Sewing Machine Features

When purchasing a home, consideration is given to the family's present needs and future growth. Such is the case when purchasing a sewing machine. Today's beginners' projects will grow into creative works of art. Purchase a machine to accommodate that growth. A $70 machine with few options will eventually make you feel like a high school student reciting addition tables.

The Cadillac of Machines

The computerized machine is preprogrammed and capable of downloading patterns, and expands the simple chain, lock and zigzag stitches into hundreds of possibilities. Display monitors simplify operation while talented sewers bask in this machine's luxuries.

Buttons, Buttons

Buttonhole functions are either one-step, automatic or four-step. Automatic functions can achieve perfect buttonholes by putting a button in the buttonhole foot and the machine does the programming. One-step buttonholers may allow for sizing by placing a button on the foot and depend on the sewer to turn a dial to achieve results. Four-step buttons require manipulation of a dial, and steps of the buttonholes are completed by different settings.

Step Ahead

Successful installation of zippers and creating buttonholes depend on the proper feet, correct gauging, and the right stitch. Some machines require the sewer to walk the machine through the steps; other machines take charge, adjust tension and automatically set allowances to simplify the process. Depending on your choice of machines, specialized features can take you from baby steps to marathons.

A Stitch in Time

All universal machines baste, chain, backstitch, and stay-stitch. These stitches unravel easily; a lock stitch is necessary to hold work securely. Fancy machines are capable of sideways sewing and automatic threading. Cuffs, sleeves, bottom hems, and necklines require a specialized machine capable of working a bottom cover stitch, using two or three needle topstitching showing on the outside.

Machines equipped with double needles (two needles in one shaft) simultaneously sew two lines. These are used in high-end sewing machines, as well as sergers and embroidery machines. Handy for topstitching, there are capabilities for 3-5 needles in some machines.

To the Point

Generics are not a preferred brand for sewing machine parts. This applies to bobbins and needles as well. Using manufacturers' parts and avoiding makeshift upgrades will achieve quality assurance. Brilliant needlework requires the proper tools.