Computerized Sewing Machines

Computer-controlled machines have more decorative options

Next up the technology ladder are computerized sewing machines. As explained by Carol Fresia and Judith Neukam in Threads magazine, these models use a series of small step motors, coordinated by a microprocessor. The great thing about computerized sewing machines is that they need hardly any maintenance. The most basic computerized machines can embroider letters and a few small decorative motifs. More expensive computerized machines have extensive embroidery features and can interface with a computer to download embroidery designs from the Internet. We'll discuss those models in the section below on embroidery machines.

Inexpensive computerized machines are a step up from electronic machines. The Kenmore 19110 (*Est. $300) includes 50 preprogrammed practical and decorative stitches, including quilting, heirloom and home-deco stitches, three styles of auto-size buttonholes, needle up/down and a "mega-wide" 7 mm zigzag setting. Unlike higher-end computerized machines, this one doesn't embroider beyond the decorative stitches, and it doesn't include any alphabets for adding monograms. Still, reviews from owners praise this machine for its usability, performance and value. Almost four dozen owners on Sears.com give the Kenmore 19110 four out of five stars (based on 50 reviews), citing the machine's ease of use and versatility. There's no manual-pressure foot adjustment, which can be helpful when you're stitching tricky materials like vinyl and leather. You can, however, drop the feed dogs for darning or to create a freehand stitch pattern.

The Singer Confidence 7470 (*Est. $500) gets some good reviews from owners on Joann.com, with 25 owners giving it four out of five stars, and at Amazon.com, where it also earns 4.5 out of five stars in about two dozen owner reviews. The Confidence 7470 features 173 built-in stitches, six styles of one-step buttonholes, a hand-look quilt stitch and some special stretch stitches, but the big additional feature over the Kenmore machine above is that the Singer Confidence includes a block-style alphabet so you can create some simple, small monograms and names. Other features are similar to the machines above, and there's a 7 mm maximum stitch width. Owners like their Confidence 7470 sewing machines for their easy bobbin system and needle threading, fun decorative stitches and overall good sewing performance. Some complain the needle threading isn't that great, and most concur that the machine is on the heavy side.

In the same price range, we read impressive reviews for the Brother PC-420 PRW Project Runway Limited Edition (*Est. $500), which has more features and better overall feedback than either the Kenmore or Singer machines above. The computerized Brother PC-420 has 294 decorative, utility, stretch and heirloom stitches, plus 10 one-step buttonhole styles and three monogram styles. Convenience features include a knee lifter -- this is handy because you can keep both hands on your work while you lift to pressure foot, especially helpful for turning corners. A pressure-foot leveling feature makes it easier to go over thick seams, such as jeans hems. In fact, many owners comment that this machine does a great job with jeans hems, typically a sore spot for cheaper machines. You can also create and save custom decorative stitches.

All in all, we were hard pressed to find criticism of the Brother PC-420 PCW, though a couple of owners do report that while the monogram alphabets are a nice feature, the largest size isn't that big; with a 7 mm maximum stitch width, that's the size limit for alphabets. To get anything wider, you'll have to graduate to a more expensive embroidery machine. We also read a couple of notes in reviews that the needle position defaults to the left (instead of center) when you turn on the machines - an odd characteristic that surprised several users. In addition to the near-perfect user reviews we found at Walmart.com, Joann.com and Amazon.com, this machine is also the subject of five in-depth narrative reviews at PatternReview.com.

Bernina sewing machines get great reviews, but they cost much more than Asian-made models from Brother, Singer and Kenmore. The Swiss-made machines are known for producing particularly precise stitches and have earned an excellent reputation for build quality. "They're like a Volvo, you could run it into a truck," said one expert interviewed by New Zealand's Consumer magazine. There are four models in the computerized Bernina Activa Line. The least expensive Bernina Activa 210 (*Est. $1,000) has 12 stitches and a one-step standard buttonhole. The Bernina Activa 220 (*Est. $1,100) has 118 stitches, including a one-step buttonhole in two styles (regular and keyhole). An alphabet is included for simple monograms, and you can save favorite stitch combinations in memory. It includes a holder for a magnifying glass. A knee lifter is optional. This basic computerized sewing machine is sold by dealers, so you're likely to get a sewing lesson or two with it.

