Some machines offer hundreds of preloaded stitches; how many you require depends on the nature and complexity of the projects you intend to undertake. Stretchy fabrics may benefit from using a walking foot.
1. Janome HD1000 Sewing Machine
Janome’s heavy-duty sewing machine takes you back to a time of mechanical machines. Featuring 14 built-in stitches and four step buttonhole stitch capability, it can handle thicker fabrics than most home machines.
Anyone working with multiple layers of fabric will appreciate this machine’s extra-high presser foot lift, which makes layering easy. Furthermore, its free arm can be easily accessed by taking off its accessory tray – this feature comes in particularly handy when working on narrow projects like hemming sleeves or pants’ bottoms.
Even though this machine lacks features like reverse lever and adjustable speed slider, its manual dial works just as effectively and requires less maintenance. Not to mention it’s highly affordable!
2. Brother CS1000 Sewing Machine
Brother’s computerized sewing machine offers an impressive variety of utility and decorative stitches, making it a suitable option for beginner as well as experienced sewers alike. Furthermore, its versatile presser feet make this model suitable for clothing as well as home decor projects.
This machine offers adjustable speed control, bright light to facilitate setup, and threading aids such as numbered diagrams to facilitate threading – all features that make it an excellent sewing machine for beginners.
But, unfortunately, the CS1000 falls short when dealing with thick fabrics or multiple layers, lacking a wide throat for quilting larger projects and incapable of embroidery/monogram creation. If heavy duty sewing machines are your goal, consider other options in this price range instead.
Many best sewing and embroidery machine come equipped with accessories like scissors, extra bobbins, needle threader and seam ripper; making them an excellent option for kids or beginners who may not yet be ready to commit to a full-sized machine.
3. Bernina Bernette 79 Sewing Machine
Bernina sewing machines boast many attractive features that may appeal to you. One such feature is its maximum embroidery hoop size of 6″x 10″, which is double that found on Brother CS1000 and Janome HD1000 sewing machines.
This machine features a large touch display for easy management of embroidery designs and stitches. Programmable stitch patterns let you create custom stitches quickly, then save them in memory for future use. With its top loading bobbin design, threading the machine becomes simpler – less risk of thread jamming!
Additional features of the device include reprogrammable back-kick foot control and knee lifter functionality, as well as an automated thread cutter to save you the trouble of manually cutting thread ends after every seam.
4. Husqvarna Viking 1700 Sewing Machine
Modern Sewing and Embroidery
This machine offers industry-leading features to inspire you to settle into your favorite spot and begin crafting the next chapter in your life’s story. It provides direct mySewnet access, an interactive color touch screen display and design positioning features which will help get started with any future projects.
Fabric Handling
This sewing machine offers many built-in stitch modes and is easy to use; furthermore, its two-year warranty makes this an attractive purchase option.
White Sewing Machine Company boasts a long and distinguished history, and some of their past models still perform admirably; however, they don’t produce products of comparable quality like Janome, Bernina and Brother do. You may be able to find some older machines through antique shops or newspaper classified ads or Craigslist.
5. Husqvarna Viking 1700 Sewing Machine for Kids
It is a small yet powerful machine designed to grow along with your skills, perfect for beginners or young sewers as well as experienced sewers. It comes equipped with an extension table, thread cutter and power cable – plus it even boasts an unusual hard protective cover!
Consider which stitches your machine offers; make sure there are both straight and zigzag stitches as well as buttonhole and zipper feet, plus specialist feet for darning, embroidery, free-style embroidery etc. Additionally, look out for removable tables to accommodate large pieces of fabric, as well as adequate task lighting so you can see clearly.