How to choose a sewing machine

The sewing machine is designed to make even stitches on fabrics, and will also speed up the process many times over. It is an excellent helper for housewives, even when she is not very skillful with a needle and thread. In modern devices there is the option of overcasting the edges of fabrics, the same loops are made and bright patterns are embroidered - not a single craftswoman is able to do what such a technique can do. However, when the user has not previously worked with a sewing machine, it becomes difficult to make a choice. To know how to choose a sewing machine for home use, you should read the recommendations.

Principle of operation and device

Despite the fairly expanded functionality of modern sewing machines, the principle of their functioning has not changed recently. The housing contains shafts and levers that start the flywheel. It doesn't matter if it rotates due to electricity or the old manual method. It is important to know how the device in question sews the stitches.

Since the elements of the device are interconnected by rods and shafts, during the rotation of the flywheel, the main working units will begin to move:

• the main needle is lowered, which passes the thread through the fabric;
• the bobbin rotates, which feeds the bobbin thread;
• the shuttle will start, which interlaces the threads and the forming stitch;
• the feed dog will move by pulling the fabric along the length of the stitch.

Initially, you need to pull the main thread through the guides and thread it into the eye of the needle. Another coil of the same shade must be threaded into the bobbin and installed in a special slot under the needle behind the removable panel (in some situations, directly above it, it will depend on the design of the device). Then the fabric is laid on the working table and the foot is lowered by the lever, pressed against the conveyor. It is then possible to start the handwheel and start sewing.

Selection options

Initially, you need to find out: for what purpose the sewing machine will be used - sewing clothes, tablecloths, bedding, other household accessories, preparing blankets from small rags or unusual decorations. This will determine the choice:

• type of drive;
• functions;
• speed of functioning;
• set;
• options.

When it is planned to use the machine in order to implement various tasks that are associated with the manufacture of clothes, processing and decoration of seams, then a product with great functionality will come in handy. In view of this, soon and without effort, it will be possible to cope with the tasks, at the same time the work will look neat. It is imperative that you familiarize yourself with the key parameters that will help you decide on a particular sewing machine model.

Stitching

Here you need to choose the proper number of working and decorative stitches, their variety is provided by the developer. In the simplest products, even standard seams for the purpose of joining fabrics will be at least 5 - enough to solve any household problem. It is important that among them there are the following lines:

• straight;
• overcasting;
• secret;
• elastic;
• zigzag.

When it is supposed to work with various types of fabrics or occasionally unusual tasks are performed, it is possible to take a device with 15 types of stitches. For beginners, this amount will be enough.

Decorative and embroidery stitches are mostly used by professionals. When a user falls into this category, or in the foreseeable future plans to make extremely complex seams and embroidery on a typewriter, you should look for a computerized device with an embroidery unit. In any situation, for experienced needlewomen, you should select products with a large number of varieties of stitches in the program.

Buttonholes

This option is present in virtually every modern product, however, the method of making loops can be different: semi-automatic or fully automatic. In the first situation, the user will need to “help” the device to do its own work, turning the device in the right direction - each loop is swept in several stages.

In professional models, automatic variation is realized - faster and more comfortable. Such advanced products are capable of sweeping 3-10 different loops, including the most difficult one with an eyelet. Of course, they are more often used in the ready-to-wear atelier, and for domestic use 1 mode of a regular linen loop is enough.

Shuttle type

Quite a lot will depend on its assembly, therefore, before purchasing, it is necessary to clarify which type of shuttle is installed in this device:

• Swinging. The simplest solution found in a mechanical and budget EM typewriter. It is quite noisy, not very fast and does not make it possible to make stitches larger than 0.5 cm. At the same time, the quality of the stitch is “floating”, thread breaks are quite frequent. It is also difficult to thread the bobbin thread and adjust the tension in such a situation, but the price of the device itself is small.
• Horizontal. More perfect assembly, found on the machine with the bobbin top position. Integrated into the housing and will not wobble, rotates around the axis, reducing vibration during operation. Another advantage of this option is that the bottom thread does not actually get tangled, which will improve the quality of the seam. Adjusting the tension in such a situation is also difficult, but it is easier to control the amount of thread on the bobbin. This type makes it possible to get a stitch length up to 0.7 cm and a wide zigzag up to 0.6 cm.
• The vertical double crawl is designed for an industrial machine, which indicates high reliability, but also a great price. A household variation with a similar model has all the advantages of the past, only the mechanism is not swinging, but rotating. It will be easier to withstand a significant load, it will work “without interruption” for a long time, and will provide high quality sewing at any revolution of the sewing shaft. In addition, there will be no vibration and skipped stitches will be minimized. The main difference from horizontal ones is simple tension regulation. This option is required by seamstresses who are constantly working with fabrics of various thicknesses.

