In my last post, I talked about the 2 sewing machines that I own: 1 very old (vintage 1950s Singer), and 1 old (1998 Elna). I showed that neither of them is up to the job of serving my current sewing needs. That post has 2 vids showing each machine.
I was left without a sewing machine for the first time in a long time. I had to buy one, and I really didn’t know much about modern machines (my Elna was 28 years old). I began researching machines, watching videos made by sewing stores, and of course, reading reviews.
The Search For A New Machine
I decided that I should buy a computerized machine. I’d never had one before, and I felt that I should join the ranks of those who use one. There really aren’t that many mechanical options available that get consistently good ratings. I loved the idea of going industrial, but that requires a machine for every action: straight stitch, zig zag/serge, buttonholer. There are industrials that do both straight and zig zag, but they’re quite expensive, and that still would leave me without a buttonholer. Another thing about industrials is that they’re usually built for a specific range of fabric weight. Again, very specialized. They do one thing and do it well. Nothing wrong with that, but I need versatility in my studio.
Contenders
The machines I considered that were within my budget:
- Janome Skyline S3
- Baby Lock Brilliant
- Bernette B38 Yaya Han Version
- Brother Pacesetter
- Elna 680 (well over my budget)
- Elna 570A
This list isn’t complete, but it’s the machines that I looked at and researched more than once. Surprisingly, none of the machines on the list was what I bought!
Considerations: Features & Abilities
What features did I want? What kind of machine would work well for me? Does it get consistently high reviews? Weighing all the different factors when buying a new machine can be overwhelming. I made a list of my must haves:
- Fairly high stitch speed
- A knee lift function for the presser bar
- A drop in bobbin
- Ability to handle a range of different fabric weights – very important to me.
I really loved my old Elna, but the one thing I never cared much for since I bought it was the vertical oscillating bobbin. The machine I had prior to the Elna was a Kenmore, given to me by my husband’s grandmother Helen. That one had a drop in bobbin, as does the Singer 404 that I still have from my parents (see previous post). I always liked the convenience of the drop in, and the switch to the vertical was, to my mind, a definite downgrade. But, I got used to it over time. For this purchase though, I did have my heart set on a drop in. I told myself I wouldn’t walk out of the store without one, and again, you might be surprised to learn that I settled for a vertical once more😆! After doing some research on the 2 configurations, I learned that there really isn’t much difference between them and that they both have their pros and cons.
Considerations: Reputation and Availability
I wanted very much to buy another Elna. It had served me so well for so long that I have a lot of faith in the brand. I learned that Elna is now owned by Janome, and that the machines are quite similar in build and features. Still, that didn’t sway me. I found 2 models that I liked a lot: the 680 and the 570A. The problem that I faced was that there aren’t a lot of Elna dealers. There’s one about 20 miles (32 km) from me, but they didn’t have either one in stock. The only place to buy them was online, and I was really skittish about doing that. I couldn’t imagine buying a major purchase like a sewing machine online. Who would I complain to if it arrived less than perfect? I’d read some 1 star reviews about how problems like this were handled, and I wouldn’t want to go through that, so I saved myself the trouble (and the opportunity to buy another Elna). I really believe that a physical store is the better option for a purchase such as this.
What Caught My Eye
I watched this video, made by the Sewing Studio UK, and was convinced that this was the machine for me. I admit that I was sold on the color touchscreen, it’s frankly awesome looking in comparison to other brands. That wasn’t all though – I liked the auto needle threader, and the knee lift capability. I had to buy the knee lift lever separately, because the machine doesn’t come with it. It only comes with the capability to use one. It’s the Bernina 335 Gen2. This is the newly redesigned 335, and while it was definitely over my budget, I bought it anyway. I didn’t ever think I’d buy a Bernina during all my research. I thought the most I could afford in their lineup was the Bernette 38 or 77, but once I saw the 335 I decided to buy it. It just seems to be a good, all around machine that will last for a long time. And that’s what I need.
A Look At The 335
The machine comes with a quick start guide, but the entire manual has to be viewed online/downloaded. I immediately began my new sewing journey by checking out some of the many stitch patterns that are available. I grabbed some denim scraps and started a sampler:
The sheer array of available stitches is amazing! It has an alphabet in script and block letters. I still have a lot to learn about my new machine, so more posts about my learning process may be coming up as it becomes an indispensable fixture in my studio. I’ll be taking my time though. I’m not rushing or racing – I want to enjoy the journey more than anything else, and if that sounds like “slow fashion”, then maybe that’s what it is.
Navigating The Transition
The switch from a mechanical machine to a computerized one means an adjustment to a completely different workflow. The approach to sewing feels different. Now when I think about sewing, I also have to think about booting up a computer vs. just sitting down at the machine, flipping the power switch and sewing. It may sound like a minor difference, but to me who has sewn un-computerized for so long, it’s a real change. Electronics have now entered the picture, and they bring a whole new aspect to the craft. This is what I’ll be doing: learning to use my new machine, and building a practice around making with it.
Have a good one 🙂
Sewcoordinated 