Sewing Machine Face-Off: Which One Weighs the Most? 

I have the BabyLock Solaris, which I bought during the covid lockdown. At that time, I couldn't lift the machine. About two years ago, I started working with a personal trainer twice a week. I can now lift that monster from the floor and up onto my sewing table. I also just turned 72. Just saying...

Please do an episode about the best lightest machines for taking to class

I have a Bernina 790 plus and have found exactly what Sara says, I carry it downstairs easily with one arm through the opening. The carrier bag makes it heavier and bulky so I just use that on flat surfaces. Mine did come with a 480 to carry to classes. Love this machine!

I love my PFAFF Icon 2, except for how heavy it is! 😂🤣😂 And I see on this video it is the second lightest! I have my little, old Janome Quilter for classes, and the PFAFF stays home. lol I did have to get a sewing cabinet for the PFAFF. My old one (1978 model) just wasn’t big enough. I have a roller bag for the PFAFF, but it’s easier to just put the machine in the pickup and not mess with the bag. My service center has heavy duty cart tables they bring out to the parking lot and we wheel it in on that. Works out very nicely, and that’s the only time this machine leaves the house. Love your videos Sara. Thanks for sharing! ❤❤❤

Just a thought! They don't look all the big in a big store either..but are huge when you get them home!

Always love 💕 & appreciate your very informative videos. I have a Bernina 880 and I love it but cannot lift or carry it. Thankfully my husband or my son lifts it into my car. 😊

My Bernina 570QE is heavy so for going to classes etc I’ve just purchased a basic Brother 50 - at least that is manageable.😊

Hi Sara: Love all your classes and videos. I was surprised to see that Bernina had the machines on the lighter end. I had a Bernina 830 and it was a little heavy for me. I traded her in recently for a Bernina 790Plus that I LOVE! It is easy to take with me to classes and retreats, can be carried up stairs and fits nicely in a furniture cabinet at home with a lift that works great. I am a senior sewist and it was one of the factors I considered.

Great video! Dealers don’t emphasize weight at all but they should. Considering the typical customer buying these machines are over 50. Weight is a consideration. I have a big machine and looking for something smaller… thanks for this very interesting. Looking forward to a vid on sewing machine furniture, especially something that is a space saver. 🤗🤓😎

Great video! I have the Bernina 770QE and I love it,I bought mine here in Jerusalem,🇮🇱it doesnt matter how much it weighs because, I'm not able to lift anything over 5 pounds,due to my brain injury . I have a sewing room there is no need to move it except when its serviced. Also we manged to buy one of the last the Ultimate Scrap Box ,this perfect and very strong,can hold any machine.

This is a real issue! My Bernina 830LE (purchased 2011) is really heavy, and was a problem when I was in a 2 story house, now in a 1 story. The case that came with it was very nice, but in 2022 the wheels literally cracked and broke apart and no one could replace it. Ugh. I take my 25-year old Bernina 180 to classes, but they’ve told me it can no longer be repaired if any issues arise.

Bernina 880 Plus is a beast, but boy I love her!

I ave a Brother Luminaire that I can’t lift. Thankfully my son will move it for me. However my sewing room is a loft. The way up is a spiral staircase. He has already told me he will not be taking it up and down for classes!!

Very useful video! I've taken classes at the Pfaff dealership. Some of the older people had HUGE Icon models and complained they didn't realize how heavy and awkward the machines were.

I have the Janome M8. I would never consider taking it to a class. Also, I said “yes” to a special feature when I upgraded from the M7. The M8 has a stitch regulator!

What a great video. I have both the 790, Epic 3 and Luminaire and Solaris. I had no idea the 790 was the lightest of the 3 !! I don't take any of them out much, and it is mainly because of the weight. I LOVE Zoom workshops where I can stitch with others, but from my home. And I am very fortunate that I have a service tech come to my home to service my machines, including the 10 needle. That is a monster. I am now looking at the cute Pfaff Passport 3 because it is lightweight and you have such excellent videos on the machine. Thanks so much for putting together all the information on our wonderful machines. Boy, I am so glad I am not interested in the new Janome!!

I think forty-four pounds might be much lighter than the heaviest sewing machine currently on the market. I think my Juki DDL8700's head alone is at least eighty pounds. Add the motor and table and it's around 150 pounds. I know, you probably weren't counting industrial machines, but it is technically a sewing machine and is still available on the market. 🙂 I got mine from Amazon. There are probably even heavier industrials available.

Thank you, Sara, I have always wondered about the weight of the different larger sewing machines.

I love my Epic 2, but getting this machine up and down my stairs for class has been challenging!

The sewing/embroidery machines coming out in the last several years and now are huge! The machine is huge plus the embroidery unit is huge - requiring a table that many of us don’t have room for! The big hoops are fantastic,mouth I’ll stick with my older sewing/embroidery machines with an 8”x12” hoop as the,largest! Neither of these machines are set up because I don’t have the space to keep them set up along with the sewing machine I use regularly! My BabyLock Presto 2 weighs about 20lbs and it’s getting harder and harder for me to get it down the stairs and I to a wheeled trolley and then into the car - plus the return back upstairs 😩😩 it’s still sitting by the front door from Tuesday!!! I’m getting older and older - and I. Seriously thinking about switching to some of my Vintage Singer machines to take to work day at my guild! But I will need to rearrange my brain - even though these are wonderful, I’ve gotten used to several things my newer machines can do that they can’t (yes, I’m spoiled!!!).

Thanks for video. Do you have instructions for that beautiful quilt behind you? I really like modern designs.

I was surprised to see the Epic weight in comparison to other machines. I really like my Epic 2 but only take it to class. For retreats I use my Sapphire. I was puzzled when you showed an external power pack for the Viking as I don't have that component. Is that just on the Pfaff ?

WOW! I'm in shock. I have the Pfaff Icon 2 and thought it would be the heaviest. I'm glad I also have the Passport 2 to take to class.

Do you have online mastery classes for the Janome Continental M7 and the Baby Lock Solaris upgraded to version 3?

I thought it would be the Janome machine! Thank you Sarah

This is why I searched for, and found, a technician who will come to my house.

The Pfaff Icon 2 (in it's trolley) fits into the boot of a Mini 😂

Try lifting an antique cast iron Singer or an old 1960s Kenmore.

I love all your videos, Sara!

This was a great topic!! So true!

Really surprised to see that my Bernina 770 QE Plus weighs less on the scales than my HV Epic or Pfaff CI2 do, because I have far more trouble lifting and carrying the Bernina than the other 2 (I am short & puny tho). The Bernina seems denser/heavier somehow. Love the way Sara enthusiastically encourages us to learn new things and aspire to new creative heights!

My pfaff weighs a ton, i dont know how much…wowza

Technology like everything has made things better for use, but not for toting.

I wanted to see you lift that machine onto the scale … super disappointed not to have seen that.

Try lifting an old cast metal Singer🏋️