Sewing as an art has been around for so long, but ever since the invention of the sewing machine three hundred years ago, it has taken a new dimension and is now on a new level.
The sewing machines brought new, unheard-of possibilities for sewing.
And with the emergence of electrical and computerized sewing machines, crafters are ready to enter uncharted waters. They are threading on new grounds and ready to use new technology to improve their craft further.
Crafting sewing machines are the latest of these new technologies. But not all are the same, and some are way better than others.
Things To Consider When Buying A Crafting Sewing Machine?
These are some things you need to consider when buying a crafting sewing machine:
Operability
The sewing machine must be easy to use and operate for the crafter. Of course, everything depends on the skill level and talent of the artist.
Operability and control allow for better sewing and quilting, and control is a primary consideration in any art form.
One who is an expert can handle a sewing machine with more advanced features, while those who are beginners may use those that have simpler ones.
As you become more adept at a particular sewing machine and gain extensive knowledge, you can move on to computerized sewing with far better features.
Speed of the machine
Connected to operability is the speed of the machine, for not all sewing machines have the same stitches per minute. The sewing machine must respond to the need of the crafter.
For the crafter, the pace is everything, so the artist needs a sewing machine according to his desired speed. Barring this, it may affect his craft and his artwork.
Hassle-free features
When you engage in sewing or embroidery, you always get lost in the performance of the art, unlike an athlete in the zone, so to speak.
The last thing you would want is a malfunction in your sewing machine, which will break your momentum.
So it would be best to have a sewing machine with excellent quality and top-of-the-line features.
A perfect bobbin system, automatic thread cutter, presser foot, and automatic needle threader are some of the features that can ease the life of any sewist, much more a crafter.
Aesthetics
It would be fun if the sewing machine exhibited the crafter’s disposition and outlook.
Since it would be the medium from which the crafter would express his art, it would be best to have a sewing machine with many advanced features and, at the same time, aesthetically pleasing, if not imposing.
It would be ironic if the artist producing top-quality decorative embroidery and design would create one from a sewing machine that is as dull looking as possible.
It will not matter ultimately, but it won’t hurt either.
The Best Crafting Sewing Machine: Our Top Picks
1. Brother SE400: The Best For Beginner
This Brother sewing machine would be the best entry-level sewing machine for any crafter; its cute design and minimalist look will surely appeal to anyone with artistic sensibilities.
The delicate features and superior technology would greatly help anyone who wants to pursue the craft of embroidery.
The 4×4 embroidery will allow you to focus on your craft further, with the hoop providing just enough for the starters.
Pros
- Excellent features and technology
- It has both sewing and embroidery capabilities
- It has a USB port so you can upload many designs.
- Very affordable
Cons
- No hard cover
- You cannot adjust the presser foot
Verdict: Brother SE400 is really for beginners, which is why it has quite a small embroidery area and minimalist features.
But this machine could be enjoyed by novices and advanced users alike, by anyone who loved making embroidery designs.
2. Reliable Barracuda 200ZW Zig Zag: The Best Pure Sewing Machine
Not all crafters would love preset embroidery designs and the like. Some would love to create their artwork on fabric, no different from painting on a canvas, putting paint as he saw fit.
Such is what this sewing machine offers to the crafter.
With its user-friendly, minimalist features and dials, the crafter can do the zigzag stitch throughout the fabric without minding any specific area, such as what you do with some embroidery machines.
With Reliable Barracuda 200, you can easily have the whole material as your entire canvas, and with the speed of 800 stitches per minute, you need not worry about time too.
Pros
- Very versatile
- A mighty, heavy-duty sewing machine
- It can sew thread through a thick fabric
- Easy to use and operate
- Ideal for repairs and small projects
Cons
- It cannot perform decorative stitches
- Pretty heavy
- It does not have an automatic needle threader
Verdict: This one cannot perform decorative stitches; well, as a crafter, you can do it, for this one provides quality, consistent stitching.
If doing stitches is your hobby and you can do it without the guidance of any designs, this one is for you.
3. Janome Memory Craft 6300P: The Best For Both Sewing And Quilting
If quilting is your thing, then this one from Janome is a great machine. With 66 stitches and four buttonholes, you will never run out of options using this sewing machine.
It has incredible features that will impress any serious sewist and crafters.
It has an LCD for easy navigation and operation, an automatic thread cutter, and a speed running up to 1,0000 stitches per minute.
Pros
- Can sew thread on thick fabrics
- Excellent for quilting
- Provides good, quality stitching
- Excellent thread cutter
- It has an extension table
- Very durable
Cons
- The lighting is a bit dim
Verdict: This sewing machine is excellent for quilting, and with no severe drawbacks or structural issues, this one appeals to a lot of dedicated sewists and crafters.
