What Sewing Machine Should I Buy?
Embroidery Buyers Guide
Overlockers Buyers Guide
What to consider when buying a sewing machine?. Here are our Top 3 tips for sewing machine shopping:
- Think long term. A good domestic sewing machine should give years of good service. Think about what you want now, and the next 10 years. Make the right decision first time not second!
- Buy cheap, Buy twice: DON'T be tempted by the price tag or claims the sellers make, if the largest sewing machine manufactures in the world like Janome or Brother can't make a reliable sewing machine to retail for less than £99 then it cannot be done.
- Buy the right tool for the job: Don't expect a cheap light weight sewing machine to sew up your heavy weight curtains trouble free, it just won't happen wherever you buy it from. It has to be 'fit for purpose'. The machine can have all the features and functions you need but if it is not capable of sewing your denim jeans or curtain header tape you will want to throw it through the window! The sturdier the machine is, the better.
Next, consider the fabric you will be sewing with...
Things to consider before buying a sewing machine:
1. Sewing Machine Size
Machine Sizes...
2. Sewing Machine Workspace Size
Workspace Sizes...
3. Sewing Machine Weight
Machine Weights...
4: Sewing Machine Control type
5. Sewing Machine Price
6. Condition: Brand new or ex-display sewing machine?
7. Sewing Machine Covers and Cases
Hard Covers
Dust Covers
8. Sewing Machine Accessory Compartments
9. Front vs Top Loading Bobbin: What is the difference?
Front-Loading Bobbin
Top-Loading Bobbin
Easy Set Bobbin
10. Sewing Machine Motor Type
11. Adjustable or Non-adjustable Foot Pressure
12. Types of Stitches
13. Separate Sewing Width & Length Controls
Singular
Separate
Buttons
No Separate Controls
Separate Controls - Dials
Separate Controls - Buttons
14. 1-step or 4-step Buttonholes?
15. Type of Feed Dog in a Sewing Machine
16. Flat Bed vs Free Arm Sewing Machine
Flat Bed Sewing Machine
Free Arm Sewing Machine
Other Sewing Machine Features
- Automatic Tension: Automatic tension allows you to switch between stitches easily and be able to just take off sewing without needing to adjust anything. Many stitches that are fabric-specific will adjust tension to accommodate the specific fabric types such as a knit fabric. But don’t fret if you want to adjust tension yourself- you can still do that with a machine that has automatic tension! It's the best of both worlds! View Models
- Automatic 1-Step Buttonhole: One Step Buttonhole is when the buttonhole size is automatically determined when the lever is pulled down and the button is placed into the sliding foot.
- Bobbin Winder: A lot of machines, most sewing machines available to be honest, will come with bobbin winders built into the machine. They’ll wind as fast as the sewing machine can sew, and you usually need to thread the machine separately and then re-thread once you’re done winding the machine.
- Extra Bobbin Winding Motor: There are a few sewing machines on the market that come with two motors built into the machine, one specifically meant to wind the bobbin! These are typically industrial sewing machines that are meant for professionals who sew constantly.
- Embroidery Module (Optional): If you’re interested in machine embroidery, purchasing a sewing machine that you can purchase an optional embroidery unit for might be a great way to get into machine embroidery! It’s optional, meaning that you can attach it when you want to use it and detach it when not in use, so that it’s not taking up too much of your working space at all times.
- Elongation button: This feature allows some satin stitches to be elongated, up to 5 times.
- Feed dogs: The saw-shaped teeth ensure the fabric moves through the machine as the needle stitches. These feed dogs can be dropped for free motion embroidery or quilting. Some machines have auto drop feed dogs so when the presser foot rises, the feed dogs will drop automatically making it easy to set thick fabric.
- Drop Feed: If you’re into free motion quilting or free machine embroidery, you’ll want to make sure your sewing machine has a drop feed option! The drop feed feature is found on the side of the sewing machine, sometimes on the back of the machine, in the form of a lever that you simply flip to drop the feed dogs. You’ll be able to move your fabric about in more than just one direction!
- Foot control: This pressure pad allows you to control the machine's motion and to stay hands free to support your sewing.
- Foot Pressure Dial: The pressure of the sewing foot can be adjusted, for example when stitching applique to help turn corners smoothly.
- Free Arm: The accessory box section of the machine will pull away to reveal a narrow cylinder-shaped arm which can be used for sewing around cuffs and trouser legs.
