Top 10 tips for choosing a sewing machine

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Brother

pfaff

Janome

Husqvarna

Siruba

Yamata

Bernina

Merrylock

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There are 3 types of machines on the market. We did not consider outdated mechanical options that were received from grandmothers and remained in the closet as a keepsake. Manufacturers focus on technology, so there are electromechanical, electronic and computer sewing machines to choose from.

Electromechanical

A feature of these devices is the combination of a mechanical system and an electric motor. The user independently sets the settings and modes that remain in the memory of the device. On such machines usually many handles, buttons and levers. They are reliable and not very expensive, suitable for home use. They are chosen by novice craftswomen who want to master all the functions. Such models are not capable of making complex seams, but they cope with all popular operations.

Electronic

These machines are distinguished by a huge number of functions. They are equipped with an electric drive, the processes are automated and controlled by an electronic unit. The seamstress does not need to build the parameters on her own, the characteristics are already in the microprocessor. The machine itself right defines the criteria. The master sees the parameters on the display. Such models are suitable for both beginners and professionals. The downside is the high price. Not everyone needs so many features.

computer machines

The most modern fancy models. They are controlled by a program on a small computer. Such machines not only sew and baste buttonholes, but also perform up to 500 types of stitches and greatly facilitate the work. For example, they signal a thread break and automatically adjust the presser foot pressure. Computer machines are rarely bought for the home, so how the price is justified if the seamstress uses all the functions. And they are often not needed for beginners and even experienced craftsmen.

Modern sewing machines offer such a variety of stitches that even professional seamstresses do not always know all the operations and how to perform them. Judging by the reviews on the forums, it is their number that is the determining factor for many craftswomen.However, we believe that a standard set will suffice for everyday use.

The most popular are straight and overlock stitches, for which a special foot is used. Zigzag is slightly inferior to them in terms of the number of uses, but it will be useful to many. The rest depend on the goals of the master.

Many machines do double and triple lines. They allow you to make the seam stronger and imitate a thick thread when hemming jeans. They are used for stretch fabric to prevent tearing. Beginners do not really need them, but in the studio there is no way without such lines.

There is cars, which store additional operations in memory: sewing on zippers, buttonholes, sewing and darning. Rarely use the button processing function. For their implementation, special paws are required. Most sewing machines come with overedging and buttonhole options. The rest are not needed for beginners.

The type of shuttle determines the use of the device. It largely depends on personal preferences and the operations performed. The shuttle is a hook that wraps a loop of the upper thread around the lower thread, moving near the bobbin. The formation of the seam depends on this.

Any type of shuttle is capable of making a straight line. But there are 2 characteristics that greatly simplify the task. The category of the shuttle depends on them.

Movement type

This parameter determines how the shuttle forms the stitch.There are 2 ways: rotation (rotary) and oscillation (oscillating). The latter first moves in one direction, then in the opposite direction. Rotary is drawn around the bobbin.

Any kind of shuttle will tangle the threads and ruin the work if the seamstress makes a mistake. Judging by the reviews of the craftswomen, there is no such device that will automatically do everything for the master. Therefore, here the choice depends on personal preferences and skills of the seamstress. Any shuttle requires practice, at first tangled threads are obtained. Both types are suitable for home use.

Shuttle Orientation

The shuttle can be vertical and horizontal. The first is inserted at the back or side of the machine, looking forward. Some beginners difficult to learn the technique, they blame the design of the device. However, the reason is in the approach. The horizontal arrangement assumes that the bobbin is inserted from above. However, the thread must make a 90 degree turn, which requires skill. As a result, you will have to get used to any orientation, and professionals really do not like to be retrained. Most will fit a vertical shuttle, so how it is less demanding on the quality of threads.

One of the additional parameters when choosing is the processing mode; without it, the product will not be finished. Modern sewing machines are capable of overcasting buttonholes in semi-automatic and automatic modes. The latter is great for beginners practicing at home: just set the foot correctly and put a button in it. Then the craftswoman presses the lever, and the device does everything automatically. It remains to control the process.

The presser feet, capable of sewing buttonholes in automatic mode, work without marking on the fabric.They are guided by a button, which is fixed by a seamstress. On such machines there is a vertical lever that switches the movement of the device. It is located on the top and is used only for this operation.

