If you’re a beginning sewer, you have a lot of selection to choose from when it comes to your sewing machine, and you’ll never have to spend a lot of money on it, either. But if you’ve been sewing for years and you’re interested in getting a super-advanced machine that can accommodate your many needs, not to worry because you should have no trouble finding it.
In fact, the best sewing machine for advanced sewers can easily be found once you know exactly what you’re looking for, and since they come in all price ranges, you should be able to find a great machine at a price you can afford.
Deciding Which Machine Is Best for You
What should you look at when buying this sewing machine? Some questions to ask yourself include:
- Do I need super advanced features such as a computerized machine and embroidery capabilities?
- Will this machine be for home use or will I be using it for a business?
- How often will I be using this machine? Daily? Monthly? A few times a year?
- What is my budget for this machine?
Naturally, if you seldom use your sewing machine, you might as well save yourself some money and buy a machine that doesn’t have all of the bells and whistles. But if you sew a lot, you should go ahead and spend the money that’s needed to get the features you need because otherwise, you’re very likely to regret your decision at a later date.
A lot of sewing machines are made for personal use but can also accommodate small business owners. If you have a large business, however, it’s best to purchase a machine made just for commercial use. If you aren’t sure which sewing machine to purchase, you can easily consult with the experts at a reputable store that specializes in sewing machines and supplies. But considering what you’ll be using the sewing machine for and how much abuse it is going to take is always an excellent starting point.
How to Tell Which Sewing Machine Is the Best
When you’re looking for the best sewing machine for advanced sewers, you have to look at several different features. These include:
- The speed. This is an important factor, and you’ll certainly want a fast one if you’re using the machine for a business. But too much speed can also be a problem – you likely won’t need it, and it will make the machine way too costly.
- The stitches and stitch lengths. Most sewing machines have a number of built-in stitches, although this doesn’t mean you’ll be using all of them. With different stitch lengths, you’ll simply have more control over the stitches you’re sewing.
- The type. This includes two main types: mechanical and computerized. Yes, people do still use manual sewing machines, but they are still not nearly as popular as the electric ones.
So you see, when you’re looking for the best advanced sewing machine, that doesn’t necessarily mean just one machine will be on your list. You’ll likely narrow your choices down to several, then you’ll get to choose between those machines. But not to worry – it won’t be as difficult as it may sound because this article will help you by reviewing five of the best sewing machines on the market that advanced sewers will love.
The Best Sewing Machine for Advanced Sewers: Which One to Choose?
Choosing the best sewing machine means reviewing machines that have been rated highly by both professional reviewers and by real-life customers, and below are five of the machines that you are certain to love because they have received high ratings by both.
Brother XM2701 Sewing Machine
This is a lightweight but very powerful sewing machine that has a total of 27 different stitches and six different feet. Some of those many stitches include zigzag, blind hem, stretch, and many decorative stitches, so you’ll have a lot of control over your projects from now on. With this machine, you get a drop-in top bobbin that makes loading that bobbin a piece of cake, an automatic needle-threader that saves you tons of time, and accessories that include a three-piece needle set, four bobbins, and a complete instructional DVD.
Because of its versatile free arm, the Brother XM2701 sewing machine can accommodate tons of sewing projects and makes the machine super easy to use whether you’re a beginner or an expert. The bobbin offers jam-free capability and the company’s free technical support offers a lifetime of assistance via phone, live chat, or online. At just a little more than 12 pounds, you can easily maneuver this machine and transport it from one location to another with ease.
Pros:
- Lightweight but very powerful.
- Jam-free drop-in top bobbin for faster bobbin-threading.
- Comes with important accessories you’ll need to begin using it immediately.
Cons:
- Some complaints about tension problems being very common.
- Some claim that the LED light is too dim.
Janome JW8100 Computerized Sewing Machine
With a total of 100 sewing stitches and seven different buttonholes, this computerized sewing machine is perfect for the super-serious sewer regardless of what you plan to do with it. If you’re researching the best sewing machine for advanced sewers, this one should definitely be on your list because it has every feature most advanced sewers want in their machine. You even get an extension table and a total of 22 accessories.
The JW8100 has a free arm that comes with adjustable thread tension, accessory storage, and memory function, and a few of the accessories include an even feed foot, hard-sided dust cover, automatic buttonhole foot, and miscellaneous items such as a lint brush, seam-ripper, and small and large spool holders. In fact, the numerous accessories make it super easy to take the sewing machine right out of the packaging and begin using it immediately.
Pros:
- Lightweight at only 12 pounds.
- Many convenience features such as a speed control slider and a reverse lever.
- Interior metal frame for durability.
Cons:
- Some complaints about the tension causing problems.
- Some complaints about the stitches falling apart.
