# How is the effectiveness of mini sewing machines? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 16, 2016, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-the-effectiveness-of-mini-sewing-machines/754887 "2016-05-16T02:54:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![teddybound](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8e7dd6/32.png) [@teddybound](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teddybound)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2016, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-the-effectiveness-of-mini-sewing-machines/754887/1 "2016-05-16T02:54:09Z")
I know this is a strange question. I’ve recently come across mini sewing machines being sold, and it appears they have been out in the market for a long while. I like that they are portable, easy to set up. However, I am puzzled why their use hasn’t caught on? I had hoped to purchase one to do clothing alterations. I have been spending hundreds or even thousands to alter my pants, jeans and shirts. If it is easy to use, I wouldn’t mind to learn how to use and alter my own - simple alterations such as shortening pants and shirt darts. Anyone could share their experience with these mini machines? Can they be used for alteration? ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2016, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-the-effectiveness-of-mini-sewing-machines/754887/2 "2016-05-16T02:58:37Z")
Are you asking about battery powered hand held machines, or larger AC powered portable machines? Do you have a link? Sent from my SM-T350 using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![teddybound](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8e7dd6/32.png) [@teddybound](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teddybound)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2016, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-the-effectiveness-of-mini-sewing-machines/754887/3 "2016-05-16T04:26:52Z")
No specific models in mind actually. But I was generally thinking about those AC powered ones, yet small and portable. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2016, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-the-effectiveness-of-mini-sewing-machines/754887/4 "2016-05-16T07:01:43Z")
**Moderator Action** Since this is seeking personal experiences, let’s move it to IMHO. Moving thread from General Questions to In My Humble Opinion. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2016, 10:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-the-effectiveness-of-mini-sewing-machines/754887/5 "2016-05-16T10:34:57Z")
> [@teddybound](#): > > I know this is a strange question. > > I’ve recently come across mini sewing machines being sold, and it appears they have been out in the market for a long while. I like that they are portable, easy to set up. > > However, I am puzzled why their use hasn’t caught on? It’s not so much they haven’t “caught on” as sewing in general has become much less common among people these days. > [@](#): > > Anyone could share their experience with these mini machines? Can they be used for alteration? Yes. While the machines have some conveniences they aren’t as sturdy/durable as machines not considered portable. Handle them gently. They are intended for occasional simple sewing, not, say, production quilt making. Quality matters - try to do at least a little research regarding reliability. There is a bit of a learning curve for doing alternations well. You’ll probably get an adequate result from the start, but great results take a little practice. They’re also good for simple repairs. ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2016, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-the-effectiveness-of-mini-sewing-machines/754887/6 "2016-05-16T17:59:38Z")
Having used home sewing machines with retail prices ranging from $80 to &15,000 (yes, fifteen thou…) I can say that the machines below about $300 will be seriously cheap in all the wrong ways and are counter-productive because they will annoy you with skipped stitches, jams, and being generally cranky cusses. If you just want to shorten sleeves on dress shirts, a cheap machine will work, but altering heavier things like jeans will be just beyond their capacity. ---
**Author:** ![Pixel\_Dent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bc8723/32.png) [@Pixel\_Dent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pixel_Dent)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2016, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-the-effectiveness-of-mini-sewing-machines/754887/7 "2016-05-16T18:50:16Z")
> [@gotpasswords](#): > > I can say that the machines below about $300 will be seriously cheap in all the wrong ways and are counter-productive because they will annoy you with skipped stitches, jams, and being generally cranky cusses. While I agree with you in general, my favorite machine that I’ve used for piecing a dozen full size quilts retails for around $150. You have to be a lot more careful with your research at that price, but there are solid machines out there for much less than $300. I’m only bothering to point this out because I’d hate to see the OP settling for some POS because he thinks he would otherwise need to spend big bucks for a quality machine. ---
**Author:** ![teddybound](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8e7dd6/32.png) [@teddybound](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teddybound)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2016, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-the-effectiveness-of-mini-sewing-machines/754887/8 "2016-05-20T02:58:12Z")
Actually I just need a machine for shortening pants and shirt darts. No quilts. Would a mini one do in this case?