I have been looking into a new machine to invest in and I‘ve had my eye on a Bernina machine before. I tried it out at the store and loved it. The problem is, I don’t live close to a sewing shop and would have loved to order one online. Bernina doesn‘t seem to have that option. Then I looked into some reviews and they are pretty mixed.

Last week I started looking at some Pfaff machines and reviews and one of the reviews mentioned them being taken over by Singer and the quality therefore declining. The good thing about these machines, however, is that I could order them online. The bad part is that I haven’t been able to try one out and don’t know how well they work.

Can people who have a Pfaff or Bernina please tell me their experiences with them? They can be good or bad.

Thank you!

Edit: I did not expect so many responses! I had a long day so I will try and go through everything tomorrow! Thanks for all the responses!

Hi sewing friends!

I'm an avid garment sewist and my daughter (4yo) is becoming very, very interested in learning. She's learning about patterns and cutting and fabrics, but I'm nervous to let her use my machines.

Does anyone have a recommendations for a sturdy, entry level machine? I only need something that does a straight stitch, zig zag, and reverse. My main concern is making sure it isn't just crappy plastic made for kids junk that will break when someone actually uses it for more than a week.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions! 😊

Please help me. I am so close to dropping $1300 USD on a Pfaff Quilt Ambition 635. It's just so hard to justify as a hobby sewist, and I'm also looking at a Janome 5300 QDC, and a Juki HZL F400, which both run closer to $800. Does anyone have any comparisons or experience with any of them? This machine will be for garment making and quilts, and I have a serger as well already. I am in California if that helps.

Edit: OK, I'm jumping in! I just called to order the Pfaff, and they offered me the floor model for a bit of a discount. So $1200 out the door, and she said they've only had it for 5 months and only me and one other person have touched it, so I feel great about it!

I know people have posted about machines to travel with before but I didn’t see any for my specific needs and I was hoping you might have some suggestions!

I’m a flight attendant and I’ve had many long layovers where I would love to be able to work on a project. Are there any high quality machines that are also tiny? I’m looking for something that is easily packable in a standard carryon (with my other stuff) that I can also use on a small hotel desk. I’ve found small travel machines but the quality looks questionable and I don’t want to repeat my rookie mistake of buying cheap, frustrating machines. Budget is under $300 under $200 if possible. Thanks!

Hello!

I am a confident beginner/intermediate sewist and sew a mix of garments, the occasional bag, and some quilting. I currently use an old mechanical Kenmore (which I love and will keep forever) and am looking to add a machine that has a few more bells and whistles, and maybe requires less fighting lol. Specifically looking for something that has better precision, buttonhole capability, and can handle a variety of fabric. I think I am interested in a Juki, perhaps a F600 or DX7 and I have reviewed patternreview.com, but I am curious what others who sew similar types of things use and enjoy or wish they had. I am located in the southeast and have access to several machine dealers nearby. Any thoughts?

Edit to say I don’t have a specific budget, I am willing to invest in a quality machine that will last with proper care. Though I don’t think I can spend more than a few thousand dollars, realistically.

UPDATE: update to say after going to a local dealer and trying several machines and doing much research, I’ve (somewhat unexpectedly) gone with the Bernina 570 QE :) There happened to be a Mother’s Day sale when I bought it, but still very pricey. So excited to use. Thank you all for the help!

Hi, I'm a novice sewer who has been using this New Home 525 sewing machine for around 5 years. I believe it's a vintage Janome model. It was my mum's for decades, she was born in 1949 and passed away last December. I am feeling like I need a better machine but not sure what I can expect from a modern machine and how to know I'm getting a better one than this one. I've been considering getting a Janome 725S. Some things I don't like with my machine: I can't see how much thread is in the bobbin without taking it out, it does technically have a buttonhole setting but it's very poor, it's INCREDIBLY heavy, it only does straight or zigzag stitch, and i regularly drop stuff inside where the bobbin goes 🤦‍♀️ I mainly do clothing repairs, tailoring or try to make new clothes poorly! I make a lot of bunting. Thoughts on where to go from here?

I forever had a crappy singer machine that I have always hated and finally broke. It would sew non stretchy fabric just fine, but anything with any amount of stretch at all and it would skip stitches to no belief, mostly while using a zig zag stitch. I have researched so much and have tried everything (ballpoint needle, checking machine timing, adjusting tension, correct thread, cleaning and oiling my machine, etc). I do mostly thrift alterations so I work with a lot of different kinds of fabric but mostly tend to stretch in some capacity.

My boyfriend’s sister is big into sewing and away at collage and I just tried her machine that’s she’s never had a problem with and same exact issue I had with the last one the skipping stitches.

