Find the Best Sewing Machine for YOU!

Welcome! You’ve made it here because you’re looking for the best sewing machine for your needs, your budget, and your sewing experience.

One thing to understand is that there is no such thing as the absolute best sewing machine of all – only the right one for your needs. That’s because sewing machines come in many sizes, shapes, and forms with different brands, features, and of course, different prices. Did you know that you can spend as much as $17,000 on a sewing machine? And as little as $24.99?

So while there is no clear cut winner for every single person, I hope that this website provides the information and comparisons that you need to buy the perfect sewing machine for you.

To start off, here is a simple comparison table with 8 of the most popular sewing machines online right now. You can click each one to read complete specs, reviews, and the most current price.

Ultimate Sewing Machine Guide

Model	Built-In Stitches	Adjustable Speed	Auto Needle Threading	Free Arm	Rating
Singer 7258	100	Yes	Yes	Yes	4.3
Brother CS7000i	70	Yes	Yes	Yes	4.4
Janome Jem Gold 660	8	Yes	Yes	Yes	4.7
	70	Yes	Yes	Yes	4.5
	12	Yes	Yes	Yes	4.6
	23	No	Yes	Yes	4.0
	24	No	Yes	Yes	4.4
	130	Yes	Yes	Yes	4.7

Hmm…so the question is where do you start if you want to buy the best sewing machine for your needs. Let’s explore some of the things  to consider before you make your purchase.

Narrow Down the Type of Sewing Machine You Want

It is difficult to determine what is the best sewing machine if you haven’t narrowed down the type of machine that is best for you.

These questions will help you narrow down the type of sewing machine best for you:

Once you have narrowed down the type of machine you want, then you can focus in on a particular brand and model.

ADVANCED SEAMSTRESS: Are you an expert seamstress looking for a top of the line sewing machine with all the bells and whistles?

HEAVY DUTY: Do you need a heavy duty sewing machine that can handle leather or many layers of denim and other thick fabrics?

BEGINNER SEAMSTRESS: Are you a beginner looking for a basic sewing machine to get you started with some alterations or simple home projects?

EMBROIDERY: Do you want to have the capabilities to do embroidery on your sewing projects?

QUILTING: Or are you a quilter who needs specific features that only come on a quilting sewing machine?

PRICE: If you are shopping based on price alone, then check our comparisons of the best sewing machines under $100, great sewing machines in the $200 price range, and some of the top selling machines under $500.

How to Choose a Sewing Machine

Here is a short and simple video about how to pick a sewing machine.

[video_youtube video_url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_vd2IyYgb4″ width=”480″ height=”360″]

What to Consider When Choosing a Sewing Machine:

The weight of your machine.

All sewing machines used to be made of metal and many experienced seamstresses use vintage models because of this. Older machines were very heavy and are able to handle all types of heavy duty fabric. These machines were built to last. You can easily find vintage models available that are 50, 60, 70, and 80 years old.

Modern machines are made of mostly plastic and lightweight metal. While some snub their nose at this, in reality, modern machines can serve you for a long time with the proper care and maintenance. If you need a heavy-duty machine for quilting or thicker material like denim or leather, then there are modern heavy-duty machines available.

When it comes to the weight of a machine, I would caution you about purchasing “toy-like” machines that are marketed to beginners. These are made out of plastic and extremely lightweight and flimsy, so much so that they will scoot around all over the place while you are trying to sew.

Computerized Machines vs. Mechanical Machines

As you’re shopping for a sewing machine you’ll notice that there are many differences, but one major choice to narrow down whether you want a computerized sewing machine or a mechanical sewing machine.

Both of these machines use a foot pedal, but an electronic sewing machine is built on a computer “brain”, and a mechanical one is not.

COMPUTERIZED SEWING MACHINE

On a computerized sewing machine, stitches are built into the computer’s memory, so all you have to do is push a button and the machine automatically configures the stitches settings. With a mechanical sewing machine, you make all adjustments manually by turning a lever or knob to select the stitch, as well as the width and the length.

Many people prefer the computerized machine because of the convenience, accuracy, and easy of use. This type of machine can recommend which presser foot to use, accurately configure the right thread tension and length of a stitch. It can also sew a buttonhole to perfectly fit a particular button and automatically cut the thread.

One complaint about computerized machines is that they tend to have more issues over time because of the electrical system and intricate parts. You may hear an experienced seamstress say “they don’t make them like they used to” and this is what they are talking about.

MECHANICAL SEWING MACHINE

Mechanical machines don’t have all of the electrical parts. You can find mechanical sewing machines out there that may be over 100 years old! ( Many times a mother will pass her mechanical machine down to her daughter who can then pass it down to her daughter). Read more about mechanical sewing machines and my review of three top selling mechanical machines.

Overall, computerized machines are great and will work for most sewing needs. Just like anything else, it will last you a long time with good care and maintenance. Check out my in depth explanation of computerized sewing machines and a review of three top selling computerized machines.

Built-in stitches are great, but don’t let that make or break your decision.

While you shop for sewing machines, you are going see that all computerized machines have stitches that are built-in. This simple means that you can choose a type of stitch with a touch of a button.

The photo to the right is an example of a machine with many built-in stitches.

