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What is the best sewing machine to buy for a beginner?

I am just very interested in buying a sewing machine, but not sure which one to buy. I am a beginner

Public Comments

1. Singer it has been around for many years. My great grandma had one and boy would I love to have it today as it would be worth thousands.
2. I would suggest you get a second hand, reconditioned machine. Good for a new sewer, not too expensive. Your local sewing machine store should be able to steer you correctly. Don't go for something fancy until you know this is a hobby that you will enjoy. As an experienced sewer, I'd never buy anything but a Bernina. Swiss made, mine is over 25 years old, and still going strong. Someday I will purchase a new Bernina, but will forever keep the old one.
3. A "Singer" brand one is often a good bet, such as this one: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001CBXICS?ie=UTF8&tag=johnduckcouk-21&linkCode=xm2&camp=1634&creativeASIN=B001CBXICS (£150)... or a cheaper second hand SINGER sewing machine off Ebay. My Grandma has one... looks like must be from at least 1960's or 1970's and works good as new.
4. I'd suggest you start with Kate's essay. "On the choosing, care and feeding of sewing machines" here: http://www.katedicey.co.uk and then go shopping, preferably at a real sewing machine shop where you can try out machines and learn how to properly operate one. The faq in Kate's posting is here: http://preview.tinyurl.com/qcrhju Most of the "sewing" questions here are actually machine operation questions from folks who haven't taken basic machine classes. Make it easy on yourself and take some initial machine guide classes. FWIW, the current "new machines" that I think have the sweet spot for low cost and decent performance is Janome. If I were to buy a new home machine today, the brands I'd be looking at (in alphabetical order) are Bernina, Elna, Janome, Pfaff, Viking. In other parts of the world (I'm in the US), there are other brands available that are also quite good. Suggested reading from your library if you are considering a used machine: John Giordano's The Sewing Machine Book.