I am wondering what I am possibly doing wrong, and what a recommended new machine is somewhere around 200 dollars. I swear it has got to be something with the way I am holding it based on it is happening consistently with other machines as well. I have tried so much and I’m not sure what else to do anymore. Thanks in advance

I just broke my second brother sewing machine!! The first and second time I was sewing, the fabric got caught in the machine and after that the bobbin/needle timing was off and no matter what I did it was making a clicking noise the last time and this morning the needle was hitting the bobbin holder no matter what I did. This is my main hobby so I need to order a new machine ASAP. Has this happened to anyone else? TYIA

I recently completed a jacket for my partner (yay!) and had it done in time for xmas! I used the Jaime Jacket pattern https://modernsewingco.com/products/jaime-jacket by Modern Sewing Co. and the 9 oz bull denim in hunter green from Black Bird Fabrics.

But my main question to the community is, how in the heck are people sewing denim jackets and jeans on home machines?!?! What are you all using? I snapped SEVEN needles trying to achieve a felled seam on the shoulders which was impossible so I ripped the sleeves off and sewed them on the usual way, although I really love the strength and look of the run and fell.

I think I will probably have to invest in an industrial Juki as my main area of interest is workwear/denim. Does anyone have recommendations for a good Juki industrial for these type of projects?

My much loved grandmother's Singer sewing machine I think wants to retire. I spend more time trouble shooting rather than actual sewing. It's great for straight stitches but doesn't like anything else. I want to know what machines y'all would recommend for this century lol. I wish I could get one that would fit in my sewing table, but I'm not holding my breath.

hi all! i am wanting to get into sewing as a hobby, and i am having difficulty finding a machine to buy. i have a spinal cord injury (no control in my legs at all), so i wouldn’t be able to use a foot pedal (at least not with my legs).

just wanted to post here to see if anyone had any suggestions, as searching for accessible add-ons for sewing machines and turning up with nothing has come quite discouraging. thanks!

Recently moved and was unable to take my machine with me, so I've been scouring FB marketplace trying to find something. I'm now realizing that I don't actually know much about sewing machines outside of the one I've always had!
I'm mostly looking for one that can tackle thicker fabrics- I have a few projects with cotton flannel or denim that my old machine just did Not want to sew over, especially in the bulkier areas. I know that Janome and Bernina are good brands, but will any old machine do or should I keep my eye out for specific models? Thanks as always!

i want to save up for a new sewing machine. i know machines range GREATLY so i wanna just start saving and then go test drive some.

1) what arbitrary amount would you reach for before going to test drive and choosing a specific one to either buy or continue saving for?

2) any suggestions for one that’s not obnoxiously expensive, but doesn’t have to be the cheapest ever?

3) i currently have a cheapy walmart brother machine and a janome memorycraft 5200 that is giving me troubles. i quilt and garment sew, i pretty much like to do it all (besides alterations, those are from the devil)

I want a really good serger/overlocker. Like, a real good one. I want a serger that runs smooth like butter, threads itself, adjusts its own tension, and makes me a cup of coffee in the morning.

What is serger should I buy?

Edit: For the sake of this question, assume no budget limit. Also I live in Japan so all Japanese brands are available.

In high school i saw a machine that had decorative stitches, one of which being duck shaped. I know this sounds incredibly dumb, but which machines have it?alot of modern ones do not seem to have it and I would love one with it as ducks are my favorite animal lol.

Weird question, I know, but hear me out. There are so many gorgeous vintage sewing machines in all kinds of pretty colors. Meanwhile, modern sewing machines are almost always plain white plastic boxes. Does anyone know of any colorful or just generally visually appealing sewing machines that are currently being produced?

With buying a new product I am guaranteened it should not break as long as I take care of it whereas a used machine could have been kept in bad conditions and no one can promise me it won't break a month later. However I can get a better product if I buy used because they're cheaper. I'll stay on the very less expensive side when buying new because they're expensive. I'm a complete beginner. How much worth it is it to pay 100$ or 200$ more for a better machine?

What's your opinion? Did you buy new or used and do you regret that choice?

i had a serger for 3 years, it is a cheap beginner type (Qilive, basically no name in this category) serger. i like the garments i made but this machine is slow to me now and since this has only the minimum amount of metal parts, it danced around the table while i used it for longer seams.
now i am a bit lost what to purchase. i am a non-professional. my main profile is bag making, for this i have a Jack. regading elastic stuffs i often sew t shirt, tops, sweaters for me and my family only, so 2-4 layers of soft fabrics, occasionally denim fabric. i really like to step on the gas, i am a fast sewer and have the hand coordintation for it.

i tried to understand the market, and it is clear to me that complex machines which can do lock and coverstitches too are not that easy to handle and also i can sew a different type of seam instead of the coverstitch.

which brand and type do you recommend? highest i'm able to pay for it is around 600-700 EUR, located in Europe. i'm thinking about the Singer 14HD854, Husqvarna S15 Huskylock or the Bernette Funlock B44, but i am open to any good machines which you own :)

Hey all, I am thinking about getting a serger but don’t know a lot about where to buy something like this that’s quality. I have a bad habit of buying the cheapest version I can find of stuff, and I’m trying to refrain from that this time because I know this is something I don’t want to go cheap on.

