How to Shop for a Quality Sewing Machine

From Singer to White to Brother and Many More

Sewing machines are everywhere. They adorn shelves in WalMarts around the globe, take up sacred space in fabric stores (such as Jo Ann Fabrics), and can be found from antique stores to the internet and yard sales.

If you want a machine that will last, here are some key things to look for.

While plastic is in and everywhere, you don't want an entirely plastic machine. The interior parts, if you want a machine that will hold up under rigors of lots of sewing, or can survive sitting for years, should be primarily metal. Some parts will be plastic no matter how high in price you're willing to go.

All sewing machines have a belt that drives the parts. You want a machine with a thicker, more durable belt, not one with a skinny rubber band. The belts will rot if the machine sits and plastic can become brittle-- so make these contents minimal.

A foot lever (the lever that raises and lowers the machine foot) should be metal also. A plastic cover is fine, just make sure that the lever itself is metal. This gets lots of use and is very important.

The bobbin area should also be all metal inside. There should only be plastic housing the bobbing parts.

Make sure the electrical cord and the cord for the foot pedal are thick and flexible. Check where they attach. It should be secure with no thin metal plates that will warp or looseness that will get worse as the machine is used, plugged in and unplugged over time.

Overall, a heavier sewing machine will have more metal parts and be more durable. A heavy machine will also be more stable and have less tendency to "walk" while you are sewing. Carefully weigh your options -- do you need portability? Or will the machine be kept in one spot? Portability will require a lighter machine, one that can withstand being taken down, closed up and transported. Look for one with built in cases. Many small quilting machines come with hard cases where the case becomes part of the sewing platform. White has some very good models. But while portable and convenient, they lack in long term durability.