Guide: How to choose a sewing machine that suits you

When buying a new sewing machine, there are many things to keep in mind. Should you choose a mechanical or computerized sewing machine? Which brand is best? And what does a sewing machine cost? In our guide, you get tips for choosing the right sewing machine just for you.

Sewing machines have been popular and made life easier for countless people since their breakthrough in the 19th century. Today, the sewing machine is one of the most widespread innovations and over the years they have become increasingly advanced.

For many, sewing is a great hobby and investing in a good sewing machine will then be crucial to be able to let creativity flow when you create unique creations for yourself or others. A sewing machine for home use can also contribute to a more sustainable society, as it allows you to, for example, repair or sew clothes instead of throwing them away and buying new ones.

How do I choose the right sewing machine?

Just like when buying other gadgets, there are some important things to keep in mind before buying a new sewing machine. Here are three basic steps to finding the perfect sewing machine for you.

1. Start from your needs

The first question you should ask yourself is: What should I use my sewing machine for, and how often will I use it? If you are a beginner and want a sewing machine to occasionally sew up curtains or make simple repairs of clothes – then maybe you can start looking for a cheaper sewing machine with basic features such as straight stitching and zigzag.

Also read: https://justsewn.com/sewing-tables/

If, on the other hand, you have a lot of experience in sewing, design your own garments or interior details and spend a lot of time at the sewing machine – yes, then maybe you should look for a professional sewing machine with more functions and that can handle many different types of fabrics.

2. Determine a budget

The next important question to ask yourself before your purchase is: How much does the sewing machine cost? Your budget is often crucial to how advanced sewing machine you can buy. If you want a professional sewing machine with many functions and high quality, and which lasts a long time despite frequent use, it may be worth adding a larger penny. You who are looking for a simpler model to only use sometimes do not need an equally large budget and can make real caps. For those of you who are interested in sewing but do not know exactly how much you will use the machine, it is also possible to find good and very affordable sewing machines.

3. Read on and compare

Once you have a decent picture of your needs and your budget, it’s time to start exploring the wide range of sewing machines. In addition to different brands and sewing machine models, there are a number of functions and features that sewing machines can have. For example, different numbers and types of seams, adjustable stitch length and width, varying sewing speeds and automatic functions for everything from needle threading to thread cutting. Read about the different features, think about which ones are most important to you and narrow down your search to the models that meet your requirements.

To find a sewing machine that you like, it can be good to visit stores or a sewing fair and ask to try on some models that you are interested in. Bring cloth pieces of varying quality from home, test how the machines sew different seams in them and feel how you feel comfortable with the sewing machines.

Once you have found one or more sewing machine models that you like – make a price comparison so that you get the best available price.

How much does a sewing machine cost?

The prices of sewing machines vary because there are models and functions for many different purposes. The cheapest variants cost only a few hundred bucks and can fit if you have just started sewing and just want the most basic features. If you want a sewing machine of higher quality and with slightly more functions, but which is still easy to use even for a beginner, you can expect to spend around 2,000 to 3,000 kronor. If you are used to sewing and do it regularly, you probably want a more advanced sewing machine. These can cost anything from a few thousand kronor up to 100,000 kronor.

Should I buy a sewing machine online or in a store?

For some, the sewing machine is a friend who will be there for many years to come and then it can be nice to have seen and felt the sewing machine before you decide on a purchase. In a physical store, you can also ask the staff questions directly when you look at a sewing machine or test sew it, and sometimes a course is included in the purchase so that you get to know your new sewing machine. On the other hand, it is easier to book a home delivery if you buy a sewing machine online and this can be a great advantage because a sewing machine often weighs between five and ten kilos. Many physical stores also have an online shop, so a middle ground can be to first try the sewing machine in a store and then make the purchase online.

What types of sewing machines are there?

When you venture into the jungle of sewing machines, you will soon discover that sewing machines are divided into different categories. Sometimes the division is only between mechanical and electronic sewing machines, but sometimes more models of sewing machines are added. The categories are good to know because they give you a clue as to what to start looking for when buying a new sewing machine. Here we list six types of sewing machines and what distinguishes them.

1. Mechanical sewing machine

You control a mechanical sewing machine manually. You choose the seam, stitch length and stitch width by turning the knobs and a mechanical sewing machine is therefore easy to use even for beginners. The mechanical sewing machines often have few functions and setting options, but can handle most things a beginner or regular home fixer could want. Many of the cheapest sewing machines are mechanical – but there are also mechanical sewing machines that cost several thousand kronor, are strong and of higher quality, and which suit you who sew a lot.

2. Electronic sewing machine

With an electronic sewing machine, only one push of a button is needed for the sewing machine to fix settings such as length and width of the stitches. Many people therefore think that electronic sewing machines are flexible and save time if you sew a lot, but since they are often user-friendly, they are also suitable for beginners. An electronic sewing machine usually has more functions and setting options compared to a mechanical sewing machine and is generally also slightly more expensive.

3. Computerized sewing machine

Computerized sewing machines are slightly more advanced than electronic ones. They have a display – sometimes with a touch function – can be programmed to sew different seams and often have a plethora of functions and features to choose from. Computerized sewing machines suit you who are used to sewing, use the sewing machine a lot and want a perfect result of your creative sewing projects.

4. Overlock machine

If you sew a lot, an overlock machine is a good complement to your regular sewing machine. The difference between an overlock machine and a sewing machine is that the overlock sews together, overturns and cuts the edges of the fabric in a single step. For example, if you sew a garment, you do not have to cut and zigzag all the edges before sewing the parts together, which saves time, and with the overlock you also get a nice and durable result even on stretchy fabrics.

5. Coverlock machine

A coverlock machine is, just like the overlock, a good complement to a regular sewing machine if you sew a lot. Coverlock machines can also be called cover stitch machine, coverstitch machine or just cover machine. There are also combined overlock and cover machines. The unique thing about a coverlock machine is that it can sew with up to three needles, with a loop underneath, which gives nice seams that are similar to those you see on garments in stores. The coverlock machine is most often used to hem and sew decorative stitches or chain stitches

6. Embroidery machine

With an embroidery machine, you can create unique details on everything from tablecloths and pillowcases to clothing – it is only creativity that sets the limits. Compared to embroidering by hand, it goes much faster and you always get a perfect result. For embroidery machines, there are often computer programs that allow you to create your own embroideries based on, for example, logos or photographs.