| It is great that you want to learn to sew. You can be | | | | automatic buttonholer (to save hours of frustration). |
| creative and have lots of fun, so let's go looking for a | | | | Check to see if there is an automatic needle threader |
| new sewing machine. Following are seven things to | | | | to save your eyes. Has the sewing machine got a |
| consider and do when looking to buy a sewing | | | | well-placed light to throw light where needed and a big |
| machine. | | | | flat bed to sew on? Is the foot pedal comfortable to |
| | | | use and sewing machine light and easy to lift? Is there |
| 1. Shops. Look around your local area for shops that | | | | a hard case or a soft cover for protection and to |
| sell sewing machines. Look for sewing machine shops | | | | keep the sewing machine dust free? |
| that can give you assistance with all your sewing | | | | 6. Quality. Is the sewing machine a known, quality |
| requirements. Do they sell sewing accessories like | | | | brand? Is it easy to operate, does it run quietly, free |
| thread, needles, zips and buttons? And consider this - | | | | from vibration and strange noises and is the bobbin |
| would you buy a refrigerator from a bookshop? | | | | easy to insert and remove. Is there a good kit of spare |
| 2. Assistants. Do you feel comfortable walking in to the | | | | bobbins, screwdrivers and a brush for dusting the |
| shop? Do the assistants seem friendly, giving you a | | | | bobbin area? Ask for a demonstration, then be brave |
| smile? Would you feel happy sitting down and trying | | | | and ask to have a go yourself. |
| out a new sewing machine or are they guarded and | | | | 7. Manual, Warranty and Servicing. Please don't |
| seemingly saying Do Not Touch! You must be able to | | | | purchase a sewing machine without a manual. It is |
| try the sewing machine out before you buy it. | | | | very important to have an information guide. Lastly, ask |
| 3. Enthusiastic and Prosperous.Is the shop full of | | | | about the guarantee and service for your new sewing |
| interesting sewing gadgets? Is there a good selection | | | | machine. Some cheaper sewing machines sold in |
| of sewing machines to choose from and lots of sewn | | | | department stores have very little warranty with no |
| articles decorating the walls? This is often a good | | | | service or parts available. Do not purchase one of |
| indication of an enthusiastic, prosperous business, with | | | | these sewing machines just because of their tempting |
| assistants who can sew and are knowledgeable, able | | | | low price. You may regret it later. Remember the old |
| to help with your sewing and sewing machine | | | | golden rule...you only get what you pay for! I hope this |
| questions, now and in the future. | | | | is of some help. I have always followd these 'rules' |
| 4. Budget. Have you worked out a budget for your | | | | when buying my sewing machines over the years and |
| new sewing machine? Purchasing a sewing machine | | | | have found they work! My machines have worked |
| can be a large investment for some of us, often a | | | | successfully and lasted for years. |
| once-in-a-lifetime experience, so we have to choose | | | | Who else do you know that might benefit from this |
| the best sewing machine to suit our needs, given the | | | | information? Have you a friend or relative that is |
| money we have available.. | | | | thinking of purchasing a new sewing machine. If so, |
| 5. Suitablity. What do you plan to sew and what do | | | | then tell them about this page today. |
| you want your new sewing machine to do? You | | | | Have you tried the Sewing Easy Sewing Quiz and |
| should consider a sewing machine with a few fancy | | | | tested your knowledge or refreshed your memory on |
| stitches (these can be fun), a few stretch stitches (for | | | | my website? |
| when you sew knit fabrics) and a one-step or | | | | |