Basic adjustments

The sewing speed is adjustable. In the simplest electric machines, it is possible for it to control the pressing of the pedal: the more it sinks, the sooner the lines will fall. However, when the user spends a whole day at the sewing machine, it is not very comfortable. It is optimal to find a product that will be launched from the key, and the speed is set on a separate regulator, or the program is auto-tuned. In a professional machine, it reaches 1300 stitches per minute, but this is the level of experienced users. Basically, 800-850 stitches per minute will be sufficient.

The piercing force is often directly related to the sewing speed.In the process of acquiring simple EM products, a reference should be made to the performance of the device - the larger it is, the easier the needle will pierce thick fabric. On semi-professional devices, 80 W motors are mainly installed. When this indicator is less, then it is possible to function only with thin material. In expensive devices, the puncture force will be regulated by the efforts of the operator or directly by the machine due to the integrated electric stabilizer.

Presser foot pressure - here it is also optimal to choose an adjustable or adjustable pressure, as in computerized professional models. This makes it easier to work with fabrics of different thicknesses without compromising stitch quality.

Motor power

This parameter in a sewing machine does not have the same role as, for example, in a meat grinder. Most of the devices have a performance in the range of 60-100 watts. But the thickness of the material that can be sewn will depend on the power of the engine.

The indicator is quite small, but the difference between a machine with a performance of 80 watts and 60 watts will be 33.3%. For purchase, it is possible to recommend products with an engine power of 70-80 watts.

Thread tension

To obtain a high quality stitch, the upper and lower threads need to be woven into the fabric. Ensuring proper weave will be achieved by adjusting the thread tension. The upper thread tension is mainly changed by means of a special regulator, which is located in front of the panel. The middle position of the adjuster is referred to as “auto” in some situations and will correspond to the most frequently used tension. Some computer machines have a device that sets the auto tension taking into account the selected fabric and stitch.

In order to regulate the tension of the lower thread, a special trimmer screw on the shuttle is intended.

Repair and spare parts

Another important indicator will be the cost of the sewing machine. This refers to the price and availability of spare parts, repair and service. Here it is necessary to focus on devices for which there are components in a particular area. The presence of an authorized service center in the city is optimal, where repair work will be carried out quickly. Besides, the warranty card from the developer plays an important role.

Additional functions

The possibilities of a purchased sewing machine in a basic set are not at all the limit. Accessories will play an important role in the quality of the results. For a high quality result, it is extremely important to select the correct foot, needle and thread for all fabrics and operations. The table of the combination of the thickness of the needles and threads is present in the instructions for the device. Emphasis should be placed on useful options that make the process more enjoyable and faster:

• Auto threading. In the new devices, a thread tension disc is installed: the thread will be guided and captured by a lever in the body, excluding certain stages that were previously included in the threading. The user will not be annoyed once again, it will save time.
• Automatic sewing of buttonholes. The task is laborious, automation will come in handy. The special shoe itself will determine the parameters of the buttonholes and overcast the edges. The user will only have to make the slots. The semi-automatic machine forces the user to switch operations and determine the looped edges himself. But you don't need to move the fabric. In manual mode (which is also found in a budget device), a person does both.
• Pressure regulation of the special foot on the fabric. Such an indicator is important when working with various fabrics, in particular, with knitwear. Due to its elasticity, it will stretch too much under the special foot, so you need to loosen it. There can be manual and auto modes.
• The presence of lighting. Basically, a light bulb is built into the body above the needle bar and will illuminate the place of work. The most modern illumination is LED spot lighting.Such lamps are durable, will not heat up the body and consume a large amount of electrical energy. There are 2 modes: directional and diffused light.
• Reverse function. When the key is pressed, the stitching direction will be reversed. This will provide a secure fit at the ends, which is extremely comfortable.
• Integrated thread cutter. A blade that is located on the side of the body or hidden in it. Very comfortable when the user quickly sews parts.
• Free sleeve. Option to remove part of the “table” in order to work with narrow parts of the model (leg, cuff, sleeve).

The best companies for the production of sewing machines

The best devices are produced in European countries, Japan and the USA. When the products of the following developers are available for purchase, the user can safely choose this technique, which is distinguished by high functionality:

• Janome.
• Pfaff.
• Husqvarna.
• Bernina.
• Brother.

The range of models of sewing machines of the brands is quite extensive, therefore, when the user does not know which product to purchase, it is possible to choose the above brands. In order not to overpay for unnecessary functions, it is still optimal to familiarize yourself with the recommendations for choosing a sewing machine.

