Below are the few features I feel are the most important to me when looking for a sewing machine. If you want to know how to choose the best sewing machine, click here a more detailed account.
Drop-in Bobbin
No more fumbling underneath the machine to insert the bobbin, but you can open a section right on top to drop the bobbin in. You’ll see the thread running low through a clear panel.
Automatic Buttonholer
Also called a one-step buttonholer, and is a feature that most electronic and computerized sewing machines have. Sews your buttonhole in a step without you having to turn the fabric around. Some can adjust the buttonhole size according to the button you put into a slot in the machine.
Needle Threader
Threads your needle by itself. If you have had a hard time squinting and pricking your finger in the needle-threading process, this is a life-saver. But some users didn’t like it because they are much defter than the machine.
Adjustable Presser Foot
Now you can adjust how tight the machine holds your fabric. This is important if you sew many kinds of fabric like me. Thin fabrics do not deserve the same treatment as thick ones.
Sound
Sewing machines make a certain amount of noise while sewing. Do you need to be quiet when you sew? When your baby is asleep, maybe? If that is the case, you shall have to get a sewing machine that is very quiet so that you can sew at any time of the day.
Size and Weight
Traveling around with my sewing machine is a bother, so I don’t do it. But if you need to carry it to sewing class or stow it away each time after use, the size and weight of the machine is definitely something to note. Because I sew a lot, I just cleared out a space at home specially for sewing so that I can just leave my stuff there.
Manual
The sewing machine manual is VERY IMPORTANT. Check reviews to see whether the model you’re buying has an easy understandable manual. Don’t chuck it in the box and leave it. Instead, as soon as you got your purchase, read the manual thoroughly and try it out with a few pieces of fabric.
Warranty
Sewing machines can and should last a very long time. However, always check for a warranty from the manufacturer. Most machines come with a 25-year warranty or limited warranty.
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- Brother XL2600I 25-stitch Free-arm Sewing Machine – Best Basic Sewing Machine
- Singer 7442 Electronic Sewing Machine – Best Value Electronic Sewing Machine
- Brother ES2000 77-stich – Best Budget Computerized Sewing Machine
- Brother CS6000I Computerized Free-arm Sewing Machine – Best Quilting Sewing Machine
- Singer 7470 Confidence Electronic Sewing Machine – Best User-Friendly Sewing Machine
Type of Work
What are you buying the sewing machine for? This is the ultimate question that will help you mark the range of sewing machines you’ll be looking at.
1. Embroidery
There are single use embroidery machines that can only do embroidery; and there are dual use embroidery and sewing machines that can do sewing jobs besides embroidery.
To save money, I suggest that you buy a single use machine plus a separate electronic sewing machine if you do a whole lot of sewing jobs besides embroidery. This means your embroidery machine takes less wear and tear from usual sewing.
If you are doing mainly embroidery and only the occasional sewing of buttonholes and hems, get a dual use machine.
When buying an embroidery machine, whether single or dual use, you can look at these details:
- Size of the loop
- Number of built-in designs
- Size of designs and fonts
- Additional design cards or software for downloading designs
- USB port
- Easy selection and controls
2. Quilting
Most mid-end sewing machines can do quilts (you may have to get your own walking foot if it’s not included) but if you are doing a lot of quilts you can look for a good quilting sewing machine that provides plenty of quilting accessories and features.
I just bought a great quilting sewing machine – Brother CS6000I, just to do quilts, because it comes with a quilting table, walking foot, quilt guides and a wide selection of quilting stitches!
3. Basic sewing
Forget about embroidery and quilting machines, you’re just looking for a sewing machine that can make dresses, cushion covers, pillowcases, buttonholes, and fix that hem.
I suggest you get an electronic sewing machine. Personally I don’t think a computerized sewing machine is needed for basic sewing; a computer memory is only for designs.
- Price range – It’s easy to choose if you keep this in mind: there are only two main price ranges for electronic sewing machines – below $250 and above $250.
If you’re doing a lot of heavy fabrics (curtains, denims and multi-layers), definitely get the higher range.It’ll be worth it in the long run because expensive machines have a heavier and more durable make to last you a long time. The heavy fabrics feed better so the stitches will be finer too.
As far as I can see, you can still be pleasantly surprised by the quality of sewing machines below $250, but please don’t expect them to take heavy sewing for years and years.
Go ahead and buy these budget machines if you are only sewing fabrics of normal thickness most of the time. They will give you value for the price if you do plenty of dresses, covers, buttonholes and hems instead of heavy curtains and denims.
Singer 7442 is the best value electronic sewing machine while an even cheaper one for minimal sewing would be the Brother XL2600I.
