A number of different factors are involved when it comes to stitch quality. As a rule, if you pit a metal-bodied machine against a plastic machine no matter if they are mechanical or not, the one with the metal head will have better stitch quality. Also cheaper machines need more maintenance or the timing goes off, which tbh is what I'm seeing here. A mechanical machine with a great motor will have better stitches than a low-powered electronic machine, a mechanical machine with a built-in walking foot like pfaff and IDT will beat any machine without it on most fabrics. What high end machines give you is bells and whistles, what low-end or badly maintained machines give you is poor stitch quality.

@coolirpa

6 ай бұрын

Love this insight! I’m not too familiar with the mechanics of sewing machines so thank you for sharing 😁

@lisettegarcia

5 ай бұрын

Most expensive is not always best and buying a mechanical dramatically reduces your long-term cost because you can easily adjust and repair it yourself. Last month I bought a very solid mechanical Brother for my son for $88 at Wal-Mart. It was a lightweight starter machine with a good variety of stitch capabilities and very nice stitch quality. Its main limitation is the inability to change stitch length and raise/lower feed dogs. I also found in testing that the motor couldn't handle extremely heavy work (think: four layers of denim). Bottom line, I think your test of a Kenmore or Singer against a Burnett was apples to oranges. If you go with a better brand, like Brother or Juki, you will be okay at any price point.

What features would you prioritize on a sewing machine? I know I probably missed a lot of things but this is a great place to start for beginners. Hope it helps you out!

@FNiazy1

6 ай бұрын

I really like the idea of speed control and automatic thread cutting. I bought the cheapest brother machine I could find for about $100 in 2020. I thought the stitch issues I was having was because I didn’t know what I was doing.. maybe it’s just time for a new machine.

@biancahagenberg7471

5 ай бұрын

​@@FNiazy1 Yes, it's time to upgrade. I started my sewing career on a 100 € machine and had it for 10 years (!), then finally invested in a 400 € machine. You cannot imagine the level of face-palm when I discovered that the stitch quality was 1000% better. I had always thought the problems were due to my skill level. Nope. The cheap machine was the reason. And I stuck with it for 10 years 🤦‍♀️ So yes, do invest in a better machine, you will enjoy it. Doesn't have to be a super expensive one, just reasonably upgraded. 👍

I love this video-I think you covered the most important considerations. I bought an older Bernina at an estate sale, and I love it.

@coolirpa

6 ай бұрын

Nice score! Bernina is a quality machine brand. Love estate sales for sewing machines and notions too

i love my 1958 singer 401a! I started out with a 100$ plastic mechanical brother machine, I learned how to sew on it, and it served me well in the beginning, but it couldn't handle very thick fabrics, and crapped out on me while sewing a quilt. Next machine was a 300$ computerized Janome, I loved this machine so much but the computer started to glitch and certain stitches wouldn't perform correctly..... Repairman told me the computer board had was bad and it would have to be sent back to the manufacturer, he told me it probably wouldn't be financially worth it. Found a 401a on craigslist, 200$, I think I maybe overpaid because I've seen them for cheaper but I don't regret it at all because it was serviced and came with every original accessory and tons of needles and notions, and honestly is a tank. Absolute dream. All metal construction as opposed to the plastic gears and components that modern machines have, sewing machines back then were built to last forever.

@sarahkinsey5434

6 ай бұрын

I have my grandma's 1961 Singer 503A Slant-o-Matic. I'm like my dad about computerized things, just more can go wrong

@aleb5195

6 ай бұрын

That's the REAL mechanical one! Isn't that the one that you have to take out the mechanical cartridge to change the stitch? I would love to learn how to use that one.

@amaiaamaiaa

6 ай бұрын

@@aleb5195 it has cams for additional decorative stitches but i've never used them.... the 401a has a bunch of built in stitches that you don't need cams for! using combinations of the two dials on the front . it's cool!

Honestly my Singer heavy duty 4432 is AWESOME, it's mechanical but has a ton of good stitches, top loading bobbin, good storage compartment, and can sew through thick stuff like denim or faux fur really well. I am kind of wishing I had an automatic thread cutter, but its not that big of a need that I'm thinking of upgrading. I got this thing used for $150 and it works perfectly fine!

@cutesushhi

5 ай бұрын

what would you upgrade to if you could ?

@freckledcatcreations

5 ай бұрын

@@cutesushhi another heavy duty machine (need to sew thick fabrics), but one that has an auto thread cutter and more variety of stitch length (longer than 4mm so I can do a basting stitch by machine)

My 1976 Kenmore still works like a champ, but it doesn't have a stretch stich, so I've been thinking about investing in a new machine. Your video is perfectly timely. Thanks!

@coolirpa

6 ай бұрын

That’s amazing! I’m sure if I play around with the Kenmore or sent it to maintenance it will start sewing properly again 😁

@amyl2368

6 ай бұрын

I sew on an old Kenmore as well. I love it despite not having a stretch stitch or a buttonhole stitch but I’m gonna have to get a new machine soon because it’s starting to need parts they don’t make anymore.😢

@harrymandel

2 ай бұрын

Love my Kenmore! Sews through almost anything and it never disappoints.

Self cutting, and threading are priorities for me! Just pre-ordered your book too

I have a machine from 1940’s. Still works fine! When I was in the Peace Corps 45 ago, I had a Chinese machine that you hand crank to sew! You could buy a motor for it though but I had to wait for them to turn on the electricity though (at dusk).

