Tis the season to buy a sexy sewing machine
So maybe you are thinking about getting a new luxury sewing machine to replace one that has seen better days or to gain more features, sewing ease or harp space. Or maybe you are lucky enough to just be adding another machine to a stable of old favorites. No matter the reason even as an experienced sewist it is hard to get around the sticker shock when it comes to today’s upper end machines.
In the same way you can buy a car at a huge range of price points today’s sewing machine market has everything from the $89 Wal-mart special to 20 thousand dollar machines from machine dealers. It is easy to get the vapors when first looking at machines so it is really a good idea to do a lot of research before you even start looking.
Who this article is not for, but a bit of advice anyway.
Honestly for a brand new- don’t know if I am going to like this sewist -the best machine is a well maintained free machine, one handed down, handed over or sourced from someone who gave up sewing for one reason or another. If you are new to sewing I HIGHLY suggest shaking your social media tree, shouting out on your church facebook group and plundering the machines stables of crafty friends to see if anyone has one to give away.. (Yes, people give machines away, I have given about 5-8 over time to see new sewists succeed). Now take that thing in and have it serviced since nothing will make you lose your love for sewing faster than than a cranky sewing machine since as a new sewist you don’t know if it is you fucking up or the machine. If this is your first machine here is an article I like on the subject. Buying your first sewing machine
Searching for a sexy beast of a Machine
Once you have determined that the price of a new luxury machine is not something you want to spend right now it is time to 1st establish your budget and your goals for a new machine. Are you looking to add embroidery?, more features? More room to jamb a large quilt under the arm of the machine?
Are you brand loyal? if so why? In my case I was learning towards a Bernina since I have THOUSANDS of dollars in feet and accessories that would be compatible with a newer Bernina, from my 11 year old Bernina 830 and other smaller Bernina Machines I own. But if that is not the case which dealers do you have in your area? Since while you might end up buying on the private market you are going to want to buy from someone who had their machine serviced as well as having some place you can have it serviced as well. While most dealers will service most brands I personally would NOT buy a brand that was not sold locally, that is buying a headache and regret right there.
Dealer or Private Market sale
This is sort of asking “do these pants make me look fat”? No matter how I answer this question someone is going to get their nose out of joint so take this for what it is worth. If you are going to buy from a dealer understand that even with a used machine they need to make some money on the deal. Most likely the machine was a trade in, has been serviced and they are going to stand behind it since they don’t want you trashing them all over town. If you buy in a private sale I really like to have known the person, and to know their dealer and see the service record for the machine. If it is a pricey machine I want to have them take it in and I want the machine gone over and put through it’s paces and I WILL OFFER TO PAY FOR THIS and ask for the amount to be taken off the sale if I decide to buy. If the machine has problems and I decide not to buy yes, I paid, but I paid for a very worth-it lesson not to buy this machine for WAY more than the $75-100 for the dealer to look it over.
Taking the sexy beast for a test drive
No matter where you buy, bring your own fabric … if you are a quilter bring a few FQ’s a a small quilt sandwich, clothing?.. bring some stretchy fabric or whatever is the most hellish fabric you are sewing with. Fabric provided at shops is starched within an inch of its life and almost any sewing machine will sew well on it. BRING YOUR OWN. Unless you know the brand well let the seller walk you through the basics, also now is the time to ask about the guides, accessories and such that come with the sale. Put that machine THROUGH it… don’t be danity about it… pedal to the metal, back it up. .. you would not buy a car without a test drive.
How does it FEEL. Yes it is new to you but does it feel right or like too much machine or not enough machine? I have seen WAY too many women buy too much machine for them and those who skimped and regretted it. This is the time to pull out your list to compare your GOALS for this purchase and if this machine ticks all those boxes. Yes it might be a good deal, we all love a good deal but does it do what you need and want from a machine that even used is going to cost more than your first car?
Buying a pre-loved Luxury machine can be fantastic way to get into a machine you would not be able to buy otherwise or it can just help you save a bit of bank since you are also going be getting a new longarm in the coming year ( hint hint) No matter the reason do not be hasty and do stick to your list to avoid regret since another amazing deal will come your way if there are ones you pass buy in the process.
As for me….
I had known that I was looking for a new machine for about a year so had been reading a lot online, talking to my dealer and generally keeping my ears open. While I was currently sewing on one hell of a sexy beast ( Bernina 830 with embroidery) she was starting to show her age at 11 years of serious use so when my dealer mentioned that he had taken in a 790 I requested a sit down with the machine. I had been thinking that I was going to get a new 880 but since I did not need the harp space and the 830-880 bobbin case has always been temperamental I had been making serious heart eyes at the 790 for a while.
I did confirm that I could purchase the upgrade package for the machine to the Plus, warranty and stitch count, service record and other details that gave me a fuller picture of why it was traded in. Then I said yes to the machine and have been very pleased and hope your adventure in buying a new machine goes equally smoothly!
Have you bought a luxury machine second hand? How did it go and what lessons did you learn?
