Advice for Sewing Machine for Denim

[Deactivated] on 24/10/2017 - 12:24
Last edited 24/10/2017 - 15:44 by 1 other user

Hey guys, my mum and I are after a new sewing machine for basic alterations. One of my requirements is that it can sew/hem jeans.

I was wondering if anyone had any advice about this sewing machine:
https://www.amazon.com/SINGER-2250-Tradition-10-Stitch-Machi…
$174 at Spotlight.

Or should I invest in this Singer 4423 Heavy Duty:
https://www.amazon.com/SINGER-4423-Heavy-Sewing-Machine/dp/B…
$299 at Spotlight.

I guess I am worried the cheaper one will not work for denim, but I spoke to a spotlight employee and they said that all their machines will work for denim as long as you use a heavy duty needle, so I'm not sure.

Thank you.

• 

  lupiter on 24/10/2017 - 12:42

  +2

  Almost any sewing machine will be able to sew denim, it's just about how easy it is, a cheap machine is more likely to have tension and feed issues. I would go with the Singer, it's the exact machine I recommended to my mum.

• 

  zhenjie on 24/10/2017 - 13:31

  +1

  Depends on the denim you're working with. Heavy oz, raw denim, you'd want the Singer Heavy Duty or similar machine with metal frames. Especially so if you're working with multiple layers.

• 

  chumlee on 24/10/2017 - 15:38

  -1

  Best to ask a kid in an asian sweat shop who does this for a living

• 

  megster on 24/10/2017 - 15:41

  +2

  I sew every day at home and make jeans and leather jackets. I would never buy a cheap new machine and recommend an old Bernina that you should be able to find for around the same cost. I use a Bernina 1130, but a 730 or similar would be excellent and way superior to a new Singer from Spotlight. The old Berninas are so reliable and sew through anything.

  • 

    barbarella on 24/10/2017 - 19:50

    I'm with megster! The new machines are crap. Go to a reputable sewing machine repair shop and get a great refurbished (old) one.

• 

  Baysew on 24/10/2017 - 15:43

  +1

  I wouldn't buy a machine for a specific purpose until I tested it out for myself, on that fabric - lots of layers, like the real task.

  If you know what you are looking for, you need to feel how enthusiastic or reluctant that machine is with the job you present to it.

  A good sewing machine should come with lessons too: there is much more to a lot of sewing processes than most people realise.

  By the way, Janome is the most popular machine in Australia.

  You want a machine that has parts and accessories readily available.

  Visit your local sewing machine shop for real service and advice.

  You are buying a tool and it needs to be up to the job.

  (Disclaimer: Non local (to you) sewing machine shop.)

• 

  [Deactivated] on 27/10/2017 - 02:07

  Thank you for your help everyone.

  I ended up buying the Singer 4423. All the reviews seem pretty good and there were videos showing it sewing 8 layers of denim and 2 layers of leather, so it seemed pretty strong.

  I'll be teaching myself how to sew on this machine, so hopefully it turns out to be a fun time.

  • 

    haru on 25/01/2018 - 13:05

    Was it a fun time? And did you really get one for $299 at Spotlight? It’s showing as $599 on their website.

    • 

      [Deactivated] on 25/01/2018 - 21:58

      I did get it for $300. And at the time it was sitting on a stack of 10 others.

      I wouldn't say it's fun haha it's pretty stressful, was really just after the results. I did end up shortening 2 jeans, but since I'm still noob it was not the best, but it's adequate at least.