The Best Sewing Machines To Help You Master Every Stitch

Type: Mechanical | Dimensions: 11.3 x 16 x 7.3 inches | Weight: 20 pounds | Stitches: 18

Janome’s HD5000 Black Edition is our top overall sewing machine pick for the average home seamstress and quilter. Made from a sturdy, heavy-duty aluminum body and outfitted with a hard, snap-on cover, it’s able to regularly tackle tougher fabrics and still last for years and years. Users are also treated to a whopping 18 different stitch types alongside a handy pop-up stitch chart, and there’s a four-step buttonhole maker to give you a wide range of options on that front as well.

If quilting’s your thing, look forward to using the bonus quilt kit—it’ll help you transition from apparel to accessories with ease. Meanwhile, the built-in needle threader is a sanity saver: You’ll rarely have to squint at the needle to thread up. One of our favorite features on this particular model, though, is the included storage tray, which is the perfect size for extra bobbins and the like. Janome also offers detailed technical support online and over the phone.

Pros:

• Very sturdy construction
• Good for beginners and hobbyists alike
• Built-in needle threader and storage tray

Cons:

• On the louder side
• Only has one bobbin

Type: Mechanical | Dimensions: 12.2 x 16.1 x 7.9 inches | Weight: 14.3 pounds | Stitches: 37

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to spend a fortune to get a decent sewing machine. After all, at around $200, Brother’s Strong & Tough is more than just “decent.” Sure, it doesn’t have all the advanced features of some of the more futuristic models out there, but it can get the job done like the best of them—and then some. Flip through this model’s 37 built-in stitches, tinker with its auto-size buttonhole and let its automatic needle threader get to work. The jam-resistant drop-in top bobbin is another standout feature here, as are the six different sewing feet included and the versatile free arm. Like Janome, Brother offers free technical support online, via live chat or over the phone.

Pros:

• Jam-resistant drop-in top bobbin
• Easily works through heavy fabric like fur and denim
• Comes with an automatic needle threader

Cons:

• Foot lever is in an awkward spot, according to some reviewers
• Using the control buttons requires a bit of a learning curve

Type: Mechanical | Dimensions: 15.5 x 6.25 x 12 inches | Weight: 14.5 pounds | Stitches: 23

The experts we polled unanimously agreed: This is the perfect machine for those who are newer to the world of sewing. “It’s a great sewing machine,” Markus says. “It’s very solid and easy to use. You can’t really break it.” In fact, she says, this is precisely the appliance she advises her students to purchase if they’re on a budget. With an automatic needle threader and 23 built-in stitches, users are able to tackle everything they’ve got in mind. Just don’t mistake the lower price tag for lower efficiency: The 4423 can achieve up to 1,100 stitches per minute.

This one’s also a great choice because it’s backed by a popular, time-tested brand. Singer is one of the most beloved, well-known brand names in the market, and as such, it also offers an exceptional 25-year limited warranty along with phone and virtual technical support.

Pros:

• Heavy duty metal frame
• One-step buttonhole and automatic threader
• Speedy stitching of 1,100 per minute

Cons:

• Included manual isn’t very clear, according to some reviewers

Type: Computerized | Dimensions: 16 x 7 x 12 inches | Weight: 12 pounds | Stitches: 100

The JW8100 is designed to make your sewing experience easier and less finicky from start to finish. Enjoy features like a “stop” and “start” button, a speed control slider and a handy locking stitch button that’ll help you sail through your projects with a little more ease and control. With 100 built-in stitches, seven buttonhole styles and an easy-to-load top drop-in bobbin, there’s a lot to love here. Our favorite feature is the memory function, which allows you to easily pick up where you left off during your last session. Those who typically take on longer, trickier projects will also appreciate the extra-wide extension table, which will give your arm a much-needed break.

Pros:

• Wide extension table included
• Comes with 100 built-in stitches
• Equipped with a memory function
• Lighter-weight than other options

Cons:

• Not the best with heavier fabrics

Type: Computerized | Dimensions: 8 x 17 x 14 inches | Weight: 18 pounds | Stitches: 150

Quilters tend to opt for machines that can tackle heavier, denser fabrics—and it’s nice when those same machines offer a selection of more decorative stitching options, too. Brother’s SQ9285 has both. Its removable side table gives you extra support for larger quilting projects, and the model’s 150 built-in utility and decorative stitches allow for the creation of all sorts of extraordinary designs. Of course, if you prefer a basic monogram, the machine’s got you covered on that front, too, with 55 basic alphanumeric stitches. The backlit LCD display here is a plus, making it far simpler to see and choose your selections, and there’s a nifty drop feed feature that allows for free-motion quilting (alternatively, you can switch over to the smooth feed system for more classic stitches). Technical support is available via phone, online chat and email.

Pros:

• 150 stitching options
• Tackles both delicate lightweight fabrics as well as heavy ones
• Comes with removable side table
• Backlit LCD display

Cons:

• Directions are a bit difficult to follow

Machine type: Computerized | Dimensions: 20.5 x 8.4 x 14.1 inches | Weight: 31 pounds | Built-In Stitches: 74

Don’t get us wrong: The Bernina 770 QE Plus isn’t for everyone—one glance at its price tag will confirm as much. But believe it or not, that price is actually quite reasonable given what this machine can do. An upgrade from the Bernina 770 QE, the Plus version has an extra-large full-color touchscreen display with access to a wealth of online tutorials to help guide you on your future projects. It’s also equipped with a Kickstart function for quilting without a traditional foot control and includes a host of accessories like a Jumbo Bobbin, Bernina Stitch Regulator (BSR) and more (13 in all, to be specific).

The 770 QE Plus can handle large quilts, consistently churning out precise stitching and tackling bigger, thicker fabrics without issue. It also doubles as an embroidery machine and comes with an impressive 20-year warranty, along with ample technical support. (Markus, for one, swears by her Bernina—in fact, she’s always used one of the brand’s machines.)

Pros:

• Includes 13 accessories
• Full-color touchscreen display with access to tutorials
• High-tech features for nearly any sewing project

Cons:

• Very expensive

Type: Mechanical | Dimensions: 13 x 7 x 11.5 inches | Weight: 9.8 pounds | Stitches: 6

Singer’s “Start” model is designed to be an introductory machine. No, you probably don’t want your 4-year-old playing around with this appliance—it does still utilize needles—but older kids won’t get into trouble using it. The Start has 57 stitch applications with easy, no-fuss pre-set stitch widths and lengths. Automatic bobbin winding and a numbered diagram allows sewers to get ready without worry, and the whole thing weighs just under 10 pounds. Included in this kit are three feet, a pack of needles and a seam ripper, and there’s also a 25-year limited warranty for the just-in-case (with kids, after all, that’s really bound to come in handy).

Pros:

• Compact but sturdy
• Small learning curve
• Helpful online tutorials

Cons:

• Not designed for more intricate projects