Best Sewing Machine 2021 (For Sewing, Quilting, Embroidery)

Are you looking to get a new sewing machine? You might be wondering what’s the best sewing machine in the market currently as we go into 2021. Whether you’re buying your first sewing machine, or you want to finally upgrade from your old tired machine you’ve had for decades to a shiny new one with all the bells and whistles, its a good idea to find out what the top sewing machines are currently.

With a huge selection available on the market, making a choice can be a little daunting. Especially if you are a sewing newbie looking to buy your first machine. And even if you’re an experienced sewist, it can still be a bit challenging.

And that’s why I wrote this guide to help you choose.

Here is a list of the best sewing machines as we head into 2021, selected for their affordability, durability, and usability.

Best Sewing Machines For Beginners

Let’s begin with sewing machines ideal for those just starting out on their sewing adventures.

These machines are, in a word, simple to use. They are perfect for beginner sewists or those who just need to sew something every so often.

Singer Simple 3232

White Singer Simple 3232

The Singer Simple is the perfect example of a beginner’s sewing machine. It doesn’t get any easier to use than this one.

Although the Singer Simple 3232 is priced a little higher than most basic machines, it’s reliability makes it stand out from other beginner units.

It’s durable. Better still, did I mention it’s ridiculously easy to use?

As a bonus, it still has most of the features you’d find in other, pricier machines!

With 32 built-in stitches, including a range of decorative ones, it’s miles ahead of other beginner machines that only offer basic stitches.

This little machine comes with a selection of changeable feet, so you can swap out the standard one for a zipper foot or buttonhole foot. It even comes with a darning plate, making it possible to cover the feed dogs for free motion quilting. Although you may have to purchase the darning foot separately.

A lightweight machine, weighing in at just a little over 12lbs, it’s an ideal option for taking to quilt classes or on retreats.

Pros:

  • Good value for money
  • 32 built-in stitches
  • Interchangeable feet
  • Easy to use
  • Perfect for beginners
  • Ideal back up machine for regular sewists

Cons:

  • Lightweight design means it can bounce while sewing at high speeds.
  • No speed control
  • Not a powerful motor, it may struggle with heavy fabrics or thick layers
  • Doesn’t come with many accessories
  • Not computerized so no fancy gadgets

Singer Stylist 7258

Singer Stylist 7258

One of the best computerized models on the market, the Singer Stylist is simple and fun to use. It has a range of features to make sewing enjoyable including an automatic needle threader, automatic bobbin winding and a choice of 100 stitches.

The built in speed control allows you to easily turn the speed up or down making it perfect for new sewists or even children. Relatively lightweight, it has the stability and durability of a much larger machine due to its heavy duty metal frame.

With a budget friendly price tag, this machine is an affordable option for beginners and experienced sewists alike.

Pros:

  • Computerized
  • Speed control
  • 100 built-in stitches
  • User friendly
  • Affordable
  • A choice of 6 one-step automatic buttonholes
  • Lightweight machine
  • Programmable needle up/down function

Cons:

  • Can be noisy
  • Uses 15J bobbins instead of the standard class 15 so may not be interchangeable with any existing machine bobbins you have

Best Sewing Machine For Intermediate & Experienced Sewists

If you already have a sewing machine but are looking to upgrade, an intermediate sewing machine could be what you’re looking for.

Singer Quantum Stylist 9960

White Singer Quantum Stylist 9960

The Singer Quantum Stylist is a great machine for a sewist looking to expand from the basic beginner models.

This particular model has 600 built-in stitches, giving you plenty to choose from to create the perfect garment or quilt.

With loads of time saving features, an autopilot function and 13 built-in one-step automatic buttonholes, this is a professional sewing machine at a budget friendly price. It’s fantastic value for the experienced sewist.

Due to the complexity of some of the computerized functions, this machine is aimed at the intermediate or confident sewist. It’s not suitable for a beginner.

