Buying a sewing machine in China
 

A good friend is moving to China and wants to buy a sewing machine there. Does anyone have any tips or suggestions?

She should be able to find any brand she wants as most all are made there. LOL. It depends on what she wants to sew. A mid size computer machine would probably do everything she needs it to do. If the prices are way lower there I would buy the top of the line machine of any known brand like Janome, Brother, Viking, Baby Loc, Pfaff.

Janome is made in Japan, not China.

She is a beginning quilter and has made a few tops using a Singer from Target that cost less than $100. But, you can buy the brands we buy in the US, in China?

Pfaff is made in Japan. I would be careful about a machine made in China.

She may have more difficulty finding a machine than we think. When I was in China I found it very difficult to find consumer goods - most are exported. A friend of mine recently moved to India and all she could find was a treadle machine for her quilting - probably a good idea since power outages are common in other countries.

It's really amazing because I live in Germany where all the best quilting stuff is made and can't find any of here. Plus the dollar is way down. 1 euro is $1.40. Check the exchange rate because we all buy from the states, with shipping it's still cheaper. 220 is easy to overcome with a transformer which are fairly cheap in country.

Maybe she is better off bringing one with her to China? But wonder what their plug outlets voltage is? It could be different then what she needs on a machine she bought in the states.

When my husband was stationed in Italy, we used a catalog called Peter Justesen to buy whatever we wanted in whatever voltage. I wanted a Singer and all we could find where we lived was Bernina, so we ordered through PJ. Not everybody can use them though. Here is what it says in their web site "Our core business is the supply of goods to the diplomatic community worldwide. I.e. diplomats in various embassies and consulates around the world, the UN and any other International Diplomatic Organization. We also supply to private companies and organizations and individuals who enjoy tax and duty free privileges."
If your friend belongs to any of the above I would keep Peter Justesen in mind. Good luck!

You are right! We have just converted one of my sewing machines that I bought in Europe to 110. We actually bought a separate motor. We are keeping the old one just in case we move back to Europe. Be aware that it is not just voltage but also frequency (50Hz vs. 60Hz) you have to take into consideration when it comes to using transformers with electronics.

It's amazing that so much is made in China, but yet you can't buy it in China. Most people buy fabric and have something made by the person they bought the fabric from or someone near by, at least in Shanghai.
Good luck, let us know what she decides to do.

My new Pfaff was made in Taiwan

I think most machine motors are made in China no matter where the machine is manufactured.

I would prefer to buy something made in the US, if that is possible anymore.
I have Berninas and I know they are made in Switzerland.
I would stay away from machines made in China/Japan.
Consider serving these machines, if they are 'genereic' machines. (?)
Can they be serviced, or are they 5 year machines. That you have to replace because all the
plastic pieces are worn out? Curious to know what she finds there.

I remember when they were made in Germany.

I was in China in 2004 as a tourist. We visited Xian and saw the Terra Cotta Army. The admission tickets were advertising Brother sewing machines. We could tell they were an ad - Brother name in English and a picture of a sewing machine, but couldn't tell they were also the ticket. Everything else was Chinese as were the vast majority of the visitors. There are lovely fabric shops in China and they also sell to the local market and not just tourists I'm sure she can find something, but depending on how long she is going to stay there - sometimes a five year machine might be just what she needs since converting a high end machine to US electricity might be difficult.

Wouldn't be ironic if the stuff in China all said.......Made in America!!

Good luck on your friend's adventure in finding a machine.

I remember when all Berninas were made in Switzerland, not just the high end models. I guess the Taiwan factory keeps them competitive, wish their prices were.

there are voltage adapters for this.

If they’re still advertising the Brother on tourist admission tickets in China, I’d go with the Brother.

Sorry, this was supposed to be in my post about Bernina/Taiwan. I know Taiwan is not in China.

Sorry again, it's Thailand not Taiwan. I'll shut up now.

If it were me, I will buy one from the lower-price range of a major brand - Brother, Singer, etc.
Reason being I'd rather not lug a transformer around my sewing area, which tends to get rather crowded. So this machine will only be used for my stay there.
Personally, I find products made in Taiwan (not PRC) of good quality. I am curently using a Taiwan made low end Janome. It has served my very well so far, piecing, and simple FMQ.
Depends of which city she goes to, major cities have everything - Walmart, Carrefour, Ikea, etc etc, just like any Western city. I am sure she will be able to find something that suits her needs and budget.

Thanks for your comments... When she gets her sewing machine ( it'll prob take a couple of months), I'll let you know what she decided on!

Janome is made in Japan and Taiwan -- my Horizon is made in Taiwan.

A friend of mine who was a from China said the items that they make to sell in China are a better quality than the items they make to export to the United States. I don't know this for a fact, but this is what I was told.