Our Recommended Sewing Machines…
Sewing Machines:
Beginner friendly options.
We use these in class
As above but with additional stitches options
As above but with the added benefit of 25 stitches with embroidery and decorative options
An excellent starter option from Janome. Front loading bobbin and decorative stitches.
Mid range options:
All metal chassis, needle threader, impressive stitch width and length adjust controls, 27 stitches, embroidery stitches, one step buttonhole feature and non stitch foot assist for sewing leather.
Excellent for sewing thicker fabric, really sturdy and fast - 100 stitches per min, 23 stitches including 1 step buttonhole, needle threader and come with decent accessories.
Swiss design, quality made… a sister company of high end brand Bernina. This is a simple machine but sews beautifully, 23 stitches, one step buttonholes, front loading bobbin, sleek design. Top notch for the price in our opinion.
High end oprions:
Computerised Machines
Mid range electronic machine. 60 stitches, simple stitch selection and width/length adjustment, 7 different one step buttonholes, needle threader, needle up-down button, sewing speed control, cute embroidery stitches, stop start button.
As above but with 40 different stitches and 5 one step buttonholes. Perfect if you want to experience a computerised machine but do not require too many embroidery stitches. Really good starter option.
Biased opinion maybe but this is the one I use as my personal sewing machine and have done for 2 years. It is unreal and now, so much lower in price! Fully heavy duty computerised with a whopping 394 stunning stitches, it stitches the alphabet in 3 different ways allowing you to personalise and embroider names and brands onto your fabric, LED light so never have to change the bulb again, needle threader, stitching speed adjuster from super slow to speedy fast, needle up and down button, automatic thread cutter so no snippers needed, special stitches for stretch and jersey fabric, up to 7mm stitch length, 8 one step buttonholes,twin needle stitching, a memory function to save frequently used combinations. It come with an extension table, arm with storage, tons of extras including oil and an impressive manual. I hype it up, because it is that good.
Overlockers
One that we have in the classroom. Smaller in size so better for limited space. Simple easy to use for beginners, rolled and blind hem. Knife simply pushes and flicks out of the way, has good easy to adjust tension, colour coded threading.
I tried this out when it was bought into the session and was highly impressed. The pressure foot leave is at the front making it so much simpler to use than the usual back leavers, Simple threading and knife put away feature, the stitch finger pops off super easily but as it seperates could get lost, stitching was beautiful. For the price a really good option.
This heavy duty overlocker is one we use in the classroom. It is easy to thread, sleek design, has several presser feet options, easy knife away option, 3 rolled hem settings, storage tray has holders for all the tools so they are easily accessible, comes with a try for catching cut off fabrics. Excellent choice for dressmaking and saw me through making costumes in a breeze.
Embroidery Machine
If I change my sewing machine… I want one of these. In all my time sewing I have never come across a range that threads this simple. It’s like magic the way it self threads, 125 built in embroidery designs including disney designs, it has a really good easy to use app that links with the machine so you can upload your own designs, touch screen LED display with on screen thread changing and image editing… I want!
Childrens
Has a finger guard so a great option for children learning to sew
(In all honesty, I don’t recommend mini sewing machines)