Pros:

  • Computerized
  • 800 stitches per minute
  • 600 built-in stitches
  • Comes with extension table and accessories
  • Autopilot function
  • Great value for money

Cons:

  • Complicated and not beginner friendly

Best Sewing Machines For Heavy Use

These machines are all designed to withstand more workload than the average domestic sewing machine. If you plan to sew everyday, for a few hours at a time, this is the type of machine for you.

Bear in mind, these aren’t quite industrial level so there is a limit to what they can handle, but they still have a lot more oomph than the usual beginner/intermediate machines can offer.

Built for stamina, budget friendly heavy duty machines tend to be basic but sturdy and reliable.

Here are a couple of the best ones available on the market.

Singer Heavy Duty 4452

Brown Singer Heavy Duty 4452 sewing machine

This machine is designed to cope with heavier fabrics & heavy use sewing. This is an especially affordable model considering how much sewing power it provides to your fingertips.

It has 32 built-in stitches, allowing you to perform all the basic techniques needed for most sewing projects.

With a top speed of 1,100 stitches per minute, this machine will fly through all your projects in no time.

Pros:

  • Perfect for heavy duty sewing
  • Value for money
  • 32 built-in stitches
  • 1,100 stitches per minute
  • Very durable design
  • Contains automatic needle threader

Cons:

  • The speed of the machine can be overwhelming for the less experienced sewist.
  • Speed can only be controlled through the foot pedal

Janome HD 1000

Black Janome HD 1000 sewing machine

Janome is one of the biggest household names in sewing machines. Known for reliability and durability, their heavy duty model is equipped with an industrial grade body designed for hard work.

Coming with a 25 year warranty, this machine can switch from light to heavier fabrics with ease. A true workhorse with a stylish paint job to boot.

Pros:

  • Durable and modern design
  • Heavy duty industrial grade body
  • Has drop feed and free arm perfect for quilting
  • Comes with an automatic needle threader
  • 25 year limited warranty

Cons:

  • Only 14 stitches available
  • No speed control

Best Machine For Combination Sewing

If you sew garments and quilt, these machines have a decent sized throat and table to give you the best of both worlds.

The best combo sewing machines are computerized, as they offer more advanced features to get you stitching faster.

Brother HC1850 Computerized Sewing and Quilting Machine

White Brother HC1850 Computerized Sewing and Quilting Machine
Brother HC1850- One of the best sewing machines for combination sewing, both sewing and quilting.

Coming equipped with a massive 185 built-in stitches, this machine is a budget-friendly option for the quilter who also sews clothing or home decor.

This combination sewing machine comes with an extension table and instructional DVD. Weighing a little over 10lbs, it’s sturdy enough to cope with heavy fabric and lots of layers, yet still light enough for classes and quilting retreats.

Pros:

  • 185 stitches
  • Budget friendly
  • Extension table
  • Sturdy
  • 25 year limited warranty
  • Built-in monogram fonts

Cons:

  • Throat space is small so it may be a struggle to quilt larger items

Best Sewing Machines for Quilting

Interested in quilting? Sewing machines optimized for quilting typically have larger throats and work areas giving more room for even the largest of projects.

With incredibly high speeds, the next two machines will breeze through your sewing tasks in no time. Coupled with stability and durability, both bring professional power to domestic sewing.

Juki TL-2000Qi

White Juki TL-2000Qi sewing machine for quilting

Ask an experienced quilter for sewing machine advice and they will probably point you in the direction of Juki. Originally known for their commercial machines, Juki are the new kids on the block when it comes to domestic use.

Their machines are sturdy and reliable. The extra large throat gives ample space for quilting projects of any size, even king size quilts in the comfort of your own home.

Incorporating much of the features of their industrial units, such as large thread stands allowing the use of larger cones of thread and a robust motor, this Juki machine flies at a top speed of 1500 stitches per minute.

