A Better Way to Choose the Best Sewing Machine For You
A Comprehensive Guide to Selecting the Best Sewing Machine For You
If you are a beginner sewer, or just someone looking to upgrade, trying to choose a sewing machine can be a bit overwhelming.
There are so many different choices…so many different brands, different types of machines within those brands, styles, functions, machines for different purposes…and computerized vs. mechanical?
Image courtesy of StockSnap from Pixabay
SO…I know when I was looking for a sewing machine, I found a lot of sewing machine comparisons or lists of top sewing machines but not much that really helped me understand what I should be looking for when considering purchasing a sewing machine.
Don’t get me wrong…side-by-side comparisons and top-five lists are great, and can even be helpful if you’ve narrowed your selection down to one or two, or even a few, machines.
For me, however, this wasn’t an approach that made sense. What if you don’t even know where to begin?
And here’s the thing…what someone else believes is the best sewing machine may not actually be the best sewing machine FOR YOU.
The best machine for you is going to consist of a variety of factors including, but not limited to:
• Budget
• What type of sewing you plan on doing most
• How often you plan on sewing
• How serious you are about sewing
• Etc.
Now with that in mind…Where do you even begin?
Below, I walk you through the steps that will help guide you to choose the best sewing machine suitable for you. In this post, you’ll find all the information you need to help you make an informed decision on which sewing machine to purchase.
This will include:
• Where to Start
o Types of Machines
o First Questions to Ask Yourself
• Mechanical vs. Computerized?
o Mechanical Sewing Machines – Pros & Cons
o Computerized Sewing Machines – Pros & Cons
• About the Specific Types of Machines
• Other Considerations in Selecting a Sewing Machine – Pro-tips
• Sewing Machine Brands
• Where to Buy
WHERE TO START
The first thing to know: there are numerous sewing machine brands and there are different machines designed for specific activities or types of sewing…
AND there is a wide range of price points and functions within those types of machines.
Image courtesy of Nemo Jo from Pixabay
Types of Sewing Machines:
• Mechanical
• Computerized
• General Sewing
• Quilting
• Embroidery
• Heavy Duty/Upholstery
• Sergers/Overlock Machines
(**Note: for more information on sergers see – What is a serger/overlock machine and do I need one?)
The first question you need to ask yourself is – What kind of sewing am I going to be doing?
Image courtesy of StockSnap from Pixabay
For example:
Will your focus be primarily quilting?
Do you only plan to sew clothes?
How about embroidery?
Do you plan on sewing a lot of leather and denim?
Is your only goal to sew simple curtains or cushions?
Or do you want to be able to do a little bit of everything?
** Once you know what kind of sewing you want to do, you can begin to narrow down what type of machine is best for you. **
MECHANICAL OR COMPUTERIZED?
FIRST, decide if you want a mechanical or computerized sewing machine?
Whether or not you choose mechanical vs. computerized will largely depend on what type of sewing you want to do, as well as personal preferences.
MECHANICAL SEWING MACHINES
Mechanical Sewing Machines have manual controls.
They are a more basic machine, but they are considered easy to use and maintain and often last a very long time.
A few popular stitches are built into the main handle/turn dial. They are sufficient for basic sewing, general home projects, and alterations.
Computerized Sewing Machines
Computerized Sewing Machines offer touch control through computerized buttons or a screen.
They often include features such as automatic stitch settings, speed control, and other easy-to-use features.
In general, they come with more bells and whistles. They often offer a greater variety of stitches and typically come with most of the essential accessories.
So, which one do you need?
Honestly, it all depends on what type of sewing you plan on doing and your personal preference.
If you only plan on doing simple projects, such as sewing curtains or occasionally altering your clothes, then a mechanical sewing machine is likely more than sufficient for you.
If you plan on doing a wide variety of sewing projects or specialized sewing, desire automation and versatility, or you plan to continue developing your skills, then a computerized sewing machine may be the right choice for you.
