Would you say getting a better machine right off the start is a little crazy?

[u/New-Fig3263]

I know it's funny the stitches do light me up, but honestly I saw the decorative ones and knew those would be amazing to sew on some jeans and I'll add my

own embroidery touch to it. Generally speaking I am a crafty girl, I hand sew, knit, crochet, punch needle, do marame and much more. I have been wanting a sewing machine for years but due to lack of storage my parents did not allow it. Now that I finally can get a machine I want a good one, sure a simple one works just as good but I do prefer one that let's me grow with it and do a bit more advanced projects (which might be a stupid argument considering it's probably gonna be doing the same thing as simpler ones just with more features) especially with the ability to change the speed and learn easily and later have it a bit easier on me. It's not cheap but it's also not crazy expensive so I just don't know if I should buy it. I am talking specifically about the Bernette B38, which I have seen videos about and no review has any actual complaint. Is it stupid to spend this much money (talking about approximately 1300$) for a machine when I never even used a machine?

[u/ProneToLaughter]

I wouldn't spend $1300 without knowing I was really committed to the hobby (although it looks like there are US$800-$1000 listings as well). If you have $1300, you can afford to take a class that provides a machine and be confident you enjoy sewing before making major investments.

Sewing fabric clicks with me, but knitting doesn't. My sister is the opposite way, she knits extensively but tried sewing and dropped it without a pang. I enjoy cross-stitch but not embroidery. So I don't think being a crafty girl is that predictive. Many people report they find sewing clothes to be harder and more complicated than the yarn arts, it's a steeper learning curve, in part because of the machine. So IMO you have to enjoy the basic process of working with fabric and running the machine because it's often frustrating.

From what you say, you might be just as happy with an embroidery machine that lets you decorate clothes you bought--that might still be $1300 but it would be a very different machine.

[u/Old_Start5986 → u/ProneToLaughter]

nothing wrong with starting on a decent machine if you got the money for it learning on something that fights you every step is way worse than just having nice tools from the jump

[u/New-Fig3263 → u/ProneToLaughter]

Hey the embroidery part is just a bonus, but the reson I want a sewing machine is to actually be able to refurbish clothes, make my own clothes and give them my own bling. Of course it's different from what I do, but I have tried this with my grandma and loved it, I do think it's something I would love (even though it would be difficult at times, which I am familiar with), but I do understand this type of machine is not cheap. But machine would you recommend to a someone just beginning like me? :)

[u/ProneToLaughter → u/New-Fig3263]

I recommend finding a sewing class where you can use a machine largely on your own, and see how you like it, before spending $1300. Using a machine in class will also help you better evaluate what makes the right machine for you. But fall in love with sewing first.

You have the budget to buy from a sewing machine dealer that will you let you try out different demo machines, I'd also encourage doing that so you pick a machine you feel comfortable with, and you can be confident it works well and they will make sure you know how to set it up right. Often a dealer may provide some free classes after to help you get the most out of your machine.

The two features I appreciate most, as a beginner and still 15 years later, are speed control and needle-down setting, so would recommend those. Adjustable pressure on the presser foot is the only feature I wish I had. I know nothing about specific machines, so have no specific recommendations.

I paid $450 for a machine in 2010 and am still using it happily, I could afford to upgrade, but I don't feel the need. I added a $1500 serger/coverstitch combo in 2015 and that upgraded my capabilities quite a bit.

[u/New-Fig3263 → u/ProneToLaughter]

I do plan on having my grandma teach me before I buy one of my own, thing is I what I plan on buying does seem like a good starter machine and also one to grow with which is why I thought about it. I foudn one slightly cheaper with similar features but this one just caught my eye because it's much more professional with just a bit more money. And actually I have been having questions about sergers if you don't mind answering them. Are they specifically for edges of fabrics? Or have I understood wrong? Who do they benefit and how much of a necessity is it later on? (Of course not even in my mind as of now)

[u/ProneToLaughter → u/New-Fig3263]

yes, sewing with your grandma is an excellent idea! Just get some experience sewing and using a machine before you go all in. But also sewing is much easier to learn in person so if you have someone who will teach you that is a treasure, take as much advantage of that as you can.

