What Sewing Machine Should I Buy?

There are so many different kinds of sewing machines out there and if you're just getting started it can be difficult to narrow them down. While running my sewing school I have worked with hundreds of different machines and am here to help you figure out what YOU need to look for to find YOUR perfect machine (and hint, it may not be the same as my perfect machine!).
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The below includes affiliate links. I make a small percentage with your purchase at no additional cost to you!

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Since 2015 I have been teaching kids and adults to sew at the Hartford Stitch studio, right outside Hartford, Connecticut. Now you can also learn from home with our video workshops, Learn to Sew E-courses and of course, YouTube tutorials. I believe that sewing is CREATIVE. PRACTICAL and EMPOWERING. I also believe there is no "right" or "wrong" way to do it but there are plenty of tips and tricks you can learn along the way.

Subscribe for more tips! Please use caution when using the sewing machine, iron and other tools.

You can find me here:

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Thank you for spending some time with me here today! Happy Stitching!

[worthvalleychihuahuas]

I use the singer 4423 and it is my first ever sewing machine, I run a dog clothing boutique and it’s gone thru all types of fabrics and heavy duty webbing as well, highly recommend that machine 😁

[dottiemathews]

i am a singergirl too. when i was in high school (78 class) i took up sewing class and we were taught on singer sewing machines. there was a lady did all us kids prom dresses she used a Singer. i told my boyfriend i wanted a sewing machine and he got me a Singer Heavy Duty 4411. (i design and create canvas tote bags and acessories) so yeah, Singer is my brand.

[jackmatranga]

Thanks. You've given me some good points to consider. My goal is to produce historically accurate wooden scale models of pre-20th century sailing ships. Lots to consider here.

[helpfulnhappy]

I'm so glad that my husband gave me a new Singer 6600 Heavy Duty prior to the price increases! I'm really loving it and I didn't know how much I would love the needle up/down feature!!

[evanwilliams]

Embroidery only machine..."Hook your sewing machine up to a computer!" I had no idea. Thanks for your incredibly informative videos.!

[DIY-Bri]

Thanks. I watched all four videos on sewing space setup. They are all helpful. Thanks Laura!

[cathywestholt]

I used to have a Bernina Artista I loved. Due to a period of devastatingly hard times I had to sell it. It really spoiled me. One feature I really miss with my current Brother xr3774 is the needle down option. I don't really like this machine much. The next machine I get must have two things....the needle down setting and a larger throat area for quilting.

[tudorpottudorpot]

I learned to sew on a Swedish machine in high school. Then at home we had a Singer. I never enjoyed sewing on North American machines.
A few years ago I bought a vintage Bernina second hand. Amazing.
I’ve since bought a newer Bernina second hand so I could have fancy stitches.
Sewing machines a can be very expensive, however, there are many used machines available .
Most are in excellent working condition. Lots of YouTube videos to learn how to use them.

[moonlight]

I payed my Singer heavy duty 4423 on Amazon for 279 Canadian dollars. It was 430 CD at Walmart. It's great for my sewing craft projects.

[caroldeking]

Bernette B77 is on my mind. Have to do it this week because sale ends EOM. No brand loyalty. Most of my machines have been Singer throughout the years.

[AmberW]

I'm just beginning sewing, but I hope to be constructing my own pieces. In the South its denim everything! You've convinced me to look into the heavy duty Singer!

[dottiemathews]

Hunny, you are telling the truth!! lol!! everything you said is right on point and SO TRUE!! UMMHUMM!! LOVING YOUR VIDEO!!!

[carmensalome]

I learned on a singer and sewed for 5 years on the Singer HD 4452. I just traded it in and got a Janome 4120 QDC. But if i had to do it again, I would have gotten the Quantum Stylist, which has alm the same features of the Janome for less $$. Great video.

[stephboeker]

Singer Sewing Mach.
Love the channel and appreciate your advice.
I have more hours in researching the $30. flea market "simple mechanical" Singer I purchased than I have sewing projects. Unfortunately, after a few projects, a few bent needles & a motion wheel that won't turn and do it's job pulling the fabric, I've decided to purchase a brand new, "complex mechanical" Singer.
But,
There are so dang many to choose from ??? Ugh !! 4411, 4423, 4432, (grey, green 👌or black), 4452 (w/ or w/out bundles) 6360, etc ??
I've sewn patches, sand bag rests for guns, velcro - (hook&loop), two 4 lb wool blankets together, elastic or stretchy fabric, etc I need something (?) i'll try to sew it !! Could be thick, thin, hard, soft, make a button hole or 2, I can't think of & don't know what my next repair or solution to a problem may be.
My research 1st lead me to think, "get the middle model (4452)" I could just make the $199. price tag. But then, I though, It may be nice to have a kit hey, a table might help ? And, of course, extras (parts & pieces) for my predictable mistakes, loss of parts (memory ... where did I leave that ?), BREAKAGE ?? OH NO !! 🤭
Being a flat wood carpenter & wood turner for 33yrs & purchasing automotive tools & such, I've come to understand that, along w/the purchase of a machine, there are always blades, belts, bits & such you either find you must have to do specific projects or need to replace along the way.

I need advice. Epiphany advice ... Epiphrical (?) advice. Confident, Clear, Knowledgeable advice from someone who would know about the things I can't fathom yet w/my limited imagination.
a) why a $209. 4423 over the $199. 4452 ?
b) what does a 4432 ($299) do that the cheaper models don't ?
c) get the bundle or not ? (table ? presser foot kit ?? both ???)

Laura, CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT I NEED ?? Or, at lease answer these few (?'s) I've thought to ask ?? Thank you for your generous consideration,
Sincerely
God bless.

[ginette]

I own a singer 4423 and Qs9960 and singer profinish serger so I am a Singer sewist. 😊

[monicaaquino]

Buy a Brother I make Denim bags and it is tough work but my Brother did a great job. Singer and Janome are weak. I have a Juki now it is great and tough but costly and no fancy stiches!!

[joyce]

Great information.
Where is the reference link for the vintage sewing machine repair shops you mentioned?

[christinepantling]

I'm in the UK. I have always had singers. My parents were upholsterers. I learnt on there 201k. I have 4 singers at home now. One in the loft that is broken. An old black hand crank, a heavy duty and my new patchwork machine. I use all 3

[billrachmad]

I think that the inability to even determine the basic stitch length and width is almost blasphemous... LOL. As a beginner, it's better to get a machine that provides the flexibility of adjusting both length and width as you learn the whole process of sewing. Fixed control on length and width should only be for those who intend to just mend, I think. But you made great points. I personally tend to favour on vintage ones~

[jonathanbailey]

Nice video yeah I think I'm going to get the singer