Sewing Machines Reviews

The reviews below are assigned ratings by ConsumerSearch. These ratings are based on credibility in testing, evaluating and identifying the best Sewing Machines. See our ratings criteria

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Sewing Machines Reviews Reviewed
Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	Sewing Machines Ratings Comments on Reviews
1. Consumer Reports >> Details/Subscribe	Sewing machines, plain and fancy Editors of Consumer Reports Updated Aug. 2006		This article is rather short, but Consumer Reports is one of the few sources that conducts comparative reviews of sewing machines. Judges perform tests with a variety of fabrics, threads and stitches. Eight mechanical and seven electronic machines are rated; many model numbers have changed since this report was updated, but you can still get a very good sense of which brands and model “families” perform best. Consumer Reports considers an automatic buttonhole to be tops among features, followed by an automatic needle threader, 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.

Sewing Machines Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.

Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	Sewing Machines Ratings Comments on Reviews

2. Joann.com	Sewing Machines Contributors to Joann.com As of Nov. 2007		This site has a large number of reviews of the 27 sewing machines it sells, which means that reviews are current. While popular machines receive strong ratings from users, there are some helpful cautionary tales from panned products, such as the White 2380 Fashion-Aire Sewing machine, which six out of six reviewers roundly criticize. Many reviews from experienced stitchers offer detailed accounts of machines’ strengths and weaknesses. Customers especially like Singer’s new Touch & Sew, an affordable home machine, and the quilter’s special Juki TL-98Q. On there downside, there are only reviews here for the sewing machines sold at Joann's, so there are no write-ups for Bernina, Janome, Kenmore or other brands.
3. Good Housekeeping.com >> Details/Subscribe	Sewing Machines Editors of Good Housekeeping Not Dated		This short video from Good Housekeeping notes that editors tested five sewing machines (though it's not said which machines were tested) on ten fabrics. The Euro Pro Shark and Brother CS-6000i are recommended, but little is said of the machines. The Euro Pro is said to be 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 might be.
4. Choice.com.au >> Details/Subscribe	Sewing Machines Editors of Choice.com.au Nov. 2002		This older review is also extremely insightful, and except for its age, is a better resource than Consumer Reports. Choice's expert has 30 years of experience, and tests seven machines on a wide variety of fabrics. There's also a good buyer's guide section; editors say automatic needle threaders don't actually work very well. The Bernina Activa 125 (model discontinued) is rated the best machine here, with the nicest stitches and the best buttonholes, along with easy one-touch controls and clear instructions. The current Activa model numbers are 220, 240 and 210; the models vary in price according to the number of features. Higher priced Activa sewing machines have more stitches, greater stitch memory capability and more presser feet. The Janome Memory Craft 3500 is rated number two; it stitches well, though buttonholes were not quite as nice. Controls are easy to use.
5. PatternReview.com	Sewing Machine and Serger Reviews Contributors to PatternReview.com As of Nov. 2007		This site, where owners can review their own machines, is more helpful than other forums because there's specifically a review section, allowing readers to hone their searches. However, we wish reviewed 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 recently written reviews here.
6. Threads	31 Basic Sewing Machines and How to Choose One Carol Fresia and Judith Neukam Sept. 2002		This excellent article is full of tips on how to shop for a sewing machine, including a check list you can use during the test drive. Although 31 models are indeed listed along with each model's specifications, testers Carol Fresia and Judith Neukam stop short of rating these sewing machines, which range from basic to fancy. However, each author comments on her favorite machines. Both liked the Husqvarna Viking Lily 535 (now discontinued), Janome Memory Craft 3500, Elna 6003Q and Brother Pacesetter, which makes particularly good buttonholes. The overall conclusion is that your choice comes down to personal preference. This review is now very outdated, and Threads sadly no longer reviews sewing machines.
7. QuiltersReview.com	Machine Reviews Sharon Darling As of Aug. 2006		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 appliqué 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 over a year old. Reviews are mainly positive; the Singer Quantum XL-6000 has some excellent unique features. Other embroidery machines, like the Baby Lock Ellageo, Pfaff 2144 and Janome Memory Craft 9500 get good ratings. The Janome DC3050 is a very good basic machine, with nice features and three one-step buttonholes; the Pfaff 2056, Pfaff Smart 200C and White Quilter's Machine 1740 also are rated well.
8. Consumers’ Institute >> Details/Subscribe	Sewing Machines Catherine Hutton June 8, 2006		This is a great place to start if you’re new to sewing. The clear report provides basic definitions of various functions of machines and recommends types of machines based on sewing needs and interests. Unfortunately, it doesn’t test or rate models, but it does recommend a few brands based on interviews with experts. Bernina and Janome are favorites in general.
9. Gatherings >> Details/Subscribe	Sewing Machines Contributors to Gatherings As of Nov. 2007		Gatherings is a discussion forum managed by the publishers of 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.
10. Amazon.com	Sewing Machines Contributors to Amazon.com As of Nov. 2007		This popular website is testament to sewing’s surge in popularity, with a good number of reviews on popular models (mainly from Brother), as well as a good selection of the newest options, many of which are no-frills entry-level machines designed for beginners or quick tailoring. While quite a few models receive a decent number of owner-written ratings, the average scores for all models are almost identical, so Amazon.com isn't that helpful.
11. About.com	Quilting: Sewing Machines Susan Druding Not Dated		This article isn't very useful in helping identify the best sewing machines. Rather, Susan Druding passes on some general thoughts about various brands. For example, Druding says quilters like Pfaff for its built-in walking foot. 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.
12. Target.com	Sewing Machines Contributors to Target.com As of Nov. 2007		There aren't many reviews, but it’s an interesting place to see the trendiest models, including the Hello Kitty sewing machine by Janome (available in two colors) and a $15 pink “Chain Stitch” from Singer for children.

Sewing Machines Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.

Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	Sewing Machines Ratings Comments on Reviews

13. Epinions	Sewing Machines and Sergers Contributors to Epinions As of Nov. 2007		Epinions is not a good place to find owner-written sewing machine ratings. Most machines listed here don't receive any reviews at all. A few get one or two comments.
14. Consumer Guide.com	Sewing Machines Editors of ConsumerGuide.com As of Nov. 2007		Consumer Guide looks at both computerized and non-computerized machines, rating dozens of models as best buys. But the write-ups are based solely on specifications and features, and we found no evidence that any of these models were tested. Therefore, we don't have a lot of confidence in the dozens of "Best Buys" featured here.