| What are the different types of sewing machines? | | | | something brand new out of the box. That said, I've |
| Consumer Sewing Machines. The most common type | | | | made many a cute outfit with an ancient Singer |
| of consumer model is the zig-zag & straight | | | | machine that only did straight stitch (granted, I didn't |
| stitch machine. Most modern consumer sewing | | | | make any stretch outfits with that one). However, |
| machines will have at least these two stitches, plus | | | | modern sewing machines usually have some very |
| several more. | | | | cool decorative stitches and can be great fun to |
| Sergers (aka overlock machines or merrow | | | | create with. |
| machines). If you're wearing clothing bought from a | | | | As for commerical sewing machines, it's quite |
| store, you merely have to look inside your garment | | | | common to buy a used model, as these are very |
| to see what a serged stitch looks like. These | | | | expensive machines and because they're only |
| machines are more complicated in that they use 3, 4, | | | | required to perform one type of stitch unerringly, |
| or 5 threads, as opposed to the standard 2. The | | | | they can generally be counted on to last a long, long |
| wonderful thing these machines do, is they cut as | | | | time. |
| they sew, so you get a perfectly clean, finished | | | | How do you know which sewing machine to buy? |
| seam. They're also the machine of choice for sewing | | | | My advice is to read up on the web, find sewing |
| knits (the seams stretch). | | | | forums and ask questions. If you have a good |
| Industrial Sewing Machines (aka commercial machines). | | | | sewing store in your city, pick their brains (though I |
| These are the superfast machines used in production | | | | always prefer user opinions to salespeople talk). |
| work. They are dedicated to producing one type of | | | | Decide what you'll be primarily sewing as that can |
| stitch, but you can be sure, it'll do it well. There are | | | | also make a difference. For instance, you can sew |
| industrial machines for straight stitch, zig-zag, serging, | | | | some knits on a regular machine, but if you're going |
| blind hems, buttonholers, rufflers and more. They're | | | | to be making bathing suits or workout gear, it's best |
| very expensive, but if you're sewing for a living, they | | | | to go with a serger. |
| may be well worth the expense. | | | | Whatever type you eventually settle on, you're in for |
| Used vs. new sewing machines If you're buying a | | | | some fun creativity ahead! |
| consumer model, it's always more fun to have | | | | |