Mechanical sewing machines, known for their durability and simplicity, are a reliable choice for basic sewing needs. In contrast, electronic models offer programmable stitches and automation, appealing to those who seek both brother machine versatility and ease of use. For intricate and customized stitching, computerized sewing machines provide an extensive array of features, often including the capability to download and create unique stitch patterns.
But regardless of the impetus for learning, the benefits of knowing your way around a sewing machine are manifold. It’s undeniably useful—not to mention particularly satisfying—to be able to hem, repair, or even entirely design and create your own fabric goods. Sewing can be a great way to make new friends, since there’s an active and generally friendly online sewing community to connect with.
These days you can also find tons of great online videos that can teach you about your machine. (This is a good video overview that walks through setting up our top pick, the Brother CS7000X). Other little details also make this Singer machine feel more luxurious than our main pick.
They are included in the delivery package with your BERNINA sewing machine, depending on the model. It expands the sewing surface, which makes working on large sewing projects or working with difficult materials significantly easier. Freearm slide-on tables are sometimes included in the delivery and sometimes are available as an optional accessory.
Because the machine features a quick-set bobbin, sewists don’t need to grab onto the thread tails when they start sewing, nor do they even need to draw the bobbin thread up to begin sewing in the first place. This sew-and-go ability is one extremely convenient feature of computerized machines like the CS7000X that is nonexistent in mechanical machines. Sewing is one of those magical hobbies that are both endlessly creative and especially practical. With relatively little effort—and a good sewing machine—you can make a quilt, whip up some curtains, hem pants, or even make pants out of things that weren’t pants at all before. But there are as many sewing machines to choose from as there are things you can do with them, which can make finding the perfect starter setup more stressful than it ought to be. One of the most revolutionary BERNINA presser feet for regular stitches with variable speed is the BERNINA Stitch Regulator.
Operation is very intuitive and the logistics and menu operation of the integrated software is similar to that of a computer or a smartphone. Additional settings can be adjusted under the setup option – these settings may be more or less extensive depending on the model. The Janome Arctic Crystal and the Singer 3337, which their respective manufacturers advertise as great entry-level options, are too simple for the purposes of this guide—to us, they felt like toys that sewists would grow out of quickly. Among other oversimplifications, the stitch width on both machines isn’t adjustable; as a result, they limit the sewist to just one size of zigzag stitch, for example.
Unique accessories have been developed for various applications to make life easier for the hobbyist and the professional sewist alike. There are also spool holders, needle plates for special applications, as well as the knee lifter for the legendary BERNINA Free Hand System (FHS) available for purchase. The knee lifter allows you to raise or lower the presser foot while simultaneously lowering the feed dog without having to take your hands off the sewing project – everything is controlled by moving your knee. Many different accessories are included when you purchase a BERNINA sewing machine, such as presser feet or soles (depending on the model), bobbins, seam ripper, brush, and oil. Presser feet or soles are usually required for general sewing work, such as zippers, buttonholes, or blind hemming.
The CS7000X costs less than many of the other sewing machines we tested but comes with more features and delivers better all-around performance. It offers more preprogrammed stitches (70) than you can find in the Janome C30 (30) and any of the mechanical machines we tried, and it includes more presser feet (10) than the Brother HC1850 (eight) and the Bernette 37 (five). It’s equipped with eight different automatic buttonholes, and the included manual is a great resource for making the most of these options, letting you know when you might choose to use brother machine a keyhole buttonhole versus, say, a stretch buttonhole. Less necessary stitches include options such as little daisy-chained rows of hearts—not as practical as, for example, a lightning stretch stitch but fun to play with and cute for decorative use or quilting. This machine also has several failsafe features that could prove helpful for both beginners and more experienced sewists. For example, the Quantum Stylist won’t let you start sewing with the presser foot up—a careless mistake that’s easy for anyone to make, no matter their experience level.