What sewing machine do you recommend?

If your replying to the OP, this post is 6 years old

My current sewing machine is a Brother, and I've had nothing but trouble with it. It either goes at breakneck speed or it hiccups and jerks to a stop - no happy medium. The bobbins keep snagging. The tension seems impossible to get right (I've tried every way possible). The best machine I ever had was a Singer treadle on its own table, with a wooden dome cover. Loved that machine and I'd like to get another manual one except they just seem to be "decorators pieces" now -- lord only knows whether a 2nd-hand one would actually work. Maybe it's just me.

I wouldn’t think of recommending a machine for anyone. I bought a Pfaff some years ago that was recommended to me and I hated it. I managed to sell it and I bought a Bernina which I love but I know that some people hate them. Visit your local dealer to try as many machines as you can and they will also give good advice. I think that Brother are now better than Janome in the mid-price range.

I have a computerised Brother, I love the automatic needle threader and it has a panel of buttons for the most used stitches so very easy to use. I ve had it about 15 years it has never given me any problems.

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I got all over excited when this post popped up as I'm an obsessive sewer and love to talk about everything sewing. Then I saw the date of the original post and the others over the years.
Anyhow, I'm really spoilt as I sew with a fantastic Bernina 740 (all singing and dancing electronic machine), a Babylock Gloria/Triumph for overlocking and multi needle finishings, and a Babylock Euphoria for coverstitch on both knits and woven fabric. My twin sister and I treated ourselves with monies left from after our parents died just a few years ago. Mum was a fantastic sewer and used to sew all our clothes. I still have her Singer machine which she was gifted second hand for her 21st birthday. She was 94 when she died. We learned how to sew and knit when we were really young - can't really remember her teaching us, we just picked it up from watching her I think.
Just finished another summer dress. I'm never without something on the go.

I suggest you go to John Lewis (instore or online) to study the features of all the machines that they sell. If you go to a store and get a helpful assistant they can tell you what the stitches (other than embroidery stitches) are for. It's also useful to get them to show you how to do a buttonhole. Then you can choose the cheapest machine that does what you need.
Several people I know have bought very expensive, complicated machines and say that they don't use the embroidery stitches, but the stretch stitch and other more utilitarian stitches are useful.

Welcome back to the wonderful world of sewing! For someone rekindling their love for creating clothes, I'd recommend two versatile and reliable machines:

Brother CS6000i: This machine is highly praised for its ease of use, variety of features, and affordability. It offers 60 built-in stitches, a wide table for larger projects, and an automatic needle threader. It's perfect for both beginners and those returning to sewing. Check it out here: Brother CS6000i (https://shrsl.com/4l5rp).

Janome HD3000: Known for its durability and ability to handle heavy fabrics, the Janome HD3000 is a great investment. It offers 18 built-in stitches, a built-in needle threader, and a sturdy build that ensures long-term reliability. Explore more: Janome HD3000 (https://shrsl.com/4l5rp).

Both machines are excellent choices to help you dive back into your sewing projects with confidence. Happy sewing!

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Best sewing machine, I love you

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Oops, just realised I had already commented on this post a couple of months ago. Sorry!!

I have both Brother and Janome machines. They're both great machines. The quality of stitching is perhaps better on the Brother probably only because it's a newer machine.

If you have a machine shop in your area pop in and have a play with different brands. They'll be only to happy to advise and help.

I agree .
Janome and Brother are exceptional machines .
One of my daughters makes costumes and hammers the hell out of both machines .
She has two of them as she prefers to do different sewing tasks on them .
But it's her preference .

I also really love my ancient Bernina .

Do try them out in the shop .

Have fun !

I recently bought myself an old and beautifully reconditioned bernina record 930, I love these old solid mechanical machines, very heavy and will outlast me. I have no room in my `sewing room` ex bedroom, so I treated myself to a mobile horn sewing machine cabinet for this very heavy machine and the machine lifts at a gentle push. I put a nice cloth on top and it lives in my living room. Here I sew at a much slower steady pace, while watching a film. Sewing bliss

I also have a bernina from the 300 series, about 13 years old. It is a beautiful sewing machine, never puts a foot wrong. I would suggest that you try and get a second hand reconditioned bernina. I have had the usual mechines in the past, elna, brother, new home, janome, singer but tbh bernina is the pinnacle of my dreams. I sew a lot, have been sewing for 64 years

I won`t mention the overlockers here, they work in tandem with the sewing machine

I clean every machine, every time I finish a full garment such as a dress. I change needles regularly and always use top notch thread. I oil regularly, except for my sergers. Never use compressed air, use the special small tools that will fit on a vac cleaner hose

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Just to add if anyone is needing a modern machine for stitching leather/canvas/sheepskin or for making bags, have a look at Juki machines. They're great but I can't justify buying yet another machine now

Lots of helpful advice here for choosing a machine.

I too recommend Janome and Brother machines.

I have a 30 year old Janome, still working perfectly and a Janome overlocker.

Last year I bought a Brother quilting and embroidery machine - fabulous! Very intuitive and easy to use and the quality of stitching is superb.

By contrast I also have a 110 year old Singer hand crank machine. It still works perfectly, but I only use it for heavy duty sewing these days eg. leather. It's straight stitch only, but I've never found anything it couldn't cope with!

I’ve sewn lightweight leather on my Bernina Artista with no problem but I do understand that one would need an industrial machine for anything heavy.
I would steer clear of present day Singers as they can be very variable although I have heard good reports of the Heavy Duty. If you are buying a machine please use your local dealer or they and their knowledge will disappear and there will be nowhere to have machines serviced.

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