Which Sewing Machine Should I Buy? The Complete Buying Guide
Which Sewing Machine Should I Buy? The Complete Buying Guide
Shopping for a sewing machine online can feel overwhelming. There are dozens of models, endless feature lists, and very few places that will give you straight, honest advice about which one is actually right for what you need.
That's exactly what this guide is for. We've taken the conversations we have with customers every single day in our showroom and written them down, so whether you're popping in to see us or browsing from home, you get the same expert guidance.
Why every machine here is a Brother
Lords Sewing is a Brother specialist. It's all we sell, it's all we service, and it's what we use at home ourselves. We don't stock multiple brands and push whichever one has the best margin — we recommend Brother machines because after 45+ years in this business, we genuinely believe they offer the best combination of reliability, build quality, features and value at every price point. Every recommendation in this guide comes from hands-on experience.
In this guide
- Best sewing machine for occasional alterations
- Best sewing machine for regular home use
- Best sewing machine for teaching children to sew
- Best sewing machine for beginners
- Mechanical vs computerised — what's the difference?
- Best heavy-duty sewing machine for bags and thick fabrics
- Best sewing machine for quilting
- Best combined sewing and embroidery machine
- Best embroidery-only machine
- Best embroidery machine for quilters
- Still not sure? Come and try them
What's the best sewing machine for occasional alterations?
If you just need a machine for the odd hem, taking up trousers, or the occasional repair, you don't need to overcomplicate things.
Brother L14s
A straightforward mechanical machine that does the job well. It's lightweight, all the stitches are preset, and it's easy to set up — there's very little to think about. As long as you use the correct needle type for whatever fabric you're working on, it'll handle occasional alterations without any fuss.
If you think you'll use it a bit more often, it's worth stepping up to either the LX17 or the LX25. Both have more metal parts than the L14s, making them more robust for more frequent use.
Brother LX17
Keeps things simple — all the stitches are still preset, so setup is just as easy as the L14s. More metal parts make it more robust for regular use.
Brother LX25
Requires you to alter the stitch length for each stitch you choose, which is one extra thing to remember, but it gives you more flexibility over your stitch options if you want that level of control.
What's the best sewing machine for regular home use and furnishings?
If you're altering clothes regularly and also tackling home furnishing projects like curtains, you need something with a bit more strength behind it.
Brother HF37
What Brother calls their "Strong and Tough" model, and it lives up to the name. It's a mechanical machine with a sturdy metal frame and metal needle plate, giving it the solidity to handle thicker furnishing fabrics like curtain material without struggling. It has a good range of stitches, a built-in needle threader, and a one-step buttonhole feature.
Needle tip
One tip that applies to all sewing — always change your needle to suit your fabric. The thicker the fabric, the heavier the needle you'll need. Get that right and the HF37 will handle your furnishing projects and clothing alterations with no trouble at all.
What's the best sewing machine for teaching children to sew?
This is one of the questions we get asked most. Plenty of customers want a machine that works for their own sewing but is also safe and manageable enough for children or grandchildren to learn on.
Brother NV15
An electronic (computerised) machine with basic stitches — nothing too complicated — and all stitches have a default preset, so you don't need to adjust settings every time you change stitch.
Why it's brilliant for teaching children
The sliding speed control on the front can be set to a maximum speed. When sewing with children, set it to the slowest setting so they have full control. The start/stop button means using the foot pedal is optional — little children with little legs don't have to miss out on learning to sew from a young age. And because this is a capable computerised machine in its own right, it works perfectly well for your own occasional alterations and home sewing projects too.
What's the best sewing machine for beginners?
If you're new to sewing and want to get into dressmaking, home furnishings, or just having a machine you can grow with, the easiest machines to use are the electronic (computerised) models.
Now, you might hear "computerised" and think that means complicated. It actually means the opposite. All the stitches are preset with a default setting, but you have the option to alter them. Each time you change the stitch, the machine automatically changes the needle position and settings to suit — meaning you don't have to. They have speed controllers so you can set the machine to a speed you're comfortable with, and it won't run away no matter how far you push the foot pedal down. They're also heavier than the mechanical machines, and they feel more sturdy and solid when you're using them.
The Brother A-Series range
This is where we'd point most beginners, and it's one of Brother's best ranges. There are four machines, and here's the important bit: all four work in the same way, are the same size, and the same weight. The difference between them is simply which extra features you'd find useful.
