The 8 best sewing machines 2022 - sewing machine test & comparison

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The Price/Performance Ratio Diagram of Sewing Machines

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What is a sewing machine?

A sewing machine is a device used to make or darn clothes. It also allows you to make a large number of original creations such as embroidery or patchwork.

The best sewing machine models offer a lot of features like internal memory that can pick up where you left off.

Electric and electronic models have a motor unit to drive the needle. Crank machines do not use electricity but the force of the foot.

Sewing machines make large sewing jobs very easy. Entry-level models are available at very attractive prices (around 100 euros).

Thanks to our detailed comparison, based on consumer reviews, it will be very easy for you to find the best sewing machine!

Presentation of the main manufacturers of sewing machines

This is the essential brand for sewing machines. This Japanese brand created in 1908 is very popular among amateurs but also among professionals. Brother's top models have a touch screen and over 400 different sewing functions. The Brother brand offers a wide choice of accessories to improve the capabilities of its sewing machines. For example, most of his models come with special presser feet such as flat hem, invisible zipper or buttonhole feet. The Swiss brand offers fairly high-end and very sophisticated models. It offers a 5-year warranty on most of its sewing machines. Bernina machines are perfect for everyday use. They offer better precision than its competitors as well as a wide choice of decorative stitches. Some of the brand's models are specialized in patchwork and have a sewing speed of 1,000 stitches per minute. Bernina's entry-level sewing machines are marketed under the Bernette brand. The Japanese brand Janome offers a wide range of sewing machines for the general public. They are both robust and very easy to use. The best models of the brand have a computerized system as well as many automatic functions (cruise control, thread cutter, breakpoint, etc.). Janome machines make it possible to fully customize the sewing work. Singer is arguably the most well-known sewing machine brand in the world. This American brand was born in 1850 and is the pioneer in the field of sewing machines. It is one of the only brands to offer models of hand-cranked machines. Singer's best models have a digital screen and more than 800 stitches. Singer models are perfect for beginners in sewing. They are very easy to use and adapt to all fabrics. The German brand offers robust and efficient sewing machines. She is also known for her models of specialized embroidery machines. They work using software that models the embroidery design on the fabric. Pfaff sewing machines offer a large work space as well as an elegant and modern design. Best known for its cars, the Japanese brand Toyota also markets powerful and elaborate sewing machines. Toyota sewing machines are very simple (about 15 stitches) and perfect for beginners. They are very compact and work very well on thick fabrics like jeans for example. The Swiss brand Elna develops professional sewing machines with a fairly high speed of execution. They allow you to customize many settings such as the width or length of the stitch, for example. They are compact, handy and ideal for small workspaces. This brand is one of the best in comparisons of professional devices.

How does a sewing machine work?

Electric machines generally consist of six parts: the motor unit, a belt, a crank, a needle, a bobbin and a pedal. The motor drives the belt and the crank which lower the needle into the bobbin.

The upper thread (from the needle) will form a knot with the lower thread (from the bobbin) and thus create a stitch. Tiny claws at the presser foot advance the fabric little by little.

Perfect synchronization between the movement of the needle, the bobbin and the feed dogs makes sewing possible. The pedal is attached to the machine using an electrical cord. When pressure is exerted on the pedal with the foot, the engine of the machine starts.

Before sewing can be done, it is necessary to adjust the tension of the thread, to choose a stitch. Switching on the LED lighting provides better visibility of the structure.

Manual hand-cranked sewing machines are operated by the back and forth motion of the foot on the treadle. A detailed comparative table makes it possible to identify which are the best machines present on the market.

Why buy a sewing machine?

The best thing about this device is its versatility. It allows you to give free rein to your imagination. Thanks to it, you can completely make a garment and do all your sewing work.

It supports a large number of materials and textiles. The best sewing machines are computerized and offer a lot of automatic functions. With a sewing machine, it is also possible to make an embroidery. Some high-end models embroider the design almost on their own!

Thanks to special accessories, you can also create a unique and personalized patchwork. Some models are exclusively dedicated to finishing. They are called overlockers or coverlocks. In our comparison, you will find the best criteria to take into account when making your purchase.

What are the different types of sewing machine?

Crank-operated sewing machines

The hand-cranked sewing machine does not run on electricity. It is directly integrated into a sewing table.

It is connected to a pedal with a long strap. When the pedal is actuated by the foot, it drives the belt and the needle. This model does not have an engine block.

Thanks to this model, it is possible to carry out almost any sewing work and even to make a garment entirely.

These machines are very sturdy and easily repaired. Their vintage design is very popular with collectors. On the downside, we note the rather slow execution speed.

