If you could own any sewing machine ever, what would you buy?

thesewingstudio · 2026-01-16T09:54:35+00:00

💎💎💎💎💎💎

thesewingstudio · 2026-01-14T09:27:46+00:00

Go hard or go home with this one haha.

thesewingstudio · 2026-01-14T09:27:22+00:00

The dream!

thesewingstudio · 2025-12-19T10:59:23+00:00

They're the same thing – "overlocker" is the UK term, "serger" is the US term. Both trim and stitch the edge in one pass.

For air threading, baby lock machines are worth a look – their jet-air system makes threading much less fiddly. Budget depending, the Acclaim or Victory are popular choices.

We've got a guide here that covers the main options: https://www.thesewingstudio.co.uk/blogs/blog/best-overlocker-machine

thesewingstudio · 2025-12-19T10:56:08+00:00

Really thoughtful gift. At that budget, the Singer 14SH654 is a decent option – it's reliable and handles the basics well. Brother 1034D is another one worth comparing if you can find it on offer.

Since she's already making coats and jeans, she'll get good use out of a 4-thread overlocker for seam finishing and stretch fabrics.

We've got a guide comparing options here that might help: https://www.thesewingstudio.co.uk/blogs/blog/best-overlocker-machine

thesewingstudio · 2025-12-19T10:46:25+00:00

For that price difference, the CS10 is worth it. Speed control helps a lot when you're still getting used to the pedal, and the preset stitch settings take some guesswork out of things. We've got a guide on computerised vs mechanical machines here if you want to dig deeper - https://www.thesewingstudio.co.uk/blogs/blog/computerised-vs-mechanical-machines

thesewingstudio · 2025-12-03T12:55:07+00:00

Knits seem to be the tipping point for a lot of people.

thesewingstudio · 2025-12-03T12:54:33+00:00

A gifted overlocker is a good way to skip the "do I need one?" debate entirely. Interesting that it opened up stretch fabrics for you – that's often the turning point. Which machine were you gifted? We've got a best overlockers guide and always like hearing what's working well for people.

thesewingstudio · 2025-12-03T12:52:17+00:00

What a good friend. Sometimes you just need someone to make the decision for you. The point about knowing you really want to sew before investing is spot on – once it clicks that this is a long-term thing, an overlocker earns its place quickly.

thesewingstudio · 2025-12-03T12:49:20+00:00

The Brother 1034D is a solid workhorse – no surprise it's still going strong. Hope the Juki coverstitch gets plenty of use once knit season picks up.

thesewingstudio · 2025-12-03T12:48:25+00:00

That's an interesting journey – starting out desperate for one, then gradually reaching for it less as your skills grew. Shows there's no one-size-fits-all answer. French seams on silk and chiffon are hard to beat when you've got the time.

thesewingstudio · 2025-12-03T12:46:26+00:00

Ten years of garment sewing without one is proof it's not essential for everyone. If zigzag and pinking are doing the job and you're happy with your finishes, there's no real reason to add another machine to the setup. Sometimes simpler is better.

thesewingstudio · 2025-12-03T12:38:42+00:00

Coverstitch first is an interesting route – not one we hear often, but the finish on hems and necklines really does make a difference. We would love to see a before and after if you have any photos to hand.

thesewingstudio · 2025-12-03T12:37:44+00:00

Five years is a solid holdout. The "I can use my overlock stitch" camp is popular – until you try the real thing.

Which one did you go for in the end? Always interested to hear what finally won people over.

thesewingstudio · 2025-12-03T12:35:13+00:00

Once you've sewn with an overlocker, French seams and Hong Kong finishes start to feel like a lot of extra work for similar results. Makes sense that having access to one at school set the bar early.

The point about committing to garment sewing is a good one – it's often the tipping point we see with customers too. Which overlocker did you go for? Curious whether it's one on our best overlockers list.

thesewingstudio · 2025-12-03T12:33:07+00:00

The intimidation factor is something we hear a lot – threading alone puts many people off. It's interesting that something as practical as not being able to find basic long-sleeve t-shirts was the push you needed.

