2020 is the year of learning to do it yourself. If you’ve decided to take up sewing this year, now is a great time to think about getting yourself a sewing machine. We’ve found the ten best options, whether you’re an absolute beginner, or working on major projects. You can repair those old jeans you ripped. You can sew a dress. The possibilities are endless. Get ready to turn into the master seamstress you’ve always wanted to be.
So whether you’re sewing from scratch or repairing your favorite clothes, we’ve found the best sewing machines around. Let’s see which one is right for you.
A solid workhorse
When it comes to sewing machines there are two brands you’re going to see over and over: Singer and Brother. We’re opening our list with a solid entry from Brother. This one comes with all the bells and whistles: 60 different stitches, a good long surface area for you to work on all sizes of projects, and an automatic needle threader (my bad eyesight says thank you).
If you have some experience with sewing and want a machine that is well-made and good for almost any project, this is a great bet.
A smaller option
Of course, not everyone has the space for a sizable sewing machine. If you’re looking for something that’s a bit more compact, this little number from Brother could be the one for you. It has 27 stitch options, includes 6 sewing feet, and has a cute little pattern on it. This is a nice mid-level sewing machine if you aren’t ready to shell out to buy the big one yet.
Now it’s time for some Singer
If you aren’t a fan of the Brother brand, the other big player in sewing machines is Singer, which is what I remember my mom sewing on when I was a kid. This guy is absolutely their big workhorse with everything you could possibly want. 600 different stitches. Six. Hundred. I wouldn’t be able to come up with that many if you paid me.
I particularly like that this machine has an extension table, so you can add more workspace for larger projects but remove it when you need to store the machine or work on something small.
For the average sewer
Of course Singer also has some less expensive and less intense options on the market. This is a great middle range sewing machine if you’re not looking for a mind-blowing number of stitches. It has 23 stitch options, moves super quickly (100 stitches per minute), and is solid. It’s got a metal frame, and I can verify: these sewing machines are built to last.
Look at this cutie!
This machine is a great starter option for those new to sewing. It still has plenty of features, like 100 stitches, multiple feet, a storage compartment, a clear bobbin case, and an automatic mode. It’s relatively small, which is fantastic if you live in an apartment. All of the features are incredibly helpful as you learn to sew: you can see how much bobbin you’ve got left so you know when to change it. You can use the auto features to get a feel for the machine. All in all it’s a great first time machine.
A newer brand
This is our first machine that isn’t a Brother or Singer, but it’s earned its place on the list. Janome works hard to make their machines easy to use, and this one lives up to that reputation. This is an entry-level machine, with a limited number of stitches, but it’s also a lower price point and great to learn on. Test out sewing for the first time with this lovely little machine.
Heavy duty
This machine is labeled as heavy-duty and it is not lying. Singer already makes solid sewing machines, so if they go to the trouble of branding one as their heavy-duty option, it will probably survive the nuclear apocalypse. Here’s a fun fact: this machine can sew 1,100 stitches-per-minute. And thanks to its industrial metal frame, it will do this without any skipping or bunching.
This is absolutely the machine to use if you need to sew through thick or heavy-duty fabric with ease.
For beginners
One of the things I love about Singer is that they’re incredibly clear what each of their machines is best at. This one is called Singer Start, because it’s good for those just starting out. It’s just a little guy, but it’s so simple to use. One of my favorite parts is that it provides clear diagrams on things like how to wind your bobbin. Great tool for learning!
Another Janome
Janome has snuck another entry onto our list! I like this machine for seamstresses who are working on building their skills and taking things to the next level. It still has a simple to understand interface, but it introduces some new features like a free arm and a drop feed so that you can progress to more complicated projects.
Bernette for the win
We’re finishing out our list with an entry from the Swiss brand Bernette. Here’s what the reviewers say: “I love that it is an all-mechanical machine meaning maintenance is easier and it won’t require software updates. It feels sturdy without weighing a ton isn’t overly loud while sewing and comes with easy instructions on how to use its many stitches. I sew a lot of clothes and this comes with all the features I need.”
This is a great option from a slightly different brand.