In summary, choose what you think you would like best and what would best suit your needs.
And remember, you can always upgrade in the future.
ABOUT THE SPECIFIC TYPES OF MACHINES
Now that you’ve decided on either a mechanical or computerized machine, let’s take a look at what’s next.
If you have decided that a mechanical sewing machine seems like the best fit for you, skip on down to – SEWING MACHINE BRANDS.
If you have decided on a computerized sewing machine, you now need to narrow down what type of computerized sewing machine to choose.
There are computerized sewing machines for general sewing, as well as those geared more towards quilting, embroidery, or heavy-duty sewing/upholstery.
There are also combination machines for sewing/embroidery and quilting/sewing.
*Remember what kind of sewing you said you plan on doing? Hold on to that thought as we look at the types of computerized sewing machines and which one is best for which purpose.
A Brief Overview of Common Computerized Machine Types and What They Are For
Embroidery Machines
Image courtesy of Pexels from Pixabay
• Most embroidery machines can only do embroidery and lack the capability to do traditional sewing.
• These machines require you to purchase additional software to work with the designs.
• They also come with hoops that attach to the machine to stabilize your designs.
• They can vary greatly in cost depending on the size of designs the machine can output and the software for the designs.
• These machines are ideal for anyone who wishes to focus solely on embroidery.
Sewing-Embroidery Machines
• Typically at the higher end of the market, these machines can do both embroidery and sewing.
• They usually have a removable embroidery unit.
• These machines are ideal for anyone who wishes to focus primarily on embroidery but who would also like to incorporate regular sewing.
Quilting Machine
Image courtesy of Hyun-ju Cho from Pixabay
• Quilting machines make quilting easier.
• They offer features/characteristics specifically designed for quilting.
• They often come with an extension table.
• They typically have more workspace (are longer or have more space between the main body of the machine/control panel and the needle).
• Quilting machines also typically come with the common quilting presser feet included.
• While you can quilt on any regular sewing machine, and you can do other sewing on a quilting machine, the quilting machine is designed specifically with quilting in mind.
• It is ideal for anyone looking to spend the majority of their time on quilting.
Heavy Duty
Image courtesy of Tuulemeelne from Pixabay
• Heavy-duty machines offer more power (sometimes up to 50% more)
• More speed
• Can handle thicker fabrics/multiple layers of fabric
• Can also handle other heavy-duty materials, such as leather or PVC fabric.
• Typically made with a solid metal frame.
• They are durable and are considered the workhorse of sewing machines.
• They can also be quite heavy.
• These machines are ideal for anyone who plans on frequently sewing with leather, denim, upholstery fabrics, or multiple layers of material.
Stylists
Image courtesy of Willfried Wende from Pixabay
• Typically allow for a wide range of sewing activities.
• These types of sewing machines, along with other general computerized sewing machines, are for sewing clothing, bags, blankets, pillowcases, curtains, and everything in between.
• Although not suited for large-scale embroidery, some can do small/occasional embroidery projects.
• They can also be used for quilting.
• Depending on which machine you choose, some are capable of handling heavy-duty sewing and a variety of materials and layers of fabric.
• They typically come with a wide range of stitches and presser feet tailored to a wide variety of sewing needs.
• These machines are ideal for anyone wishing to do a wide variety of sewing projects, clothing, accessories, or anything beyond primarily embroidery or quilting.
Green Checkmark = Yes Red X = No Orange Checkmark = Can, but not ideal for frequent use
** Tip: Choose the sewing machine type that best fits the type of sewing you wish to do most often. **
As you can see, with the exception of an embroidery machine, the machine types are quite versatile and will allow you to accomplish many types of sewing.
However, each will be tailored to specific tasks and will make such tasks easier and/or include more features or presser feet designed specifically for that purpose.
