Best Sewing Machine From $200 - $1000 

I have been sewing for many years and luckily had a reliable (Singer) electronic model purchased in 1981. It was a gift so I didn' t have to decide what features would work best for me. It has a 2-step buttonhole along with zig-zag, stretch stitches and a few decorative stitches (like arrow, domino and featherstitch). It is still working and last year I bought a heavy duty machine (mechanical) as my existing machine struggles with heavier fabrics. It now gives me the ability to sew a wider range of materials as well as having a newer machine to use in case my old one needs repairs. Your video was great for pointing out what unseen features make a difference (like solid state vs rheostat); it can be difficult to know when you are starting out on a sewing journey as to what you may want in your sewing machine and being informed on aspects like that can make a big difference in getting the most of your investment . The only feature I don't have that I have found to be a great benefit is a speed slide controller -- very helpful when doing curves or tricky areas where a steady, slower pace is appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge and experience -- and yes I learned some valuable tips.

I have a 30 year old husqvarna machine. It's 30 years old and sews like a dream... I love it.

What a saleswoman! You make me want a new machine.

I love the Brillisnt machine. I bought one and used it as a 2nd machine for classes and retreats. My BL Solsris Vision it too heavy to take along. I gave my Brilliant to a friend that couldn't afford a machine. Then, my sales lady friend at my dealer told me she had a floor model Brilliant at a very good price. I drove 50 miles each way to get it. This machine is a workhorse. I recommend it prople when they want an inexpensive good machine

Super helpful pinpointing the big differences in all price ranges

I looked at Baby Lock machines for sewing because I inherited my great grandmother’s vintage Baby Lock serger, but in the end I got the Janome HD3000. All mechanical, no computer chips, no screens, just gears and manual buttons. I love it. I've been learning to maintain and fix it too so I hope to have this thing forever!

you are an amazing sales person. you did an amazing job explaining differences. i personally have a 35 year old bernina which i love. if i needed a new machine i would definitely come visit you. with your knowledge i would feel very comfortable making a large purchase decision!

I’ve got a Pfaff quilt ambition 710 I love to also have a brother for transporting to places an Elba overlocker and a brother embroidery machine love them all. The sewing machine for you is the one that does what you need, not the one one someone is trying to sell you .

Just bought the Brilliant! Always a pleasure dealing with Pins and Needles.

I started with the BL Brilliant-loved it for what I needed. I upgraded to a BL Chorus but really don’t need all the bells and whistles. Also have the BL Jubilant and although a small throat, just love it! I only do small, simple quilts

The best sewing machine is what an individual needs, not what someone who’s representing a company tells us what’s the best.

I wish I lived in Ohio-- I want to take those classes! My BabyLock Accord has been in "the shop" for awhile; I'm using a little Brother from WalMart to keep me from going crazy. My serger helps.

I make bags and pocketbooks. I have a 30 year old Bernina and it doesn’t do the fancy stitches anymore and it doesn’t have all those other lovely features. I wish I lived closer. I would be coming in to see these machines and talk to you.

I bought the Brillant machine about 4 years ago and it sits never used it. I could kick myself for not doing the classes that came with it. Is there anyway I can get classes still for it to learn the machine? I got it because watching you then for this machine. You are amazing. I am 81 and still want to learn.Thank you.

Babylock gets my vote every. Single. Time. Cheers

I have a Janome skyline 5. You talked about a button that was one of your 7 musts. Sure enough it was on mine, and I never knew it. I am so glad I found your video, thank you for all you great information. Can’t wait to use my new found button.

I have a Juki computerized. I also have a mechanical Juki which is only a straight stitch machine. I love it!