All of those stitch options look very enticing but really you can complete 99% of your sewing projects using just a few stitches – a simple straight stitch, a zig zag stitch, and a back stitch.

When I got my first sewing machine, I had fun for about an hour playing with all the different stitches on some scrap fabric. Since then I use the same few stitches for all of my projects.

My point is don’t let the number of built-in stitches sway you from one machine to another. You can easily find a machine with 10 built-in stitches that is much better and more user-friendly than one with 90 built-in stitches.

Reviews of 4 Popular Sewing Machines

These are reviews of some of the most popular sewing machines currently listed at Amazon.com, including a brand and model that I use.

Keep in mind that there are dozens and dozens of sewing machines on the market. I chose these four because of their popularity and overall features, ease of use, quality, price, etc. Although I don’t have every single one of these, I am familiar with sewing machine brands and features, and I do quite a bit of research in order to give you a clear and compiled review.

If you are big on reading reviews before you purchase things, like me, then you can head on over to Amazon to start your research. Otherwise, here are my thoughts on 4 of the top sewing machines.

Brother CS6000I Review

[easyazon_image add_to_cart=”default” align=”right” asin=”B000JQM1DE” cloaking=”default” height=”153″ localization=”default” locale=”US” nofollow=”default” new_window=”default” src=”http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/414a%2BnfEyrL._SL160_.jpg” tag=”sewsavvy-20″ width=”160″] I chose to review this machine because it is currently the best selling sewing machine on Amazon and it has the greatest number of reviews.

Shoppers who purchase this machine do so because of the features and price. It offers a tremendous value and is a top pick for many first time buyers. It has a start and stop button and a way to control the speed of the machine. This is a great feature that I use all the time in my Brother machine. You can essentially start your sewing with the button and choose a slow speed to begin with and speed up or slow down whenever you need to – all without using the foot pedal.

This machine also has a drop-in bobbin that makes changing bobbins quick and simple, as well as an automatic needle threader. This is a neat feature that makes threading your needle fast and easy.

Other features are: 60 built-in stitches to satisfy all types of projects, 7 different types of automatic button holes, and an oversized table that makes quilting and other big projects easier to maneuver. [easyazon_link asin=”B000JQM1DE” locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”sewsavvy-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]Read more about this machine[/easyazon_link].

Singer Stylist 7258 Computerized Sewing Machines

[easyazon_image add_to_cart=”default” align=”right” asin=”B003KK807M” cloaking=”default” height=”152″ localization=”default” locale=”US” nofollow=”default” new_window=”default” src=”http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51K20-iKrmL._SL160_.jpg” tag=”sewsavvy-20″ width=”160″] The Singer Stylist 7258 is an award winning machine that was named the “best buy” in the Consumers Digest sewing category. It is a great all around sewing machine.

One plus for this machine is the heavy duty metal frame. This is important because lightweight machines made of mostly plastic will scoot around and skip while you’re sewing. It also has an electronic speed adjustment, which allows you to choose the most comfortable sewing speed without using the pedal.

Overall, this is a light but sturdy machine that has variety of stitches and presser feet for all types of sewing, whether you are a beginner or experienced seamstress or quilt maker. [easyazon_link asin=”B003KK807M” locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”sewsavvy-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]Read more about this machine[/easyazon_link].

Janome 2212 Sewing Machine (or Janome 8077)

[easyazon_image add_to_cart=”default” align=”right” asin=”B003Y5CEJS” cloaking=”default” height=”160″ localization=”default” locale=”US” nofollow=”default” new_window=”default” src=”http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41u%2B0mg4-UL._SL160_.jpg” tag=”sewsavvy-20″ width=”160″] This is a very simple, but sturdy machine, with 12 built in stitches. As you recall from above, I mentioned how you shouldn’t be mesmerized by all the fancy electronic machines with dozens of built-in stitches and this machine is a perfect example. Many shoppers don’t care about all the bells and whistles that come with some sewing machines and would rather opt for simplicity and quality. This sewing machine is just that.

The Janome 2212 is marketed as an entry level machine by a brand with a reputation for ease-of-use and long-term performance. It has a very impressive 25 year warranty. If you read the reviews, many users of Janome sewing machines are loyal to the brand.[easyazon_link asin=”B003Y5CEJS” locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”sewsavvy-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]Read more about this machine[/easyazon_link].

Brother CE7070PRW 70 Stitch Computerized Sewing Machine

[easyazon_image add_to_cart=”default” align=”right” asin=”B009SC1YA6″ cloaking=”default” height=”160″ localization=”default” locale=”US” nofollow=”default” new_window=”default” src=”http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41e8UrKOFiL._SL160_.jpg” tag=”sewsavvy-20″ width=”160″] This is a popular model from the Brother family that comes with 70 built-in stitches, several different types of presser feet, as well as a variety of button hold options. It has a lot of convenient and easy-to-use features and is priced very competitively under $150.

One of the things that stands out about this machine is how durable, yet light it is. This makes taking it out and putting it away hassle-free.

One feature it lacks that other computerized machines has is an automatic speed control.

[easyazon_link asin=”B009SC1YA6″ locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”sewsavvy-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]Read more about this machine[/easyazon_link]