5 Things to look for when buying a new sewing machine

Sewing is a wonderful hobby and a good source of income. You do not only save money by making clothes for yourself but you can even use your sewing skills in starting a new business. Anyone can make money by sewing home decor items or by doing clothing alterations.

If you are thinking of investing in a new sewing machine, you will find that it takes time to find the right one. Sewing machines come in sizes, designs, and they all have their unique features. To help you choose the right sewing machine that you can use either for hobby or business cause, here are some factors to keep in mind:

• Features – this will all depend on the the types of projects you are planning to work on. If you want to make clothes or repair fabrics, a manual sewing machine would be fine. Usually these kinds of machines are recommended for beginners. For experienced sewers, you might need a computerized sewing machine that has the advanced features like a machine that can also be used for quilting. Some of the questions you would want to ask are, does it have built-in automatic needle threader? Does it have built-in stitches? If it does then how many stitches can it make per minute? There are some more more things you would want to have in a machine and it’s best to compare models before making a purchase decision.
• Performance- it’s complicated to know how a sewing machine functions especially when you are buying online. The best way to know is to read customer reviews. You will even find video reviews and comparisons of sewing machines. Reviews can give you an idea whether a certain machine runs quietly or is heavy duty enough to handle various kinds of fabrics.
• Built- you want the best value for your money so you would want a machine that you can grow into. Buy a solid sewing machine that is made up of durable materials like a stainless steel for the bedplate and metal for the frame.
• Ease-of-use– fortunately, there are computerized sewing machines that are so easy to use that even the beginners can use them with no hassle. You can find models that have the digital information advisor which displays relevant information on an LCD screen.
• Price– a decent sewing machine that has the standard features costs around $150-$250. The computerized and more advanced types usually range from $300 and above. If you don’t mind paying for more advanced features, a high-end sewing machine will be worth the money. After all, you may want to get more out of your machine as you go along because sewing can be very addictive.

Aside from being a fun hobby and good business, sewing comes with more benefits. This “lost art” is a great activity for developing strong motor skills as well as problem-solving skills. Sewing is also considered as a therapeutic activity. When we do something pleasurable, such as sewing for example, our brains release a chemical called dopamine that acts as a natural antidepressant.