Brother A16
All the essential stitches you need for basic dressmaking and furnishings, with a couple of automatic one-step buttonhole styles. A solid, no-fuss starter machine with everything you need and nothing you don't.
Brother A50
Everything the A16 offers, plus more decorative stitch styles and additional buttonhole styles for a more professional dressmaking finish. The decorative stitches are ideal if you'd like to embellish your clothing or make crafty items.
Brother A65
Adds a hard-case for safe storage when the machine isn't in use, plus the auto thread-cutting function.
Brother A150
Includes lettering options in three font styles, so you can personalise your makes. Also has the auto thread-cutting function.
The A-Series as a portable second machine
A lot of our customers who own larger machines — like the VQ2 or combined sewing and embroidery models — also buy an A-Series machine as a portable second machine. They take it to classes and workshops because it's easier to transport, but it still gives them the stitch quality they're used to, along with the speed control and start/stop features. If you go for the A65 or A150, you get the auto thread-cutting too.
Mechanical vs computerised sewing machines — what's the difference?
Mechanical machines are the more traditional type. They tend to be lighter and simpler. On most mechanical models, you select your stitch and may need to manually adjust the stitch length and width. They're perfectly capable machines, and for occasional or straightforward use they do the job well. The Brother L14s, LX17, LX25, HF37 and PQ1600s in this guide are all mechanical models.
Computerised (electronic) machines have a built-in computer that automates a lot of the setup. When you select a stitch, the machine automatically adjusts the needle position, stitch length and width to suit. They typically have speed controllers, start/stop buttons (making the foot pedal optional), and tend to have a sturdier, heavier build. The NV15, the entire A-Series range, and the larger quilting and embroidery machines in this guide are all computerised.
Key takeaway
Computerised doesn't mean complicated. For most people — especially beginners — computerised machines are actually easier to use because they do more of the thinking for you.
What's the best heavy-duty sewing machine for bags and thick fabrics?
If you're making bags — particularly using patterns from brands like By Annie and Sallie Tomato — you already know the frustration. Multiple layers of fabric, wadding, foam, zippers, vinyl... a standard domestic machine struggles with the bulk.
Brother PQ1600s
A high-speed, straight-stitch machine with the power of an industrial machine, but compact and suitable for the home. It has a metal casing, making it durable and solid, and it will sew through thick, multi-layered projects while keeping an even stitch length and tension throughout.
More than you'd expect
It comes with a whole range of additional accessories and feet as standard. If you've been looking at the Juki and Janome models popular with domestic bag-makers, the PQ1600s is comparable but at a more affordable price point and with more accessories included. It's a mechanical machine at heart, but with some useful electronic features built in — like an auto thread-cutter.
What's the best sewing machine for quilting?
Quilting has its own set of requirements, and the most important one is space. More space to the right of the needle — known as the "throat" — means you can access the middle of your quilts more easily when sewing the layers together. The bigger the quilt, the more space you'll need.
Getting started with quilting: the NV1350 and NV1850Q
If you're looking to upgrade from a basic machine and grow into quilting, both of these are excellent choices. Both offer a wide range of decorative stitches, lettering styles, and a multi-directional feed — meaning the decorative stitches aren't limited to the 7mm needle swing width like smaller machines.
Brother NV1350
A capable quilting machine with a wide range of decorative stitches and lettering styles. A great stepping stone from a basic machine into dedicated quilting.
Brother NV1850Q
Adds features quilters will particularly appreciate — including an auto foot up/down button and a generous range of accessories as standard: a wide extension table, walking foot, selection of free-motion feet, and a stitch guide.
The pivot function
The NV1850Q has a built-in pivot function — when turned on, the machine will automatically lower the needle but raise the foot slightly when you stop sewing, allowing you to turn the fabric. When you resume, the foot drops back down automatically. If you do a lot of applique, curved piecing, or anything where you're constantly stopping, turning, and starting again, this feature saves a huge amount of time and effort.
Serious quilting: the VQ2 and Celeste CX1
Brother VQ2
A huge 11-inch long-arm to the right of the needle, giving you plenty of room to roll up large quilt projects. Hundreds of built-in utility and decorative stitches, a sideways feed for extra-wide decorative stitches, and quilting-specific accessories included as standard.