Types of sewing machines

The current devices, despite the fact that they perform approximately similar tasks, are divided into several large families according to the type of control. This is convenient, since the number of operations that the sewing machine is capable of will depend primarily on the system implemented.

Electromechanical

The considered type of devices differs from the original ones in an electric motor that drives the flywheel, freeing the user 2 hands. This is important, since most of the settings will need to be made by hand using the levers and handles placed on the body. Only one thing is needed from electromechanical devices: the automation of hand sewing. This technique is suitable for simple household tasks, if you need to restore clothes, cut towels or curtains, sew a certain accessory or simple thing.

Advantages:

• simple and reliable assembly;
• sufficient, albeit not rich functionality (mostly no more than 20 options);
• excellent repairability, easy maintenance;
• adequate price.

Disadvantages:

• it will take time to master and memorize all the adjustments;
• the minimum number of decorative stitches.

Electronic

Devices "with a brain", the role of which is taken by the control processor. It stores stitch patterns of various difficulty levels, adjustments required. Such devices are equipped with a monitor, where it is possible to track the operation of machines and set key sewing indicators. This is a large and varied family of sewing machines with rich functionality - here you can find equipment for experts and beginners. Thanks to her, it is possible to create things of varying complexity from the most diverse fabrics, sew loops and hem buttons, decorate your own products with different stitches, appliqué and embroidery.

Advantages:

• the option of performing a significant number of different stitches, including simple embroidery;
• simple operation - it will be sufficient to select the required operation on the control panel;
• a set of autotunings that do not require human intervention;
• there is a monitor with data about the current mode or tips;
• most models are key-launched.

Disadvantages:

• sensitivity to the quality of the current in the mains;
• difficult to repair yourself.

Computer controlled

The most advanced products surpass electric machines in their functionality. In addition to their own software control, they are able to connect to an external PC and function virtually without human intervention. The assembly of computerized devices will also differ.

So that 1 device can carry out a large number of different operations, the main groups of devices are equipped with separate drives (sometimes up to 10 motors) and can function in an autonomous mode. The purchase of a computerized model will be justified in a situation when the sewing of a complex and exclusive item will be put on stream.

Advantages:

• impressive functionality (about 500 different operations);
• extended options for loop design, including eyelet;
• creation of your own, unique line;
• auto-selection of the mode taking into account the fabric;
• a sewing assistant who helps you select a foot, needle and other devices for a specific task;
• most of the machines are equipped with an embroidery module;
• some devices support memory cards.

Disadvantages:

• overpriced.

Which sewing machine to choose

In order to understand which sewing machine to choose for the home, it is important to read the following tips:

• Those who do not want to waste time with threads and needles, sewing up a torn item with children, on trips to the atelier in order to hem a new item, a simple mechanical device is enough. A budget, but functional machine with many key working lines is chosen. It is optimal that it be lightweight.
• Those who sew in large quantities and on a regular basis will need a heavy product with a metal frame and an equally reliable filling. It does not matter whether it is an electromechanical or electronic product - it is important that it has a set of different stitches necessary for a specific purpose (at least 20). When a child is in the room or sews at night, a technique with a horizontal shuttle is selected so as not to create noise.
• An experienced craftswoman is suitable for advanced electronic or computerized products (when finances make it possible to make an acquisition). Here, the number of working stitches is measured in hundreds, and additional useful functionality will facilitate the operation to the maximum. This machine will need a speed control function, a puncture stabilizer and an option to change the pressure of the foot - this will make it possible to function with various types of fabric.
• Specialists who will create exclusive products, custom-made clothing and souvenirs “on the fly” will need a computerized device with a large number of decorative stitches, various variations of buttonhole sewing and optimally with an embroidery unit. A sleeve platform is also suitable to function with small items of clothing. The hook can be vertical or horizontal, otherwise high quality stitching will not work.
• Auxiliary options expand the capabilities of the device and make it easier to work, but you should try to choose models with functions that will actually be used. For example, reverse, integrated threader, bartack and thread trimmer speed up work and are suitable for everyone. Mirroring the pattern or programmable repetitive parts when the user is not sewing may not be necessary.

How much does a sewing machine cost

The cost of sewing machines is mostly set by their technical functionality - you will have to pay extra for additional options. However, for each type of technology, there is a certain cost limit, below which one should not fall:

• An amateur electromechanical model with good functionality cannot cost less than 5–6 thousand rubles, however, such equipment should not be purchased for more than 10–12,000.
• Semi-professional products with an electric control unit, taking into account the volume of operations performed, will cost more - 12–150,000 rubles.
• For many users who sheathe only family members and some acquaintances, the functionality of devices sold for 25-40 thousand rubles is enough.

People often wonder how to choose a good sewing machine. To find out how to purchase a quality product, you should read these recommendations.