- Type of fabric – What type of fabric will you be using?
Thick fabrics will need longer stitches. Check the machine for a good selection of stitches including long and short stitches for different thickness of fabrics.
The other feature to check is automatic tension. That will save you a lot of time because the machine adjusts the tension according to the fabric thickness without you having to do it manually.
Delicate fabrics like silk and chiffon are tricky to sew because they snag easily. If you’re using these fabrics check to see whether the presser foot can be adjusted to a lesser pressure. The right needles must be used (click here to see the different types of needles for different fabrics) but you can buy these to add if your machine does not include them.
Stretchy fabrics shall need a stretch stitch. If the machine you’re checking out does not say anything about the kinds of stitches it makes, read the reviews!
Large projects like bed sheets and curtains are easier done with an extension table. If your machine doesn’t come with one, check to see whether this can be added.
Person using it
Are you buying the sewing machine as a gift? There are some features that are convenient to certain people, while being cumbersome to others.
People with poor eyesight or shaky hands would find the auto threader very handy and time-saving. Some machines also have a thread cutter, but there are people who think it gets in the way.
Novices or young seamstresses would find a well-written manual helpful if they are not taking sewing classes. A more user-friendly sewing machine would also include auto tension, drop-in bobbin, and simple controls. I highly recommend the Singer 7470 Confidence for friendliness!
Portability
You might not be using your sewing machine at the same spot every time.
I myself like to place my sewing machine out in the open so that I can sew at every opportunity, and there is a cleared space for me to work and throw down all my stuff. But my girl friends have all kinds of habits like:
- Sewing on the dining table or shared spots and clearing away after use
- Using a different spot in the house every time
- Bringing the sewing machine to sewing classes
- Bringing the sewing machine to a friend’s house to sew
So when you buy a sewing machine, you’ll have to take this into consideration. If you’re not like me, you’ll need a lightweight machine to carry around or store away after use, but it shouldn’t be so light that it will prance on the table like an excited dog when you feed it with fabric.
Machines with some weight are good for heavy fabrics. In short, you’ll have to strike a balance between having a machine sturdy enough for fabrics you’re using, and light enough to carry. All the better if the machine comes with a hard cover carrying case.
Tip: If your machine does slide a bit when in use, place it on a sheet of thin rubber mat.
For more sewing machine reviews and recommendations, go to my Sewing Machine Review main page.
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- Brother XL2600I 25-stitch Free-arm Sewing Machine – Best Basic Sewing Machine
- Singer 7442 Electronic Sewing Machine – Best Value Electronic Sewing Machine
- Brother ES2000 77-stich – Best Budget Computerized Sewing Machine
- Brother CS6000I Computerized Free-arm Sewing Machine – Best Quilting Sewing Machine
- Singer 7470 Confidence Electronic Sewing Machine – Best User-Friendly Sewing Machine
The Brother XL2610 Free-Arm Sewing Machine is definitely a woman’s machine, simply because it’s white and PINK!
Brother XL2610 Free-Arm Sewing Machine
Cuteness aside, it’s also quite a handy little machine that attends to all my sewing needs. Very clear and useful instructions that facilitated ease of use. The machine itself had diagrams for bobbin and needle threading that sped up the learning process.
The speed is great and allowed for better control of stitching; although more advanced users may prefer a faster machine. So far I’ve used Brother XL2610 Free-Arm Sewing Machine to mend jeans, heavy canvas and curtains without any issues.
The bobbin makes the job easier with its automatic winding system, and a transparent cover so you’ll know when to replace it. I also love the automatic threader.
All the different built-in stitches and functions made sewing so much fun. Even my husband is starting to get into it. We’re in middle of making a scrapbook for my parents’ anniversary and the various stitches add a more creative touch to the project. Just a turn of the dial changes the stitching with great ease.
What I DON’T quite like, though, is the plastic presser foot. It’s too low and blocks my view so most of the time, I need to use my finger to tap it up. I’m used to it now but it was quite annoying when I started using this machine.
Brother XL2610 Free-Arm Sewing Machine is also mostly made of plastic, which makes it portable but on the flip side, also makes it feel fragile. Great machine though, for its price, and will definitely please beginners looking for an easy machine that can handle more advanced sewing in the future.
Further information:
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- Brother ES2000 77-stich – Best Computerized Sewing Machine
- Brother SE350 Computerized Embroidery and Sewing Machine – Best Embroidery Sewing Machine
- Brother CS6000I Computerized Free-arm Sewing Machine – Best Quilting Sewing Machine
This sewing machine had just arrived at my doorstep sometime ago and I love it already! I bought this Brother CS6000I after deciding that I want to do more quilting projects – quilts are lovely gifts and can be donated – and this machine is just perfect for quilting.
