The best sewing machines
Taking up trousers, making cushion covers or starting on dressmaking: five sewing machines compared, from a simple first machine to one with 32 stitches and a one-step buttonhole.
For hems, repairs and first dressmaking projects, a handful of good straight, zigzag and stretch stitches matters more than a long menu of decorative ones. What makes the day-to-day easier is how the machine threads and loads: a built-in needle threader, and a bobbin that’s simple to drop in or slot into its case.
Janome’s name means “snake’s eye” in Japanese, after the round bobbin that replaced the long shuttle in its early machines. The other big difference here is the buttonhole: a four-step one is sewn in stages, turning the dial for each, while a one-step buttonhole sews the whole thing in one go.
What matters
- Enough stitches for the job: straight, zigzag, stretch and a buttonhole cover most sewing.
- A one-step buttonhole and a needle threader, if fiddly jobs put you off.
- The bobbin: a drop-in one is easiest to load; a front-loading one sits in a case under the needle.
- A free arm for sleeves, cuffs and trouser legs.
#1 of 5
Best overall
Brother LS14s Metal Chassis Sewing Machine
£75–£100 Price range
A straightforward first machine on a metal chassis, with the 14 stitches most sewing needs and a clear drop-in bobbin that shows when the thread is running low. Brother took over Manchester’s Jones sewing machine company in 1968.
What owners say: Owners find it a gentle way in for beginners, helped by clear instructions and the DVD, and say it stitches neatly for simple clothes-making.
Heads up: Use plastic bobbins only: Brother warns that metal ones can spoil the stitching and void the warranty.
A closer look: There’s no needle threader or speed control, so thread the needle in good light and let the foot pedal set the pace. The flat bed slides off to leave a free arm for sleeves, cuffs and trouser legs, and the instructional DVD in the box helps with the first sessions.
- 14 built-in stitches
- 4-step automatic buttonhole
- Jam-proof drop-in bobbin
- LED sewing light
- 3-year manufacturer’s warranty
Best for: A first machine
- Built-in stitches
- 14
- Buttonhole
- 4-step
- Needle threader
- No
- Bobbin
- Drop-in (top)
- Max stitch width
- 5mm
#2 of 5
Runner-up
Janome 2200XT Sewing Machine
£195.00 RRP
Two dials, one for the stitch and one for its length, make it quick to learn, and the drop feed lets the fabric move freely for darning and freehand embroidery. A soft cover keeps the dust off between projects.
What owners say: Threading is manageable even for a first-timer, owners say, and it arrives ready to sew with nothing to set up.
A closer look: The bobbin loads from the front into a case under the needle, so a few minutes with the manual helps the first time. Presser feet snap on and off, and the extension table comes away to leave a free arm for hemming sleeves and trouser legs.
- 22 built-in stitches
- Automatic 4-step buttonhole
- Drop feed for freehand embroidery
- Built-in thread cutter
- Soft cover included
Best for: Simple, sturdy sewing
- Built-in stitches
- 22
- Buttonhole
- 4-step
- Needle threader
- No
- Bobbin
- Front-loading
- Max stitch width
- 5mm
#3 of 5
Bernette B35 Sewing Machine
£200–£300 Price range
From BERNINA’s bernette range: three dials set the stitch, its width and its length, the buttonhole sews itself in one step, and a built-in needle threader saves squinting at the eye of the needle.
What owners say: Owners like how quickly buttonholes come out in a single step, and find it sturdy, with more than enough stitches for their projects.
A closer look: Seven presser feet come in the box, so zips, hems and buttonholes are covered from the start. The tension wheel sits within easy reach and can be turned while sewing, which helps when moving between cotton and stretchy fabrics.
- 23 built-in stitches
- Automatic 1-step buttonhole
- Built-in needle threader
- 7 snap-on presser feet
- Retractable feed dog
Best for: Buttonholes made easy
- Built-in stitches
- 23
- Buttonhole
- 1-step
- Needle threader
- Yes
- Bobbin
- Front-loading
- Max stitch width
- 5mm
#4 of 5
Singer Promise 1408 Sewing Machine
£100–£150 Price range
Light at 4.9kg and built on a heavy-duty metal frame, with eight stitches, a four-step buttonhole and a carry handle: enough for repairs, hems and simple projects, and easy to lift out of a cupboard.
What owners say: Owners like how light it is to lift out and put away, and call it a neat little machine for everyday mending.
A closer look: Stitches are chosen on one dial and their length on the other, so there’s little to learn. The storage compartment slides away to leave a free arm for cuffs and sleeves, and the snap-on feet change in seconds for a zip or a button.
- 8 built-in stitches
- 4-step buttonhole
- Heavy-duty metal frame
- Free arm with accessory storage
- Weighs 4.9kg
Best for: Light repairs and hems
- Built-in stitches
- 8
- Buttonhole
- 4-step
- Needle threader
- No
- Bobbin
- Front-loading
- Max stitch width
- 4mm
#5 of 5
Most stitches
Husqvarna Viking H Class E20 Sewing Machine
£200–£300 Price range
The most stitches here, 32 including stretch and decorative ones, with a one-step buttonhole, a built-in needle threader and seven presser feet, quilting and free-motion feet among them.
What owners say: Owners praise how solid and quiet it is while sewing, and find it easy to thread.
A closer look: Speed follows the pressure on the electronic foot control, so a light touch keeps things slow while learning. The quilting and free-motion feet in the box open up patchwork and freehand stitching once straight seams feel easy.
- 32 built-in stitches
- One-step buttonhole
- Built-in needle threader
- 7 presser feet included
- Stitch width up to 5mm
Best for: Quilting and more stitches
- Built-in stitches
- 32
- Buttonhole
- 1-step
- Needle threader
- Yes
- Bobbin
- Front-loading
- Max stitch width
- 5mm
How they compare
| Feature | #1Brother LS14s | #2Janome 2200XT | #3Bernette B35 | #4Singer Promise 1408 | #5Husqvarna Viking E20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Runner-up | Most stitches | |||
| Picked Rating | 9.5 | 9.1 | 9.0 | 8.6 | 8.3 |
| Price | £75–£100 Price range | £195.00 RRP | £200–£300 Price range | £100–£150 Price range | £200–£300 Price range |
| Built-in stitches | 14 | 22 | 23 | 8 | 32 |
| Buttonhole | 4-step | 4-step | 1-step | 4-step | 1-step |
| Needle threader | No | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Bobbin | Drop-in (top) | Front-loading | Front-loading | Front-loading | Front-loading |
| Max stitch width | 5mm | 5mm | 5mm | 4mm | 5mm |
| Best for | A first machine | Simple, sturdy sewing | Buttonholes made easy | Light repairs and hems | Quilting and more stitches |
| Check price | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
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