Semi-automatic loops do not differ much from a more modern counterpart, but require special knowledge from the master. The main difference is that the whole process needs to be controlled. The seamstress must manually turn on each of the 4 consecutive operations and change modes in time. For this, a handle is installed on the machines.

The standard process for semi-automatic hinges consists of several steps. The master sets the machine to the desired operation and lowers the presser foot. The first cycle can be started with any operation. But then the seamstress switches the device in time with the needle raised, changes the mode. Car performs the operation in the opposite direction, the master stops the movement.

As you can see from the example, in semi-automatic mode, you need to switch levers regularly. Beginners seamstresses can be uncomfortable, it will take longer to get used to. But for a professional, this function is useful - the whole process is under control, you can always stop the device, fix the fabric, increase the distance.

Modern cars are equipped with an electric motor that sets the mechanisms in motion. Sophisticated equipment has several levers, but it is rarely installed at home. Budget models have an AC motor with a voltage of 220 watts. This is enough to work with light and medium fabrics. Expensive devices have low voltage DC motors. They handle any material.

Machines with electric motors are united by one criterion - the puncture force depends on the sewing speed. The device works with fabrics of any density, if the master makes enough effort. To simplify the task, manufacturers have begun to install needle puncture force regulators. With it, the machine can sew both light and coarse fabrics without forcing the master to try so hard.

Beginners often pay attention to power, believing that this determines the density of the fabric with which they can work. The importance of this factor for budget cars, we will consider below. Expensive devices allow you to adjust the puncture strength. In addition, manufacturers often write power, which is several times higher than mechanical. The maximum value on the market now belongs to Singer devices.

The puncture force also depends on the sewing speed. For home use for beginners, models that allow you to smoothly limit this value are suitable. However, these machines are much more expensive. Some manufacturers, including Brother, offer sewing without a foot control. Judging by reviews professionals, they lack control. And beginners like to press a button and wait for the result.

It is impossible to sew without paws, so all machines come with at least a couple of basic options. More expensive devices offer more interesting choices. Standard presser feet include utility, straight stitch, buttonhole and zipper presser feet.Special options are capable of creating satin stitches, cords, blind stitches, darning and more. Below are the most popular paws recommended by experienced craftswomen:

1. For assemblies. With its help, it is more convenient to make gathered stitches, the density is regulated by the tension of the threads and the width of the stitch. The denser the fabric, the less noticeable the result.

2. Walking. Allows several layers of stitching, most commonly used for patchwork and quilting.

3. Teflon. Designed to work with genuine leather, leatherette and coated materials. Some seamstresses use the roller foot to advance the fabric at desired intervals. She also copes with raincoat and jacket fabrics.

4. With a snail. Allows you to sew on bias tape without basting it by hand. It is enough for a seamstress to cut the fabric along the bias, thread the foot and sew. Of the additional options, it is considered the most useful.

Judging by the reviews of experienced seamstresses, each foot has recommendations for the width of the fabric and its density. If they are not taken into account, an excess of material will lead to creasing.

The main characteristic of needles is the tip. First, the wizard is determined with this parameter, then considers the thickness. The standard point is pointed and rounded, but the manufacturer offers dozens of additional options to choose from. We reviewed the most popular:

1. Pointy. Suitable for most synthetic fabrics. There are 7 popular sizes - 60/8, 70/10, 80/12, 90/14, 100/16, 110/18, 120/20 - which are enough for all common materials. The first number is the diameter, the second is the type. needles. 

2. rounded. Most often used for knitwear, suede, fleece and knitted fabrics.The tip pushes the fibers apart rather than sticking into them. This needle is included in the standard set and is in the house of every craftswoman.

3. Stretch. It is called so because of the ability to sew materials containing lycra. It is used when working with underwear and swimwear. Such needles have a small notch near the eyelet so as not to skip stitches.

4. For jeans. They are used not only for this material, but also for any dense fabrics. They are distinguished by penetrating power.

