Sewing Machines

- home, industrial & embroidery

Welcome to our consumer reports, reviews and advice - with tips on how to choose the right sewing machine for your home.

For most families, a sewing machine is a one-off investment that you can expect to last you ten or twenty years before replacement, so it's essential you make the right decision when it's time to buy . 

Choosing Your Sewing Machine

For the beginner, sewing can seem like an exclusive club that’s hard to fit into.  Not only do you have to understand how to measure fabric, read a pattern, and work a machine to create even stitches, but you need to understand all of the parts and accessories as well. 

Whether you're a complete beginner or an expert seamstress, choosing the right machine is a very important decision.

The range of features, equipment and accessories varies according to the brand and the amount that you're willing to spend.

More expensive models tend to come with specific features.

Is it for home or industrial use ?

If you're planning to be sewing as a business , choose a sturdy, industrial model which will require less frequent repairing and is specifically designed to carry out one function well.

Home machines, on the other hand, are designed to be used for a variety of functions and offer flexibility to the home sewer.

Hence it's important to choose just what it is that you want your machine for .

You'll also want to make comparisons between similar machines - considerations include weight (does it need to be portable ?), ease of use, additional features (e.g. stitches) and accessories (e.g. case).  Also remember to consider what kind of guarantee is offered and whether the shop that you're at will be able to help with initial queries when you start to use the machine.

Also take into your thoughts whether you'll require a cabinet or table - and whether these are available to order for your chosen machine.

Embroidery machines

When you've finished making your garment, using some of the patterns or designs as simple embellishments such as monogramming can help to finish it off.  With a home embroidery machine, it's easy create a design from a pre-made pattern that is input into the machine.

Many people use the embroidery function in their quilting projects.

Computerized Embroidery

To replace the card embroidery patterns, the new embroidery machine sewing software offers flexibility and capability to create just about any designs you choose.

For example, with the Janome Digitizer Pro software you can create completely original embroidery designs using the available drawing tools or take the easy option and use graphic images from scanned art work, clipart or your digital camera.  It also has image preparation tools to improve it and can create outlines automatically  as well as linking to popular software packages for image manipulation or editing.

Read our information on the latest models from top brands :-

• Artisan Sewing Machines
  
  Learning to sew with Artisan sewing machines
• Babylock Sewing Machines
  
  The Babylock offers solutions for embroidery, sewing or quilting. Their industrial standard machines are yet suitable for domestic use.
• Bernina Sewing Machines
  
  Bernina sewing machines offers enthusiasts opportunities to sew and some makes are suitable for quilting and embroidery. Software is available to create or embroider designs .
• Brother Sewing Machines
  
  Brother sewing machines offer computerized technology, and is a brand that you can often find discounted on eBay or in stores.
• Elna Sewing Machines
  
  Elna sewing machines includes the quilter's dream and a range of sewing notions.
• Husqvarna sewing Machines
  
  Husqvarna sewing machines are ideal for home craft making - including embroidery design stitch cards.
• Industrial Sewing Machines | Heavy Duty
  
  Why choose an industrial machine? One heavy duty home brand that offers this strength is the Pfaff.
• Janome Sewing Machines
  
  Janome continues to offer a range of sewing machines including the digitizer pro software , the Memory Craft, jem gold, the 6600P and the 8048.
• Juki Sewing Machines
  
  Juki are excellent household sewing machines. They also offer a range of machinery for industrial use, such as the DDL .
• Kenmore Sewing Machines
  
  Kenmore old machines are popular in the vintage machine market.
• Necchi Sewing Machines
• New Home Sewing Machines
• Overlockers
• Pfaff Sewing Machines
  
  The latest designs of pfaff sewing machines offer versatility for your creativity. As well as options for quilting and embroidery, their easy to understand manuals make this an easy option to choose.
• Sewing Machine Repairs
  
  When it comes to repairing your sewing machine, it's possible to carry out the repairs yourself at a greatly reduced cost if you know what you're doing. Whether you've got a Pfaff, Viking or Singer machine ...
• Riccor Sewing Machines
• Sergers
  
  Sergers help finish of garments to give them a professional finish. Janome and Pfaff offer serger designs as well as sewing cabinets to store them safely away when out of use.
• Singer Sewing Machines
  
  Singer are THE brand that most people think of when you first mention sewing machines. There's a hot market in used, antique and vintage treadle machines too .
• Toyota Sewing Machines

FAQ

Why would I need a long arm sewing machines ?

A long arm will enable you to complete a large sewing project or is helpful when sewing quilts.

How do I thread a sewing machine ?

The first time you thread any machine can be quite a challenge.

If you've lost your manual and have no instructions to follow, I suggest you check out the info at eHow to get you untangled !

Or check out the YouTube video below.

Who invented the modern sewing machine ?

The first recorded attempt at creating a mechanical device for sewing was by Wiesenthal, a German, who was working in England. He was awarded a patent in 1755 for a double pointed needle with an eye at one end.

There were various attempts and patents awarded for chain stitch machines of varying types from the late 1700's to the early 1800's, but none of which had any real success.

A French tailor named Thimonnier made the next significant breakthrough by creating a machine that would form a chain stitch.  He was awarded a French patent in 1830 and a number of these machines were installed in a factory in Paris.

However it is Isaac Singer is the name that we associate with the sewing machine and who was granted an American patent in 1851.

Find more info on the history at Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sewing_machine

Recommended resources

All Brands sewing machines - this popular online store offers all the top brands of machine

Check prices of Sewing Machines - wondering how much you could sell your old machine for ? Check out it's current value on eBay.

Machine repairs - save over $100 on your next service and repair - do it yourself.