Sample the Wares
Next, take several machines for a “test drive.” The best way to become familiar with a sewing machine is to sit and sew on it. Carry a small notebook to the store with you, and after you sample an assortment of stitches (the Home Sewing Association recommends four to six per machine), make notes about how the machine sewed and how easy it was to adjust the settings. The association adds that you should practice several of the same stitches when reviewing different sewing machine models and brands.

Remember to bring swatches of the fabrics you sew on at home, too. Fabrics provided at the store may be stiff, which shows different stitches well but doesn’t indicate how the machine will perform on softer or stretchier fabrics. In addition, use as many of the features on the machine as possible, including threading the machine, winding the bobbin, and changing stitch settings. See if you can execute basic tasks without help from the dealer or salesperson. Finally, review the manual to make sure you can follow the written instructions.

“These are not your grandmother’s machines,” says Mellinger. “A lot of things inside the sewing machine have changed. You might have a machine that you found at a garage sale, but the new machines can do so much more. You should find a machine that does what you like it to do now and a little more in the future. That way, as you learn more about sewing, your machine can keep pace with you.”

With a little thought about your sewing and a bit of research, you can confidently buy a machine that will provide you with years of fun and rewarding sewing.