So, select the sewing machine type that most closely matches the type of sewing you intend to do most often in order to make your sewing life easier and maximize efficiency.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS IN SELECTING A SEWING MACHINE/PRO TIPS
The number/variety of stitches offered is NOT the most important consideration for which sewing machine to buy.
Sewing machine sellers often advertise the number of stitches to entice you, but they have little bearing on the quality of the machine or what types of sewing you will be able to do/its versatility.
In most cases, you will likely only use roughly 5-10 stitches – a straight stitch, a few zig-zag stitches, an overlock stitch, and buttonholes.
Most of the other stitches are purely decorative.
They are nice, but they are not what allows you flexibility in your sewing.
From left to right: Straight Stitch, Zig-Zag Stitch, Button Holes, Overlock Stitches
Presser feet ARE one of the most important considerations when choosing sewing machines.
All sewing machines should come with a general-purpose foot.
HOWEVER, other presser feet are what allow you versatility in your sewing and allow you to do a variety of techniques.
Here are a few examples:
o The blind hem foot allows you to do invisible hems
o The overedge/overcasting foot allows you to finish seams/edges and prevent fraying
o The gathering foot allows for even gathering
o The zipper foot allows you to sew close to the zipper/install zippers with ease
o The rolled hem foot helps you create slim hems with silky and uncooperative fabrics
o The darning & embroidery foot allows for free-motion sewing and repairs
o The walking foot helps feed multiple layers of fabric with ease
*If you would like a more complete list of presser feet, what they do, and which ones you need, let me know in the comments.
** Note: You can sometimes add presser feet for your machine at a later date, but it will largely depend on your brand/model of sewing machine which ones, and how many can be added or interchanged. Also, adding presser feet separately can really add up in cost, as they can range anywhere from $6 to $50 apiece, with many of the common ones selling for around $20.
Snap-on presser feet are another really great feature to consider that can add convenience to your sewing.
Why?
You don’t want to have to get that screwdriver out every time you switch feet (I can switch between my general-purpose foot and overcasting foot up to almost 20 times for one project!).
You just use the quick release lever to remove the foot and then snap on the next foot.
Snap-on feet can make changing presser feet a breeze!
There will still be some presser feet that have their own shank and require you to get out the screwdriver to change them out, but this will be limited to just a select few specialty feet if your machine allows for snap-on presser feet.
These should come with most modern machines, but be on the lookout in case they don’t.
Tip: If the machine doesn't say whether or not it has snap-on presser feet, just look for the quick release lever at the back of the shank/behind the presser foot.
Features such as automatic needle threading, bobbin winding, a thread cutter, and speed adjustment are wonderful extras.
They can add ease and convenience to your sewing, as well as improve efficiency.
Consider whether or not the machine you are looking at has a drop-in bobbin or a front-loading bobbin.
Drop-in Bobbins
Are often way easier to change out.
Steps:
Remove a top transparent plate/cover
Set the bobbin in
Thread following the instructions in the diagram (most machines have a reference diagram).
They have come a long way since they were first introduced and with today’s technology provide equal if not better stitch quality than front-loaded bobbins.
Also, you drop the bobbin directly into the case, which stays in place, instead of having to realign the case each time.
The transparent plate also allows you to see how much thread is left on the bobbin.
Drop-in bobbins are most often plastic.
Front-loading Bobbins
Are not as easily accessible
Nor are they as easy to thread.
However, in some cases, you may be able to adjust tension separately from the main thread,
Or you may be able to change the bobbin in the middle of a seam without it showing on top.
Front-loaded bobbins are often metal
They are often inserted into a metal case that is inserted into the front of the machine.
They can sometimes allow for greater control or adjustments in the case of experienced sewers.
Which one is better?
That’s a question that has been debated for a long time.
It seems to largely be a matter of convenience and preference.
Additionally, it likely depends on the age and quality of the machine, as well as advances in technology.
Make sure the machine you are looking at comes with the power cord and foot pedal included.
