Best Sewing Machine, Need Advice

[Zoee]

Hi everyone,

I’m planning to buy a sewing machine for home use, but I’m not sure which one would be a good choice. I’ll mostly use it for stitching clothes, doing some basic embroidery, and sometimes for thicker fabrics like denim.

My budget is around (150$ -300$)
I found some information on a couple of models, but I’d like your advice:

Brother Sewing XM2701 Machines

https://www.amazon.com/Brother-XM2701-Lightweight-Buttonholer-Instructional/dp/B00JBKVN8S?th=1&

Could you please suggest which brands or models are reliable, easy to use, and durable?

I’d really appreciate any advice or personal experience you can share.
Thank you!

 

[maurac]

Hi Zoee - know this link is to UK site but I have this machine and bought it do do some quilting. It easily handled 2 layers of heavier vintage fabrics with cotton batting plus it has embroidery mode:
https://prelovedsewingmachines.co.uk/products/toyota-oekaki-50-renaissance-sewing-machine

 

[Ellie]

I started sewing during lockdown in 2020 and got the Brother XM2701 as my first machine. It’s super beginner-friendly and handles light to medium fabrics well. Denim can be tricky though, just go slow and use the right needle. Great value for the price if you ask me

 

[Zoee]

That’s awesome! I’ve heard good things about the Brother XM2701. It’s great to know it works well for beginners I’ve been thinking about getting one myself. Thanks for the tip about denim and needles! Sounds like a solid machine for the price.

 

[Marla Sandridge]

Also, look into refurbished machines. I bought one about 20 years ago and am still using it. You can purchase them directly from the manufacturer, and I have seen some options that offer free shipping. I think I saw some on eBay as well.

 

[Lena]

Hi Zoee - know this link is to UK site but I have this machine and bought it do do some quilting. It easily handled 2 layers of heavier vintage fabrics with cotton batting plus it has embroidery mode:
https://prelovedsewingmachines.co.uk/products/toyota-oekaki-50-renaissance-sewing-machine

Holy cow! I did not know Toyota was still making machines! When my husband and I were living in Connecticut in 1970, I bought my first sewing machine (newly married, new apartment, no family nearby either machines to use). I loved that machine. Just saw a reference to a toyota-oekaki. What a pleasant surprise! Have never seen one of these (mine was simply a Toyota). Are these only available overseas?

 

[SherylG]

I love the Singer Heavy Duty 4452! It will sew through layers of denim and do other very heavy work smoothly, without a hiccup. It's truly heavy duty! I got mine on Amazon. I have had several other machines in the past, just mid work machines at most. Denim ruined one machine completely. I just tossed it.

​