I bought a husqvarna Viking optima 610 model in 1991. I’m not a professional sewer. I sew mostly crafts, pillows, mend, sew zippers in duvet covers etc. I’ve had the machine serviced twice in that time and I feel the function has been great. It gets temperamental when it’s ill threaded, bad thread, improper feeding, wrong needle, dull needle or wrong needle on fabric. The machine was $800.00 ca already all those years ago. It’s all mechanical and I’m happy with it. It’s stitch quality is great. It is a challenge to sew thick layers, or a heavy material, but switching to a denim needle generally helps.

this is really useful! i wish my mechanical machine had a few decorative stitches, such as one that looks like a flower for cute top stitching, otherwise it does the job but as you showed some of the stitch quality isnt always there, and there is no speed control. however i just bought a bernina l450 overlocker and im so happy with it

@coolirpa

6 ай бұрын

Glad it could help!

I love arts and craft, and I have been hand sewing my clothes from start to Finnish,no wonder my hands and nails look the part😂 I want to learn how to sew, looking at this video if I had the money I will invest in a computerized though I will also buy the mechanical one,as I believe the tools will come and go,but a skilled person must know how harness and sharpen tools to get the job done,no matter how limited the resources might be. Anyone who can donate a sewing machine they are not using please help

when it comes to foot pedals (as opposed to presser feet, which i think are pretty much a necessity), i saw someone like retro claude use an after-market adapter that saved her from having to use the foot pedal. it reminded me of a friend with lupus who couldn't use piano pedals any more, so we built him an adapter that "stepped" on the pedal when he moved his knee sideways. and that was nearly 40 years ago. so there are ways around it these days! but the stop-start button might be the easiest. :)

@sarahkinsey5434

6 ай бұрын

I use my grandma's old 1961 Singer that sits in a table. There is a spot up in the table where the pedal goes and when you press on the knee pedal it presses the pedal. That's the only way I sew, so I don't know how well I would sew with my foot

I really love your work... your teaching is so clear, so amazing....💌💌💌💌💌💌

Thank you, April, this was very helpful! I have a mechanical machine and am looking to upgrade to a computerized one.

@coolirpa

6 ай бұрын

So exciting!

I do appreciated this video I have learn so much from this video , Thank You !!! So Much Happy Sewing

@coolirpa

6 ай бұрын

I'm so glad!

My old machine is a mid 1970s singer athena 2000. My new one is a1990s singer imperial sewing machine. It cracks me up watching the new features. I don't sew enough to make it worth it to buy a new one. I retired recently and hope to put them to more use.

Yay first comment and first like. Love this channel. Best to you and your family. Thanks for making this video. Happy holidays!!!!!

@coolirpa

6 ай бұрын

Happy holidays!

Your hair looks so cool!

@coolirpa

6 ай бұрын

Thank you 😁

Thank you for this !

@coolirpa

6 ай бұрын

you're welcome :)!!!!

I had a singer one.. embroidery and I also used it to sew… it was extremely sensitive. It used to stop all the time. This was years ago, hopefully they fixed that already

Thank you

@coolirpa

6 ай бұрын

You're welcome ☺️

When I moved abroad i had to buy a new machine and I can attest to the b38. Its soo good and I still use it to this day. Its compact and powerful.

@coolirpa

5 ай бұрын

Love it 🥰

what is the best machine for clothes ? i need a button hole stitch and a zig zag for stretchy clothes & one that works well on jean and denim material

Used is always an option to consider also.

@coolirpa

6 ай бұрын

Tip #8 🙂

@NoThankUBeQuiet

6 ай бұрын

​@@coolirpayeah I didn't get that far. I have 2 inherited machines. I'm not buying anything new but was looking for what I need to figure out about the machines

Hey, loved this review. I'm already jelly I don't have an overlock stich on my machine (inherited from my mother). I've taken to sewing a little since I bought two BJDs (Ball Jointed Dolls) that I'd like to make outfits for. Are there any machine features that can deal with really tight edges? Or is there a trick to sewing on the edge of a cloth fold? Sometimes I find myself only 2-3 mm away from the edge with cloth jams ever looming. I feel like I'm missing something and there is an easier way. Or are really small clothes Just a challenge for machines?

The presser foot is the foot that is at the sewing project. Your foot is pressing the foot pedal, not the presser foot 😊

@freckledcatcreations

6 ай бұрын

i was just about to comment this lol.

What's crazy is I was trying to decide between the crafter and the computerized bernina...

@coolirpa

6 ай бұрын

Omg! After watching this video which are you leaning towards?

@JennyJErzachan

6 ай бұрын

@coolirpa I think im going to get either the b37 or b38! My starter is a computerized brother I got like 5 years ago so I'm hoping the new one will work for me more consistently. Tysm for the vid!

I bought mine because its pink :)

@coolirpa

6 ай бұрын

Nice! Where did you get it from?!

@pawoui

6 ай бұрын

@@coolirpa it's a Brother LP14 Pink Limited Edition, when I saw it I was like yes. It is not the most complex machine but I'm a beginner so it fits my needs perfectly ^^ I searched around until I found the cheapest website to order it from because poor lmao. They have a mint green as well and a white one if I'm not mistaken. Really cute retro looking boy 😊

I have never paid attention to your intro before, but I just learned that your name is not Irpa.

computerized - more things to fail

200 dollars is my entire paycheck for 3 months. not everybody lives on usa