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8 best sewing machines to buy for crafting and dressmaking
For mending or making clothes and soft furnishings, you can rely on these GHI Approved sewing machines
If you enjoy getting crafty at home, it's worth investing in the best sewing machine. From mending beloved clothes and making cushions to refresh your living room, to simply learning a new hobby, they unlock endless possibilities.
It can be tricky for beginners to know where to start with your sewing machine search, so the Good Housekeeping Institute’s resident expert put a range of machines from leading brands to the test.
These are our best sewing machines for beginner to intermediate sewers but scroll on for our full reviews, plus everything you need to know, from the different types of sewing machine available to what to consider before you buy.
Get a good night's sleep before diving into your next sewing project. With our Good Housekeeping Institute expert-tested best mattress toppers, you're sure to wake up refreshed and ready to create.
If you’re replacing an existing sewing machine, there are plenty of places for you to safely recycle your old one. Find your nearest electrical recycling point, or read our guide on how to donate or dispose of your appliances and tech for extra guidance.
How we test sewing machines
The Good Housekeeping Institute finds the top machines by testing how they sew across four different fabrics: cotton, viscose, jersey and denim. They run long test strips of each material through the machine to check consistency, tension and how it handles the fabric.
Next, they trial a selection of stitches on each strip, including a straight, zigzag and buttonhole stitch, plus stretch stitches on jersey. While it's not scored, they also try out additional features including embroidery stitches.
Finally, they award each sewing machine an overall score for its ease of use, design and functionality.
These are our expert's best sewing machines for beginners and intermediate sewers.
Score: 97/100
This was a stand-out sewing machine on test. It’s easy to get stitching straightaway thanks to a clear quick-start guide and on-machine markings. There’s more to get used to than on a mechanical machine, but its detailed instructions include guidance on stitch selection, and error codes appear on its screen for simple troubleshooting.
Its computerised design simplifies sewing too, whether you’re choosing stitch lengths and widths, reinforcing lines of stitching or even sewing a buttonhole. Thanks to its one-step foot, you simply select your stitch, press start and watch it sew. This was the only time our tester had to play around with the tension, too. It also has a handy thread cutting feature for a neat chop when you’re done with your line of stitching.
Quiet and stable in use, it produced outstanding results across every fabric and stitch type – even when sewing delicate chiffon, which was our tester’s favourite task to tackle. They said the experience was as “smooth as butter”. And there are plenty of decorative and quilting stitches available, making it a great machine for almost any project.
Key specifications
| Type | Computerised |
|---|---|
| Weight | 6.5kg |
| No. of stitches | 60 |
| Accessories included | Zigzag foot, monogramming foot, overcasting foot, zipper foot, blind stitch foot, button fitting foot, buttonhole foot, needle set, twin needle, bobbins, seam ripper, cleaning brush, eyelet punch, screwdrivers, spool pin and caps, accessory bag |
| Automatic needle threader | Yes |
| Bobbin style | Top loading |
| Cover | Hard |
Score: 91/100
This mechanical sewing machine proved a reliable buy that will serve both beginners and more experienced sewers alike. Its seam allowance guides (including one for corner-turning) and threading markings are clear and easy to follow, the bobbin is simple to wind and its one-step buttonhole foot is efficient.
The tension dial felt stiff initially, but it barely needed adjusting for neat sewing on any fabric. Only the zigzag stitch required a bit of trial and error with its size settings, as it caused some slight puckering on lighter materials like cotton and viscose. If you experience any gathering when finishing your fabric edge, consult the comprehensive instructions for the best alternative overcasting stitches to use.
Overall, this reasonably priced model boasts a good array of stitches – including the capability to smock – which aspiring dressmakers will enjoy.
