Do you want to be a fashion designer? Maker of vibrant quilts? A good sewing machine will improve your tailoring, even if all you want to do is go beyond simple needlework and thread. But how can you pick the best model for your at-home sewing needs when there are so many on the market?
Shae Haning, the host of the “Sew Show with Shae” YouTube video and proprietor of Tallgrass Tailor in Oklahoma, believes that when buying a sewing machine, good mechanics are crucial. She says, “I’m looking for a machine that has a couple main primary functions, feeds well, and sews well.” “While the additional quilting, embroidery, and fifty distinct stitches on the machine’s interior lid are wonderful, they are not particularly significant. It’s critical to have a reliable machine.
We tested 24 different sewing machine and serger models, rating them according to their overall value, performance, design and feature quality, and simplicity of setup in order to determine which ones were the best. We tested their ability to perform fundamental stitches like zigzag and straight using cotton and denim, and we looked into unique features like buttonholes and decorative and embroidered stitches. We conferred with Haning and sewing blogger Elise Chase-Sinclair for professional advice on what to look for in a sewing machine.
Best Overall Sewing Machine
Brother XR9550 Sewing and Quilting Machine
Our Ratings
- Setup 5/5
- Instructions 5/5
- Features 5/5
- Design 5/5
- Effectiveness 5/5
What Stands Out
- It creates clean, straight stitches with ease, and is great for beginners.
What Could Be Improved
- Advanced users may find it too basic.
Even in comparison to another Brother model we’ve used, the Brother XR9550 is incredibly simple to set up. You can quickly set it up with the help of the included guide, and we found it useful to have the printed handbook to make notes and remember important settings for future sewing sessions.
Features on this Brother model include a twin needle feature, a needle threader, a light, and buttonhole capability (which worked pretty well). We particularly enjoyed how simple it was to thread the bobbin. Along with a seam ripper and extra needles, the machine also includes a variety of feet that may be used for quilting and decorative sewing.
The stitching was simple, neat, and straight. For simple sewing, it’s easy to use right out of the box, even though other features require some tension adjustment. Our two attempts at sewing turned out to be elegant and straightforward. The five ornamental designs we tested on this machine showed how evenly stitched the seams were as well. Among the other machines, we discovered that sewing on this Brother was among the simplest.
The Brother XR9550 is ideal for straight, basic sewing; it offers numerous possibilities to advance your sewing, making it a wonderful choice for both beginning and experienced sewers. Overall, this device outperformed comparable devices from other manufacturers and is even more remarkable because it was such a great deal.
Type: Computerized | Dimensions: 16.26 x 7.01 x 12.48 inches | Weight: 10.14 pounds | Number of Built-In Stitches: 110 built-in utility, 55 alphanumeric stitches, and 8 buttonholes | Speed: Not listed
Best Budget Sewing Machine
Baby Lock Zest Sewing Machine
Our Ratings
- Setup 5/5
- Instructions 5/5
- Features 4.5/5
- Design 5/5
- Effectiveness 4.9/5
What Stands Out
- Sewing novices won’t have to break the bank for a good machine.
What Could Be Improved
- It doesn’t have an auto threader.
Can a nice sewing machine be purchased on a tight budget? With the Baby Lock Zest, that is. Taking it out of the box and getting it ready to load the bobbin takes around two minutes. The graphics were really useful and the instructions were simple to follow, especially when switching between stitches and adjusting other thread length and tension settings.
We thought this machine was a little too simple at first, but we soon discovered it was equipped with every feature we could possibly require for sewing at home. Special features include the ability to buttonhole, illumination, foot pedal control for several speeds, free arm, and detachable extension table. It even includes accessory storage for darning plate, sliding buttonhole foot, needle set, seam ripper, and three clear plastic bobbins. The seam ripper was a little small, but it doesn’t really ruin the whole thing.
The straight stitches were outstanding, especially on cotton, but the zigzag stitches turned out beautifully. Four ornamental stitches are also present. Everything was really simple for us to use. In fact, we felt more assured in our ability to sew after completing our initial testing with this machine.
After using this sewing machine for six months, we discovered that its performance and quality remained constant. Its lightweight and portable form was another feature we liked, as it made moving it from our home office to the dining area simple. Having said that, we would prefer a somewhat longer foot pedal cord to enable us to reach outlets farther away from our workplace.