It seems self-explanatory…but I’ve heard stories…
** Tip: I would recommend making sure a foot pedal is included, or adding a foot pedal, even if the sewing machine has automatic sewing via a start/stop button and programmable needle up/down button.
Being able to reflexively lift your foot off the pedal to immediately stop sewing (in the event your fabric should start going sideways, or maybe you hear an awful sound, the fabric gets caught, or the needle breaks, any number of other reasons) is invaluable…especially as a beginner sewer.
The foot pedal can also allow for more control.
Most machines should come with other necessary accessories.
Such As:
Spool caps (should have at least a couple sizes)
Spool pin felt discs
A few bobbins to get you started
A few needles to get you started
A screwdriver for the needle plate
A mini seam ripper and lint brush
If your machine allows for it, an auxiliary spool pin should be included
** Not sure what these are? Stay tuned for the upcoming guide to Parts of a Sewing Machine and Beginner Tools/Notions. **
Consider The Construction of Your Machine Body, Parts, and Accessories.
Image courtesy of Michael Gaida from Pixabay
Machines with solid metal bodies are going to hold up longer/handle more wear and tear.
They can also handle thicker fabrics and more heavy-duty sewing.
Mechanical machines and heavy-duty machines are more often made with sturdy metal frames, but you can also find many general computerized sewing machines with metal frames…you just have to look.
It will largely depend on what the machine is designed to sew and what price range you are looking at.
You may not need such a machine, but I would definitely recommend getting a machine with a more solid metal frame/interior if you plan on doing:
A lot of sewing
Heavy-duty projects
Plan on working with thick materials
Or just want something that can handle wear and tear over a longer period of time.
Metal presser feet
Can make a difference in the quality of your machine.
Nicer machines will typically have predominately metal presser feet, which will hold up longer and will likely provide better quality sewing.
*** Please note: Some feet will have plastic elements – this is normal, and depending on the foot, can be preferred. ***
*** What you are looking for is to make sure that most of the presser feet are metal and that the core elements of the presser feet are metal/not entirely plastic. ***
There’s ease and convenience…and then there are machines so fancy they practically sew themselves (the latter of which cost a great deal more)
Consider:
Higher-end computerized machines could be overwhelming for beginners.
They have a lot more than you will need until you become more advanced.
Consider how committed you are to sewing and how much you plan on developing your skills.
Consider your work style: Do you prefer a more hands-on/artistic style with convenience features to help you, or do you want to let the machine do most of the work?
To A Certain Extent, You Get What You Pay For…with A Few Notable Exceptions…
$50 for a machine sounds nice, but it is likely that you’re not getting the best quality machine…or one that will last long or be able to handle much beyond basic or beginner projects.
HOWEVER, you can always upgrade.
So, if you're a beginner and you're not really sure yet how much you are into sewing or what kinds of things you want to do yet, this can be a great place to start.
Just be prepared for that upgrade if you decide to take your sewing to the next level.
And, if this is all you can afford, that’s perfectly ok. A more affordable basic sewing machine is better than no sewing machine!
Keep in mind that most lower-priced machines are going to be mechanical (see the section above about mechanical sewing machines if you’re not sure what I mean by this), which means that they will be more basic in nature.
Again, this isn’t necessarily a negative. This might be all that you need if you only want to do a few basic projects (i.e., curtains) and can also be a great place to start if you are a beginner or have a tight budget.
A high-priced machine isn’t always synonymous with a fabulous machine, but spending a little more can often be where you find better quality machines (metal frame, precise stitching, etc.), as well as those added features and accessories that make sewing so much easier.
Just by spending as little as $50-$100 more, you can often get a machine that allows you room to grow and that will allow you to do multiple types of sewing.
However, it isn’t necessary, or advisable, to spend thousands of dollars on your first sewing machine. You can find great quality, mid-range-priced (~$200-$600) sewing machines that offer several convenience features and come with a lot of nice accessories and presser feet included. These are especially great if you’re someone who wants to start out with something nice that allows you room to grow without being overly pricey or complex.