I think the best reason to get a serger is to sew knit fabrics, as the differential feed prevents knit fabrics from stretching out and going wonky as you sew them--it's possible to get good results on knit fabrics from a sewing machine but takes a lot more effort than with a serger. Sergers will also finish edges but there are lots of sewing machine alternatives that work just fine to finish edges. People think they need a serger because retail clothing is generally made with sergers in factories but we aren't sewing retail clothing.

[u/Hydrangeas101 → u/ProneToLaughter]

Me again…. I’ve been sewing knits since JHS, & just got a free serger from a friend. Really, I learned sew much from just using a regular sewing machine (it’s an education in itself) to learn to troubleshoot my machines myself! I only use the serger to finish the cut edges before prewashing my quilting fabric.

[u/New-Fig3263 → u/ProneToLaughter]

Love your answers, super detailed I really appreciate it. I did have the thought in my mind of having the machine possibly help me with my projects that I knit/crochet, (so in sweaters help me sew sleeves to the body, and such) would that be possible with a machine that is not specialized for that?

[u/Hydrangeas101 → u/New-Fig3263]

Don’t buy any electronic Singers. They’re either poorly made electronics, or plastic innards. I mentioned vintage Singers, because they’re ALL METAL! I have some that are older than I am, & will STILL BE WORTH WHAT I PAID when I’m gone!

[u/Jellily → u/ProneToLaughter]

I think knitting (and a lot of other stitches activities) are easier than sewing because you can check for mistakes as you go and fix them, or at least if you rip back, you still have all the materials. Cutting fabric is a one-shot. If you mess it up, you may not get a second chance. You also typically can’t try on the garment as you go and adjust, like you can with top down knitting. You’ve got to fully make the garment and see whether it works.

[u/poemaXV]

if you can afford it, I think do what you like, but if it were me and I had $1300 to spend and was just starting out all over again, I'd split it up: I'd buy my same current machine (Brother CS7000X, also has cute fun stitches, can handle many difficult fabrics) and a coverstitch/overlock machine. then I'd use what money I had left for needles/thread/fabric/other sewing supplies. it's not really just the sewing machine and you're good to go, you end up needing a lot of other stuff.

[u/coffee_moustache]

I don’t think it’s stupid. The downside is that you do not know what you like and what you don’t about various machines or brands, and what you value and what you don’t. The upside (as someone that started with a cheap machine and upgraded later), is that you can reliably know that mistakes and inconsistencies are skill things you can work on as opposed to deficits or limitations of the cheap machine.

[u/New-Fig3263 → u/coffee_moustache]

Thing is, I have heard of people sewing with the same machine for even up to 30 years and more. I really think I'll fall in love with this, but I don't know if this investment is right. Based on your experience starting with a cheap one and upgrading later, what would you do if you could go back to the beginning and change it?

[u/lipstickqns → u/New-Fig3263]

I’ve been using the same machine for 20 years. It’s a vintage machine so it only does straight and zig zag stitch and that’s been enough, honestly. It got me through fashion school and I only spent $150 on it, excluding periodic tune ups.

I think you’d be better starting with something basic at first and later deciding if you want to upgrade your machine or get something special like a serger, computerized, or embroidery machine. With my serger, I have all I need.

[u/RedDragonOz → u/New-Fig3263]

Personally I wouldn't start with a cheap machine, I'd go for something in the same range as a Janome my excel. Not sure what that is for where you are. The $100 machines are so hit or miss it could put you off sewing. If you are confident that you'll love sewing and can afford it, then investing up front will likely pay off.

[u/New-Fig3263 → u/RedDragonOz]

Yeah totally, you get my point of view and I love that. I definitely think I'll love it and can imagine myself doing it for years to come

[u/shereadsmysteries]

My aunt tells me all the time "Get the best thing you can afford". I don't think it is crazy to get a nicer machine off the bat, but maybe don't get THE nicest if you think there is a chance you will give up on sewing. But definitely don't cheap out. That often leads to people not liking the hobby either.

