Buying a new sewing machine can be a real challenge. I have put together the best tips for buying a sewing machine for you. This is how you do everything right!
Buying a sewing machine – Which sewing machine is right for me?
Of course, I have bought a few sewing machines in my sewing career - but I probably cannot call myself a professional. That is why I paid a visit to my sewing machine whisperer. And listened to his best tips.
1. Analyze your needs
Analyzing your needs means: Ask yourself what you want to do with the sewing machine. What do you hope to achieve by purchasing this sewing machine?
- Do you mainly want to relax while sewing?
- Should it become a creative hobby?
- Do you want to sew for others?
- Are you planning your own shop and want to sew professionally?
- Or do you want to do repair work, mend jeans, replace zippers?
- Are you mainly interested in sewing bags and embroidering them?
- Are you planning to sew your own clothes?
- Do you love patchwork and quilting?
In short: Be clear about what you expect from sewing.
Why should you do this?
Because there are different sewing machines for different sewing needs.
I will show you what I mean with a few examples.
If you like sewing and mending jeans or bags, inserting zippers, and perhaps also sewing your own jeans, purchasing a machine with high penetration power is recommended. There are special jeans sewing machines, sometimes they are also called Heavy Duty sewing machines. The Heavy Duty* by traditional manufacturer Singer is one such model.
If you want to sew and embroider sewing projects, bags, or clothes, you could consider a combination embroidery-sewing machine. That way, you kill two birds with one stone. Embroidery sewing machines are usually more expensive to purchase than sewing machines, as they have to be equipped with double technology.
Machines with a large embroidery field are particularly interesting here. This means that your creativity will not be limited as quickly.
Do you like sewing clothes? Then you can consider buying a machine with nice buttonhole functions, an automatic threader, and good lighting. By the way, my sewing machine whisperer recommends the Brother F400* as an affordable universal sewing machine. I will definitely have to test it sometime soon...
My tip: Write down what you expect from a sewing machine. And then start your search - online or at a local specialist.
2. Don't just compromise!
Of course, when buying a sewing machine, you also have (often above all) a maximum amount in mind that you are willing to spend. And for this money, you also want to have the best possible device. Think carefully about what you want to invest - and can.
Saving on a sewing machine often means: Quickly losing interest. Especially when sewing beginners do not yet know exactly what to expect from their new hobby, they agree to buy a cheap device.
If an incomprehensible user manual and complicated manual operation are added to that, the new sewing machine quickly ends up in the junk room. And the sewing beginner loses the chance to enter the greatest hobby in the world with full enthusiasm.
My tip: Better save a little longer and buy the best possible (and best rated) sewing machine that is available on the market within your price limit!
3. Listen to your gut feeling
If you have the opportunity: Test different sewing machines. Sometimes local specialist dealers offer promotional weeks in which you can look at and try out machines from different manufacturers in the store.
This is so great because you can then see if the operation suits you, how loud or quiet the machine is - and if you like the sewing machine overall.
If a sewing machine feels right to you, if it is logically designed for you and has everything you wish for, then it could be your dream sewing machine.
Keep in mind: Buying a sewing machine - that is not comparable to purchasing a vacuum cleaner. When choosing your sewing machine, think of buying a high-quality hiking boot that is supposed to carry you through the most exciting and fascinating regions of the world:
It has to fit you. ONLY you. If that is the case, you have done everything right.
It happened to me that I bought a Bernina 480 because everyone raved about Bernina. However, I did not get along with this (well-made and very solid) machine at all. The chemistry between us just wasn't right. And you have to take this impression into account. If you do not feel comfortable with a machine, then it simply IS NOT YOUR machine. Feel free to read my test report on the Bernina 480.
My tip: Study reviews, ask your sewing friends and get advice in the specialist trade - but then decide according to your feeling! Because you want to become best friends, your new sewing machine and you. And friendship is not a matter of the head.
4. Not necessarily new!
You have set your sights on a really good sewing machine - but unfortunately it is outside your budget?
Instead of buying a less well-equipped machine, why not see if you can get your dream machine used. Or as a demonstration model. Sometimes dealers offer their display models at a low price after creative fairs.
The machines are still great - but much cheaper!
If you buy a used sewing machine from a private seller, make sure that it has been serviced by a specialist dealer and let them show you the corresponding maintenance invoice. Even if the sewing machine still has a warranty, it is not transferable. That means it no longer applies to you. It is better to play it safe and take a device that has just come out of maintenance.
My tip: Better good and used than cheap and new!
My recommendation: You can also buy a used industrial sewing machine. These are often very robust sewing machines with high penetration power and fast sewing speed. You can of course also find the best tips for buying a used industrial sewing machine here on the blog.
5. Online purchase or local dealer?
It is certainly interesting to compare prices on the internet. At the same time, you should also ask a local dealer. Because online does not necessarily mean that you get the best price there. Sometimes the sewing machines at the local specialist dealer are just as cheap.
You can also negotiate a discount with the dealer - or ask if special accessories that you want can be included at a low price.
But above all, you will receive an introduction to the operation of the sewing machine in the specialist trade.
Also consider that if you buy locally, you can bring the machine back there if it has problems. With an online purchase, that is not so easy.
It is recommended to carefully check the conditions of sending the machine back to the dealer. Who bears the costs if the sewing machine is damaged during transport? Often the burden of proof lies with the customer.
And hardly any local dealer will repair a sewing machine not purchased from them during the warranty period.
My tip: Read the fine print when buying a sewing machine online!
6. Cheap - and good?
Some manufacturers advertise, for example, with a 10-year warranty and manufacturing in Germany.
That immediately makes me think of secured jobs - and a risk-free purchase.
Made in Germany - but according to insider information, this sometimes only means that the sewing machines are assembled in Germany - their individual parts come from all over the place. In this sense, advertising with "Made in Germany" is almost unfair, I think.
Let's look at the 10-year warranty.
The devil can be in the details here. In fact, there is a legally regulated warranty period of 2 years. Every dealer is obliged to process warranty cases during this time.
If a dealer advertises with a 10-year warranty, it is particularly important to read the fine print.
It could say, for example, that the customer has to send back a defective machine at their own expense. And that the costs for the repair must also be borne by the customer if the dealer determines that the damage is not covered by the warranty.
How can a customer prove the opposite?
The fine print could also state that the warranty only applies if the sewing machine is sent back to the dealer for maintenance once a year at the customer's own expense, which is also subject to a fee.
Maintenance at a specialist dealer usually costs between 60 and 80 euros.
Such considerations significantly relativize the very low price of some sewing machines, I think.
My tip: Find out about the warranty conditions!
Here you can find my sewing machine test reports:
Do my tips for buying a sewing machine help you?
Feel free to leave me a comment!
Happy simple sewing,
your Sabine
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