When Looking to Make a Purchase, be on the Lookout for Discounts or Overproduction Sections – such as, “We Made Too Many” or “Special Offers”.
Sometimes you can find great deals or higher-end machines for less (sometimes half the price).
“We Made Too Many” sections sometimes include higher-end machines at a much lower price point because there are too many of them in stock. (This is how I found my machine!)
So now that you have an idea of what kind of machine might be a good fit for you and what things to look for/keep in mind…
Which brand do you choose and where can you buy them?
Image courtesy of Public Domain Pictures from Pixabay
SEWING MACHINE BRANDS
Here’s a list of some of the most well-known reputable Sewing Machine Brands
Singer
Brother
Bernina
Janome
Baby Lock
Juki
Pfaff
Husqvarna Viking (Viking Sewing Machine Group)
Elna
Here’s some brief info about each brand (including links) and why you might choose it:
SINGER:
I’m guessing you’ve probably heard of this one…
It’s a household name that is synonymous with sewing and a brand that has been around since the 1850s. It's been a top-selling brand for personal/domestic, practical sewing machines for over one hundred years.
Today they continue to develop and sell machines for everyday folks at a wide range of price points.
At Singer, it is possible to find a great quality machine and a variety of features at an affordable price. Singer is an American-based company.
Visit https://www.singer.com/machines to browse Singer sewing machines.
BROTHER:
Another well-known household brand, brother began in the early 20th century as a Japanese-based sewing machine company.
Although most known for sewing machines, the company expanded to include other electronic products in the mid-twentieth century.
Today they also sell other electronic office supplies such as printers, scanners, and label makers. Brother also has a wide range of affordable sewing machine options.
Visit https://www.brother-usa.com/home/sewing-embroidery to browse Brother sewing machines.
BERNINA:
Bernina is a Swiss, family-owned company that specializes in sewing and embroidery machines.
According to their website, they are known for innovation, precision, and durability.
Although the machines can be quite pricey, they do come with many special features included. Additionally, they do not sacrifice any element of quality to reduce production costs. Many feel that the quality is worth the price.
Visit https://www.bernina.com/en-US/Machines-US or https://www.bernina.com/en-US/Footer-en-US/Country-Selector/Find-a-country (to select your country) to browse Bernina sewing machines.
JANOME:
Another company to originate in Japan, Janome began manufacturing sewing machines in the early twentieth century.
They are known for having produced the first programmable computer sewing machine.
With a focus is on quality, reliability, and durability, they primarily offer high-end machines.
Visit https://www.janome.com/products/machines/ to browse Janome sewing machines.
BABY LOCK:
Yet another company to originate in Japan, Baby Lock began in the 1960s with the intent to redesign an industrial overlocker for home use. In 1993, they developed their signature jet-air system, which threads the loopers utilizing compressed air.
Designed by sewers, Baby Lock sewing machines are designed with innovation and the love of sewing in mind.
Although considered high-end, Baby Lock has a wide range of machines and price points.
Visit https://babylock.com/machines to browse Baby Lock machines.
JUKI:
Although known for their industrial machines, Juki first began with the development of home sewing machines in 1945. In 1953, Juki shifted focus to their industrial machines, bringing productivity, as well as increases in comfort and safety to large-scale industrial sewing.
Although Juki had maintained home sewing machine sales, Juki’s home machines became more popular when additional technological advancements were made to their designs in the late twentieth century.
Juki has a wide selection of mid-range priced mechanical and computerized machines.
Visit https://www.jukihome.com/ to browse Juki’s home sewing machines.
PFAFF:
A German-based company, Pfaff was one of the earlier sewing machine producers with its first sewing machine built in 1862. Their goal has always been to constantly renew and modernize sewing technology.
According to the company’s website, they have developed machines known for their sophisticated appearance and superior performance for over 150 years while still allowing for ultimate design freedom.
