Sewing machine

Lporschy on 07/10/2013 - 11:42

hi ozbargainers,

I'm looking to buy a sewing machine for my wife. It ideally will have a computerised touch-panel type interface and a few hundred selectable stitches. I was hoping to spend around $500 but it looks like that isn't a realistic budget for this type of machine. So I'm either looking for a bargain or advice whether I could buy from overseas sites. Would it be safe to order from an non-Australian site - assuming they ship to aus - or would voltage difference, warranty present a problem? Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks so much.

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Comments

  • solidice on 07/10/2013 - 12:02
    +2

    This is coming from someone who has had a lot of experience with sewing machines.

    First, you need to know what the machine will be used for will it be used once a month or every day. What material will be sewn, i.e. denim, leather, silk, cotton etc.

    I have found that local shops will have better prices than buying from overseas. Keep in mind that sewing machines are large, bulky and can weigh a lot, so when buying from overseas the shipping alone can be a killer. Some machines do operate on different voltages which again can be problematic in Australia.

    Different machines are sometimes designed for different countries hence spare parts may not be readily available. My local sewing shop has all the spare parts readily available, and any service/warranty requirements I just drop off the machine to him and he sorts it out for me.

    Anyway, for $500 you will get an entry level Taiwan/Chinese made machine. The motors and quality of build is the same for machines starting at $100 through to ~$600. The only difference between the more expensive machine is the number of stitches. Janome at least have a decent amount of metal in them under the plastic hood.

    If you want quality go for a German machine price will be about $1000 minimum.

  • lram99 on 07/10/2013 - 18:55

    As an occasional user - and experienced former user, I found my Toyota machine which is over 20 years old still reliable and allows me enough creativity.

    Here is a link to Lincraft > http://www.lincraft.com.au/shop/sewing-machines-overlockers/…

    It all depends on whether you will need it for heavy tasks like sewing curtains (I did). This used to be quite costly almost as much as the dollars spent on the fabric. But these days, it is no longer an issue as the pre-stitched ones are cheaper.

    This is a matter you will have to involve your wife before you buy - and do some research with her ideas. Once you buy, a good brand will last for a couple of decades - so do take your time. If she needs, taking sewing classes may be a worthwhile effort.

    Good luck - and do let us know when you decide.

  • porschy on 08/10/2013 - 18:00

    thanks very much for that advice. It sounds like a local seller is the way to go then. I've googled 'sewing machines' and found a couple of sites, but if you know of any standouts you would recommend checking out I'd appreciate your thoughts. Thanks very much!

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