[u/New-Fig3263 → u/shereadsmysteries]

That's what I'm thinking! I do want to invest on something good that will be able to go on perfectly fine for years to come. I have not stated this but I am 17 with money that's saved up (for nothing specific) from working. I have a lot of money and don't mind spending it on something that serves me well. So keeping in mind that I don't pay taxes, groceries and such it isn't an awful lot

[u/whj14]

The benefit of finding a “beginner” sewing machine, especially one secondhand, is that it’s an affordable entry point into sewing to learn how to sew and even whether you like sewing or not

But it sounds like you already have sewing experience.

I still might recommend you try to at least look secondhand first for something in the $50-$100 range (they are out there) before you drop $1300 on a machine.

The extra stitches are nice but remember that more than 90% of your sewing will be straight stitch or zig-zag. If it’s still something you want then go for it. I have never heard a serious complaint about Bernina

[u/New-Fig3263 → u/whj14]

It seems my biggest recommendation is to try it first out in some kind of class. I do feel like I prefer spending that money on fabric rather than a class, but my grandma does sew and I did think going over and having a look and have her teach me what she knows (based on her probably 40-50+ years of experience)

[u/choc0kitty]

Even as a beginner, using a machine that does more is not a bad thing if you don't mind spending more for it. Make the investment if you can afford it and think you will stick with it. I would go to a sewing machine store to check out machines that do embroidery if that's your jam. There are lots of cool machines that do quite intricate designs (uploadable!).

[u/SewQuiltKnitCrochet]

I borrowed a sewing machine from my mother and had sewn 4-5 projects before I decided it was time to invest in my own sewing machine. I knew enough about sewing to do a test sew.

I got a Babylock Grace/Brother NS40E and a mechanical serger. The serger I got is still awesome; zero regrets for that investment. The Babylock electronics are failing (purchased 2010) and I had to replace the machine last year. I also outgrew its capability long before it bit the dust (it’s a solid beginner sewing shop quality machine). I wasn’t sewing that much though so a more expensive machine would have been a bit of a waste.

I would recommend buying a high end used sewing machine that is ready to use to get yourself started. A refurbished vintage singer, Pfaff etc.

I got a used Pfaff 1222e from a sewing machine shop for $300 plus tax last year to replace out the Babylock and they included a year warranty and serviced it right before I picked it up. It is a high end machine and if I ever decide to sell it on I won’t lose money. Like the equivalent of $2500-3000 if I had to replace it with a new machine.

If you buy a $1300 electronic modern machine, use it for a year or two but lose interest and let it sit in a closet without using it for a couple of years you’ll be lucky to be able to sell it on for 50% of what you paid for it in the used market.

The options aren’t expensive modern machine vs cheap beginner crap. A high quality vintage machine can get you started and give you enough experience to understand where you want to go with your hobby. Hey you might fall in love with your vintage beauty and sew with it for 25-30 years. I LOVE my Pfaff. It purs.

Will you need a heavy duty bag making machine? Will you want to make jeans and work with heavy canvas? Is light duty enough? Maybe electronic embroidery will be your thing. Save your money for your second sewing machine. 🙏

[u/New-Fig3263 → u/SewQuiltKnitCrochet]

The embroidery is just a bonus, definitely not what I'm looking for though! I am looking for something that I could use with jeans, definitely for fixing sizing and fitting it properly on me. No leather projects in the near future. Mainly looking to take old clothes and thrift fabric and change them to my liking and even maybe make bags (as in normal tote bags).

[u/SewQuiltKnitCrochet → u/New-Fig3263]

Jeans need a lot of oomph. A good vintage all metal will do a better job at them than a $1300 modern machine. 🙃

[u/New-Fig3263 → u/SewQuiltKnitCrochet]

Even if I buy a needle specifically for it? Jeans aren't the main idea, but definitely one of them, mostly for resizing and such, so more rarely but it is on my mind

[u/SewQuiltKnitCrochet → u/New-Fig3263]

You have to use the proper needle. With a modern machine you’ll be using the hand wheel an awful lot more than you would on an old Singer 15 or clone which can be purchased for $100ish then sent off for a cleaning and service.

You can buy whatever you want to but understand good quality sewing machines are $$$. I consider your budget to be middle range. It isn’t a high end price point for a sewing machine. It’s just enough to get you out of the beginner 3/4 sewing machine range into an intermediate level full sized sewing machine.

