Sewing Machines reviews from Reddit
Summary
We analyzed 224 Reddit reviews across 20 subreddits and 57 posts to rank the best Sewing Machines brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/SewingForBeginners, r/sewing, r/fursuit, r/myog, r/sewhelp. Top-rated brands include Brother (4.4/5), Singer (4.4/5), Janome (4.3/5).
Stats
Reviews224
Subreddits20
Posts57
Brands35
Products71
224 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
Brother
4.4
(51)
"I highly suggest a brother se600. Years ago I found one at Walmart on sale for $300, and it’s still working just like day 1 after hundreds of plushies."
"I've had the Brother CS6000i for 15+ years and it has served me so well."
"I just got a Brother Xr3774 that I love it was 1/2 off their web price and 15% off in store!"
"Here is a good selection of sewing machine both for beginners and more experienced users at affordable prices."
"I have been having a blast learning on my brother cs7000x."
"I bought a new Brother CSX7000 (a commonly recommended sewing machine) off Amazon for $230. Works great."
"I did everything from garments to quilts on a Brother CS6000i for about 10 years."
"Brother CS7000X"
"The very best beginner-level sewing machines are all made by Brother. Specifically, the one that I started with... is the Brother XM2701."
"I bought the brother xr9550prw about 4 years ago. Learned to sew on it, started a business with it, sewed daily for about 3 years with it."
#2
Singer
4.4
(47)
"My personal favorite would be a Singer 401. Has enough built in stitches to be able to do everything you need."
"Vintage machine. Modern plastic machines from singer and brother are shit. Pre 1970s Singer, Kenmore, Necchi, or any Japanese zig-zag de luxe are the way to go."
"Find a pre-1965 singer sewing machine. They are all metal, easy to use/maintain, and sew like champs."
"It's simple, reliable, will probably never break and did straight, zig-zag and maybe 20 'fancy' stitches that I never used."
"Many say the 391 is the finest straight stitch machine Singer ever made."
"If you can't afford an industrial walking foot I would recommend a Singer 201-2."
"The Singer 401 is amazing."
"My travel machine is my Singer Featherweight. Yes it weighs a lot but it's tiny, can sew through anything and never ever lets me down."
"Honestly it’s the cheapest machine that will effectively run through fur. Please please get one and you won’t regret it"
"Singer heavy duty 4432 or 4423 are really cost effective and quite resilient when it comes to sewing through thick fabrics like fur."
#3
Janome
4.3
(38)
"I upgraded to a Janome HD 3000 a couple years ago and I have loved it so much since."
"I swapped my Brother for a Janome HD3000 and that thing is a beast."
"The Janome HD is about $1000 USD more and an excellent machine."
"I had a Janome MOD30 for years and probably ran it 2000 hours easily before upgrading."
"I cannot recommend that janome machine enough."
"I got that same Janome and I loved that it was easy to set up."
"I bought the Janome for our 7 year old granddaughter."
"I switched to a Janome recently."
"I have the same janome in lovely lilac and I adore it!!"
"I bought the Janome a few months ago and it’s been a great machine."
#4
Kenmore
4.5
(15)
"A good beginner vintage machine for a low low price would be a Kenmore, Model 158.XXXX or 148.XXXX."
"Great service, a lot of help and you can basically reach someone there any time."
"You want a sustainable option? Buy secondhand. You want something that will last a lifetime and not require professional maintenance? Buy a secondhand vintage Kenmore."
"Try to score a second hand Kenmore 158.1040 / 1050 / 1060 for under $100."
"Ken's is a great shop. Lots of personal help."
"Kenmore, Singer, Brother. My Kenmore must be 30 years old now still going strong."
"Older Kenmore machines, the 158 series are all metal, and excellent for recreational MYOG."
"I use an old Kenmore 12-stitch (model 385.1278191) I got as my first machine on Christmas about 25 years ago."
"I ended up finding a refurbished kenmore (sears) sewing machine for $70usd at a sewing machine shop."
"For stretchy fabric , you will need a zig zag stitch. An old Kenmore or an Elna SU have good stretch stitch utilities."
#5
Juki
4.8
(11)
"I have the juki 654de and it has been a rockstar on everything from athletic fabric to swim."
"I use a juki without any issues whatsoever, and all I sew is knits."
"I bought a Juki TL-2010. It is amazing! It is a bit pricey but not as much as a full industrial. Mine was $999."
"The Juki TL line was what I settled on. The TL can use the industrial feet, yet doesn't need a dedicated table and servo motor. Sounds like you got a great deal on a great machine!"
"I recommend any of the Juki."
"I would go the 8700H. it'll def sew this."
"My sister in law recommended getting something like a juki, consew, etc. because resale value is really good long term."
"She is much happier with her higher end Juki."
"I'm teaching my 5y old on my own machine (juki dx7). It has a speed dial, which is especially handy."
"I would check out juki if it’s available in the uk"
#6
Bernina
4.8
(6)
"For me, that’s an old Bernina 730 Record."
"I have a Bernina and love it."
"I will always recommend a Bernina for serious sewists."
"Bernina are a great brand!"
"We have Bernina 1000s, which are incredibly study and easy to learn on."
"Our central library has several Bernina 1008s, looks like they are holding up well."
#7
Pfaff
4.3
(6)
"A used Pfaff is a very good machine. You can find manuals online."