Brother Celeste CX1
Brother's recently released flagship sewing machine. Does everything the VQ2 can do and more, including a bigger screen, precision laser guideline, and all the top-spec sewing features seen on the Aveneer and Stellaire ranges. Over £500 worth of accessories included as standard.
The stitch regulator — a game changer
The Celeste CX1 is the first and currently only sewing-only machine in the Brother range to have a stitch regulator for free-motion stitching. If you've never been confident with free-motion sewing or quilting, the stitch regulator keeps your stitches even regardless of how fast or slow you move the fabric.
What's the best combined sewing and embroidery machine?
If your main focus is getting a capable sewing machine but you also like the idea of trying machine embroidery without committing to a separate machine, a combined model gives you both in one.
Dipping your toe in: the Brother M380d
Brother M380d
A compact combined sewing and embroidery machine. On the sewing side, it's comparable to the Brother A150. The embroidery unit is small enough to store away easily when you're not using it. Maximum embroidery area is 4x4 inches (10x10cm), ideal for monogramming, personalisation, and small designs on items like children's clothing. Built-in designs and fonts, plus USB and WiFi connectivity for uploading your own designs.
Stepping up: the Brother F580
Brother F580
The next model up in the range, offering a larger embroidery area of 5x7 inches (13x18cm) — giving you more room to work with if you feel the M380d might be a bit small on the embroidery side.
What's the best embroidery-only machine?
If you already have a sewing machine you're happy with and want to add embroidery without replacing it, an embroidery-only model makes good sense.
For personalisation and smaller designs: the Brother F540e
Brother F540e
An easy-to-use embroidery-only machine with a touch screen, built-in designs, and USB and WiFi connectivity. Embroidery area of 5x7 inches (13x18cm) — ideal for personalisation, monogramming, and adding embroidery to children's and grandchildren's clothing.
For mid-size designs: the Brother NV880e
Brother NV880e
A larger embroidery area of 6.25x10.25 inches (16x26cm), giving you space for mid-size designs if you really enjoy the embroidery and want to take it to the next step. Works in the same way as the F540e — a bigger machine doesn't necessarily mean more complicated to operate.
What's the best embroidery machine for quilters?
If you're a quilter and want to start incorporating machine embroidery into your quilts, the first thing to decide is whether you need a combined sewing and embroidery machine, or whether an embroidery-only model would do — if you already have a good sewing machine for your quilting, the embroidery-only option is usually sufficient.
Minimum embroidery area for quilters
We'd recommend a minimum embroidery area of 8 inches (20cm). You need to think about the size of quilt block you want to embroider — anything smaller than 8 inches starts to limit your block options. Through our experience and research with customers, we've found that the ability to do an 8-inch design is a must for quilters.
The Brother V-Series: V3LE and V5LE
Brother V3LE (embroidery-only)
Maximum embroidery area of 8x12 inches (20x30cm) — plenty of room for quilting projects. Square frames available in 4x4, 6x6 and 8x8 inch sizes, so you can embroider square quilt blocks without wasting excess stabiliser and fabric. Accepts external designs via built-in USB port.
Brother V5LE (combined sewing and embroidery)
Same embroidery capabilities as the V3LE, but with full sewing functionality built in. If you want one machine that does both, this is the V-Series option.
The Stellaire range: XE2 and XJ2
If you want something bigger with even more features, the Stellaire range has a huge embroidery area of 9.5x14 inches (24x36cm).
Brother Stellaire XE2 (embroidery-only)
Built-in auto-stippling and background fill patterns. Take any embroidery design, add a stipple, echo-quilting, or decorative pattern around it, choose your outer block size, embroider, trim, piece together, and you have a fully quilted and embroidered quilt top.
Brother Stellaire XJ2 (combined sewing and embroidery)
All the embroidery features of the XE2 plus additional full sewing capabilities, including laser guideline, hundreds of stitches and a large throat for quilting.
Still not sure? Come and try them
Reading about sewing machines is one thing — sitting down and actually sewing on them is another. Every machine in this guide is available to try in our showroom at Oswaldtwistle Mills in Lancashire (please call before making a special trip and we'll make sure we have the machine available). We'll set it up, talk you through it, and help you find the right machine based on what you actually need — not what has the best margin or the flashiest marketing.
If you can't visit in person, give us a call on 01254 389171 or drop us an email at info@lordsewing.co.uk. We're happy to talk through your options and give you the same advice you'd get if you walked through the door.