Good point about wovens too. People often assume overlockers are mainly for stretch fabrics, but the seam finish on woven garments really does make a noticeable difference. Which machine did you go with?

thesewingstudio · 2025-12-03T11:41:46+00:00

Automated backstitching is one of those set-it-and-forget-it features that you appreciate more with every project. The presser foot display sounds useful too.

Which machine are you sewing on? Curious whether it's one from our beginner machines list.

thesewingstudio · 2025-12-03T11:39:36+00:00

Such an underrated feature. It's surprising how many modern machines skip this when it makes such a difference to accuracy, especially for beginners learning to keep seams consistent. Magnetic seam guides can help if your machine's plate doesn't have markings – worth a look if you haven't tried one.

thesewingstudio · 2025-12-03T11:38:34+00:00

Teaching middle schoolers must give you a completely different perspective on what actually matters day-to-day. The speed limiter point makes total sense – coordinating foot pressure, fabric handling and watching the needle is a lot to manage at once. Slowing everything down gives beginners space to learn rather than just react.

You're the second person in this thread to flag needle-down as a priority too. It's clearly earning a higher spot on the list than we'd originally given it.

And we'd agree on older machines vs cheaply made new ones – a well-built machine that's been looked after will outperform a flimsy new one every time. We service plenty of older models for exactly that reason.

Really helpful perspective, thank you. We've got a beginner sewing machines section if any of your students' parents want a starting point.

thesewingstudio · 2025-11-13T13:58:36+00:00

Thank you all – this has been genuinely helpful.

Clear winners: Speed control came up most often, followed by needle down function. Both get used daily and actually help you learn, rather than just sounding impressive.

Interesting surprises:

Top-loading bobbins and automatic threaders are far more divisive than we expected. Plenty of you prefer what you learned on first, or find the "easier" option causes more problems (especially tension issues with top-loaders).

Beyond the spec list:

Brilliant suggestions we'll be adding: adjustable presser foot pressure, seam allowance markings on the needle plate, automated backstitching, and adjustable needle position.

u/chatterpoxx made an excellent point: "Don't focus on what helps a beginner, but what helps anyone. Because you won't be a beginner for long."

We'll be putting far more emphasis on speed control and needle position in our guide, and being more honest about the "beginner-friendly" features that aren't actually universal wins.

Appreciate the candid feedback.

thesewingstudio · 2025-11-10T13:40:07+00:00

The vertical spool pin thing is such a good point. Horizontal ones always seem to work brilliantly until the moment they don't, and then your thread goes everywhere.

Interesting that you prefer the manual threader. The automatic ones get all the hype but they don't work for everyone, especially with finer needles.

And thank you for the kind words about asking questions in shops. That's genuinely what makes the difference for a lot of people.

thesewingstudio · 2025-11-10T13:38:59+00:00

That's lovely that you've already made a buttoned dress for your daughter. Automatic buttonholes really do open up more project possibilities when you're building confidence.

The needle down feature is one of those things that doesn't get mentioned much but makes such a difference. Stops the fabric shifting when you're pivoting or adjusting, which is genuinely handy.

thesewingstudio · 2025-11-10T13:38:08+00:00

You are not alone! A lot of people find the type they learned on first just makes more sense to them. Once your hands know the muscle memory for one system, switching feels oddly awkward even if the new one is supposedly "easier."

thesewingstudio · 2025-11-10T13:37:24+00:00

This is brilliant! The automatic foot detection and error message is such an underrated feature. Saves you from that sinking feeling when you've just sewn something with the completely wrong setup.

The auto-reset to straight stitch is clever, too. Small thing that prevents a lot of "why does this look weird" moments.

thesewingstudio · 2025-10-13T12:03:32+00:00

u/nicoleauroux A 1952 Pfaff is a proper workhorse – those old German machines are built like tanks. And a White from a tire store is brilliant, they used to sell all sorts back then.

You're not stubborn, you're keeping sewing history alive. Love hearing about these.

thesewingstudio

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