Key specifications
| Type | Mechanical |
|---|---|
| Weight | 6.71kg |
| No. of stitches | 25 |
| Accessories included | Zigzag foot, zipper foot, button foot, buttonhole foot, overedge foot, blind hem foot, lint brush, quilting guide, screwdriver, seam ripper, two spool caps, spool pin, four bobbins, needles |
| Automatic needle threader | Yes |
| Bobbin style | Top loading |
| Cover | Hard |
Score: 91/100
Keen to cultivate a more sustainable wardrobe? This make-do-and-mend machine comes with a detailed guide to darning and repairing tears. It also scored full marks for ease of use, so if you’re shopping for your first sewing machine, it’s a great beginner-friendly buy.
Clear instructions and machine markings help you get going quickly, and 23 stitch settings (including a reliable one-step buttonhole) offer plenty of scope for expanding your sewing horizons.
It consistently stitched neatly, and adjusting the settings and tension proved easy. It felt robust, too, only slightly wobbling when operating at the highest speed on denim. Just be careful on delicate fabric; the presser foot marked ours slightly when tackling stretch stitches.
Bright pink detailing means this machine looks great on display, but it also comes with a sturdy hard case to keep it safe between projects.
Key specifications
| Type | Mechanical |
|---|---|
| Weight | 6.3kg |
| No. of stitches | 23 |
| Accessories included | Zigzag foot, zipper foot, buttonhole foot, blind hem foot, clear view foot, three bobbins, screwdriver, two spool caps, seam ripper and brush, edge guide, extra spool pin, needles |
| Automatic needle threader | Yes |
| Bobbin style | Top loading |
| Cover | Hard |
Score: 90/100
If you're after a machine that can stitch words (a grandchild’s name, for example), look to this clever computerised model that allows you to program letters. It also offers plenty of decorative and quilting stitches, plus a darning program, stop start button and speed control.
On test, its performance reflected its premium price tag, with close to perfect stitching. There was some wobbling at high speeds and the buttonhole process is manual (albeit impeccably neat), but its foot pedal’s pleasing design allows you to roll the cord away and its large extension tray could be useful if you turn your hand to quilting.
Though compact, its accessories are stored in a separate case, so it requires more room than some. It also doesn't come with a cover.
Key specifications
| Type | Computerised |
|---|---|
| Weight | 8kg |
| No. of stitches | 97 |
| Accessories included | Zigzag foot, zipper foot, buttonhole foot, blind hem foot, overlock foot, three bobbins, stitch pattern card, needles, accessory bag, height compensation tool, seam ripper, screwdriver, brush, three spool caps |
| Automatic needle threader | Yes |
| Bobbin style | Front loading |
| Cover | None |
Score: 88/100
Singer is an iconic brand, and this sewing machine lived up to its reputation. It sewed brilliantly across the board, competently handling all our test fabrics. The instructions lacked detail, but its trustworthy design would make a savvy choice if you’re not a total beginner.
It boasts many features for developing your dressmaking skills, but its buttonhole functionality stood out; as well as the standard one-step buttonhole foot, it features a dial for adjusting the density of stitching on either side of the hole for maximum consistency.
The threading markings are helpful – including a needle changing reminder – and our tester found the pedal responsive and the machine sturdy. It also comes with a quilting guide.
Key specifications
| Type | Mechanical |
|---|---|
| Weight | 6.4kg |
| No. of stitches | 23 |
| Accessories included | Zigzag foot, zipper foot, buttonhole foot, button foot, seam ripper and lint brush, quilting guide, needles, bobbins, screwdriver, extra spool pin |
| Automatic needle threader | Yes |
| Bobbin style | Top loading |
| Cover | Soft |
Score: 85/100
This computerised machine is a tad more affordable than the others on our list, and as its name suggests, it’s a sturdy buy, too. Set-up is fairly simple – a quick-start guide takes you through each step, there are built-in cutting features to help with neat threading and our tester wound the bobbin in less than two minutes. It’s also easy to select your stitches and adjust the length and width.
The arm bed is a great size for moving your fabric through the machine smoothly and it stitched neatly, but our tester had to play around with the tension to achieve a tidy finish when trialling decorative stitches and working with slippier fabrics. Sewing a small test before each project will help you perfect the settings though, and denim sewed like a dream.