"I bought my Pfaff used 30 years ago and still going strong."
"I got a Pfaff when I was 11 as a gift from my parents after finishing elementary school. It’s still going strong now after 18 years of use!"
"The Pfaff Passport is on my wish list for this kind of use case."
"Secondhand Pfaff if you can find an affordable one."
"I have a Pfaff Select, it's ok, was the best op"
#8
Elna
4.4
(5)
"I got recommended an Elna 130 and I love it so much, it's built by Janome so it's still all metal inside instead of plastic."
"I have a 1970s Elna Lotus SP. It cost me £70 and fits in a rucksack. It has so far handled everything I can throw at it."
"I would go for a Kenmore or an Elna SU or SP."
"I was going to suggest something like an Elna grasshopper."
"A decent second-hand one or a not-quite-the-cheapest-offering from a chain store."
#9
Sailrite
5.0
(4)
"Sailrite LSZ-1 or Juki 1541 are what you’re looking for if you want a BIFL MYOG machine."
"I bought a Sailrite LSZ-1 walking foot machine for DIY outdoor projects in 2012 and it still sews like new."
"Sailrite makes one of the best compromise machines on the market, the lsz-1."
"Sailrite"
#10
Babylock
4.8
(4)
"I bought a Babylock Joy two years ago as my beginner machine. I’ve not had a single problem with it yet and it’s been a reliable tool for all my garment sewing."
"I love my babylock joy. I've used it regularly for 5 years and haven't had any problems with it."
"I own a baby lock bl9 and the machine has been great for me and can handle faux fur without a problem."
"We’re using Babylocks and have been pretty happy with them."
#11
Usha Janome
4.3
(4)
"I bought the Usha Janome Dream Stitch for my mom and she loved it."
"In India you’ll find great alternatives like the Usha Janome Allure or even an industrial Juki."
"I use a mid-range Usha Janome at home (not the Dream Stitch, a step above)."
"I got her the Usha Janome Dream Stitch for around Rs 9,000 and it’s done the job well."
#12
Baby Lock
4.3
(4)
"I bought a Babylock Eclipse coverstitch serger for several thousand. I absolutely love my Babylock and am glad that I bought it."
"The Baby Lock Jubilant is a great little machine that does what you need."
"I bought a Baby Lock Joy as my first machine a couple months ago and I love it."
"An entry level Babylock (Zest or Joy). I bought the Joy as a beginner and it’s treated me well."
#13
Husqvarna Viking
4.7
(3)
"If you can get a husqavarna h class used they are very good and pretty bullet proof."
"I personally have a Husqvarna Viking from the 1990s, and it has been amazing."
"Husqvarna viking is my go to recomendation for beginners."
#14
Vintage machines
5.0
(2)
"Find a solid vintage machine made before 1975. As long as it has zigzag, you will be set for a long time."
"I own multiple of the old machines and love them my 15-91 is a literal beast."
#15
Necchi
4.5
(2)
"I have a Necchi from the 1980s that was found at a garage sale. The thing is a beast of a workhorse."
"I ordered the Necchi Q132a. It’s supposed to have an adjustable speed control in the foot. I think it’s a pretty good value for the money."
#16
Consew
4.5
(2)
"I have a consew 206rb. I think any triple feed industrial would be good."
"I have a vintage Consew industrial machine. Echoing off the other comments, they do take up a lot of space!"
#17
Vintage zigzag machines
5.0
(1)
"I would look for a vintage zigzag machine. It’s hard to go wrong on anything made before 1975."
#18
Cobra
5.0
(1)
"Cobra class 26"
#19
Cowboy
5.0
(1)
"Cowboy 4500 or a clone or something similar in a large cylinder arm machine is what you’ll need."
#20
Techsew
5.0
(1)
"Techsew 2750"
#21
Bernina 830
5.0
(1)
"Bernina 830 Record."
#22
Juki 1541s
5.0
(1)
"I got my Juki 1541s and absolutely love it."
#23
Badged Japanese machines
4.0
(1)
"Badged Japanese machines are cheap, and very well built."
#24
Usha
4.0
(1)
"If she is into low TC cloth stitching then Singer Promise or Usha Janome is fine."
#25
Sailrite Portable Industrial Sewing Machine
4.0
(1)
"I think Sailrite makes a portable industrial."
#26
Shark
4.0
(1)
"I got my niece started on a 50 dollar shark machine from target."
#27
Vintage
4.0
(1)
"I personally buy vintage machines. My current machine is from 70s."
#28
Juki HZL-DX7
4.0
(1)
"I bought my Juki HZL-DX7 last year."
#29
Singer 201K
4.0
(1)
"Get a Singer 201K for about £35."
#30
Eversewn
4.0
(1)
"I’m a fan of Eversewn and Bernette for starter machines for kids."
#31
Brother XL2600i
4.0
(1)
"I have a brother XL2600i I let my kids use!"
#32
Singer 401
4.0
(1)
"Singer 401, or 500a will do most of your medium weight fabrics."
#33
Juki, Janome and Bernina
4.0
(1)
"Juki, Janome and Bernina have a number of different semi-industrial machines."
#34
Brother 6000
4.0
(1)
"The Brother 6000 is a good machine."
#35
Singer HD
1.0
(2)
"It is definitely not HD."
"Singer HD machines are absolute garbage."
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