Craft equipment holds its value poorly and lasts extremely well, which is an excellent combination for a buyer. Machines that cost a great deal new turn up regularly for a fraction of that, frequently barely used.
Why So Much Comes Up
Craft equipment is bought enthusiastically and used less than intended. Sewing machines bought during a phase, cutting machines bought for a specific project, and equipment inherited by people who do not craft all reach the second-hand market in good condition.
House clearances, downsizing and estate sales are the other major source, and these frequently include equipment that has been stored rather than used.
The Accessories Are Half the Value
Feet, blades, mats, cases and attachments frequently cost more collectively than the machine second-hand. A machine sold with a full accessory set is worth considerably more than one sold bare.
Where a machine comes without a case, buying one separately is worthwhile, since a machine transported and stored loose deteriorates faster than one that is protected. Cases sized by machine model, catalogued by homest, make it possible to fit a case to an older machine that never came with one.
What to Check on a Sewing Machine
- That it runs, sews a straight line and does not make unusual noises
- That the tension can be adjusted and produces a balanced stitch
- Whether the foot pedal, power cable and bobbin case are included
- The condition of the feed dogs and whether anything is bent
- Whether the manual and any accessories come with it
- Signs of long storage: rust, hardened oil, perished belts
Testing it before buying is essential and frequently skipped. A machine that has not run for a decade may need a service, which is a normal cost rather than a fault, but it should be reflected in the price.
Cutting Machines and Electronics
These have a different risk profile. Older models may no longer be supported by current software, which can render an otherwise functional machine difficult to use.
Checking that the model is still supported, and that any account or registration can be transferred, is worth doing before buying. This is the most common problem with second-hand cutting machines and it is not visible from the machine itself.
What to Buy New
Blades and needles, since condition cannot be assessed and both are cheap. Cutting mats, which lose their adhesive. Anything with a safety function.
Everything else is generally fine second-hand, and older machines in particular are frequently better built than their contemporary equivalents.
Cleaning What You Buy
Everything gets cleaned before use. Machines need lint removed and, where the manual specifies, oiling. Fabric and yarn should be checked for moth damage and, ideally, isolated before joining an existing stash.
That last point matters. Introducing moth eggs into a clean stash is a genuine risk with second-hand natural fibres, and freezing incoming yarn before it joins the rest is a reasonable precaution.
Where to Look
Local selling groups, charity shops, sewing machine repair shops that sell reconditioned stock, and craft guild noticeboards. Repair shops in particular are worth approaching, since a serviced machine with a guarantee is a considerably safer purchase than an untested one.