by David Trumble
Millions of people today are passionate about their magnificent sewing machines. Sewing has so drastically changed from a tool for toil to a precious instrument for innovative expression.
In the 1850s, the sewing machine transformed clothing construction, home dcor, quilting, and so many other areas of life that it boggles the mind. Yet, the sewing machine itself has change significantly over the past hundred and sixty years. At the turn of the twentieth century, when the electric motor was added to the home sewing machine, it changed sewing forever. When Bernina introduced the first zig zag machine around 1950, it shook the sewing world. When electronic controls were added, computer chips, and DC pulse motors were added, the world of sewing has been repeatedly expanded and enhanced.
The empowered sewer today relishes the vast potential of the modern sewing machine that performs with amazing dependability and elegance. Convenience and potential of modern sewing machines make sewing fun and easy.
Picking a new sewing machine can be a challenge. Your individual desires and needs should be paired with the right sewing machine for you.
Here are three specific things to think about before you begin your search for a new sewing machine.
Initially, consider the things you now appreciate about sewing.
It is important to know ahead of time, exactly what you minimum expectations of your new sewing machines are. You will be frustrated if you accept a machine that is less than what you really need.
Second: What is you dream machine? What features would really wow you?
Your new sewing machine can be everything you can imagine. The modern sewing machines offer so many possibilities, expect it to have features and capabilities far beyond past sewing machines.
Imagine sewing with a full featured sewing machine. Think about how easy it will be to sew on a precision built modern creative machine. Embellish, quilt, sew home dcor, and remember the possibilities are endless when you have the right sewing machine.
You may not even have a clue what is available today if you have not looked into sewing machines for a while. Did you know that there are sewing machines that automatically thread themselves: maintain perfect automatic tension: automatically trim the threads for you; automatically sew up to a dozen different kinds of button holes; sew over a thousand different stitches; do lettering; sew monograms; do beautiful embroidery; sew in sixteen different directions; wind bobbins while you sew; and many other things never imagined just a few short years ago?
Third, how much would you pay for a truly valuable sewing machine?
Prices on new sewing machines vary between $70 and $12,000, but you generally get what you pay for. Some of the low end machines fail to work straight out of the box.
The lower the price, the less you get. You get less reliability, functionality, features, and capability. Some low end machines are more toys than sewing machines. Some fail to sew even when brand new. Around the $200 to $300 range, you find standard mechanical machines. At each price mart over $300, you see an additional stitch or two, a few extra features, and increased dependability.
Generally, you gain a feature or two plus increased performance capabilities as the price increment increases. A good mid range sewing machine with electronic power control, twenty five to fifty stitches, and good performance can be purchased for around $500. At the thousand dollar range, you can expect computerized dependability, a stitch set of about two hundred stitches, and several convenience features. Around $2,000 you will have a really solid sewing machine with many convenience features and more than two hundred stitches.
At the high end of sewing machines, you find the most reliable, most convenient, most capable, most full featured potential. It is here that you find all the automatic features (threading, trimming, and tensions). It is here that you find fully computerized embroidery. Top models sell for $5,500 Janome, $9,000 Baby Lock, and $12,000 Bernina. Before you cross these fabulous creative machines off your list based on price alone, check them out.
Visit your local independent sewing machine dealer or a complete demonstration and test out your possibilities.
Finally, buy the best value you can afford. Do not get fooled. Buy real value.
Tags: Arts & Entertainment by David Trumble
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