| It's great to see people returning to the tradition crafts | | | | point? In fact you can make your budget fit your |
| and hobbies including sewing. Sewing can be both a | | | | requirements. If you have less money but want more |
| practical skill and a creative outlet. Anyone who isn't | | | | features look for a second-hand machine. If you are |
| what Wal-mart considers to be a standard size | | | | happy not to have a computer controlled electronic |
| knows how hard it is to get cloths to fit. Being able to | | | | machine then its still possible to find twenty year old |
| sew your own solves the problem. But more - why | | | | machines which are in great running order. |
| risk the chance that some other women will have the | | | | 4. Your experience. If you have used and liked a |
| same dress as yours - when you make your own this | | | | particular brand of machine, then it might be an idea to |
| will never happen again! | | | | stay with that manufacturer - each major |
| So how do you go about choosing a sewing machine. | | | | manufacturer tends to use similar designs across their |
| Here are five simple steps to follow: | | | | range so your experience will be useful with the new |
| 1. What do you want out of your machine. Are you | | | | machine. |
| content just to make clothes and use standard | | | | 5. Support and after sales service. With sewing |
| stitches or are you interested in advanced embroidery | | | | machines there really is a premium to be paid for |
| stitches and quilting. The latter two require specialist | | | | quality. A good quality machine will last many years |
| machines. | | | | and will have strong after sales and support. Try |
| 2. How much space do you have? Do you have a | | | | checking if you can still get parts for machines which |
| place that you can keep your machine set up- or will | | | | have been out of production for years - a good brand |
| you have to move it off the dining-room table at | | | | will still support these out-of-date machines. |
| regular intervals? If you need a machine you can easily | | | | Chose the right machine for your needs because as |
| move consider the weight and size of the models you | | | | with any craft having the right tools for the job really |
| are looking at. | | | | does make a big difference! |
| 3. Your budget - or maybe that should be the first | | | | |