All things considered, operating this machine is easy and clear. It’s an excellent option for sewers of all skill levels who don’t want to spend a fortune or for those who want something to go along with a serger or other heavier equipment.
Type: Portable mechanical | Dimensions: 15.5 x 5.75 x 12.5 inches | Weight: 13 pounds | Number of Built-In Stitches: 15 built-in stitches, one buttonhole | Speed: Not listed
Also Read: My Sewing Machine Needle is Hitting the Plate
Best Splurge Sewing Machine
Baby Lock Jazz II Sewing and Quilting Machine
Our Ratings
- Setup 5/5
- Instructions 4.8/5
- Features 4.3/5
- Design 5/5
- Effectiveness 5/5
What Stands Out
- It’s got plenty of room to work with more voluminous fabric.
What Could Be Improved
- The dials can be cumbersome when switching between stitches.
Do you want to reward yourself to a new machine as an advanced or intermediate sewer? The Baby Lock Jazz II is, in our opinion, well worth the price. Give yourself some time to get acclimated to some of the more automated functions, like the one-step buttonhole, if you’re coming from a simpler machine. Understanding how to accomplish things is also made simple by the comprehensive instruction guide.
Prepare to be astounded by this machine’s automatic threader if you’re not used to one. There’s also a large arm room; we could have worked on a full-length tulle taffeta dress and not had any trouble getting all that fabric through. We like the smooth stitch that made stitching projects a delight, and the long neck made it easy to move items around throughout our long-term testing. It’s important to note that changing stitches necessitates physically turning a dial, which made going through all 27 stitches to get the one we wanted a little tedious.
The machine’s silent operation as well as its quantity of feet and accessories impressed us. Interestingly, though, a few necessities like a walking foot, nippers, and scissors were left out. Although we had to adjust to the feed dogs’ movements for a little while, there wasn’t much of a learning curve. Overall, we thought that this machine was a true testament to all the sewing talents we had acquired over the years. If you’re considering upgrading your computer, this one will definitely surprise you.
Type: Mechanical | Dimensions: 25.2 x 9.45 x 12.2 inches | Weight: 27.5 pounds | Number of Built-In Stitches: 28 built-in stitches including a one-step buttonhole | Speed: 1,000 stitches per minute
Best Serger Machine
Brother Serger Metal Frame Overlock Machine
Our Ratings
- Setup 5/5
- Instructions 5/5
- Features 5/5
- Design 5/5
- Effectiveness 5/5
What Stands Out
- Stitches are neat and thread tension is consistent.
What Could Be Improved
- Threading it requires a bit of patience.
This Brother serger is ready to use right out of the box, preassembled and threaded to produce tidy overlock stitches. Even for those who are not accustomed to using a bobbin on a sewing machine, manually rethreading the machine to change stitches can be a little tricky, but the owner’s manual and the graphics helped us through the procedure.
Unlike a sewing machine, a serger’s primary function is to finish the edge of cloth and stop it from fraying. This specific model isn’t what you need if you want your machine to be able to do other stitching tasks. Even so, we were pleased with the machine’s responsiveness in terms of thread tension, stitch length, and width adjustments. The machine’s size was ideal in our opinion; it can fit into almost any sewing area. Additionally, there’s lots of arm area for feeding fabric.
Over the course of six months, we utilized the serger for hems and edging on a variety of fabric kinds, and it remained a dependable workhorse. Because of this, we can state with confidence that this machine is a sturdy, dependable device that will endure through numerous tasks.
At less than $300, this serger is a great deal all around. Stitches are properly spaced and the tension is constant. Although it isn’t as versatile as a sewing machine, this device excels at the tasks for which it was designed.
Type: Mechanical | Dimensions: 11.73 x 10.98 x 13.19 inches | Weight: 13.45 pounds | Number of Built-In Stitches: 3/4 thread functions | Speed: 1,300 stitches per minute
Best Sewing Machine for Beginners
Brother CS7000X Sewing and Quilting Machine
Our Ratings
- Setup 5/5
- Instructions 5/5
- Features 5/5
- Design 5/5
- Effectiveness 5/5
What Stands Out
- The features are clear and easy to use.