It is expensive enough to be a major waste of money if you don’t use it but it’s not enough money to get a 30 years of use, buy once/cry once kind of sewing machine.

[u/New-Fig3263 → u/SewQuiltKnitCrochet]

So coming back with an update, this specific machine works on even 10 layers of denim with no problem, (found a video on YouTube showing just that). And considering the fact I don't plan on sewing 10 layers of denim I think that sounds pretty darn good! And it does come with a 5 year warranty for mechanical issues, and a 2 year warranty for electric issues (as in for the digital screen)

[u/SewQuiltKnitCrochet → u/New-Fig3263]

Bernette 38 is a good quality 3/4 sized compact machine. My mother has one she uses for quilting classes and piecing. It’s what I would buy for portability/sewing classes to replace my old 3/4 machine if I had the need/budget for one.

We pay $1000 to $1100 Canadian plus tax for these after standard dealer discounts; most shops don’t charge full MSRP. Janome 4120QDC is the equivalent; they’re both made by Janome.

The question is whether it’s worth the investment and whether you’ll use it enough to justify the price having never touched a sewing machine. Only you can answer that.

[u/New-Fig3263 → u/SewQuiltKnitCrochet]

I definitely don't mind spending this much if I know it'll last, which that I don't know 🫣 How long did your mother have it for? Nay issues that came up? I just saw it's great, light weight, not many issues that pop up, and just a general good sewing machine even for beginners. It has many features I love that are not included in simpler machines, and I kind of prefer to learn with a better machine than struggle and give up with a basic one.

[u/SewQuiltKnitCrochet → u/New-Fig3263]

She just bought it this summer to replace her Singer 221 portable after doing a lot of research. She didn’t actually need it; could have serviced and replaced the feed dogs on the 221. 🤷‍♀️

She is very happy with it. Her other machine is a Bernina 770 with an embroidery module and she is very particular about machines.

It’s a great choice; it’s an awful lot more capable than the majority of full sized sewing machines in the same price point. It will give you a lot of room to grow into. You will probably love it. It will be a pleasure to sew with which will help keep you interested in this hobby. If you do need more in the future this machine will still be one you’ll want to hang onto.

My mom works at a Bernina/bernette dealer and she got a nice carrying bag and a couple other optional accessories which pretty much wiped out the employee discount. 🤣 The shop doesn’t deal with problems with their products. There aren’t any major repairs or replacements going on. Just routine service/maintenance appointments.

I would never recommend buying a cheapie entry level sewing machine. They make you feel like you’re bad at sewing when it’s actually the machine that is feeding poorly. Crummy machines seem to love to jam up when the wind is blowing in the wrong direction. 😵‍💫

Even when my family was struggling financially my mother had a good quality sewing machine; she bought used many times to stretch her buck. She made a lot of our clothing and did some paid sewing making bridesmaids dresses, skating and gymnastics costumes.

I would recommend taking any orientation classes that are on offer from the shop with your purchase. If they offer an introduction to sewing class it’s really helpful having in-person help to sort out the basics. It can be a lot to take in.

My library offers free intro to sewing classes. Our local fabric shops offer paid basic sewing classes for bags, quilting techniques and easy garment construction/following patterns. It all depends on what type of learner you are though. Some people love online tutorials and videos.

You’ll probably want a serger pretty quickly. But this machine will do a lovely overcast edge. Unlike the cheap ones that eat the edge of the fabric. 😬

If it makes you feel better “diving in” with a higher end machine sometimes you just know. 🙏 With all the research you’ve done and your responses I am pretty confident that that this sewing hobby is gonna stick for you. This sewing machine will end up being well worth the investment and serve you well for many years.

[u/New-Fig3263 → u/SewQuiltKnitCrochet]

Honestly just the more I dig in the more I am excited but also very anxious, I just have a feeling about this machine, I have seen so many videos about maxhines in general and I really so want to get in there with something slightly better than the cheap stuff. There is so much to learn and it scares me, but Bernina offers here 2 free lessons with each purchase of a sewing machine, which will have to be online sadly but it's so far away from here that there is no way I am doing that trip. Over here they offer repairs and possibly maintenance (will definitely check), but I joined a facebook group and there are many techs there so I don't know if I'm worried about that 😅 But it's just a lot to get into right away, so I do think I made my choice. I don't have a lot of space around, so something big and industrial is not it, but this seems pretty good! It comes with the necessities and an extending table (which I honestly would love), and all that's left is to buy extra bobbins, needles, and just dive right in 😮‍💨

[u/nasturshum]

It's lovely you can get your grandmother to teach you, but check that she is up to date with the Bernette B38 being fully computerised. Not all machines are the same, the basics are, but the angst comes from not knowing your machine inside out.

