Need help before a purchasing a sewing machine

What type of sewing machine is best for me?

Taking up a creative hobby like dressmaking, quilting, home decor, sewing or crafting can be fun, so purchasing the most suitable sewing machine for you can make a huge difference. Developments in sewing machines and sewing accessories will produce more of a professional finish to whatever sewing project you undertake.

"Buyer's guides are usually full of jargon, however our alternative, no holds barred guide to buying a sewing machine lets you consider your choice from a different perspective"

The difference between a basic sewing machine and a high-end model goes far beyond just the price. Features like automatic bobbin loading and computerised functions make tasks much easier and more efficient. As someone who's spent a lot of time learning about these machines, I can confidently say that the insights in this sewing machine buyer's guide are based on my personal experiences. You can trust that my extensive product knowledge, combined with an unbiased approach, is here to help you make an informed decision before making your purchase.

Do I really need an expensive sewing machine?

We often hear people say, "I’ll pay as much as I can to buy the best sewing machine I can afford." But that’s not always the right approach. In many cases, spending the most money doesn’t necessarily get you the best machine for your needs. This isn’t the most cost-effective way to shop for a sewing machine!

Nor is... "I want a cheap sewing machine". Our yard is packed full of broken, cheap sewing machines from unknown manufacturers.! Customers may have been thinking that paying an extra few pounds was just for the brand name! The extra few pounds are for the metal parts instead of plastic, durability instead of "if it's broken, throw-it-away", well-engineered smooth running instead of an unpleasant noisy rattle and comprehensible instruction books instead of pigeon English.

Some obscure branded machines I've seen even have stitches the wrong way around causing all kinds of problems when hemming or quilting and that's not just the machines for under £200! It is simply not possible to sew a blind hem stitch on a large curtain where the bulk of the curtain has to go through/under the bed to the right of the needle.

Which is the best brand?

Our question to you would be, what will you be using it for?

Quilting, dressmaking, general sewing jobs around the house or maybe charity projects, a school purchase or even the first step in setting up a sewing-related business. All these details are very important when choosing a new sewing machine.

For Strong heavy-duty use, If you're looking for a robust, heavy-duty machine capable of handling projects like home furnishings, heavy curtains, horse blankets, we recommend choosing a strong, reliable brand with models featuring a metal chassis and industrial heritage. Consider options like the Janome 1600P or 6700P, Brother PQ1600S, Juki TL2200, or Bernette B08.

Have you read about models with dual feed system? Quilters love it! Most manufactures now produce models that offer this feature, they are perfectly suited for customers looking for a heavy-duty model. Many Pfaff models have IDT, Bernette, Janome has AcuFeed, Brother has Pin Feed, and all are worth considering.

For Embroidery, it’s got to be Brother...super high quality, fast stitching speeds, no-nonsense machines.

For the Quilters, as we have already mentioned, you would never be compromised if you were quilting on a Pfaff with IDT. Computerised machines with an easy-to-use interface, more advanced functions, try looking at the Husqvarna range and for the beginner sewer or budding intermediate sewer looking for a durable machine, Janome has a great selection.

Some questions to consider

It’s important to consider several factors to ensure you choose the right one for your needs.

What is my skill level?

• Beginner: Look for a machine with basic features, easy-to-follow controls, and clear instructions. Avoid overly complex models.
• Intermediate/Advanced: If you have some experience or plan to tackle more advanced projects, consider a machine with additional features like automatic buttonholes, stitch customization, or embroidery options.

What am I going to be using it for?

• General Sewing: For basic projects like clothing repairs, simple garments, or home decor, a standard mechanical machine will suffice.
• Quilting: If you plan to quilt, look for a machine with a wider throat space (the area between the needle and the machine body) to accommodate bulky fabrics.
• Heavy-Duty Projects: For sewing thick fabrics like denim or leather, choose a machine with a strong motor and metal frame.
• Embroidery: If you want to do embroidery, consider a machine with built-in embroidery designs or compatibility with embroidery software.

Do I need a computerised model?

• Mechanical Machines: Simple, durable, and easy to use. Great for beginners. 
• Electronic Machines: Offer more stitch options and features like automatic needle threading or speed control. They are often easy to set up and thread. 
• Computerised Machines: Advanced models with programmable stitches, LCD screens, and precise controls. Ideal for experienced sewers or those who want more versatility. 

What key features should I be looking out for?

• Stitch Options: Basic machines typically offer 10–20 stitches, while advanced models may have hundreds. Consider which stitches you’ll actually use. Look for stretch stitches!
• Automatic Needle Threader: A helpful feature for beginners or expert sewers.
• Electronic Foot Speed Control: Allows you to sew at a comfortable pace, yet the needle get full power even at slower speeds.
• Buttonhole Function: Look for a one-step auto-sizing buttonhole feature for convenience.
• Presser Feet: Check if the machine comes with essential presser feet (e.g., zipper foot, buttonhole foot, quilting feet).
• Free Arm: Useful for sewing cuffs, sleeves, and other small, tubular items.

What would an expert tell me?

The first thing we would ask is... how much do you want to spend? Hmm! you say... I've heard that one before. But hold on, let me explain. Not all sewing machines from the same brand are created equal, and are not the same quality! What I mean is, let’s say your budget is £300, I can guarantee that one brand of will be far better built than another, at that same price! even if the specification will be very similar. It's all about quality, not just the numbers!

I'm sure that while you're reading this you may be doing some research to buy a sewing machine for yourself or as a gift. You'll be thinking! How long is it likely to last? What about reliability and how easy will it be to buy parts and add-on accessories; or even get it serviced in the future... What's the best buy?

Personally, I would suggest calling an expert who can guide you through purchasing a sewing machine or use these consumer reviews to help, there's a lot of reading...!

Do I buy a sewing machine and later an embroidery machine, or a combined model?

I'm a numbers guy when it comes to making a purchase. Yes, there are advantages when buying separate machines to do each task, especially if one has the space in a sewing room to have both machines out and ready to use at the same time, just like a mini factory going from one to the other when needed.

However, these days more than ever manufacturers are producing a variety of models to allow separate purchases.

Take for example the Bernette 70 series. 3 models; 1 x embroidery machine, 1 x sewing machine, and each is very good and worth looking at. The other is a combo sewing/embroidery model which has all the features of the sewing model, plus all the features of the embroidery model. 

Buying the sewing machine, then maybe later thinking about buying an embroidery model in total will set you back a small fortune. However, buying the combination model is an incredible bargain at £1800. That way one would be getting a high-end sewing/embroidery machine with the exact same features as two separate machines and saving £700 in the process.

In summary

• Price isn't everything
• Not all brands are the same
• Call us, we can guide you through purchasing a sewing machine
• We offer a 30-day returns peace of mind
• What do the reviews say, check below!

Start by investigating specific machine features to learn more about each machine in your price range, as well as reading the reviews. We do find other websites copy/paste our descriptions, so maybe they don't know the machines they sell as well as we do.

If you find a sewing machine that impresses you with the features you need, the right number of stitches or patterns and is at the right price. But you are still not 100% sure, don't worry we offer a 30-day return. We want you to be confident that the sewing machine you buy from us will be right for you at the end of the day. That’s all we want, and I'm sure it’s all you want too.