Note, you can't limit the sewing speeds via the machine, just manually with the pedal. And the machine is heavy, which is something to take into account if you don’t keep it out on a sewing table.
Key specifications
| Type | Computerised |
|---|---|
| Weight | 7.5kg |
| No. of stitches | 100 |
| Accessories included | Zigzag foot, buttonhole foot, blind hem foot, zipper foot, satin stitch foot, bobbins, spool holders, spool pins, screwdriver, cleaning brush, seam ripper |
| Automatic needle threader | Yes |
| Bobbin style | Top loading |
| Cover | Soft |
Score: 85/100
This isn’t quite the cheapest model on our list, but it’s our top pick for value at just over £200. Reliable and intuitive, it features an automatic needle threader and a four-step buttonhole (though not as fast as a one-step design, this ensures your stitching stops where you started for consistent results).
Our tester found the bobbin easy to wind, but it’s front-loading, so you won’t know when you’re nearly out of thread. It took a while for oil from the bobbin to stop appearing on our fabric, so be sure to run a long test strip through the machine after unboxing.
It did wobble on occasion, but it stitched neatly across all materials and felt like great value for money.
Key specifications
| Type | Mechanical |
|---|---|
| Weight | 5.9kg |
| No. of stitches | 15 |
| Accessories included | Zigzag foot, zipper foot, buttonhole foot, button foot, blind hem foot, bobbins, needles, screwdriver and seam ripper |
| Automatic needle threader | Yes |
| Bobbin style | Front loading |
| Cover | Soft |
Score 82/100
Costing the least on our list, if you’re after a sewing machine for the occasional project, be that cushions or a skirt, then you've met your match. This entry model's 14 stitches cover all the essentials and our tester found it largely reliable and stable.
It’s designed for light to midweight fabrics, but it handled our midweight denim just fine during testing. If you’re planning to make curtains, for example, then test a swatch of your chosen material first to ensure that it isn’t too heavy.
The feed dogs can't be dropped, but the included darning plate means you can still use it to mend or sew on buttons. You'll need to buy a zipper foot separately (it’s compatible with Janome accessories) if you want to tackle zip fastenings, and its buttonhole foot is entirely manual, but it comes with a soft cover for safe storage. It’s not got the bells and whistles of the pricier models above, but this is still an excellent little sewer.
Key specifications
| Type | Mechanical |
|---|---|
| Weight | 6kg |
| No. of stitches | 14 |
| Accessories included | Zigzag foot, buttonhole foot, button foot, blind hem foot, seam ripper, bobbins, needles |
| Automatic needle threader | No |
| Bobbin style | Front loading |
| Cover | Soft |
What are the different types of sewing machine?
For making clothes and soft furnishings, there are two main types of sewing machines to choose from.
Mechanical sewing machines
The traditional style of sewing machine, mechanical models are manually controlled by a range of dials that allow you to select your stitch, alter its length and width, and adjust the tension.
Most mechanical machines will be suitable for any sewing project, but they don’t tend to have as many functions as their computerised counterparts. Though more affordable overall, the more stitches a model offers, the more expensive it will be.
Computerised sewing machines
These innovative sewing machines have built-in computers programmed with the stitches and their recommended sizes. They can even run without a foot pedal via a stop and start button.
If you’re just getting started and want to keep your sewing slow and steady, a feature called ‘speed control’ lets you limit how quickly the machine can run.
Computerised sewing machines cost more than mechanical models, but their higher prices are easily justified by functions such as automatic stitch reinforcement – as opposed to manually pressing a reverse stitch button at the beginning and end of a row of stitching – and a wider array of stitch patterns, including decorative options and sometimes letters of the alphabet.
How do I choose my first sewing machine?
Firstly, decide whether a mechanical or computerised model is the best sewing machine for you. Then, consider how important the following factors are.
Threading design
Sewing machines can vary when it comes to needle threading and bobbin loading.
