Used Home Sewing Machines

What to Consider When Buying a Sewing Machine

What is the best home sewing machine for you? It depends on your skill level, intended use, and budget. Evaluate your needs, usage areas, and skills before purchasing a sewing machine. Also consider how you can use the machine as your skills improve (Dealers and suppliers often provide free training, and many offer sewing machine classes).

A few hundred dollars will buy you a good, basic sewing machine that can handle most clothing and craft projects or quilting tasks. Spending more can provide you with additional automatic functions, while a top-of-the-line machine can cost thousands. The best part? It will produce professional-quality designs even if you don't know how to sew.

This information is meant to help facilitate the purchase of a sewing machine. Today's machines can recommend the appropriate presser foot, determine the correct thread tension and stitch length, sew a buttonhole, and even automatically cut the thread.

Please note that Consumer Reports does not currently provide Sewing Machine ratings.