By Nicola Ogilvie, Just Sew
With Christmas just around the corner what better present to get for that special person in your life who loves to create than a sewing machine? But which one should you buy and where? With prices ranging from 90chf to more than 2000chf it is a difficult decision. For this article I am looking at sewing machines for less experienced sewers - my knowledge comes from me having purchased a range of sewing machines for my classes and for the after school programme that I have taught. For those with considerable experience or special requirements you probably know what you are looking for and are upgrading rather than purchasing for the first time. Please note the following suggestions are only my opinion and others may have very different views.
There are 2 different types of machines out there, electronic and computerised. Electronic sewing machines have a single motor that drives the needle and a feeding mechanism to feed the fabric through the machine. A computerised machine uses several motors that control different functions enabling you to produce lots of different stitches by pressing a button or using a touch pad. Some can be connected to a PC where you can download designs that the machine will sew almost automatically. I particularly like the ability to programme in letters enabling you to monogram items. However these are expensive, starting at around 400chf. If you are considering a complex computerised machine I would recommending going into a specialist shop and talking through with the assistant and test driving them before you purchase. In Geneva, there is an Elna sewing machine shop in Balexert with a large range of machines and a Bernina shop in La Praille.
There are also 2 types of bobbins: the more expensive machines often have a drop in bobbin and the less expensive a bobbin case. Having been brought up on Singer sewing machines with drop in bobbins I was reluctant to change but felt the features were more important, so I purchased a machine with a bobbin case and have to admit it has taken no time to adapt and I can thread up easily. Therefore, I wouldn’t be overly concerned to have this feature.
Electronic sewing machines and lower priced computerised machines will suit the needs of most home sewers. However there is a big range: number of stitches, functions and prices vary greatly.
The first question you need to ask is: what do I want to sew? While the most basic machine will sew anything, various functions will make life easier. If you want to sew heavy duty fabrics such as denim or canvas and leather you will want a heavy duty sewing machine. Lower priced machines are made of plastic and have a shorter life, particularly if using heavyweight fabrics.
At the bottom end, for less than 100chf, Ikea has a sewing machine, which is similar in quality to one offered by Fust under its own name. For the absolute beginner or young sewer these machines do the job although, in my opinion, they are not very smooth and have a limited range of stitches. For me the biggest problem with these is that they only offer 4 stitch lengths rather than the variable stitch length from very tiny to quite large, which is offered on machines that are just a little more expensive but still come in under 200chf. As you progress in your sewing you are likely to find only 4 stitch sizes limiting. However, if your intention is to just sew curtains, or for a child to use, this is quite likely to be sufficient.
Other features that I think are worth paying for are the automatic buttonhole, especially if you plan to sew clothes. For this you place the button you intend to use into the button hole device, attached to the foot for an electronic machine and often in the top for a computerised machine, and the machine will automatically sew the button hole to fit the button. This can be achieved manually but is a lot easier when done automatically.
For me, a lady of increasing age and decreasing eyesight I love the automatic threader: it saves me hours, is a little fiddly to start with but once mastered I wouldn’t be without it!
The computerised machines also allow you to choose to stop the needle in the fabric or out of the fabric, which is another useful tool, allowing you to keep your hands on the fabric at all times.
The stitches available: variable stitch size and zigzag are basic requirements. If you are going to be sewing clothes a stretch stitch is useful, as sooner or later you will probably want to sew a stretch fabric. This can be done with a zig zag but a stretch stitch is better.
The number of embroidery stitches increases with price and you must consider how likely you are to use them. If you are going to be doing serious quilting you are likely to be wanting more decorative stitching. For clothes you don’t need many, for home furnishing your need is more likely to be ensuring the space between the machine bed and the foot is wider to allow you to sew thicker fabrics. The same is true if you intend to sew a lot of denim or bags.
If quilting is your intent you may want a quilting extension table, but this is where you start getting into the more specialised machines, which I am not covering here.
So where to buy in Switzerland?
Manor sells a range of Brother sewing machines that I have found to be reliable: they have the added advantage that getting replacement bulbs and accessories at Manor is easy. I have bought both the basic and the mid-priced Brother: the basic has the disadvantage of the fixed stitch size although there are 6 sizes, which is better, but otherwise it is a good solid machine. The mid-priced has all my preferred basic features, automatic button hole, easy threading and variable stitch size, so I would recommend this machine.
Carrefour also has a good range, I have bought a Toyota, a Singer and the Carrefour “own brand”. The Singer has variable stitch length and a few useful stitches: for a beginner this is a good choice, as it is lovely and smooth and has a good solid feel to it. The Toyota is a little more limited and the basic one has a battery operated bobbin winder, which I do not like so much. I was attracted to it because it has a drop in bobbin but on reflection I feel the features of the other machines are greater than the ease of bobbin insertion. Carrefour’s own brand sewing machine is remarkably similar to the Singer in terms of capability, although the Singer feels smoother to me.
Lidl has recently had a lovely computerised Singer Symphony IV at only 269chf: it has a top drop bobbin, a lovely range of stitches, automatic button hole and easy thread feature. I would recommend this machine but since Lidl’s offers are always limited I don’t know how long this will be on sale. The Elna shop in Balexert has the full range: Elna machines are beautifully smooth and well made, a little pricier than some of the others, but if quality of the machine is important to you, then Elna is certainly “quality”. I don’t know the Bernina shop in La Praille or have personal experience of Bernina machines, but Bernina is equally well thought of as Elna.
There are other wonderful makes of sewing machines but I am focusing on those I have seen in shops in Switzerland.
Once you have decided what sewing machine to buy, why not accompany your gift of a sewing machine with a ½ day workshop with me? My next workshop, entitled “Making friends with your sewing machine” for children (15 and under) will be held on Wednesday afternoon, 7th January. I will hold the same workshop for adults on Saturday afternoon 10th January. See my website http://justsewgeneva.weebly.com for more details.
Author's bio
Nicola Ogilvie has been sewing as long as she can remember, and loves new challenges. From a very early age, she has attempted most things you can make on a sewing machine, from creating her own wedding dress and recovering a chair to quilting and embroidery. In her early career, she was employed by Courtaulds, working in a factory making underwear for Marks & Spencer!
Through her sewing business, Just Sew, Nicola now shares her passion with a new generation. She runs workshops, mostly for children, and teaches in the after-school program of a local international school. She loves the fact that even the youngest get a great sense of satisfaction from their completed projects. After a number of requests, she will soon be offering courses aimed at adults.
Although sewing is clearly Nicola’s thing, she admires all craftsmen and women, and loves to see how people use their creativity.
