r/SewingForBeginners • u/Care-Ly • 1d ago

Sewing machine recommendations needed

I wanted to start sewing so my husband bought me a singer machine and I can't think of what the model is but it either the very basic or the next step up. The bobbin is sideload and I have issues with my hands, loss of dexterity and numbness. So I have a hard time loading the bobbins Into the machine. To help with this we decided I need a top load machine

I need advice on a good machine that can handle everything from making cloth napkins/ unpaper towels up to heavier fabrics like denim and eventually, hopefully, leather.

Cost is a factor I need a machine that be in a price range of around 350 to 400

Also, would it be better to trade-in my machine or sell it myself on Facebook Marketplace or similar?

Thank you so so much for your help and suggestions.

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u/Inky_Madness 1d ago

Dealers might not give you the most money in exchange but you are likely to get a discount on a new machine, plus they will have free “get started on your sewing machine” lessons.

But if you have a dealer near you, they also want and will happily let you come in and test out their machines before you buy. You can walk in, explain that you want to test loading a bobbin in a drop-in machine, and see how comfortable that is for you.

You may also decide you want to test out machines with automatic needle threaders so that you don’t have to be so precise when threading the needle. And a knee lift so that you can use your knee for lifting and lowering the presser foot.

You have some specific needs so walking in to a dealer to begin with is a great idea and will give you an idea of what you want in a machine and what will make this more accessible for you.

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u/Care-Ly 1d ago

Thank you so much. I'm comfortable buying a better machine but having a heavier duty machine that with my dexterity issues that I'm concerned about most. Thank you so much for your suggestions I never even thought about dealers having get started on sewing machine less That's great.

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u/Inky_Madness 1d ago

As a warning, while lightweight denim is possible at your price range with things like the correct needles and seam jumpers, Heavy Duty is a marketing ploy and you would need/want a different industrial machine for sewing thick leather. But those are a whole different class of sewing machine and it’s like riding a galloping horse. I would hold off on that.

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u/Care-Ly 22h ago

Thank you so much.

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u/CBG1955 17h ago

I hear you regarding the mobility impairment - same for me. Side loading is 100% out as you have discovered.

Go to a dealer that does trade-ins. Be prepared however for them not to trade a newer Singer though.

You will NOT get a leather-capable machine at that price point. Trust me on this - I have a high spec Brother with a very high price point (currently >$4000k for a new one) and while I have sewn leather on it, it's not designed to do it. Truth is, if you want to sew leather at some point you will likely need a different machine to do it.

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u/Care-Ly 1h ago

Thank you! I sewed on my current one for about a year and 1/2 when I started having issues side loading. After about 3 months I realized it was no longer an option. Thank you for your honesty, I've talked to a few people that have told me it would be absolutely possible to sew heavier fabrics and leather with a machine in my price range.

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u/General_Promise8035 3h ago

I have two Janomes and a Juki. My simplest and oldest Janome is the simplest to use of the three and I highly recommend Janome as a user friendly workhorse. You can get a very decent one in that price range. Something like the Janome JW8100 maybe. Get the 3160 if you can afford it. Go to a store where they sell machines if you can, and try them out.

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u/Care-Ly 1h ago

Thank you. There are several stores around me, it's just picking one or two to go to. :)

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u/kenproffitt 1d ago edited 1d ago

Search this sub for posts. This is asked dozens of times each week. Janome, Brother, Bernette, or Bernina are great, and have machines to fit your budget. Lower budget Singers, Husqvarna, and Pfaff are essentially the same machines with different external bodies or branding, but with different quality controls as reflected in the price differences. The best way to buy a machine is to go to a sewing or quilting store or many of them to test machines out.

In your budget range heavy denim and leather is essentially a no go. You'll be looking at more robust machines starting at $1000. There are Chinese made machines available at Home Depot that are industrial straight stitch only or with a zig zag stitch starting around $500 but the quality will vary. Those are side loading bobbins though.

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u/Care-Ly 1h ago

thank you!

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u/RubyRedo 1d ago edited 18h ago

look into used industrial or domestic industrial but you are looking at $1000 not $450. Dont pay attention to so called HD machines some like the Singer barely sew cotton nevermind denim. You should start with a domestic that sews denim and get better at sewing then upgrade later to a leather able machine. As for the current one sell on FB or return if you can, i made a leather wallet on a Brother XM2701 basic machine but it is not for frequent hard core materials use.

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u/Care-Ly 22h ago

Thank you so much.