Sewing machine reviews: FAQs

When you're out shopping for a sewing machine, there are probably lots of questions you'll want to ask. We offer expert advice on choosing, buying and using your sewing machine, compare sewing machines from popular brands including Janome, Brother and Toyota, and recommend Best Buy sewing machines that score highly in our tests.

Any tips for sewing machine beginners?

Reading instructions

An instruction booklet is essential reading for using your sewing machine correctly

  • Read the instruction booklet - this can be full of helpful tips and advice on how to use your particular sewing machine properly
  • Check out our beginner's guide to sewing machines for lots of tips on learning how to sew
  • Try out all the available stitches on your sewing machine, as well as different combinations of the stitch length and width dials. Make a note of the settings when you're happy with the results
  • Practise sewing in a straight line before you start working on projects
  • Try out your stitch length, width and tension on a piece of scrap fabric before launching into a fresh seam – it'll save unpicking later. Also check the front and underside of the fabric to see if your stitches are good
  • Replace needles frequently on your sewing machine to avoid skipped or broken stitches (every eight hours or every project)
  • Use the right sort of needle for the fabric, for instance a ballpoint needle for stretch fabrics
  • Thread the sewing machine carefully, with the presser foot raised to highest position so the tension discs are separated (and thread can easily fall between discs)
  • Check the needle is inserted the right way round (flat side to the back) and isn't bent
  • Watch our sewing how-to video guides, including how to get started and how to make a simple cushion cover.

How do I tackle different types of fabrics on my sewing machine? 

curtains

If you're interested in making curtains, look for a machine with a large sewing bed or extension table

Thick fabrics 

Thicker fabrics such as fleece and denim require a longer stitch length than thinner fabrics – check that the sewing machine you're interested in offers a genuine choice of long and short stitches.

Stretch fabrics 

Sewing stretchy fabrics is a challenge; look for a sewing machine with a stretch stitch to help you get the best results.

Delicate fabrics

Delicate fabrics need light handling, so if you'll be using them a lot, pick a sewing machine that lets you reduce the pressure of the presser foot – this will decrease the risk of snagging your fabric on the feed dogs.

Check if the machine comes with a teflon-coated plastic foot, which sometimes works better than a standard metal foot on delicate fabrics, and make sure that you can buy a fine needle to go with your brand of sewing machine.

Curtains 

Sewing machine needles

For best results on your sewing machine, you'll need the right needles

Look for a sewing machine with a large sewing bed or extension table, which will make it easier to handle large panels of fabric. You'll also want one that can handle sewing multiple thicknesses of fabric of different weights.

Why does my needle keep breaking? 

There are several reasons why your needle might keep breaking:

  • the needle is not inserted correctly or not clamped securely in place
  • the needle is bent or blunt
  • the tension of the needle thread is too tight
  • the needle is too fine for the fabric being sewn
  • the stitch-selector dial has been turned while the needle was in the fabric
  • the threads and fabric have not been pushed to the back of the sewing machine at the start and end of sewing.
Stitch selector

Finding the right tension for your stitch is essential

Why is stitch tension important on a sewing machine?

Sewing machines use two separate threads to make a stitch: the needle thread, which comes down from the top of the machine and the bobbin thread, which comes upwards from the bottom of the machine.

A stitch is made when the sewing machine needle brings the top thread down through the fabric, loops it around the bottom thread and draws it back up into the fabric.

The tension setting controls how much force the two threads put on each other as the stitch is made. The tension needs to be just right to pull the two threads into the middle of the fabric – too much tension in the top thread and you'll see the top thread lying flat on the surface of your fabric, with tiny loops of the lower thread visible around it.

Too little tension and you'll see the same thing on the underside of the fabric.

How can I look after my sewing machine? 

Bobbin area

Clean around the sewing machine's bobbin case, presser foot and feed dogs regularly 

Sewing machines need frequent cleaning to prevent dust and fabric or thread residue from clogging up their inner workings. If you use your machine regularly, take the following steps to keep it running smoothly:

  • Wipe the surface of the sewing machine with a damp cloth, then dry with another
  • Remove the needle plate and clean lint from the surface of the feed dogs and top of the shuttle race (compartment where the bobbin is held)
  • Remove the bobbin case and clean lint from the case compartment and shuttle race
  • Oil the sewing machine where indicated in the instructions.
Which? works for you