5. For skin. The point of the needle is strongly sharpened to penetrate the products without damaging the material.

6. For microfiber. Works best on thick, thin fabrics. Able to create a straight line and sew loops.

7. For quilting. Features a long point and a small eye to easily pass through multiple layers of material.

There are double and triple needles mounted on a nylon block with wide ribs and slots in the eye. They are used for decorative stitches and complex techniques (embroidering at low speed for a short amount of time). Beginners and even experienced professionals do not usually need such needles.

Power in sewing machines is not as important as in other techniques. Inexpensive options have indicators from 60 to 100 watts. The maximum thickness of the material depends on this, if the manufacturer has not added a puncture force regulator. With it, power is practically irrelevant.

When choosing a budget model, 70-80 watts are suitable parameters. In electronic machines, the indicators may be less than in mechanical ones. They do not need to use so many mechanisms and nodes, so a lot of power is not needed. The pedal release also plays a role in determining power ratings.In inexpensive models, it comes in 2 types:

1. Hot, with rheostat regulator. When working with thick fabrics, the seamstress needs to press harder on the pedal to increase needle penetration. The speed increases, which interferes with novice craftswomen. In addition, the pedal gets very hot, the engine runs faster. This leads to premature wear. sewing cars. For home use mechanical devices are not very suitable and are considered obsolete. However, buyers of such devices are advised to choose high power.
2. Cold, with electronic regulator. Allows you to press the pedal an unlimited number of times, the machine is controlled automatically. When the seamstress works with thick fabric, the electronics take more power and increase the speed of the puncture. There is no need to press the pedal many times. Power characteristics are practically not important, 60-70 watts is enough for most fabrics.

The only thing that users of electronic machines warn about is not to take too dense fabric. It blocks the needle, the power rises excessively and the device fails. Machine manufacturers for at home the instructions indicate the limits of the density of the fabric.

The minimum set of features for a machine for the home includes a straight stitch, a zigzag for overcasting and buttonholes. However, most devices have several additional features. We reviewed the most popular and figured out who might need them:

1. Presser foot pressure adjustment. It is carried out using a spring in budget models and automatically in more expensive ones. The presser foot rises to a height of 12-15 mm for sewing thick fabrics.

2. Thread tension adjustment.The most beautiful stitch is obtained when the upper and lower threads are evenly interlaced. Their tension in some devices is automatically adjusted. Modern computer devices are able to determine the density of the fabric and set the correct values. Inexpensive options are equipped with a tuning screw on the shuttle, which is adjusted by the master.

3. sewing speed. Sometimes manufacturers add jerk protection, that is, the pace of work smoothly increases and decreases. Some companies, including Janome, Husqvarna and Brother, use a start and stop button. Others prefer levers.

4. Automatic cropping threads. Allows you to not reach for scissors. Helps when working with products where there are many short seams.

5. Upper fabric conveyor. This device is attached next to the presser foot and helps to cope with thin and slippery materials. Some manufacturers, including Pfaff, equip almost all devices with a conveyor; it cannot be removed. Other brands allow you to purchase the accessory separately.

6. Sewing adviser. Modern devices are equipped with a system of help and tips. The adviser tells you which foot to take for a particular operation and shows in pictures how to use it.

The sewing machine comes with basic accessories designed to test the device and help you master standard techniques.Then the seamstress buys more needles, bobbins, paws and other tools. It is almost impossible to do without them, the standard equipment does not last long. We reviewed the most popular accessories and how to use them:

Threads

Threads for hand sewing are not suitable for machines. The right materials are made from stronger polyester fibers. They are distinguished by low shrinkage, they perfectly hold the given shape. When pulling the correct thread through the needle, it does not fray or break.

Bobbins

The bobbin paired with the needle produces the correct seams. The standard kit includes several options, and experienced seamstresses say that the more the better. Bobbins often break (especially plastic ones) and get lost.

Oil

Machine parts are in constant motion and are subject to increased stress with regular use. If you do not lubricate the mechanisms with oil in time, the conveyor will stall, the needle will begin to walk harder. Many manufacturers recommend a specific brand in the user manual.

Top conveyor

Allows you to cope with capricious slippery fabrics. It advances the layers of material at the same speed. Without it, the bottom layer of fabric will be slightly forward, causing sagging.

Over time, the master may need rugs to typewriter non-slip, guides, soles of the upper conveyor and much more. However, a pair of the above accessories is enough for beginners.