Pros:

  • Knee lift operation.
  • Comes with an automatic needle threader and extension table.
  • Semi industrialquality
  • 1500 stitches per minute

Cons:

  • The machine’s speed can be intimidating, especially to new quilters
  • Straight stitch only machine
  • No decorative stitches

Janome MC6650 Sewing and Quilting Machine

White and Red Janome MC6650 Sewing and Quilting Machine

If you want a higher-budget quilting model, you should look into the Janome MC6650.

With a 10” flatbed table and large throat space, it offers all the room a quilter needs to complete even the largest of projects.

As it’s computerized, it has a multitude of gadgets to make sewing life easier, such as a start/stop button, push button reverse, and a needle up and down button.

At 1000 stitches per minute it’s a pretty speedy machine. A definite plus for any project involving a lot of straight stitching or lengthy seams.

One area the Janome outshines the Juki, is the availability of extra stitches. This one isn’t restricted to straight stitch only and comes with 170 different stitches and 2 alphabets.

Pros:

  • Start/stop button for instantaneous responses
  • Expansive throat space perfect for quilting
  • 170 stitches, including two alphabets
  • Compatible with a range of accessories
  • 10” flatbed table for large projects

Cons:

  • Not the fastest quilting machine available at 1,000 stitches per minute
  • Expensive
  • Not beginner friendly

Best Sewing Machine For Embroidery

Owning an embroidery machine enables you to create personalized clothing and gifts for you and your loved ones. All at the push of a button.

With a range of embroidery options on the market there is sure to be a model that suits your sewing level and budget.

If you’re new to embroidery, start with a budget friendly option. Cheaper machines tend to come with a smaller hoop size, but can be a great introduction to the art of embroidery.

Take a look at this entry level model from one of the top sewing machine makers. Known for their flagship Innovis machines, Brother is an expert in the field of machine embroidery.

Brother SE600

This is an entry level machine, so only comes with a 4X4 hoop. It’s still possible to do a wide range of designs on it, you can even import your own creations using a USB stick.

For an embroidery machine, this is an incredibly affordable beginner option. Being both budget friendly and easy to use, this machine has 80 built-in designs and 6 letter fonts.

Pros:

  • Affordable
  • Easy to use
  • 103 built-in stitches
  • 80 built-in embroidery designs
  • 6 letter fonts
  • Combination sewing and embroidery machine
  • 710 stitches per minute
  • Jam resistant drop-in bobbin
  • Large color touchscreen display

Cons:

  • Limited to a 4X4 hoop size

Best Top of The Range

The machines covered so far have been either entry level or suitable for those with a little more sewing practice under their belts.

If you’re a seasoned sewist looking for a machine that can do it all, this next one could be the one for you.

Janome MemoryCraft 14000

White Janome MemoryCraft 14000 with its accessories

Not for the faint hearted, this machine is the absolute top of the range when it comes to all round sewing capabilities. It can perform general sewing, embroidery and quilting. Designed with the serious sewist in mind, this machine is the absolute pinnacle of precision sewing.

With an embroidery speed of up to 1,000 stitches a minute, 400 built in sewing stitches, 13 different one-step buttonholes, and an LCD touchscreen, this sewing machine packs a punch! It also comes with a hefty price tag. But, then you get what you pay for and so much more with this machine.

Pros:

  • Can do general sewing, embroidery, and quilting
  • Allows you to create and edit stitches using the Stitch Composer Program
  • Independent bobbin winding motor
  • Automatic thread cutter
  • Acufeed Flex Technology for accurate fabric feeding
  • 350 built-in embroidery designs
  • Speed control
  • 4MB memory
  • Maximum hoop size of 9.1” x 11.8”
  • 25 year warranty

Cons:

  • Expensive
  • Only suitable for experienced or professional sewists
  • Weighing in at 34.6lbs, portability could be an issue

Conclusion

Whatever you sew – garments, quilts or other cute projects – and no matter your skill level, this list of the Best Sewing Machines for 2021 is sure to include one just right for you!

Are there any other top sewing machines you think should be included in this list? Do you own any of these machines or have you used any of them? Lets hear your experience with them.

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