Maybe not but I think this lady nailed it.

great info and video I'm liking the babylock line

This is a very good video for anybody who needs to listen to the truth about sewing machines today!! I commend Jan for giving a honest non bias information. I'm a past sales person and I've been sewing for over 35 years. I also have worked in the education side of sewing machine sales. I worked seminars and special events. Not working for a company, I can look at all the machines on the market and see who's doing what. And when they introduced scissors on a sewing machine, yes, I remember when I used to have to hold my thread ends even on the front-loading rotary machine. But back to the scissors, me being the typical man and not thinking outside the box, I immediately thought what a frivolous gadget that's just going to break. I don't know how I sewed all these years without it. I'm very spoiled with all the features that machines have now. And I was the same way of neanderthal thinking about "Wi-Fi". Now if a machine doesn't have Wi-Fi I think "ooh, icky, old". Older now and semi-automatic needle threaders were okay, but now that I can use the extra help the push the button needle threader is such a wonderful feature to have. And no in the beginning of my sewing journey I new nothing about sewing machines except they sew 2 or more pieces of fabric together, make decorative stitches (which were hit or miss as the picture of the stitch) and had the same utility as a pop-up toaster. I always recommend a computerized machine for a beginner. They are so forgiving. I know she's showing Baby lock machines, they are reliable and a good bang for the buck. Using a dealer instead of buying online is very beneficial for new and back to sewing people. I don't own a Baby lock personally, but I have used one in events where they provide a machine to use. If I had a machine like that when I started who knows what my sewing would have looked like. I'm rock solid sold on another brand that is more expensive. But I have that luxury.👍👍

You were so helpful..thank you. I have a Pffaf bought in 1985…one of the first computerized models…it gave me many years of fun & still does. I also have a New Home embroidery & sadly it’s a goner - by Janome. Paid a lot of money for this lemon. You were wonderful to explain everything…This was the first time I ever learned anything until your video. Thanks again. Margy

Great presentation. wish I had a dealer like you near me.

I just watched this video and especially liked the automatic backtack feature. Today, I discovered that I already have that feature on my Janome 6600 machine. It worked great with a completely flat seam beginning without a snarl of threads. I also played with the back and forth stitch for strength and that could be used for top stitching with regulsr thread. I'm going to explore further to see if I have that combination stretch stitch that also finished the seam you used on a neck band. When I purchased my machine, they didn't offer any classes. Thank you for alerting me to some great features. I'll be watching more of your videos.

Very informative! Thanks for sharing features and comparing in such detail.

Instructive as usual. I hope you all can upload more frequently.

Thank you for this, for the past month I have been thinking about a new machine, there are things that my machine just won't do. And there are things that I never learned that were possible - the 60's was a different time. Being retired I have been working on a lot of little things - and so many things I have to do by hand When I went to the local sewing store, they took me to one machine (just a newer model of the one I have with a better needle threader). They didn't seem to want to show me differences in machines or explain anything.

I have a Janome Skyline S5 that my mom bought for me 2 years ago. I use the decorative stitches to top stitch the self-binding baby blankets I make. I use my machine to make my quilts and other projects, but it isn't very portable. I've been looking for a smaller, simpler machine to take to quilting guild meetings.

Wonderful! Thanks so much for the info!

I wish I live near you : (. I bought Janome 2222 online not knowing anything about machines and I am now stuck with pretty sucky machine *sigh and with nobody to explain how to solve certain problems or even how to use all of the stitches and for what they are used ! I searched alllll internet and hundreds of videos - nope, not even close of what you offer in your store and your classes. I am now resorting to using 2 basic stitches (strait and zig-zag) and struggling even with them (at the beginning and especially the end of seam, and god forbid I use "back and forth" stitching). When I was very young I did some simple things on my mom's Singer machine and stitching was flawless and easy - I had NO idea that there is so much difference between machines before I got myself this junky thing : (. Thanks for making this video and broadening my horizons about possibilities and giving me knowledge of what to look for in a sewing machine.

Thank you Jan for your video. I so appreciate how you explain the different features on the machines. I recently purchased a Janome machine and I love it. I am interested in the class that you mentioned. How can I sign up for your class?

