My wife wants a sewing machine, she has fixed her clothes years ago so I'm guessing she knows a little. I know absolutely nothing about them, but would like to learn. We are shopping for one in the $200 range would some of you recommend some models for us? We need one to be very user friendly. I'm not sure what features we should be concerned or unconcerned about. The main feature I want is to stick 2 pieces of fabric together.
Can someone recommend a sewing machine in $200 range
- Thread starter Urbanmx
- Start date
For my daily use machine, I own a Brother NX-450 -- one of the more expensive ones you have to get from a dealer. If you get a chance to see a sewing machine dealer, sometimes you can get a used or refurbished machine for a good price...which is what I managed to do. I got the machine for about half the normal cost because it was refurbished. I also got to "test drive" it prior to the purchase, and could have taken an introductory course, had I really needed it -- both bonuses for going to a dealer.
But I'm also living between two different countries at the moment, and needed a "backup" machine I could use while home in the States. I did some research and ended up picking up a Brother SC9500 for $199-ish at Sears. It had the features I used most on my NX-450 -- speed control, auto button hole settings, drop-in bobbin, and the automatic needle threader. The instruction manual isn't bad, though I'll admit I've not used it much. There was also a DVD included with the machine that went over a lot of the basics, as well as how to use the buttonhole foot and a few other functions. (If you're curious, you can get a preview of the DVD here.)
Overall, though, I'd say that, if you go with a new machine, you should probably stick with Brother, Janome, and maybe (if you find a dealer with a good price) a Babylock; Berninas and Pfaffs are excellent, but tend to be expensive. Going with an older, used machine -- one that will go forward, backward, and zig zag -- you could go with a Kenmore, Singer, or White so long as it was 1970s-ish or before. These can be found for decent prices in thrift stores, at yard sales, and sometimes on eBay. You'd want a local purchase, though, cause these babies weigh a ton! They're also hard to kill -- I keep a 1960s Kenmore around for sewing things like multiple layers of cordura and leather.
I'd also recommend having a browse over at Amazon. Not only do they have a surprisingly good selection, but you can read reviews and weigh them accordingly.
Good luck!
EDIT:
Also, Craftsy has some good, basic classes to offer to beginners, some of them free. The "Sewing Machine 911" class is free, and a good primer on some quick solutions to common problems. As far as paid goes, I'd recommend the "Sewing Studio with Diana Rupp." I have the book the class is based off of, and it has some excellent tips for beginners, as well as some simple projects to get started with.
But I'm also living between two different countries at the moment, and needed a "backup" machine I could use while home in the States. I did some research and ended up picking up a Brother SC9500 for $199-ish at Sears. It had the features I used most on my NX-450 -- speed control, auto button hole settings, drop-in bobbin, and the automatic needle threader. The instruction manual isn't bad, though I'll admit I've not used it much. There was also a DVD included with the machine that went over a lot of the basics, as well as how to use the buttonhole foot and a few other functions. (If you're curious, you can get a preview of the DVD here.)
Overall, though, I'd say that, if you go with a new machine, you should probably stick with Brother, Janome, and maybe (if you find a dealer with a good price) a Babylock; Berninas and Pfaffs are excellent, but tend to be expensive. Going with an older, used machine -- one that will go forward, backward, and zig zag -- you could go with a Kenmore, Singer, or White so long as it was 1970s-ish or before. These can be found for decent prices in thrift stores, at yard sales, and sometimes on eBay. You'd want a local purchase, though, cause these babies weigh a ton! They're also hard to kill -- I keep a 1960s Kenmore around for sewing things like multiple layers of cordura and leather.
I'd also recommend having a browse over at Amazon. Not only do they have a surprisingly good selection, but you can read reviews and weigh them accordingly.
Good luck!
EDIT:
Also, Craftsy has some good, basic classes to offer to beginners, some of them free. The "Sewing Machine 911" class is free, and a good primer on some quick solutions to common problems. As far as paid goes, I'd recommend the "Sewing Studio with Diana Rupp." I have the book the class is based off of, and it has some excellent tips for beginners, as well as some simple projects to get started with.
Last edited:
mdb
Sr Member
Two pieces of fabric could be anything 
- silk chiffon is very different to stretch velour for instance And they require different skills to sew as well as a machine that can be adjusted enough.
Figure out what you want to make, and think about the properties of the fabric to make them.
For example tailored suits? You'll need light but sturdy lining, heavy interfacing and a mid weight close weave wool. So you need a machine on which you can adjust foot pressure, thread tension and create a mid-long stitch. Most basic machines will do this, always see if you can check out an in store model.
If you want to make bodysuits or swim or work out gear you will want something capable of stretch stitches. Basically most models that go forward and backward will do this. Some cheaper machines only do zig zag. You want at least a triple lock stitch (symbol ||| on the dial) which will stretch with the fabric in the same direction as the fabric.
I prefer to use models from the early 1980s or earlier. Janome or Elna made amazing machines then and they can be fixed at home really easily as the gears and such are built in a way you can get to them and adjust. I have almost fixed my Janome- there is a loose connection to the light and I need to check the feed dogs a bit more as it doesn't like to reverse (but is fine for the stretch stitches for some reason!
A machine able to do stretch stitches can also do some faux overlocking (serger) stitches if you need to add extra support to seam allowances- handy for knit fabrics or fabrics prone to unraveling. This means you don't need to get an overlocker for some time.
- silk chiffon is very different to stretch velour for instance And they require different skills to sew as well as a machine that can be adjusted enough.Figure out what you want to make, and think about the properties of the fabric to make them.
For example tailored suits? You'll need light but sturdy lining, heavy interfacing and a mid weight close weave wool. So you need a machine on which you can adjust foot pressure, thread tension and create a mid-long stitch. Most basic machines will do this, always see if you can check out an in store model.
If you want to make bodysuits or swim or work out gear you will want something capable of stretch stitches. Basically most models that go forward and backward will do this. Some cheaper machines only do zig zag. You want at least a triple lock stitch (symbol ||| on the dial) which will stretch with the fabric in the same direction as the fabric.
I prefer to use models from the early 1980s or earlier. Janome or Elna made amazing machines then and they can be fixed at home really easily as the gears and such are built in a way you can get to them and adjust. I have almost fixed my Janome- there is a loose connection to the light and I need to check the feed dogs a bit more as it doesn't like to reverse (but is fine for the stretch stitches for some reason!
A machine able to do stretch stitches can also do some faux overlocking (serger) stitches if you need to add extra support to seam allowances- handy for knit fabrics or fabrics prone to unraveling. This means you don't need to get an overlocker for some time.
CaptainDave1701
Well-Known Member
You could possibly look in thrift stores. Here where I live we have The Re-Store which supports Habitat for Humanity and I have seen nice used machines for as little as $29.00.
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