The Bernina Activa 230PE (*Est. $1,700) has 240 stitches, including two styles of alphabets and three buttonhole styles. This model also has a memory for saving favorite stitch settings. All Activa models have a removable extension tray so you can use the machine as a free-arm. The Bernina Activa 240 (*Est. $2,200) has nearly 300 stitches, including three alphabet styles and three buttonhole styles. A knee lifter is included (optional on other Activa machines).

Tension adjustment on these Bernina sewing machines is manual, but the computerized screen on the front of the machines lets you control functions such as speed and needle position at your fingertips. The Bernina Activa 230PE earns a top rating in a highly regarded, recent professional testing, with excellent scores in sewing performance and on all fabrics except knits. It's one of the few machines that does really well on heavy fabrics such as jeans hems. A predecessor of these models, the Bernina Activa 125, scored well in comparison reviews at Choice magazine and other publications. Editors at Choice magazine say that the bobbin winding and back-tacking are quick and simple, and instructions are easy to follow. The brand has built an especially loyal following: Reviews on sewing forums include many comments from Bernina devotees who swear by their machines. And, Bernina Activa machines are made in Switzerland, not Asia. The price is clearly the drawback.

Quilting machines

Quilters have special needs when it comes to sewing, and several models have features catering to them. Because quilters work on large pieces, a bigger machine with a lot of space to the right of the needle is helpful. Special pressure-foot controls and walking feet -- which help feed layers of fabric evenly -- are great for sewing several layers of material and batting together.

The Janome Memory Craft 4900QC (*Est. $1,400) has more than 150 stitches and 10 automatic buttonhole styles plus three fonts for adding monograms. Also included is a knee-lifter, which allows you to raise the presser foot while keeping both hands on your work -- a real plus for quilters who constantly need to change directions and move their work without lifting the needle out of the piece. The Janome Memory Craft 6600P (*Est. $2,000) adds an extension table and a walking-foot system called AcuFeed which works to feed several layers of fabric evenly through the machine.

Pfaff has an excellent reputation among quilters for its built-in walking foot, which is called IDT. This ensures that all three layers of a quilt feed through the machine at the same rate. Without a walking foot, the presser foot and feed dog can push the quilt through at different speeds, resulting in puckers and uneven layers. The Pfaff Performance 2058 (*Est. $3,300) is Pfaff's top-of-the-line sewing machine without hoop-embroidery features. It has 241 computerized stitches and four different alphabets for monograms. It has adjustable foot pressure, another good feature for quilters or others who work with different types of thicknesses of fabric. Sharon Darling of QuiltersReview.com likes the free-motion stitching features of the Pfaff Performance 2056, the 2058's predecessor.

The large LCD screen on the Pfaff 2058 is touch-sensitive. The 2058 also features what Pfaff calls "performance programs," computerized sequences that add convenience features. For example, the patchwork program remembers the length of a seam you sew and repeats it endlessly as you piece patches together, even tying off the thread and raising the presser foot automatically at the end of the seam. The Pfaff is certainly a splurge, but if you quilt and love heirloom sewing, which incorporates lots of decorative motifs and special techniques like smocking and stitches that look handmade, the Pfaff deserves a test-drive.

The Pfaff Quilt Expression 4.0 (*Est. $2,600) is another quilter-specific machine from Pfaff. It's loaded with quilter-friendly features like IDT, electronic thread tension, extra presser foot lift, two free-motion modes and an extra-large sewing space to the right of the needle. The Quilt Expressions 4.0 has 222 stitches, including many decorative stitches geared toward quilters, which can all be stitched as wide as 9 mm. Owners like the dual lights feature that keeps the sewing area particularly well-lit. We didn't find this machine in any professional reviews, but serious quilters will want to consider it as one possibility made by a well-regarded brand.