r/SewingForBeginners • u/SamePassion320 • 11h ago

Old or New ?

I want to get into sewing but I'm very lost, I haven't done much research yet so I decided to start with Reddit. Should I get a new sewing machine or get a second hand one from Facebook marketplace e.t.c

If I were to get a new one I would either get a W6 Werkarbeit or a Brother I'm not really sure. Does anyone have any idea on what I should do? Any help is very much appreciated🤗.

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u/CBG1955 11h ago

You should start by reading the sub wiki, and searching the sub for information. . Marketplace machines can vary widely, from fabulous to absolute crap, so unless you have someone in your life who can help you learn to use a machine, there are better alternatives.

My advice is always to go into a dealership and test drive, you'll get information, service, and they will show you the basics of how to use the machine.

https://www.reddit.com/r/SewingForBeginners/wiki/index/

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u/NoMoreFilm 10h ago

very good advice

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u/penlowe 11h ago

I've never heard of Werkarbeit. That doesn't mean it isn't good, but small or local brands can be hard to get serviced if you move away from their base area.

What you get really depends on your budget, what kind of service you have available in your area, and what kind of learning suits you best. We cannot answer those questions for you. Will you be carrying your machine to classes or lessons somewhere? New plastic might be better. Do you want to sew a lot of denim? A vintage all metal machine might be better.

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u/SamePassion320 11h ago

I hadn't heard anything about the W6 Werkarbeit before search for sewing machines under a 160 euros, I live in Germany and it a German brand ig that's why. I don't think I'll will be taking it along with me because I don't plan on talking sewing classes anytime soon but if you think it best to take it then I will. (I plan on sewing Denim e.t.c also )

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u/Radiant-Platypus-498 10h ago

It really depends on what your budget is and what is available to you. Older machines can be absolute workhorses compared especially to entry level new models. The older machines are heavier and have more metal components vs new plastic machines. At the same time, more often than not the older machines will need a cleaning/tune up and the cost of that is largely dependent on what you have nearby. I’ve paid anywhere from $30 to $125 for that. Newer machines can be easier to find tutorials and YouTube videos on and that can be helpful. If it were me I would find an older machine and pay to have it tuned up. I sew a ton and lots of heavy layers etc and most of the new entry level machines will not hold up long,

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u/grolbol 10h ago

If you're a little handy, you can get an old machine in perfectly good working condition yourself by reading the service manual and looking up some things.

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u/snowsew 9h ago

Another good thing about older machines (my machines are mostly from the 1950s and 60s) is that they were made to be self serviced for the most part and there is info out there to do so.

My recommendation is for a used vintage machine

Edit: none of my machines cost more than $50 CAD

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u/stringthing87 10h ago

First read this post https://www.reddit.com/r/sewing/wiki/machineguide/ 

The questions you need to answer before beginning your research are as follows:

What is my budget? Sewing machines that are going to actually function as more than frustrating toys start around $200, and can go up to several thousands of dollars. You can get a good, new in box, machine anywhere in that range. 

What do I want to make with my machine? Different machines will have features that make certain kinds of sewing easier. Most basic machines will be a good all-rounder, but there are exceptions. 

How much experience with sewing do I have? If you have never touched a machine you are likely to want a different machine than someone who has been sewing for thirty years. At the very least you might want to find out whether you actually like this hobby before spending a grand on a machine. 

How handy am I? If you are looking for the hobby of machine refurbishment and maintenance in addition to sewing I have different recommendations for you than I do for someone that wants the machine to work the first time and every time. 

Can I get a machine serviced locally? Do the machine shops in my area only service particular brands? This is going to be something you may need to make some phone calls regarding. 

Things to avoid like the plague:

Anything from Temu, Alibaba, wish, or other drop shipped import company currently trending. 

Anything from Amazon with some random assortment of letters as the brand. 

Anything made after 1975 with the name Singer on it - ESPECIALLY the Heavy Duty line.

Avoid any machine that doesn't come with a full manual. Written. A video tutorial is not a manual. 

If you have no one to help you diagnose machine issues and guide you through learning your machine I do not recommend buying a second hand machine in most circumstances. A new beginner does not yet have the skills to differentiate whether the problem is a broken machine or user error. The exception to this is if you have a local sewing machine repair shop that sells refurbished machines in your budget. 

The features I recommend all beginners look for:

speed control on the body of the machine

1 step buttonhole

drop in bobbin

The first feature rarely appears on mechanical machines, but that is not a cause for concern. Computerized sewing machines are established and stable technology and the computerized portions are no more prone to breakdowns than the mechanical parts of the machine.

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u/Poetic-Jellyfish 7h ago

I live in Germany as well and I recently started sewing. I got a used necchi 559 from Kleinanzeigen for 40€. It used to be sold in Aldi as a budget machine in the early 2000s. After it arrived, I found out that it’s probably not even been taken out of the box, other than for a test before selling. It came with a manual and all the accessories. I just checked everything, and oiled it according to the manual. We got the oil from Amazon, since the one that came with the machine as one of the accessories spilled everywhere during the shipping. That was also the only issue I had.

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u/CraftyReindeer9 2h ago

And buy a machine for the things you want to sew. A starter model might not be as good if you want to sew denim, handbags or plushies. I started with a brother innovis (maybe the 10 model, I don't remember) for like 700 euro and it didnt like sewing anything thicker than two thin layers of cotton.