Selecting a Sewing Machine

For someone who would like to start sewing, often, the first question would be 'which sewing machine should I get?' or 'what features should I look for in a sewing machine?'  Well, here are my thoughts on what should a beginner look for in selecting a sewing machine, in no particular order.

1)  Number of stitchings

Most sewing machines these days come with lots of stitchings. To name a few, straight, zig zag, blind hem, etc.  Some even comes with functions such as alphabets and numbers.  While these functions are good, however, I would say that for a beginner, the basic straight stitch would be more than sufficient.  I, myself have a Brother NV50, which comes with more than 50 types of stitches, but very very rarely do I use any of those stitches.   Having said that, the number of stitchings that comes with the sewing machine is not as important as the type of stitching it is capable of sewing.

2) Types of Stitchings

For a beginner, the straight stitch is more than sufficient for easy projects.  However, as one's skill advances, having the extra types of stitchings really do make a difference.  You wouldn't want to get stuck with a sewing machine that can only do a straight stitch and nothing else.   So, what are the stitchings that are normally needed?  Let's see.... straight, zig zag and overlock.

Straight stitch is for normal sewing.  It is just, well... straight.  A zig zag stitch is one that looks like a continous w.  The zig zag stitch is needed to sew button holes in sewing machines that do not have the button holes function.  Other than that, it is also used to sew overlock stitches, to prevent the edge of the cloth from fraying in sewing machines that do not comes with overlock function.  More about button holes and overlock later.

Top : Zig zag stitch
Bottom :  Straight stitch

04 - 07 : Zig Zag Stitch
09 - 12 Overlock Stitch

3) Button Holes

A mechanical sewing machine does not usually comes with a one step button hole function.  In order to sew button holes manually, one have to measure the size of the button, mark it at the place where you wish to place the button hole and sew it using a zig zag stitch.  This is often called 4 steps button hole. 

One step button hole is where you just need to put the button in the slot allocated in the special button hole foot and the sewing machine will sew the button hole according to the size of the button.  You just sit back and let the machine does its work.  Really easy and convenient.

However it goes with saying that a one step button hole function is convenient, but not essential.  One can always sew the button holes manually.

Foot for one step button hole sewing

42 -51 :  Types of one step button hole sewing for NV50

4)  Overlock Stitch

Most home sewing machines these days come with overlock stitch function or serging.  The overlock stitch is done to prevent the edge of the cloth from fraying.  The overlock stitch needs a special overlock foot for it to work, which usually comes with the sewing machine when you purchase it.  Otherwise, one can easily purchase the foot separately. 

Although a home sewing machine is able to do the overlock stitch, one should bear in mind that the stitches done will not be as smooth and neat as those done using a serger.  It serves its purpose although the outlook is not as nice. The home sewing machine uses only one thread for the serging while a serger usually uses 3 or 4 threads.  Although I can easily sew the overlock stitch using my NV50, nevertheless, I often send my cloth to be serged in the shop as I prefer smooth and neat serging.  It is only when I am lazy to go out or I need something done desperately that I serge the edges myself.   

Top :  Serging by serger
Bottom : Serging by overlock function

5) Mechanical or Computerised?

A mechanical sewing machine is one where the machine works by the pressing of the foot press.  The speed of the sewing machine depends on how hard or soft one presses the foot press.  For a beginner, this is a bit tricky to control resulting in uneven stitches.  However, with practice, one gets better with time.

A computerised sewing machine is God send for beginners.  It comes with a foot press and a button to start / stop the machine. One can opt to sew using the foot press.  Otherwise, you can start or stop the sewing machine by the press of a button and let the sewing machine runs its own course.  The stitching done will be nice and even, provided you do not pull the cloth as it sews. 

It is easy to differentiate a mechanical from a computerised sewing machine.  A computerised sewing machine comes with an LED screen as below :

LED Screen of NV50



Brother NV50, Computerised Sewing Machine



So, those are my thoughts on criterias in selecting a sewing machine.  My first sewing machine was a mechanical, non branded one.  It served me well but ever since having the Brother NV50, I will never ever go back to using the old one.  

In Malaysia, the most common sewing machines are the Brother or Singer.  Both are equally good.  Spare parts are easily attainable too.  I will not go to recommend which over which.  It depends on individual preference.  But do keep in mind of the above points when purchasing your first sewing machine.

Will blog on the different types of sewing feet and tips for sewing next.  Stay tuned....