- Hand Stitch Style: Function to add distortions to designated stitches to make them look more natural/casual.
- Hand Stitch Style: Function to add distortions to designated stitches to make them look more natural/casual. Hand Wheel: Operates the needle to form the stitch. Always turn towards you.
- Knee Lift: A knee lift is a great asset to any sewist. It’s meant to allow you to lift your presser foot without having to take your hands on your project as you work. A lever will plug in to the front of the sewing machine and hang down by your right knee. It won’t be in the way that you’ll be bumping it constantly, but it will be easily accessible when you need to use it. View Models
- LED Sewing Light: Lighting is one of the most important features of a sewing machine. Having proper lighting while you’re sewing is not only essential to making sure that your projects are coming together properly, but it’s also important so that you’re not straining your eyes.
- Lock Stitch Button: The metal needle plate fits over the bobbin/feed dog area and has seam guides engraved on it to help measure the seam width whilst stitching.
- Needle plate: The metal needle plate fits over the bobbin/feed dog area and has seam guides engraved on it to help measure the seam width whilst stitching.
- Needle plate - Angle scales: By using the angle scales on the needle plate, you can easily seam patchwork pieces at the desired angle. The angle scales are marked at 45, 60, 90 and 120 degrees.
- Needle Threader: Most machines will come with built-in needle threaders. They’re helpful to anyone and everyone, as we all know how difficult threading a needle can be, especially a needle that can’t be moved to see better. Needle threaders come in different makes and sturdiness, though, and the more expensive the machine is, usually the better the needle threader will be.
- Needle Up/Down: You can control your needle position by turning the fly wheel on the side of the sewing machine, as you’ve been able to do since sewing machines were invented. But, on many computerised machines, there is an easier, more precise way to lift your needle. An auto needle up/down button on the front of the machine can control whether your needle is in the up or down position. This is great for when you want to pivot your fabrics while on the machine, or you want to pinpoint a starting point. View Models
- Presser foot: The presser foot holds the fabric in place against the feed dogs so that it doesn't move about whilst you are sewing. To assist in sewing different processes a variety of different feet can be attached to the presser foot holder. Most presser feet are quick change, snap on type.
- Automatic Presser Foot Lift: If this is enabled, the presser foot will automatically go up when the machine stops. This feature is useful when turning corners and quilting.
- Snap on Presser Feet System: Snap on presser feet are great for quick presser feet conversions. There is no need to get out your screwdriver every time you want to change your presser foot! Instead, you press a button to release the foot that’s currently attached to the machine, line up the foot you want to use with the shank, and lower the shank until you hear the new foot snap into place! It’s easy on the fingers and very quick to do!
- Reverse / Reinforcement Stitch: Sometimes you want to reinforce the stitches, and the little bit of bulk is not an issue. An automatic reverse is a great feature to have when you’re sewing bags, home décor, and many types of garments.
- Speed Limiter/Slider: Having a speed slider on your sewing machine can make all the difference when it comes to either sewing skill level and the project you’re working on. Being able to control the maximum speed of the machine will allow you to sew with confidence no matter if you’re a beginner or working on delicate fabrics and projects that you want to make sure you’re keeping a close eye on as you work.
- SPM: The speed at which the machine stitches per minute
- Stitch adjustment: Use to override default stitch settings for stitch width and stitch length.
- Stitch Memory: Stitch memory is great for sewists that like to use decorative stitches on a computerised sewing machine. Stitch memory allows you to save a combination of stitches for future use, even when you turn off the machine. This is great for when you’re creating quilt labels or garment tags and using alphabet stitches, in particular, but you can use them with any decorative stitch!
- Stitch Selector: On computerised machines it is easy to select a stitch by pressing a key or using a touch pad. More basic machines generally have a dial for the stitch selector.
- Start/Stop Button: Start/Stop button enables you to use the machine without the foot control. View Models
- Thread Cutter: The single-handed thread cutter is conveniently positioned on the side of the machine and can be used with a one hand swipe when finishing a seam.
- Thread Cutter (under-bed): An automatic thread cutter can be a very useful feature. At the end of each seam, you can simply hit a button to trim your threads. While they tend to cut closer to the seam than if you were to use the usual blade on the side of the machine, you’ll still have enough of a tail for any reason you need. You’ll end up saving thread, and therefore money, in the long run, too!