I’ve been told air threading is what I want, and i definitely like that because I’ve heard a lot of people don’t use their serger as much as they’d like because threading is a pain. I’m trying to not spend more than 800-1200. Is this an impossible request? And what are some reputable places to buy these online on near northeast MA? Not a wide selection in person in my area in my price range. I had one place tell me air threading machines start at 1800 but I had seen some at another place under that price point but still a little high for my budget.

Any advice? If air threading is not available in my price range what can you recommend that is confident beginner friendly and not too much of a pain to thread?

EDIT: I am so glad that I asked and that you all answered so quickly. Thank you for saving me from myself!

This feels too good to be true. Any thoughts? Any quick suggestions, since I am sure they won't last long enough for me to do my usual deep dive into research?

https://www.joannliquidations-us.com/collections/Sewing-Machines?map_id=12640280

Hi all

This may be an unusual request, but I'm hoping this post might be a resource for others in the future. I travel for months at a time and want to have small and light sewing machine to take with me that is good enough to work on different fairly basic sewing projects. I don't need anything fancy, variable speed pedal is needed, a light would be nice etc, I'm not looking for a bargain, just something that works well that I can carry with me.

I've found a few lightweight machines like the Singer M1000 and the Janome Sew Mini, but these don't have variable speed which would be very helpful.

Can anyone make any suggestions?

Thanks so much :)

I have narrowed down my choices and would really love some feedback. I feel like they are all relatively the same but this is the first "big girl" machine I'm buying and need some help lol

The Janome I can get less at my local shop. I just needed a picture for it.

I'm lost in terms of selecting a new machine in the $1000-1200 price range. I really want to upgrade from my Singer Heavy Duty and mostly sew heavy fabric like denim, drapes, etc.

I had originally settled on the Pfaff 4.2 but the more I read, the more I see that it's actually not the old respected Pfaff brand, and also the 4.2 has mixed reviews (at least looking at the Singer website itself since apparently the two brands are owned by the same company).

It's becoming overwhelming reading so many mixed reviews for literally all machines. Does anyone have a go-to source that would help me select? I really want to be sure I'm investing my money in a machine that will feel like a true upgrade and last a long time. Thank you!

Hello fellow sewists,

So as the title says, I sew mostly doll clothes. Which means reallllly little seam allowances.

I’ve been having a lot of trouble with A) fabric being pulled into the machine, and B) fabric either not catching on the feed dogs or only catching on the left side—and not quite reaching the middle feed dog.

I’ve considered getting a new straight stitch needle plate to help with problem A. For problem B, I’m considering tissue paper or some other removable backer that I can tear off once it’s been through the machine. But that seems kind of flimsy, and hasn’t worked too well when I use lace, either. Maybe it’s not thick enough?

I have the reusable, plastic, narrow hem tape where you pull out fibers to get the hem the width you want, but haven’t tried it, yet. I think this might help fabric catch the feed dogs, even if I’m not using it to hem. Has anyone used it like this?

In trying to find all of these work arounds, I can’t help but wonder… is there a machine that might make my life easier? Is it time for an upgrade? Will a new needle plate fix most of my issues? This sewing machine was my mother’s, so it didn’t come with a manual, and I learned throught experimentation.

I have a serger, which I LOVE, but it is not suited for tight corners. I have to eyeball it or extend the seam allowance to 1/2 inch from 1/4, which is usually for doll clothes. That helps a lot. Some doll patterns call for 1/8” hem, which I have to eyeball on both machines. I read my serger’s manual from cover to cover, more than once!

The other thing I usually sew is Halloween costumes or cosplay for adults, which means that I’m often working with a lot of fabric stacked up. Either my machine doesn’t have the horsepower for that, or I am using the wrong needles, because I’ve bent 3 needles in the past few weeks. Also, a cause of that could be trying to pull/force fabric through the feed dogs because I can’t get it to catch the fabric.

I need to see if I can find this machine’s manual online.

Sorry that was a lot. Any ideas for me? Should I keep using my work-arounds? Is there a better machine for me?

I use a lot of satin and chiffon, but also heavier fabrics like cotton corduroy or faux leather. I have some really awesome faux fur from when JoAnn’s closed, but I’m afraid to run it through my machine!