What's your Sewing Machine Review

As a sewing Teacher I am always asked, what sewing machine would you recommend?
Where Domestic sewing machines are concern, I will always choose Brother machines, I find them easy to use and tough machines.
Always go for a reputable Brand, if the machine goes wrong the parts will always be available and fixable! Sometimes you come across cheap machines deals in mail order catalogues or low budget supermarkets.... please beware, I am the original bargain hunter but its always worth buying a decent sewing machine that will last!
  The main things to consider when buying a sewing machine are:

• What's your budget?
• What's the main things will you need the machine for?

Theres no point in buying an expensive computerised sewing machine if you are just making sewing cushion covers or learning to sew...

I tend to find that when people are buying a sewing machine, they tend to go for the prettiest looking or the one that is singing all dancing with the most amount of fancy stitches, which more than likely will never be used after the first couple of try out sessions.

The main functions that a sewing machine will be used for are:

• Straight Stitch
• Zig Zag Stitch (for neatening seam if you don't have an Overlocker / Serger or stretch stitching)
• Button Hole Stitch
• Blind Hem Stitch

All basic sewing machines comes with all above stitches!

I have tried all 3 machines and will always recommend to my students the first machine, which I think is more than adequate for the beginner to advanced sewer! But if you require automatic buttonhole stitches or more fancy stitches then machine 3.

So what I have done for this blog, is to recommend 3 different Brother Machines for 3 different budgets.


Machine 1 - Brother X5:

A Nice easy to use Machine, excellent for all levels and only £79.99

• 14 manual stitches.
• Motorised 65 watts.
• 3 needle positions.
• Drop-in bobbin mechanism.
• 4-step buttonhole.
• Zipper insertion.
• Twin needle capability.
• Push lever reverse.
• Clip-on feet.
• Stitch length control.
• Stitch width control.
• Accessories included: Zigzag foot, buttonhole foot, zipper insertion foot, button sewing foot, screwdriver, 3 bobbins, needle set, twin needle, darning plate (for free motion sewing).

Machine 2 - Brother AE2500ZU1:

The next step up 11 Extra Stitches slightly more sturdier machine £159.99, again perfect for the all levels of sewers and pretty!

• 25 manual stitches.
• Motorised 51 watts.
• 2 needle positions.
• Automatic bobbin winding.
• 4-step buttonhole.
• Zipper insertion.
• Twin needle capability.
• Push lever reverse.
• Clip-on feet.
• Stitch pattern indicator.
• Stitch length control.
• Accessories included: zipper foot, button hole foot, button sewing foot, needle package, extra spool pin, feed dog cover, twin needle, bobbin, needle plate and fixing driver.
• Includes instructional DVD.

Machine 3 - Brother FS-40

Here you are now moving into computerised sewing machines. I mainly use an industrial sewing which just does straight stitch, but I do have a similar one to this, which I got especially for the range of different automatic Buttonhole stitches, that are beautifully created and quickly! £229.99

• 6 automatic stitches.
• 40 manual stitches.
• Motorised 30 watts.
• 3 needle positions.
• Drop-in bobbin mechanism.
• Automatic bobbin winding.
• 1-step buttonhole.
• Embroidery feature.
• Drop feed mechanism.
• Zipper insertion.
• Twin needle capability.
• Push lever reverse.
• Clip-on feet.
• LCD screen.
• Stitch pattern indicator.
• Stitch length control.
• Stitch width control.
• Accessories included: buttonhole foot, overcasting foot, monogramming foot, zipper foot, zigzag foot, blind stitch foot, button fitting foot, seam ripper, 4 bobbins, needle set, tin needle, cleaning brush, screwdriver, extra spool pin, foot controller, instruction manual and user guide.
• Includes instructional DVD.

All the mentioned machines can be purchased at Argos. I hope this review was useful and helps you to find the right Sewing machine for you.



Molly