Brother CS6000I Computerized Free-arm Sewing Machine
I Simply Love the Quilting Features
One of the main reasons I bought this sewing machine is that Brother CS6000I comes with a decent sized quilting table, something I miss from other sewing machine models. This has made my quilting projects so much easier!
Whenever I’m doing slippery layers I use the walking foot that is included. Now I don’t have to adjust the fabrics all the time and the stitches go precisely where I want them to.
The quilt guide is very helpful too, letting me space the quilt lines evenly without having to do it the old-fashioned way – chalking them on the fabric first. All these good quilting features mean I can work a whole lot faster and the result is even better!
Lightweight but Not a Problem
This machine is pretty lightweight for a quilting machine – less than 20 pounds – but the layers of fabric feed well as long as you use the right needles and thread. Believe me, using good thread will improve the whole sewing process and end result.
At first I was dismayed that the quilting table and the machine slide around when I work, but someone suggested that I place a thin rubber mat under the machine and that solved the problem.
The fact that it’s light also means I can bring it to sew anywhere I like, inside the hard cover carry case that comes with it.
Overall the Brother CS6000I is a great quilting sewing machine, and you can use it for other sewing projects as well. The price isn’t all that expensive either, but I suggest you catch the sales period in Amazon where you can get it at a bargain price and the return policy is very admirable!
Shopping information:
- This sewing machine is at a 64% discount now and there is free shipping too! To make it easy, I have the link here for you: Brother CS6000I 60-Stitch Computerized Free-Arm Sewing Machine
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Brother SE350 Computerized Embroidery and Sewing Machine is a good embroidery sewing machine. It has a range of 70 built-in embroidery designs, 5 styles of monogramming fonts as well as 120 frame pattern combinations.
Brother SE350 Computerized Embroidery and Sewing Machine
If the 70 built-in embroidery designs are not enough for you, another over 1,000 additional designs are accessible from Brother’s optional embroidery design card. Better still, you can save up to 12 embroidery designs in the built-in memory of this machine.
It also offers a maximum embroidery field of 4 by 4 inches. It is a bit small for some designs, but this is a home user sewing machine after all.
This computerized sewing machine is equipped with a large LCD touch screen, which enables you to access to the built-in embroidery designs and do on-screen modifications to your designs. Furthermore, intuitive reference guide in 16 different languages can be read from this LCD touch screen.
Other than that, it has 67 types of built-in stitches with 98 kinds of incorporated stitch functions. This sewing machine provides a maximum sewing speed of 710 stitches per minute. With the free-arm structure, I can do those difficult parts of garments such as cuffs, sleeves, and trousers’ hems easily.
Brother SE350 Computerized Embroidery and Sewing Machine has many other great features such as automatic needle threader and push-button controlled thread cutter, 15 needle positions, snap-on presser foot attachment, automatic presser foot pressure as well as the drop feed function.
The one-step automatic buttonhole formation function comes with 10 various kinds of styles. It has an automatic quick-set bobbin system, which eases and simplifies the bobbin changing process.
Some users find completely removable bobbin cover easily misplaced as it is rather small, so you might want to be careful with it.
Brother SE350 Computerized Embroidery and Sewing Machine has
- seven types of presser feet
- a seam ripper
- four bobbins
- a needle set
- a twin needle
- a cleaning brush
- an eyelet punch
- a screwdriver
- a touch pen
- three spool caps
- a spool pin
- a spool net
- a foot controller
- a pair of scissors
- an embroidery hoop
- an accessory pouch
- a bilingual user manual with instructional CD in English and Spanish
- 25 years warranty
Brother SE350 Computerized Embroidery and Sewing Machine is the one for you if you’re looking for a good embroidery sewing machine that can do normal tasks just as well.
Further information:
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- Brother ES2000 77-stich – Best Computerized Sewing Machine
- Brother CS6000I Computerized Free-arm Sewing Machine – Best Quilting Sewing Machine
- Singer 7470 Confidence Electronic Sewing Machine – Best User-Friendly Sewing Machine
My sister bought this Brother ES2000 for her 10-year-old daughter because she wanted a computerized sewing machine but doesn’t need one with a whole lot of embroidery or quilting features, just a basic and affordable one!
Brother ES2000 77 Stitch Function Computerized Free Arm Sewing Machine
The Brother ES2000 is pretty much similar to my Brother CS6000I minus the quilting accessories, some extra stitches and a few other little features. It has 37 built-in stitches including decorative ones and 77 stitch functions, which is pretty much enough for most beginner to intermediate users.