Brother PQ1500SL Sewing and Quilting Machine
This machine comes with a wide table, a total of seven different feet, and the capability to sew up to 1,500 stitches per minute, making it a super-fast sewing machine indeed. If you love to sew and quilt and you do a lot of both, this is the machine you need. Although it is a bit pricy, you’ll find all of its features well worth every penny of it. Some of its many features and accessories include a knee-lifter, automatic needle-threader, and a jam-resistant top bobbin, among others.
The Brother PQ1500SL also comes with a precision pin-feeding system that allows you to sew with fabrics of all types and thicknesses, making the process a piece of cake. Since you’re able to lift the presser foot with your knee, you can easily have both hands free to handle your fabric as you sew and quilt. Features such as these make the Brother PQ1500SL sewing and quilting machine one purchase you will never regret.
Pros:
- Up to 1,500 stitches per minute to accommodate a variety of projects.
- Comes with everything you need to begin using it immediately.
- Offers free technical assistance for a lifetime.
Cons:
- Some complaints about the tension messing up frequently.
- Some claim it is too expensive to consider buying.
Singer Confidence 7469Q Sewing and Quilting Machine
This is yet another sewing machine bound to show up in any list you find for the best sewing machine for advanced sewers, in part because it is computerized and offers both sewing and quilting capabilities. It makes sewing easy even for beginners, although it is mostly built for advanced sewers simply because it has tons of advanced features, which include a total of 98 built-in stitches to accommodate projects both big and small. It even has a digital display on the front, but don’t let that fool you into thinking it is complicated to operate.
In fact, this sewing and quilting machine is so versatile and user-friendly that you’ll be anxious to get back to it every time you have a project planned. Some of its many time-saving features include a drop-and-sew bobbin system, automatic needle-threader, and a total of seven fully automatic buttonholes. You get a programmable up/down needle feature, four bonus quilting feet, and an extension table to make any project both faster and simpler.
Pros:
- Computerized and very user-friendly.
- Electronic twin needle control with adjustable stitch width and length.
- Can be used in power outlets in both the United States and Canada.
Cons:
- Some complaints that the motor blew out after a few weeks.
- Some claim the foot pedal doesn’t work right.
EverSewn Charlotte Professional Sewing & Quilting Machine
Designed for both beginners and experts, this sewing machine is computerized and comes complete with 70 built-in stitches, making it perfect for sewers who wish to start a business to show off their embroidery and quilting skills. The sewing space is a full 6.5 inches wide and is therefore perfect for standard sewing, quilting, and embroidery projects, and some of its stitches are a full 7 mm wide. You also get a ton of accessories that makes it super easy to start using the machine as soon as you get it out of the package.
In addition, this machine has an adjustable sewing speed slider, fingertip speed control to make it easier to use, and stitch-width and start-stop capability. It is a high-tech, heavy-duty machine that is built to last, and you also get an automatic needle-threader, a drop-in bobbin with a clear cover plate, and a total of seven standard presser feet. For both big projects and small, you’ll find working with this machine a breeze, and you’ll be amazed by the number of fancy stitches you’ll be able to enjoy.
Pros:
- Comes with 70 built-in stitches for sewing, embroidery, and quilting.
- High-tech machine that is built to last.
- Extra-wide sewing space makes each job a breeze.
Cons:
- Some complaints that it didn’t work for very long.
- Some complaints about the warranty.
Now What?
Now that you’ve reviewed some of the best sewing machine for advanced sewers, how do you narrow your choices down to only one? That depends a lot on what you’ll be using it for, but you should also consider buying a sewing machine with the following features if you’re an advanced sewer, even if you don’t intend to use the machine for business purposes:
- A computerized machine. Computerized sewing machines offer so many more options than non-computerized machines and tend to be easier to use and have a lot more built-in stitches.
- An extension table. This makes your work area a lot larger, which is important not only when sewing large projects but also for more complicated projects that involve quilting and embroidery tasks.
- An LCD control screen. This isn’t a must, but it certainly makes working with the machine a lot easier to do.
- A free arm. Simply put, you get a lot more flexibility with a free arm, which you’ll need when you’re an advanced sewer. You can even work more easily with hard-to-reach projects such as cuffs, hems, and collars, not to mention decorative touches.
- The presser feet included with the machine. You’ll need to check on which presser feet come with the machine so that you can get the one you’ll be working with most.
In Summary
When you’re an advanced sewer, you’ll expect a lot out of your sewing machine, and the sewing machine you end up choosing should be able to deliver. Once you determine which features are most important to you, then you can start looking for that perfect sewing machine. There are thousands of them on the market today, so it won’t be difficult to find one in the end. Still, you owe it to yourself to do your due diligence so that you don’t end up with a sewing machine that doesn’t meet your needs.
Keep in mind that not all inexpensive sewing machines are made just for beginners and that not all expensive machines will provide you with what you need. It’s up to you to decide what you need and how to go from there.
