Sewing Machines: Reviews

Mechanical sewing machines like the Brother XL-2600i use knobs and levers to change and adjust stitches. Experts say these types of machines aren't as precise or predictable as pricier electronic sewing machines. But in… hundreds of user reviews at Joann.com, Walmart.com and Amazon.com, the Brother XL-2600i is shown to be an excellent choice if you mainly want a reliable sewing machine for mending, home decorating and simple sewing projects. A big plus over other machines in this price range is its one-step buttonhole, which means a lot less button-pushing and more uniform buttonholes compared to machines with a four-step buttonhole function. Owners say this machine sews well through most fabric types (although we did read complaints that it doesn't do well on heavy fabrics or jeans hems). The parts and labor warranty is for one year, an improvement over the 90-day warranties offered by some inexpensive Singer and Kenmore machines.

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If you can spend a bit more, reviewers say a basic electronic sewing machine is a better choice than a mechanical machine. Electronic machines sew more consistent stitches and take away guesswork when adjusting settings.… The Brother CS6000i has a one-step buttonhole function, and you can choose from seven different buttonhole styles (such as a keyhole or eyelet). Settings are displayed on a small LCD screen. You get 60 basic and decorative stitches. Another nice feature is a walking foot attachment -- helpful for feeding several layers of different fabrics through the machine (such as when quilting). We found more than 600 glowing user reviews for this sewing machine.

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On up the price ladder, computerized machines add an even larger variety of practical and decorative stitches. Among less expensive computerized machines, we found rave reviews for the Brother PC-420 PRW Project Runway… Limited Edition. With 294 decorative, stretch and utility stitches, plus 10 styles of one-step buttonholes and three alphabets for monograms, reviewers say the Brother has just about every stitch you could want. In addition, you can create and save your own decorative stitch patterns. Other pluses: a knee lifter that lets you keep both hands on your work and presser-foot leveling that helps keep even pressure over thick seams. This feature works so well that owners say the machine does a great job with jeans hems -- typically a challenge for any sewing machine. Stitch width is adjustable to 7 mm wide -- helpful if you like to create decorative borders on ruffles, placemats or other projects. About the only complaints we found were that the biggest monogram size isn't that big, and the needle defaults to the left position when you turn on the machine.

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Reviews of the Swiss-made Activa reinforce Bernina's reputation for quality, easy-to-use sewing machines that produce consistent stitches. The price, however, is the obvious downside. In reviews, experts prefer electronic… machines to mechanical sewing machines; changing stitches or adjusting stitch length and width can be done with the push of a button (rather than turning a less precise knob or lever). The Bernina Activa has an electronic display that shows settings. Included in the machine's memory is an automatic buttonhole setting and an embroidery alphabet for adding monograms. Bernina fans say this machine is worth the price for its outstanding reliability and build quality.

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In reviews, Pfaff sewing machines are popular among quilters for their built-in walking foot (Pfaff calls this feature IDT), which feeds layers of fabric evenly through the machine. A color touch screen makes it easy to… change and adjust stitches. The Pfaff sewing machine has 241 computerized stitches and four different alphabets for monograms, plus a very wide maximum stitch width of 9 mm. This sewing machine also has adjustable foot pressure, another good feature for quilters or others who work with different types of thicknesses of fabric.

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