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by Editors of ConsumerReports.org
ConsumerReports.org is one of the few sources that conducts comparative reviews of sewing machines, focusing on a ratings chart that compares the models on performance, ease of use, features and other… attributes. Judges perform tests with a variety of fabrics, threads and stitches. Six mechanical, nine electronic and three embroidery/sewing machines are rated. ConsumerReports.org considers an automatic buttonhole to be tops among features, followed by an automatic needle threader, a top-loading bobbin, feed dog adjustability and speed control. Electronic models are easier to use overall, with more options, but they are also more expensive.
by Editors of Craft magazine
This article isn't really a roundup, but three magazine editors recommend a machine and justify their pick. Natalie Zee Drieu chooses the Singer 4205 for beginners; she likes its big reverse button, drop-in… bobbin and bright LED light. She says it "sews like a dream." Arwen O'Reilly chooses a vintage Singer machine, while Hope Meng chooses the Bernina Activa 220. Meng says the Bernina didn't choke when she tried to sew vinyl and chiffon together (other machines choked on the project).
by Contributors to Joann.com
This site has a large number of user reviews of the several dozen different sewing machines it sells, which means that reviews are current. Many reviews from experienced stitchers offer detailed accounts of… machines' strengths and weaknesses. Customers especially like the Brother CS6000i, an inexpensive computerized sewing machine. Reviews for the Singer Confidence 7463 and 7469Q are better than those for cheaper machines like the Singer 3116. On the downside, only sewing machines sold at Joann's are reviewed, so there are no write-ups for Bernina, Janome, Kenmore or other brands.
by Editors of Choice magazine
Choice magazine, the Australian equivalent of ConsumerReports.org, tests three sewing machines, one at each price point: low end, mid price and higher end. Its focus here is not on the individual sewing… machines but on which price point might be best for a particular sewer. All three are Janome sewing machines, the top brand in Australia. The mid-priced machine is the recommended one for most sewers' needs.
by Editors of Good Housekeeping
This short video from Good Housekeeping notes that editors tested five sewing machines (though it's not said which machines were tested) on 10 fabrics. The Euro Pro Shark and Brother CS-6000i are… recommended, but little is said of the machines. The Euro Pro is described as simple to use, and the Brother has a good buttonhole function. Without knowing what other sewing machines were tested, this article isn't as helpful as it could be.
by Contributors to Sears.com
Aside from some coverage at ConsumerReports.org, Sears.com is one of the few places to find reviews on Kenmore sewing machines. While many machines don't have any reviews yet, a few models have more than 20… comments from owners. Among the Kenmore machines, the computerized Kenmore 19233 and electronic Kenmore 18221 have perfect average scores, and each has more than 20 reviews. The Kenmore 16231 and 19110 have slightly lower scores overall, but each has 50 reviews, a good amount of feedback. Reviews for two machines, the Singer Inspiration 4220 and 4228, are much lower.
by Hope Meng
by Natalie Zee Drieu
by Contributors to PatternReview.com
This site, where owners can review their own machines, is more helpful than other forums because there's a dedicated review section, allowing readers to hone their searches. However, we wish machines were… given an overall rating on the summary page. As it is, you'll have to do your own calculations. This is an excellent spot to look for owner reviews once you've narrowed your choice to a few models, and there are some recent reviews here. You'll have to register to read reviews that are older than 6 months.
by Contributors to Amazon.com
by Catherine Hutton
by Editors of Threads
This frequently updated link lists features of newly released sewing-machine models. Since model numbers change frequently and new models are constantly appearing on the market, this is a good resource for… monitoring those changes as you shop for a machine. However, it's not a good place to look for comparison reviews on sewing machines. New models receive a quick summary of features and aren't compared to other machines.
by Contributors to Threads
Gatherings is a discussion forum managed by Threads magazine. There are thousands of posts here regarding the best sewing machine, but unless you are searching for a specific model, it's hard to get a sense… of which might be a favorite. Nearly every brand gets some good ratings from owners, and there's a general sense that machines were better in years past. It's noted that no machine is made in the U.S. anymore. This site is worth a look when you've narrowed your choice to a few models.
by Susan Druding
This article isn't very useful in helping identify the best sewing machines. Rather, About.com guide to quilting Susan Druding passes on some general thoughts about various brands. For example, Druding says… quilters like Pfaff for its built-in walking foot, while some like Bernina's knee-lift presser foot option. Interestingly, she states that Singer's most popular model is the Featherweight, which hasn't been produced in years. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)
by Contributors to Target.com
by Sharon Darling
These individual machine reviews are skewed toward quilters, who especially look for good tension, needle up/down control, accurate ¼-inch stitching, foot-pressure adjustment, speed control and appliqu?… features. We wish reviewer Sharon Darling had compared the machines to each other, but individually, these are smart, practical reviews. Unfortunately, the most recent review is from 2007 and the site does not seem to have been updated since then. Many of these machines are discontinued.
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Brother XL2600I 25-Stitch Free-Arm Sewing Machine with Multiple Stitch Functions
 from Amazon.com New: $89.99 In Stock.
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Brother CS6000I 60-Stitch Computerized Free-Arm Sewing Machine with Multiple Stitch Functions
from Amazon.com New: $159.88 In Stock.
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Brother PC-420 PRW Limited Edition Project Runway Sewing Machine
from Amazon.com New: $498.99 In Stock.
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