Hello all. Today I would like to talk about how to pick a sewing machine. I’m not going to go in depth about everything a sewing machine can do and things like that, I’m just going to go over a few basics. This is just my thoughts and what I think. Its not as easy as people think to pick a proper sewing machine.

Now I am a heavy duty sewer. I sew everything from household to clothing to what ever I can figure out to sew. I own 3 machines 2 Singer sewing machines and a brother embroidery machine. So when buying a machine you have to decide what you will be using it for. Now if you are going to be like me and sew clothes and everything. You want a machine with options. If you are going to make clothes or things make sure you have a machine that:

* Has zippers or buttons features
* Gives you a few different stitch options. (Most machines now a day’s have quite a few stitches to choose from.)
* If you will be working with heavy duty fabrics, jean for example, you want to make sure the machine can handle this because some machines cannot.

Also whenever you pick a sewing machine ask yourself these questions.

1) What type of sewing do you plan to do?
2) Where will you sew?
3) How will your machine be stored?

What you have do decide is if you are going to be a heavy duty sewer or quick let me fix the hole in this pair of pants sewer. It really does make a difference. The basic machines are adequate for most types of general sewing; light sewing, light quilting, etc. Example you are just getting a machine so you can mend clothes and such. If this is all you are going to do you don’t need a sewing machine with a bunch of bells and whistles. The more expensive “fancy” machines are harder to learn on harder to use and harder to maintain and many of them have options that the general sticher would never use. SO don’t go out and spend a bunch of money on features you would never use. A basic machine with a basic stitch would work just great for you. If this is your first machine I wouldn’t go out and spend a lot of money on it either. It’s easier to learn on something simple then something that has so many features you get confused and frustrated. Another reason to go with a reasonably priced simple machine is that you may decide that sewing is not your thing and if this is what you decide you didn’t waste money on something you will never use.

Now an embroidery machine is something different. Some machines include both the functions of sewing and embroidering. Others are just straight sewing or straight embroidering. An embroidery machine is a machine that puts pictures on to fabric, back packs, purses act. If you are looking at this type of machine they do range from hundreds to thousands of dollars.

Though when picking out a sewing machine always do your homework. Ask friends who sew about their experiences with different brands. Do searches online to find reviews of different brands and machines. And always look at a few machines just so you can look at the different things that each can do and in the end always pick what is best for you. Pick the machine that will give you the best sewing experience.

Here are some links to help you out:

Quilt Bus – “Tips for choosing the perfect sewing machine”

Sewing and Embroidery – Sewing Machines

Well let’s start out with the introductions. Hi I’m Serena and as the title states, this is my ’stitch’ or take on things, specifically crafts. So you all can know me I’m a female who is in her late 20’s, I live just a few miles outside of Detroit, MI. I’m not rich and as such I took to saving myself some money by taking the money I’d spend on one gift during Christmas or birthdays and using that to buy supplies and creating my own hand crafted gifts. These gifts were jewelry, candles, bath salts, blankets, boxers, t-shirts, pants, embroidering items onto already made items, and self-made scrapbooks. Currently my main passion is sewing and embroidery and as such I have a whole room in my house devoted to this endeavor.

Now to this site and blog itself, I want to bring my projects, tips, and how-to that I have picked up to help and share with others.  I’m no master at this craft and am always looking to improve.  Just as my experience with making things have varied, I’m hoping to share all types of crafting such as jewelry making and scrapbooking, but am focusing most of my efforts in the area of sewing.  I will have household items such as curtains, pillow cases, and also have clothing such as pants, shirts, and my personal favorite to make because you can never have enough even us females, boxers.

I hope you will come to visit my site regularly and give me suggestions, compliments, questions, and complaints.  I’m more than happy to answer and supply you with the best information that I can.  Here is to a great experience for me and all of you readers.