What to look for in a new Sewing Machine:
Necessary Features:
*15-30 year warranty or guarantee
*Free Arm
*Variable needle position
*Drop-in bobbin (no separate bobbin case)
*Raise/lower feed dogs capability
*Dial/slide-lever variable stitch width
*Dial/slide-lever variable stitch length
*Metal Housing (body casing) and any internal parts you can see should be mostly metal (If you see a lot of vinyl or plastic inside, don't buy it! There is no top of the line machine made with all metal parts or without plastic gears)
*Built-in buttonhole (automatic or 1-step best, 4-step okay)
*Vertical thread spindles, (at least 2)
*Variety of built-in stitches: zig-zag, overlock, multiple zig-zag, and blind hem at the very minimum, or:
*Stitching Cams to add/update stitches (if purchasing a machine with cams, ask if there are/will be more cams that can be added later)
*Accessories should include at the very least: standard sewing foot, straight stitch foot, zipper foot, buttonhole foot, and darning foot
*Adjustable thread tension controls
*Zig-zag throat plate
*Forward and reverse sewing (easy to use reverse button or lever)
*Power switch
*Thread cutter
*Built in sewing light
Nice to have:
*Variable speed control button/lever
*Snap-on presser feet
*On-board computerized machine manual and instructions
*Carrying case or carrying handle on top of machine
*Color coded threading and stitch guides
*Button sewing foot
*Straight stitch throat plate
*Automatic tension adjustment
*Automatic (reinforcement) backstitch
*Automatic thread cutter
*Walking foot
*Quilting foot
*Embroidery foot
*Foot control convertible to knee control
*Video
Make sure it uses:
*Standard needle sizes
*Standard bobbin sizes
*Standard feet
*Standard light bulbs
Things to remember when shopping for a machine:
*Machine salespeople have been trained to make the machine look easy to operate, often including sewing on a specially designed firmer fabric.
*Ask to thread the machine yourself.
*Ask to sew on the machine yourself and bring your own fabric swatches to sew on. Include: chiffon, velvet, t-shirt material, silkie polyester or silk, the cut-off bottoms of a pair of jeans with thick seams included! Don't forget to try making a buttonhole, hem on a pair of jeans, and backstitching on thick fabric.
*Make sure the book is easy to understand and ask what kind of "return policy" the store has.
*Ask if 'get acquainted with your machine' classes are included.
*Ask for specifics about the warranty, where parts are ordered from, and where the nearest authorized repair shop is.
*If any sales person tells you their machine is all metal (Gears, etc.), ask them to take off the top, back, side, and bottom covers so you can see the white or black colored plastic hook, timing, and drive gears. There is no top of the line machine made with all metal parts or without plastic gears.
*European machines have very high standards in electronics and workmanship, (I would choose them over the Asian market) but, for example:
Not all Berninas are made in Switzerland. All mechanical Bernina and Bernette sewing machines are now made in Thailand and Taiwan. No more mechanical machines will be made in Switzerland-means older 730, 830, 900, 910, 930 and 1030 machines will become more valuable. All their sergers by Juki are made in Japan and Shanghai, China.