Mechanical sewing machines

Mechanical machines run on electricity but have no electronic components. These models are the most common on the market and are the most present in the various comparative tests. The various adjustments must be made manually (thread tension, choice of stitch, etc.) using wheels. They are available at very affordable prices and are quite easily repaired.

Electronic sewing machines

Electronic models are the most advanced. They have a digital screen and the settings are made automatically.

They are very quiet and are perfect for intensive use. The best models have built-in memory that allows you to pick up where you left off.

However, electronic sewing machines are more expensive than mechanical models. They are ideal for very experienced seamstresses.

Industrial sewing machines

Industrial machines are reserved for professional use. These models are very imposing because they are often integrated into a large work plan. They have heavy-duty motors and can sew very thick materials.

They offer better execution speed but are often programmed to perform a specific stitch. Some models are fully computer programmable using specialized software. Nevertheless, they are usually available at a very high cost.

Sergers

Sergers are machines exclusively reserved for finishing the work. They make specific stitches that prevent the fabric from fraying.

They offer a better rendering of the work than if it had been produced by a traditional machine. They generally have 4 reels of wires which operate simultaneously.

Thanks to built-in blades, they can cut away excess fabric. The serger is used in addition to a conventional sewing machine and is rarely sufficient on its own.

What criteria are taken into account when testing a sewing machine?

During a comparative test, several elements are taken into account to evaluate and give a score to the best products.

Execution speed

Entry-level models generally offer a maximum speed of 600 stitches per minute. More advanced machines can work at a speed of over 1,000 stitches per minute.

If you want to use your device very regularly or intensively, it is advisable to choose a model with a high execution speed. The winners of the best comparative tests of 2019 offered a speed around 800 points per minute.

Motor power

The power of a sewing machine motor is expressed in watts. The more powerful the motor, the easier and faster the sewing will be. In most comparisons, the average power of the best sewing machines is around 50 watts.

A model with a low power motor will have difficulty sewing thick fabrics or materials. For easier and better quality sewing, choose a sewing machine with a motor power of around 70 watts.

Built-in settings

When comparing a machine sewing, the settings already integrated into the device are systematically taken into account.

This determines whether the machine is versatile or not. Entry-level models generally offer a few settings such as stitch length, for example.

The best models allow you to fully customize your sewing with a wide range of settings.

The quantity of stitches

The simplest machines offer around ten different stitches. It is perfect for beginners and it allows you to do most sewing projects.

Some electronic models offer several hundred different stitches. These machines are ideal for decorative sewing or for seasoned seamstresses.

The different functions offered

Most models, even the least expensive, include basic functions such as reverse by example.

The most elaborate machines are almost fully automated. For example, they are the ones that adapt the speed to the fabric. These models automatically cut the thread at the end of the work and perform the tie-off on their own.

The quality-price ratio

In the best comparative tables, the price is systematically taken into account. There are machines for every budget. If the price of a sewing machine is high, it must be justified by great versatility as well as significant power.

The best entry-level models, available at discount prices, often offer interesting features.

Accessories

The accessories supplied with the sewing machine are also important to take into account when trying out a product. They will determine how the machine can be used.

Normally, most manufacturers provide some basic accessories like spare needles and bobbins as well as some special feet.

Size and weight

For a product to be manageable, size and weight should not be too great. Some models are very light and weigh around 5 kg. The heaviest machines can weigh more than 7 kg. If you have a small workspace, opt for a compact machine.

Very sophisticated models are often more imposing than very simple models. Compact models often emerge victorious in various comparative tests. It is important to note that the lighter models are not necessarily better than the heavier ones.

Comparative sewing machine tests

Review of the Singer M2105

The Singer M2105 is a mechanical model. It allows sewing work with all kinds of fabrics.

Thanks to its adjustable foot height, it can handle quite thick fabrics. It includes 13 different stitches and its maximum speed is 750 stitches per minute.

It offers the best options like reverse and four-step buttonhole for example.

Its advantages:

Its minuses:

Opinion on the Brother CS10

The Brother CS10 is a very complete electronic model. It has an LCD screen to display the selection of the different machine settings.

It offers 40 stitches and has a maximum speed of 850 stitches per minute. It allows you to make five styles of buttonholes.

The Brother CS10 is a powerful and robust machine. It is one of the best models in the various comparative tests.

Its advantages:

Its minuses:

Review on the Bernette Sew & Go 8

The Bernette Sew & Go 8 is marketed by the Bernina brand.

This machine is semi-professional and offers over 190 different stitches. Some of the best sewing programs are built right into the machine. The sewing speed regulates itself and a stitch memory is included in the machine.

