Many shoppers usually rely on a solid brand, especially when shopping for a gadget or home appliance. Sewing machines are no exception. When a reputable manufacturer creates a sewing machine, you won’t hesitate to invest in it, even if it may cost you a lot.
The following tried and trusted sewing machine brands have been around in the sewing circles for decades. While there are newer names that work as efficiently as their time-tested counterparts, some people still look at the latter as the basis of a quality product.
This article also lists some suggestions of models from each sewing machine brand that are recommended for beginner and expert sewists alike. Sewing machine (and specialty machine) models for beginners usually have basic features and are priced considerably lower than advanced sewing machines.
Singer
The Singer Company is an American manufacturer of domestic sewing machines based in La Vergne, Tennessee. It was established as I.M. Singer & Co. by Isaac Merritt Singer in 1851. In 1865, it was renamed Singer Manufacturing Company. Then in 1963, its name was changed to The Singer Company.
Singer is one of the oldest and most popular brands of sewing machines. Therefore, if you are looking for a trusted sewing machine for your home or business, it is one of the brands you can rely on.
The Singer Company offers various types of sewing machines. They have mechanical sewing machines, embroidery machines, electrical sewing machines, and a combination of embroidery and sewing machines.
Recommended Singer models and their key features:
Singer Heavy-Duty 44452 Sewing Machine – for heavy-duty sewing needs
-
- 1,100 stitches per minute
- Heavy-duty interior metal frame
- Automatic needle threader
- Lots of accessories
- 32 built-in stitches
Singer Start 1304 Sewing Machine – ideal for beginners
-
- Quick and easy threading
- Built-in-4-step buttonhole
- Dual spool pins
- Easy stitch selection
- 6 built-in stitches
- 3 presser feet
- Preset stitch length and width
- Heavy-duty metal frame
Singer Confidence Quilter 7469Q Sewing Machine – ideal for new and skilled quilters
-
- 98 built-in stitches
- 7 fully automatic one-step buttonholes
- Programmable needle up/down
- Drop feed
- Drop and sew bobbin system
- Automatic needle threader
- Adjustable stitch length and width
- Extension table
- Bonus quilting feet
Bernina
Bernina is an international company that manufactures sewing and embroidery machines. It was founded in Steckborn, Switzerland, in 1893. Through the years, it has excelled in manufacturing machines for domestic use.
Bernina is one of the most trusted sewing machine names in the world. The company produced a wide variety of sewing machines, including sewing machines for quilting, embroidery, crafting, and home textiles. Bernina also invented sewing machines for hemstitch, which was first developed in 1893 by the brand founder Karl Friedrich Gegauf.
Bernina is considered a high-end brand with excellent quality in its production standards. Thus, it is a bit more expensive than the other brands on this list.
Recommended Bernina models and their key features:
Bernina Bernette 33 Swiss Design Sewing Machine – affordable and user-friendly
-
- Semi-automatic threader
- 23 built-in stitches
- One-step buttonhole function
- Large accessory box
- Manual thread cutter
- Affordable price
Bernina Bernette 35 Sewing Machine – an inexpensive mechanical sewing machine, perfect for beginners
-
- 23 built-in stitches
- 7 presser feet
- Mechanical sewing
- Three-knob adjustment
- Automatic one-step buttonhole function
Bernina 350 PE Sewing Machine – advanced features
-
- CB hook system
- 900 stitches per minute
- LED sewing lights
- 9 needle positions
- 3 manual thread cutters
- 191 built-in stitch patterns
- Button sew-on program
- Slide-on table
Brother
Brother is also one of the most popular sewing machine names and one of the highly rated sewing machine companies in the world. It was established in Nagoya, Japan, in 1908.
Brother produces sewing machines under the name of OEM garments and other popular names. It is one of the fastest-selling sewing machine brands in the world.
Brother offers sewing machines that are reliable, durable, and efficient in almost all sewing categories. The company produces sewing machines that are user-friendly and convenient for both home and professional use. Whether you are looking for a tool for sewing, quilting, or embroidery, Brother surely has something good to offer you. It is also the favorite brand of many professional tailors.
Recommended Brother models and their key features:
Brother CS6000i Sewing and Quilting Machine – user-friendly
-
- Automatic needle threading
- Adjustable sewing speed
- 850 stitches per second
- Wide table
- Built-in free arm
Brother Designio Series DZ1234 Serger – for overlocking stitches
-
- Fully computerized
- 1300 stitches per minute
- Color-coded threading
- Adjustable stitch width
Brother XM2701 Lightweight Sewing Machine – lightweight for home use
-
- Versatile free arm
- 27 unique built-in stitches
- 6 quick-change sewing feet
- Jam-resistant
- 25-year limited warranty
Janome
Janome is one of the world’s premier manufacturers of sewing machines. Their plants are located in Japan, Taiwan, and Thailand. Janome sewing machines are known for their simplicity and versatility when it comes to creativity, design, and usage.