What Could Be Improved
- The light isn’t very bright.
If you’re a novice sewer looking for your first machine, the Brother CS7000X is a great option with minimal assembly needed. To thread the machine, all we needed to do was plug in the presser foot, which was guided through by the illustrated guide. It was convenient to have a sticker on the machine that explained the correct and incorrect ways to install the bobbin, even though it was a simple process.
This machine has advanced capabilities including an integrated thread cutter, an automatic needle threader, buttonhole functionality, and ornamental stitches, even though it’s suitable for beginners. We adored the buttonhole option; prepare to revolutionize your stitching if you’re not used to it. We even tested the exceptional quality of straight stitching on chiffon! We found the machine to be fairly pleasant to use overall, but quilters might prefer it to be a bit wider. Although there is a light built into the machine, we still required more light to see clearly.
During our six-month testing period, we relied on this machine for a variety of sewing and patching tasks, and we discovered that its user-friendly setup and operation made us reach for it more frequently. Even though this was a beginner-friendly model, it still had all the features we required for more experienced sewing, and the built-in stitch settings were quite helpful for several of our projects.
This is definitely a step up from hand sewing if you’re new to sewing, but it’s still extremely simple to get used to. Although there’s still enough for even intermediate sewers to enjoy without going over budget for new sewers, we believe this machine is a great value for a beginner’s machine.
Type: Computerized | Dimensions: 12.21 x 6.65 x 16.26 inches | Weight: 10.5 pounds | Number of Built-In Stitches: 70 built-in stitches and 7 one-step buttonholes | Speed: 750 stitches per minute
How to Shop for Sewing Machines Like a Pro
Computerized vs. Mechanical
“Search for a computerized machine with these options if you are looking for machines to do more decorative work, like machine embroidery or monogramming,” advises Chase-Sinclair. “A mechanical machine might be best for you if you are just starting out or are only sewing basic items.”
Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference whatever machine you use, however according to Chase-Sinclair, “an absolute beginner might be overwhelmed by too many options in a computerized sewing machine.”
It’s okay to remain with the machine type you are most familiar with if you are an intermediate or advanced sewer, according to Chase-Sinclair, as there are excellent machines in both the mechanical and computerized categories.
Size and Weight
“When purchasing a sewing machine, it is important to consider its intended purpose,” advises Chase-Sinclair. She knows her machine can handle thicker fabrics since, as a customer, she prefers a heavier mechanical machine whose previous owner was a quilter. For her purposes, a lightweight machine would just not work as well.
According to Chase-Sinclair, “lightweight machines work well for light use, like sewing or crafting, but not so well with heavy fabrics.” “A heavy-duty machine is required if you want to sew handbags, quilts, canvas, denim, sails, or tarps.”
In other words, choose your tools wisely if you intend to work with heavy materials because those tools are made to manage them. “Lightweight beginner machines often struggle with heavier fabrics,” states Chase-Sinclair.
Number and Types of Stitches
“It’s simple to think that a machine that has more stitches is better,” adds Chase-Sinclair. “Nevertheless, this is untrue.” Once more, she advises sewers who work from home to plan out their projects. She says, “Most of those extra stitches are decorative stitches; they’re not really needed to assemble a sewing project.”
Get a machine that can perform a lot of ornamental stitches if you enjoy quilting or other “crafty sewing,” advises Chase-Sinclair. However, as someone who sews clothing, she is more aware of the alternatives for stretch stitches.
A machine with a lot of stitches will overwhelm inexperienced sewers, so Chase-Sinclair suggests, “Look at what those stitches are and if you think you will actually use them.” “Start with a more basic machine and upgrade later when you know more about the features you will need,” advises the woman.
Accessories and Features
For home sewing, beginners usually just need a machine that can do buttonhole, zigzag, and straight stitching. Go ahead and use a needle threader if you like the notion, but even that “isn’t strictly necessary,” according to Chase-Sinclair.
Final Thoughts
Every product that is displayed next to that seal has been carefully examined by our staff, who have tested and evaluated it to ensure that it is worthy of being on our list. Even though we purchase the majority of the products we test, occasionally firms provide us samples if we are unable to purchase the product ourselves. Regardless of whether they are shipped or acquired by the company, every product goes through the same stringent process.
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