Though not strictly necessary for a well-functioning machine, several of the experts we spoke to recommended features that make repetitive tasks easier - especially threading needles. Repair shops often specialize in brands or styles of machines, so “you might want to know who’s in your area who can actually service your machine, because that’s so important.” “All machines, no matter what, will need to get serviced at some point,” says historical costumer and anesthesiologist Christine Millar. This means that good sewing machines are a delightfully diverse category - in reporting this article, I heard about the Rolex of computerized machines and clout antique Singers - and can last for decades with patience and care. Unlike some appliances, where the march of progress means newer models are more effective than old, the basic engineering behind sewing machines was cracked some 175 years ago, and they’ve been commercially produced for home use for over a century.
Whether you need to hem too-long jeans or too-long curtains, monogram gifts, make baby blankets, or just want to mess around with textiles, a sewing machine will vastly expand what you can do. Pretty much everyone can find a use for a sewing machine.