It offers seven different types of buttonholes as well as 15 needle positions. It allows for patchwork and embroidery. She is able to embroider the entire alphabet.

Its advantages:

Its minuses:

Advantages and disadvantages described in consumer reviews

Advantages described in consumer reviews:

The disadvantages described in the consumer reviews:

How to choose the right sewing machine?

Before buying your sewing machine, it is important to think about how you will use it. If you only use your machine occasionally or if you only use it for small touch-ups, choose an entry-level mechanical model.

If you are an experienced seamstress and want to use your machine on a daily basis, opt for an electronic and elaborate model. According to various consumer reviews, in order to be able to sew all kinds of fabrics, it is necessary to purchase a device with at least 70 watts.

For comfortable sewing, it is recommended to choose a model with a speed of at least 600 stitches per minute. The best models have a speed of more than 1,000 stitches per minute. The number of stitches will also depend on your use.

If you do not use your machine often, about fifteen stitches are enough. For intensive use, choose a model offering several hundred different stitches. The price of entry-level models is around 100 euros. If you opt for a professional or semi-professional model, count several hundred euros.

What are the alternatives to the traditional sewing machine?

The mini manual sewing machine is very compact. It is transportable everywhere and fits easily in a handbag. It is ideal for quickly darning a garment or for occasional hemming.

It is perfect for small, very simple sewing jobs. Thanks to its ergonomic shape, it is very handy. Very easy to use, just turn a crank or press a button to make it work.

The mini manual sewing machine is ideal for occasional sewers who do not have time to sit at a table or who travel frequently. For the most courageous, the best solution remains sewing by hand. This technique requires very few purchases (thread and a needle) and it is possible to practice it anywhere. Sewing by hand only allows for light sewing and requires a lot of time and concentration.

Where to make your purchase? On the Internet or in a specialized trade?

Buying your machine in a specialized trade allows you to see and touch the product. You can even check how it works before making your purchase. You can also seek advice from a specialist salesperson.

However, you will be forced to settle for the selection made by the trade you are in. You won't be sure to get the best price or find the machine that exactly meets your needs.

By buying on the Internet, the comparison of different products is very fast. Just check out the best comparison review sites. For a single model, you can find all the prices offered by different retailers. On the Internet, it is very easy to consult the best consumer reviews and ask questions of people who have already purchased the product. Some sites offer very fast delivery, in one or two days.

In the event of a problem, an online after-sales service is available and it is quite possible to exchange a product or to be reimbursed.

Links and additional sources

If you are looking for additional information on the various comparative tests of the best sewing machines, here are some additional links:

http://www.hobbycouture.com/en/a/63-how-a-sewing-machine-works/http://www.blog.dodynette.com/2019/06/09/machine -a-sewing-electronic-or-mechanical-my-heart-balance/http://www.petitcitron.com/blog/toutes-les-marques-de-machine-a-coudre/

FAQ

Can a machine be used with thick fabrics?

Yes. For some very thick fabrics such as jeans for example, it is necessary to use a special needle. If you plan to sew thick fabric regularly, it is better to choose a machine with a fairly powerful motor.

Is a sewing machine suitable for beginners?

Exactly. Sewing machines, whether mechanical or electronic, are very versatile. The best comparative tests show that these machines are very popular with beginners but also with experienced sewers.

Can you do anything other than sewing with this device?

Of course. The most advanced models can be used for embroidery, patchwork or even quilting.

What maintenance does a sewing machine require?

For better product durability, it is recommended to protect the sewing machine from light and dust when not in use. Some models need to be greased once a year.

What accessories come with the sewing machine?

It depends on the model and the manufacturer. Usually the machines come with several needles, different presser feet and two or three bobbins.

Which bobbins should I use with my sewing machine?

Use the bobbins that came with your sewing machine. These are the best bobbins for your machine. However, there are also universal cans made of plastic or metal. They are available in different sizes. Make sure that the size of the bobbin you buy corresponds to your machine.

Can you sew a zipper with a sewing machine?

Yes. For invisible zippers, a special presser foot should be used. It is usually supplied with the machine.

Does the sewing machine come with a foot control?

Yes. All models of sewing machines include a foot pedal. The best electronic models allow you to sew without using the foot pedal.

Which thread spools should I use with my sewing machine?

You can use any type of thread that you find on the market. Some sewing work, such as embroidery for example, requires better quality threads.

Is the sewing machine suitable for children?

Not all sewing machines are suitable for children. Most models can be used from 14 years old. For the little ones, special machines are available. For maximum safety, they include better safety features, such as a needle cover.

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