your sewing needs.  For basic sewing needs and this covers your complete wardrobe too, what you will require is:-

  • Straight stitching
  • Stretch stitching
  • Zigzag stitching
  • Buttonhole stitching.


If you plan on doing lots of buttonholes, then look for an automatic buttonhole feature.  The basic buttonhole feature on most machines will suffice if you are only doing a few here and there.

There is another feature I would be looking for and that is, how does the machine go with the thickness of fabric, hemming jeans, sewing thick woolen fabrics, round the corners on pockets etc.  And…. The reverse, how does it sew on the fine fabrics, silks, sheers etc.  That type of thing because these are the fabrics you will be using, maybe not every time you sew, but enough to want to do it with ease.

Firstly, work out your needs, keep your options open, you may feel you only need a new sewing machine for mending but when you get it and have a few lessons, you may decide you will do a bit more and before you know it, you are making all your own clothes.

There is nothing like learning to do things the right way.  Most dealers offer free sewing lessons when you purchase a new machine.  This is a great idea and lets you get to know and understand your machine.  Shop around for the best deal on this too.

There is a disadvantage to buying online, as the sewing lessons may not be available unless there is a dealer in your area who handles the sale.

So if you are going after the best deal and it is online, then be aware of this.  You may live in a remote area and no close dealers, so ask if there is anything available you may be able to take advantage of in your closest bigger town.

There also could be phone support or online support, not everyone is living in the big cities.   Sewing people are friendly folk and enjoy helping each other.

There are also forums you can join where there is a good community to help members.

Now that pretty well covers you getting to know your new machine and there is nothing like practice to get to know it better.

A sewing machine with the basics like straight, stretch, zigzag, buttonhole stitches, will sew over thick and fine fabrics will serve you well to make your own outfits.

Visit the dealers in your local area, check out the warrantee, the after sales service and if there are any free sewing lessons.

Test-drive a few different brands.

When you do decide on a sewing machine, make sure you are shown how to look after it.

  • When to oil
  • How to oil
  • Where to oil
  • How much oil,
  • How to clean
  • Where to clean
  • How to change the light bulb
  • How to change the belt
  • When to do all of the above



If you learn all this and maintain your machine, you should have years of trouble free sewing.

I am not recommending any make of sewing machine but would just like to tell you that I have had my machine for over 30 years.  I always oil it (only special sewing machine oil, this is most important) and clean it, keep the dogfeed free of lint etc. every time I use it.   I have only had the foot control to the service center once, the slow speed needed adjusting.  Of course, I have had a couple of new belts and light bulbs.

It was at the time it was purchased, the top of the range Elna (my husband bought it for me, that’s how I know about the “man” thing and sewing machines, I wanted a basic sewing machine).

The majority of the features I have only used a few times, some just to see what they could do, and it took me some time to “become friends” with my Ellie, but once I had a few lessons, got to know it better, we have been the “best of friend” for all those years.

I just love my sewing machine.  I know there are bigger and better but for my needs, Ellie is just great.

I have sewn since I was very young but after starting to sew with my new “best friend”, I took myself off to a pattern drafting and sewing course and this really made an impact on my and my daughter’s wardrobes.

So when you are looking for your sewing machine, keep in mind your current needs and also what you may want to do in the future.

You may decide to start up your own business, maybe not sewing clothes, maybe sewing for the home, put out a line of table linen, wonderful cushions.  Maybe you like doing alterations and are good at it, people are always looking for someone to alter their clothes.

If you are thinking of starting your own business, don’t get talked into buying an industrial sewing machine first up, you may find you don’t need one, a domestic sewing machine may do all you need.