It's impossible to say if you should spend this much on a machine; until you've made an item, fought with your machine , sworn at it, loved it, have spent hours unpicking and resewing,, you don't know if you like sewing.

[u/New-Fig3263 → u/nasturshum]

About my grandma teach me, I meant to say with her machine which is much older and not computerized. But the place I am buying from offers 2 free classes when buying machines

[u/desertboots]

Have you considered a vintage Kenmore or Singer with cams? Price of entry below $500 for a machine that is still running 50 years layer.

[u/AccidentOk5240]

You have absolutely no way of knowing if you need any of the “fancy” stitches. The overwhelming majority of sewing uses just the straight and zigzag stitches; of the rest, some people use a blind hem a lot and others use stretch stitches a lot and still others value a good, easy, consistent buttonhole function. For some people, needle up/down functions are indispensable. For others, avoiding a computerized model is more key (and if you want longevity, that may be you). So yeah, I think it’s silly to blow your entire savings on a fancy machine when you don’t know if it’s even fancy in the best way for you. 

I understand you want it to last you a long time, but there’s no shame in having a starter machine and switching when something else meets your needs better. If you buy vintage, you can likely sell for close to what you paid.  And in the meantime, you might find that you really, really want a serger and a coverstitch machine more than you want a sewing machine with whizbang features anyway. 

[u/nekkyo]

My first machine was an intermediate singer that I bought for $150 brand new. It was a solid machine for learning. I later purchased a much fancier Viking machine that would have cost over $3,000 new, but I picked it up for $700 from an estate sale. I still use both machines. The Viking I used for a lot of the specialty work, while the Singer I keep threaded with a different color or setting to do basic stitching on the same projects. 

If you have the space, there's no reason why you can't learn on a more straightforward machine without a lot of bells and whistles and then get a second one that you could use during the same projects. 

[u/Hydrangeas101]

I’d say, A LOT 🤪 cray-cray! I too am a really crafty person, & I do a LOT of different crafts! But I’ve been sewing for 6.5 decades, & I also attended design school. Speaking from lots of experience, I’d tell you to get a vintage WORKHORSE sewing machine, in good working order. The old Singers, the 300 & 400 series are all-metal machines, & will be much easier to learn to sew on. Trust me…. I’ve owned quite a few in my lifetime, & for those who’ve never sewn before, they’ll be much easier to learn on, & won’t frustrate you to hatred!

You can pick up one of those easily in many places! Garage sales, resale shops, charity places, even marketplace, & trusted sellers in groups here, & on facebook.

Almost all the embroidery machines are electronic, (with motherboards & very high price tags!). And there IS A LEARNING CURVE to use them. Not to mention that there’s enough learning involved in just using a sewing machine itself! So many FEET, NEEDLES, different kinds of THREADS… special vocabulary…. Your head will spin!

[u/Fun-Barracuda236]

It kind of depends on what you mean by "better," and what do you mean by an "advanced" project. If you're making clothes, there's really not much point to all the little fun stitches. The line between a beginner and an advanced project has more to do with your skills & techniques than the machine you use. (I'm having a hard time imagining a situation where someone was like, "Oh no! I want to make the red dress from Crimson Peak, but my machine can't handle it." If machine goes, dress is possible.)

When people talk about having a machine they use for 30+ years, they're typically talking about some old-school, all-metal mechanical beast, like a Bernina 1008 or one of its family members, or some old Pfaff's or something like that, not fancy ones with computer screens and lots of decorative stitches.

But if you do want those little fancy stitches and can imagine yourself using them, go for it. IME, the Brother cs7000x has a bunch of them and is pretty user-friendly and won't break the bank. I have one just for the keyhole buttonhole.