Best Computerized Sewing Machine for Beginners
I had thought that my little niece might need some help from her Aunt Bridget using the machine, but to my surprise she told me she’s managing all right. The manual looks just like the one with my CS6000I, and my niece is reading it without trouble.
Even threading didn’t stump her! But that’s because there are instructional diagrams printed right on the machine itself for that. So she referred to it with only a glance whenever she forgot the steps.
Very Affordable!
Most computerized sewing machines are priced above $250, especially if they have embroidery or quilting accessories and features. But the Brother ES2000 is selling below $200!
The one-step buttonholer is very nice to have, with as many as 5 styles to choose from. There’s also an LED display for stitch selection but there’s no memory so once you switch off the machine you’ll lose the selection.
This is a pretty basic computerized sewing machine. I’d recommend you to get the CS6000I if you want to do a lot of quilting, or the SE350 if you do embroidery all the time.
Brother ES2000 is good for beginners or people who don’t sew a lot (I mean really a lot), or if you are on a tight budget.
Shopping information:
- Brother ES2000 77 Stitch Function Computerized Free Arm Sewing Machine is on sale now with a $30 discount. Check it out!
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The Brother XL2600I is my daughter’s first sewing machine (mine was an ancient Singer), and she has been using it all the time to sew dresses for her teddy bears. It’s basic, cheap and good for simple sewing by beginners.
Brother XL2600I 25-Stitch Free-Arm Sewing Machine
Nothing Fancy but Good for Simple Projects
This sewing machine doesn’t have all the fancy stuff for real embroidery and sewing crafts, but it does have 25 stitches, and I like its automatic buttonholer because my daughter can make her own buttonholes easily!
Brother XL2600I takes all thin fabrics nicely, and I’ve found that it works with thin curtains and light denims too. But it’s not very good with the thicker fabrics or layers because the presser foot cannot be adjusted.
And if you want to work on knits and stretch fabrics you’ll have to get your own ball point needles, because they only gave sharps.
Easy to Use
It is very easy to wind the bobbin and thread the needle. Many reviewers have also agreed on this point. In fact threading is so easy you don’t really need the needle threader at all unless you have really bad eyesight or shaky hands.
My daughter had asked me about the lower thread looping under the fabric and I had a bit of trouble deciphering the manual for this problem, but I finally found the solution from an Amazon review (thanks, SBP “Ladorada”).
The manual is hard to read (Spanish translation right after the English version instead of in another section at the back) but this machine is so basic I don’t find much use for the manual.
If you’re an experienced seamstress, I wouldn’t recommend this sewing machine. Check out the Best Computerized Sewing Machine instead. People who want an entry level sewing machine, click here to read more reviews on Brother XL2600I.
Tip for shoppers: Your local shop is good for you to test out any sewing machine and ask lots of questions, but Amazon is a very good place to get your machine, because they handle returns very well and often replace machines even when the manufacturer won’t!
Shopping information:
- Brother XL2600I 25-Stitch Free-Arm Sewing Machine with Multiple Stitch Functions is on sale right now with a $50 discount.
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- Brother CS6000I Computerized Free-arm Sewing Machine – Best Quilting Sewing Machine
- Singer 7470 Confidence Electronic Sewing Machine – Best User-Friendly Sewing Machine
Hi welcome to my first post of sewing machine review blog.
Sewing machine is a textile machine use to stitch fabric or other material together. Sewing machine where first invented during the first industrial revolution to help increase production in cloth companies. Since then, it has vastly improved the efficiency and productivity.
Sewing Machine Review
I hope to write some sewing machine review post to help to find the right one for your need.
Most of the sewing machine being review here will be lightweight and portable sewing machine. Portable sewing machine come with 10 built-in stitches will be perfect for basic sewing, mending, crafting, and scrapbooking projects.
With today sewing technology, some of them offers an automatic bobbin winder, an automatic four-step buttonholer, forward and reverse sewing, and quick-change snap-on presser feet that include a buttonhole foot, zipper foot, button-sewing foot and many more!
Well, getting one great sewing machine will be home sewn fashion at your fingertips. Stay tune for more sewing machine review to come.
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- Sewing Machine Review – Main
- Brother XL2600I 25-stitch Free-arm Sewing Machine – Best Basic Sewing Machine
- Singer 7442 Electronic Sewing Machine – Best Value Electronic Sewing Machine
- Brother ES2000 77-stich – Best Budget Computerized Sewing Machine
- Brother CS6000I Computerized Free-arm Sewing Machine – Best Quilting Sewing Machine
- Singer 7470 Confidence Electronic Sewing Machine – Best User-Friendly Sewing Machine
Sewing Machine Review 