For a more accessible machine, look for an automatic needle threader. These speed up the often fiddly process of feeding thread through the eye of the needle, instead hooking onto the thread and pulling it through themselves.
Turning to bobbins (the part on which the lower thread is wound), you’ll have to choose between a front-loading and top-loading design.
Top-loading bobbins sit on the free arm just beneath the needle. They can simply be dropped in, and their bobbin cases tend to be clear so you can see how much thread remains. Front-loading bobbins are fiddly to fit and concealed within the machine when in use.
Range of stitches
The machines on our list offer between 14 and 97 stitches, so you’ll need to decide how many of them you’d like. Even the most basic models come with standard straight, zig-zag and stretch stitches, and 20 stitches should be plenty for most home sewing projects.
More advanced stitches, such as quilting ones, add more functionality but cost more.
Included accessories
Presser feet – the parts that sit above the fabric and hold it in place as you sew – are essential accessories. Every machine below comes with at least a standard zigzag foot.
Other options include a zipper foot – useful for making clothes or cushions – and an overedge (or overcasting) foot to help you finish the edges of your fabric to prevent fraying.
Finally, consider which type of buttonhole foot you’d like; a one-step buttonhole foot is the easiest to use, as you simply fit the button into one end of the foot, sew, and the machine automatically works to the correct sizing.
If you fancy trying quilting, look for a quilting guide. Most machines come with a seam ripper, additional bobbins and spool extensions for threading two reels of cotton, should you wish to use a double needle.
Note that most of these accessories (and many more) can also be purchased separately.
How to care for your sewing machine
The best sewing machines should last you many years with proper care. Look for a machine with a cover – either hard or soft – to protect it when not in use and stop it getting dusty.
Regularly changing your sewing machine needle is also important; try to do this after every eight hours of sewing. Make sure you use the right type of needle for your fabric, too.
Check the manufacturer’s instructions, but some machines require regular cleaning to stop lint build-up in the feed dogs, and many will come with a brush for this purpose. If you have a front-loading bobbin, this may require occasional oiling, too.
Ideally, take your machine for an annual service, especially if you’re a regular sewer. Local sewing machine shops and some fabric shops should have specialists who offer this.
The verdict on sewing machines
With its smooth sewing skills, the Brother Innovis A65 is a stand out buy. It has 60 stitches and almost all the features you could possibly wish for in a computerised machine. It will set you back close to £500, though.
It's worth noting that you do get what you pay for with sewing machines, so we'd advise deciding how much you can afford to spend before you start shopping, and then finding the best machine at that price point.
For under £400, the Janome 725S will serve you well, with its 25 stitches, including a one-step buttonhole and drop in bobbin design. Or for under £300, consider the Pfaff Smarter 160S machine, which has 23 stitch options.
Finally, if you're not sure how often you'll use a machine and don't want to splash out, then John Lewis' JL110 is an affordable classic that costs just £135.
Why you should trust the Good Housekeeping Institute
This test was something of a passion project for our homes editor, Hannah Mendelsohn, who has been sewing and making her own clothes since she was 15. She personally wrote the protocols and carried out most of the testing.
She's had her own sewing machine for 16 years, and while these tests have shown her it's due an upgrade, that gives you a good idea of just how long a sewing machine can run for if you take good care of it. And you can trust that these reviews are filled with Hannah's honest, independent verdicts and recommendations.
Hannah is our homes editor, specialising in reviewing the latest kitchen appliances, cleaning products, mattresses and bedding, and crafting equipment. Hannah has written about hundreds of products, from air fryers to smoothie makers to pillows, and is committed to finding the most reliable and best value for money buys.
Hannah is also interested in sustainability in the home and has completed a course with the University of the Arts London in sustainable textiles, so she can help cut through the noise on what’s green and what’s not. Hannah has an MA in Magazine Journalism and has previously worked as a freelance lifestyle and women’s sports journalist, working for Stylist, Sky Sports and more.
Hannah has also previously worked in a florist and can normally be found caring for her house plants or sewing something new for her home or wardrobe.
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