All told, this machine performed better than equivalent models from other brands, and stands out even more for being an absolute steal. The BERNINA name has always been synonymous with robustness brother embroidery sewing machine and durability. Quality is evident in the precision of the stitches and the high needle penetration power when sewing thick fabrics.Our machines are tested extensively before leaving our factory.
I logged over 40 hours of total sewing with the test group, read every machine’s included manual, and frowned at tangled birds’ nests in bobbin casings more than a dozen times. A few of the machines even came on a beachside vacation with me, as I put their portability to the test. I also sewed buttonholes according to each machine’s instructions, with varying degrees of success.
Bobbin winding and installation are easy, and threading is simple, although you’re not getting an automatic needle threader. With the bare bones of necessary features, the Brother LX3817 boasts a simplicity that appeals to beginner users. It’s an affordable (under 150$ usually) Brother sewing machine that features everything you’ll need to sew or mend garments and craft Pinterest-worthy sewing projects. Particularly friendly to quilters, the Brother CS7000X sewing machine comes with a walking foot, spring action quilting foot, 1/4″ piecing foot, and a quilt guide to help quilters create great creations. 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.
Use our self-guided selector to find the perfect machine for all your home needs. We stock 194 colors of Gütermann cotton thread that we provide for free. Emma Seymour (she/her) is a senior product analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she has led testing for luggage, pillows, towels, tampons and more since 2018. She graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor of science in fiber science and apparel design and a minor in gerontology, completing research in the Body Scanner Lab on optimizing activewear for athletic performance. Learn tips, tricks, and techniques to get the most from your Bernina Serger.
Many of the functions of a computerized sewing machine allow you to perform all sorts of different operations, such as selecting your stitch, with just the push of a button. This article was written by Barbara Bellesi Zito, a freelance lifestyle writer based in Staten Island, NY. To compile this list of best sewing machines, we tested 24 models and evaluated them on their ease of setup, performance, design and features, and overall value. Embroidery machines are either single or multi-needle, meaning you can either only use one color at a time (single), or the machine can hold multiple colors (multi). On these machines, you can still make designs with multiple colors, but the machine will prompt you to change the thread each time.
Zigzag stitches provide more stretch and strength, making them ideal for piecing together stretchy knits or finishing raw seam edges. At first, this machine looked a little too basic, but we quickly realized it had all the features we could possibly need for at-home sewing. Special features include buttonhole capability, a light, brother embroidery sewing machine multiple speeds controlled by the foot pedal, a free arm, and a removable extension table. It even has accessory storage for three clear plastic bobbins, a seam ripper, a needle set, a sliding buttonhole foot, various feet, and a darning plate. Even though the seam ripper was a bit small, it’s definitely not a deal breaker.
Feed dogs will have to manually be covered with a darning plate, though. While having several presser feet included with your sewing machine is nice, it’s not necessarily a factor to exclude a sewing machine from your favorites list. However, many computerized Brother sewing machines include an optional foot pedal. There are a few other popular stitches, including the lightning bolt stitch (great for sewing knits in a more subtle line than a zigzag stitch) and the triple stitch (which is often used for seams that bear heavy loads). Less commonly used stitches include decorative shapes (like flowers and leaves) and alphabets, which can be handy for quilting or pieces where you want to mimic embroidery.
Don’t use a can of compressed air, as doing so can blow the lint back inside the machine. A cotton swab or a tiny vacuum can also be helpful to remove lint or stray bits of thread from your machine’s innards. If you were wondering about different ways that people have made a certain dress, for example, you could click its hashtag and see others’ designs. Note that the Quantum Stylist 9960 is virtually identical to another Singer machine, the Singer 8060. According to Singer, the only differences lie in a few accessories that come with one machine but not the other. Specifically, the Quantum Stylist comes with a straight-stitch/patchwork foot and seam guide, while the 8060 does not.
With 70 built-in stitches, 10 presser feet, and a max speed of 750 stitches per minute, this sewing machine will do almost everything you want it to. In contrast, basic Brother sewing machines have a four-step manual buttonhole. At its core, a sewing machine is a relatively simple device—little more than a small motor with a casing around it. The motor powers a shaft connected to the sewing needle, which makes stitches to sew fabric.
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. Still a portable machine, this reliable Brother machine features several automatic features, including bobbin winding and needle threading. These beginner-friendly options, which are standard on most Brother models, set the Brother sewing machines apart from other brands.