A sewing machine is bought with a project in mind and then left under a cover while the project waits. The machine has dozens of stitches and a pile of presser feet, and the maker has no idea which three of them matter for the first garment or quilt.
Knowing the core features of a machine, what a serger does that a sewing machine cannot and which supplies are worth buying first makes a January start realistic and a finished project likely.
What guides our writing
- We start from the first project. A first garment or quilt tells you which features matter, and we work backward from it.
- We explain features in plain terms. Stitch count, feed dogs and presser feet are described by what they do in a project.
- We say when a basic machine is enough. A simple machine that is well maintained outperforms a complicated one that sits unused.
- We name the trade-off. Computerized machines are convenient and more complex to repair. Mechanical ones are simpler and sturdier.
- We update rather than repost. Models change, and the article is revised when a line is discontinued.
Our readers
Adult makers across the United States who are learning to sew or quilt, returning to a hobby, or buying crafting gifts for someone who already sews.
Everything here lives in one category, Sewing & Crafts: sewing machine features, first machines, sergers and overlock machines, quilting supplies, and craft gifts for adults.
The limits we set
Repair and servicing. We do not give repair instructions. Take a machine to an authorized service center for internal work.
Blade and needle safety. Rotary cutters and needles can cut or injure. Follow the manual and keep sharp tools away from children.
Warranty and return disputes. We explain common terms. We do not interpret your agreement.
The person behind it
Ruth Ellison, Editor. Ruth spent fourteen years teaching sewing and quilting in Ohio and running a store’s machine demonstration room. She watched makers buy machines with more stitches than they needed and then struggle with the basics, which is why this site begins with the first project.
Paying the bills
Running Craft Machine HQ costs money, and two things cover it: display ads selected by third-party networks, and the occasional affiliate link. We never see the ads beforehand, advertisers cannot touch our copy, and a commission has never changed a conclusion — a good share of our advice is to buy a simple machine and a small set of supplies, which earns us the least. The details are in the Disclaimer.
Corrections
Nobody is right all the time. Models, features and supplies change, and we occasionally miss a revision. Use the contact form to point out a mistake; we check it against the source, correct the article and say what we changed.
Talk to us
Questions, disagreements and topic suggestions are welcome through our Contact page. We cannot test a machine for you, but we can usually tell you which two stitches and which presser foot to try first.