Pfaff has a wide range of machine types and price points.
Visit https://www.pfaff.com/en-US/Machines to browse Pfaff machines.
HUSQVARNA VIKING (VIKING SEWING MACHINE GROUP):
Originally a royal arms factory, Husqvarna began making sewing machines in 1872.
Today, Husqvarna Viking is a worldwide organization that still designs high-quality machines in Sweden.
Husqvarna Viking has a variety of sewing machine types and price points.
Visit https://www.singer.com/pages/husqvarnaviking to browse machines.
ELNA:
Another Swedish company, Elna began in 1940 with a compact, portable, electronic sewing machine.
Since the beginning, Elna has been focused on delivering advances in fonts, technology, design, and user comfort.
The company has a wide range of sewing, embroidery, and overlock machines. With a focus on sustainability, Elna machines were made to last. The price of Elna machines ranges from mid to high-end based on the particular machine.
Visit https://new.elna.com/us/en/models/ or https://www.elna.com/ (to select your country) to browse Elna machines.
Of Note:
As you are looking at each website, look for machine finder sections that will take you through a machine selection process to help you find a machine that might be your preference.
*Please note, however, that these machine finder steps can be limited. Sometimes they lack important selection categories, and in other cases, they only allow you to pick one option in a selection box in instances where two or three might actually be more appropriate.
These sections are a great place to get started searching and narrowing down your options, but they should not be a replacement for doing all of your research by looking at all of the factors outlined above.
WHERE TO BUY:
Many of the brand websites, unfortunately, don’t allow you to purchase machines directly from their website. So, where can you buy the machine that you just picked out?
Sewing machines can be found at a wide variety of fabric/craft stores and regular retailers, including, but not limited to:
Joann Fabric and Crafts
Amazon
SewingMachinePlus.com
Michaels
Walmart
Target
Hobby Lobby
The Home Depot
Local Sewing Machine Stores
Local Sew-Vac Stores
Nearly each sewing machine brand includes a place on its website, either under the main menu or linked within a specific product, that says “where to buy”. This is perhaps one of the easiest ways to locate where to buy the specific machine you have picked out.
In most cases, these links will direct you to retailers, particularly local sewing machine or sew-vac stores, that sell their machines.
You can call or visit the suggested retailers to see if they have your specific product in stock.
Of course, there are also other stores, or online options if the particular machine you are looking for is not available near you (see below).
OTHER OPTIONS FOR FINDING A MACHINE/MAKING A PURCHASE:
Online:
In most cases, online is ideal for finding a wider range of options, as well as searching for a specific machine.
Online resources that have a broader range of brands and types of machines available include Amazon, Walmart, and The Home Depot. Amazon, in particular, is a great place to find a specific machine that you have picked out based on your research at specific brand websites.
In-Store Options:
In-store selections at regular retailers/stores can sometimes be limited, particularly with those that do not specialize in crafts or sewing.
Additionally, the in-store selections at places like Walmart, Target, Michaels, Target, Hobby Lobby, and Bed Bath & Beyond, often primarily include mechanical machines, with limited computerized machine availability. Typically, although not always, brand choices are limited to one or two choices (most often Singer or Brother).
In-store options, however, can be a great place to begin if you are looking for a more basic beginner or mechanical machine. They can also be a great place to start looking at your options. Depending on what you are looking for, you may actually be able to find what you need at a great/affordable price.
Also, specialized local sewing machine retailers, along with specialty craft stores like Joann Fabric & Crafts, typically have a wide range of machines available to browse in-store, as well as people available to help you find a machine that may be right for you. They also typically have brand catalogs and can sometimes order other machines.
Joann Fabric & Crafts has a sewing machine gallery with a variety of mechanical and computerized machines to choose from, along with sewing consultants available to answer any questions you may have. Their popular brands include Singer, Brother, Janome, Husqvarna Viking, and Juki.