Hi I just came across your video it was great! A good refresher I got the brilliant as a gift from my husband last year and you enlightened me on things I didn’t realize how easy it was to do on the brilliant. However, I would like to know if the embroidery kit would work on the brilliant too? Thanks for the info.

Thank you for this informative video. I've been looking at Baby Lock and Brother to do embroidery. I would like to use a USB and be able to go wireless if I need to. I have a Kenmore Ergo Elite embroidery/sewing machine but never used the embroidery and now it's out of compliance with technology. I want a reliable machine that will help me get inspired. I like to quilt as well. I think I would like a 5 x 7 hoop. What's your advice on Brother SE 2000? Is there a Baby Lock comparable? I'm not sure if I need Aspire or IQ technology or if I buy Embrillance then I focus on quality longevity of machine?

I have a Babylock Aventura and my needle threader does not work either.

My Kenmore from 1972 is all metal. No electronics but fabulous. Then I have a 1980:Bernina. Still going like a dream. Then I have a new Juki. It is fine. Do I need an electronic sewing machine?😊

I need a needle down feature that has the needle down every time I stop.

I have a Baby Lock,it won’t move the needle to the centre when I turn it on ,not that old…so I am using a 200. Brother ,works great…

Is it possible to do trade ins ? , if so , what condition your old machine has to be in ?

I’ve never sewed before I bought a sewing machine off market place for $100. I went to pins and needles to ask some questions about sewing because I was lost a little. They were not very helpful or supportive. I asked about classes but you have to use their machines. That’s not going to help me and she told me I needed to know the basics. Well I’m brand new. I barely figured how to thread my machine. She says you can trade your machine in for one of these we have for sale. Last she says is there anything else because I think I’ve spent enough time with you… I was shocked. I would never return to that store. It’s a shame people are so rude and don’t want to be bothered…

I'm interested in a machine with a large workspace to the right of the needle. I like to quilt my own and need the extra space....🤔

Find an old mechanical singer, kenmore or white sewing machine. You can have a good sewing machine tech refurbish it, and it will last a lifetime. All those fancy electronic machines won't last past about 5 years. I am still using the singer my Mom passed down to me. The fancy electronic machines I bought for myself all crapped out within 5 years.

Got a BabyLock Presto 2 last year, needle threader already does not work….ant that was precisely why I bought it…..

where does the sewing through several layers of denim stop? I mean which ones do the effortless layers

Love Jan!

Awesome

If you plan to sew for a living. Get an industrial. Worth it.

I have a Pfaff 2056 I love but I have tension problems and waste thread like to buy a baby lock I live near Lima Ohio what days and hours are open . Location. Enjoyed and learn much

I already have a brilliant, is the class available for someone who already has one? My retailer didn't offer anything.

My triple stretch stitch doesn’t look as pretty as the one in this video. It just looks jagged and off and I don’t know why

Do you have online classes

Does the “Brilliant” have the embroidery feature?

Are the classes live or vitrual? I live in New England so live classes are not an option.

I am looking for a travel sewing machine. I have a quilt group and I need a machine that weighs less then15 pounds. I have recently had abdominal surgery. I have been looking online and not happy. I have not looked at Baby lock. I own a Kenmore and a Singer treadle. I had a Janome, or a brother and I just turned it in as I was spending too much money on repairs. Can you contact me and help me with this situation?

Need telephone # as my email is incorrect so I can contact your store

There's no sound, I hope it isn't my phone.

I hate the online selling option. It just breeds crap.

Hi, I bought a Babylock Brilliant from you during Covid. I live in Idaho so I had it shipped. Not sure if you answer questions but it’s been in the shop a few times with the same problems. It may be just operator error but I wanted to get some input from you. It doesn’t like going over many layers and it sounds like it’s hammering through the fabric. Another thing is the needle threader has broken twice and my thread cutter always jams under the throat plate. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.