For years, this brand has provided quality sewing machines and parts at affordable rates for domestic and commercial purposes. Janome manufactures various machines depending on the user’s skill and requirements. Their sewing machines can cater to every dressmaker, designer, or sewing enthusiast of every skill level.
Janome was the first to develop and create a computerized sewing machine and long-arm quilting machine for domestic use. Its innovative and user-centric designs make the brand especially popular among craft and specialty sewing enthusiasts.
Recommended Janome models and their key features:
Janome 4120QDC Computerized Sewing – for daily sewing needs at home and designed to do all kinds of sewing.
-
- 120 built-in stitches, plus Alphabet fonts, American, European and Cyrillic
- 7 one-step buttonholes
- Built-in one-hand needle threader
- Memorized needle up/down with down as default setting
- 7-piece feed dog and drop feed
- Built-in thread cutter
- Start-stop and easy reverse button
- Stitch pattern memory capability
- Auto declutch bobbin winder
- Extra high presser foot lift
- LCD screen with enhanced informational display and touchpad for easy navigation
- Foot pressure adjustment
- Horizontal full rotary hook bobbin system
- Maximum Stitch Width: 7mm
- Maximum Stitch Length: 5mm
- Hardcover and instructional DVD included
Janome 350E Memory Craft Embroidery Machine Bundle – for embroidery work
-
- 100 built-in designs
- Maximum embroidery size: 5.5” x 7.9”
- Backlit LCD touchscreen
- Built-in needle threader
- Automatic thread cut
- Design transfer via USB and ATA PC card
- Editing features such as enlarge/reduce, rotate, turnover, drag and drop, zoom
Janome MOD-19 Easy-to-Use Sewing Machine – ideal for beginners
-
- 425 Built-in stitches
- Memory capability: up to 4MB of storage
- LCD full-color touchscreen
- Maximum stitch width 9m and length 5mm Maximum embroidery size: 9.1” x 11.8” (230mm x 300mm)
- Design transfer options: USB, Direct PC Connection via Horizon Link Embroidery sewing speed: 400 – 1,000 spm
- Kit includes Semi Hard Cover and DVD
Juki
Juki is another Japan-based global company. Although it is primarily known for its sewing machines, Juki also manufactures high-technology surface mount technology (SMT) assembly equipment.
Juki began its production in 1938 and eventually made a name for itself. It is one of the best sewing machine names on the market because it produces sewing machines with quality, durability, and reliability. In fact, it is the first brand that most people think of and count on when it comes to commercial and industrial sewing machines, which are Juki’s specialty.
In addition to commercial and industrial sewing machines, Juki boasts a wide range of sewing machines for beginners. While Juki’s sewing machines offer excellent quality and performance, they are less costly compared to the other brands on the list. Whether you need something for commercial or home use, you can rely on Juki’s sewing machines that can deliver impressive sewing experience and durability. Juki has everything for everyone. Their products are also user-friendly and simple to maintain.
Juki’s machines are categorized into the following:
- HZL models – household sewing machines
- TL models – tailor-use sewing machines
- MO models – overlock sewing machines or sergers
Recommended Juki models and their key features
Juki HZL-DX Series Sewing Machine – one of the most popular Juki sewing machines
-
- Fast speeds
- Even sewing
- Can make top-notch buttonholes
- Box feed system
- Intuitive controls
- Reverse stitch speed
- Lock stitch
Juki MO654DE Portable Thread Serger Sewing Machine – for overlocking stitching anywhere
-
- Durable
- Adjustable stitch length
- Calibrated knife adjustment
- Easy rolled hem conversion
- Multi-function presser foot
- Bright lights
- Color-coded threading guides
Juki TL-2000Qi Sewing and Quilting Machine – one Juki’s best-selling sewing machines for domestic use
-
- 1500 stitching per minute
- Automatic needle threader
- Straight stitch
- Aluminum die-cast arm and bed
- Extension table for wide work area
Final words
For many consumers, some of the most important factors they look for in a sewing machine is a well-known brand.
It has taken Singer, Bernina, Brother, Janome, and Juki many decades to build the reputation that they have now. These brands are trusted as they manufacture sewing machines, sergers, embroidery machines, etc., with nothing but the highest quality standards.
A sewing machine of good quality and brand is a worthwhile investment. Making your own clothing can be quite satisfying with an excellent sewing machine. So, choose wisely and look for sewing machines with solid names and reputations.
If you are having difficulties selecting a brand and a specific model of sewing machine, you can check out our Guide to Selecting a Sewing Machine to make your search easier.