Be sure only that you have good lighting when you practice your craft.
4. Singer 9960: The Best For Expert Sewists
This Singer sewing machine has impressive features that all advanced users will love. It has a built-in needle threader, a wide table, and a colorful LCD for easy navigation and operation.
But wait till you see its 600 built-in stitches, thirteen buttonholes, and 850 stitches per minute speed.
There are just too many options for crafter concerning this machine, and you can practically stitch any way you want.
Pros
- Large, colorful LCD
- Very long extended table ideal for quilting
- Excellent features like an automatic needle threader
- Five alphanumeric fonts
- Nice sewing machine accessories, like presser foot.
- Includes basic, stretch, and decorative stitches
- A fantastic number of options for stitches
- A silent operator
- It makes for smooth stitching
Cons
- There is some problem with a light bulb.
Verdict: It is hard to argue against this machine, especially if you are an expert crafter. It offers many options, is heavy-duty, and performs excellent and very smooth stitching.
The accessories and features like a long table and automatic thread cutter attract some crafters.
Considering that it is below five hundred dollars and considerably lighter than other sewing machines, a crafter cannot be wrong in choosing this sewing machine.
5. Michley LSS-505 Lil Sew: Best Priced
This one stands out not because of its imposing size or look, heavy-duty built, or other excellent features. It stands out because it is probably the cutest sewing machine on the market today.
This one is like a toy but can genuinely function as any sewing machine, appropriate for kids and even adults.
With its sewing kit, electrical scissors, and eight built-in stitch patterns, anyone can enjoy bringing this sewing machine anywhere.
This sewing machine can function like any other, though more ideal for making repairs, holes, and hemming fabric.
Pros
- Very light and portable
- Very affordable
- Easy to use and operate
- Appealing to kids, adolescents, and fun-loving sewists
- Includes a 100-piece sewing kit
- It has excellent features like forward and reverse sewing
- Very affordable
Cons
- Pretty noisy, even in comparison with larger sewing machines
- Not as durable as others
Verdict: Of course, it is not as tough as another sewing machine, but it is only around fifty dollars; a run-of-the-mill matchbox may be more expensive.
It is for the would-be crafter kids, not those already deep into the art of sewing, quilting, and embroidery.
For its purpose, the features and price are just enough.
6. Baby Lock Jubilant Sewing Machine: The Most Versatile
Anyone can enjoy this sewing machine, from novices and beginners to advanced users, from hobbyists to serious users, and of course, crafters.
It has all the excellent features that make it the most versatile sewing machine.
It has 80 built-in stitches, a variety of presser feet, and a speed of 850 stitches per minute. It has an excellent LCD that shows all the available options.
The built-in stitches have utility and decorative ones, allowing for better options, both for design and utility. Stitch width could be up to 7mm, and adjustable stitch length up to 5mm.
That makes this sewing machine ideal for many types of stitching and used for cuffs, sleeves, hems, and zippers.
Pros
- Excellent options for design and stitching
- Excellent technology
- Awesome features (advanced needle threader, storage compartment, free-arm sewing, etc.)
- It includes many accessories (Seven feet sewing, bobbins, softcover, etc.)
- Quality stitching
- Excellent warranty
- Very light and portable
Cons
- No automatic thread cutter
Verdict: The great thing about baby Lock Jubilant is that it can do many things concerning stitching and gives users many options.
Its broad applicability, being lightweight and portable, add to that versatility.
Crafters who love to take on various sewing projects, want to apply different stitches, and like to go anywhere will benefit from this machine.
Conclusion
Sewists and embroiders love a very efficient sewing machine. They want one that can give them excellent performance, allowing them to finish their sewing project most conveniently and enjoyably.
But some sewing machines have far more excellent features than others. To this, efficiency would not be enough; what we discussed here are sewing machines dedicated explicitly to crafters and hobbyists.
The sewing machines we discussed here are efficient and practical but also unique. Each has its pros and cons and has its selling point that would appeal to the crafters, who would choose what they want, need, or suits them.
Crafters want efficiency and more; they want a sewing machine to enhance their skills, talent, and capabilities. They want one that can give them that fun and enjoyment every artist wants.
In short, they want not only the one that works but one that can give them aesthetic pleasure at the same time.
The machine would allow crafters to indulge in their passion and, at the same time, create beautiful works of art in fabric.
And the crafting sewing machines we discussed here can give them aesthetic pleasure without sacrificing efficiency and performance. Any crafter, for sure, would find one that suits him.