Sewing and embroidery
From hems to hoops: sewing and embroidery machines explained.
Beginner and computerised sewing machines, embroidery machines, overlockers and the needles and feet that make them work, explained clearly and compared on what the makers state: stitches, buttonhole type, hoop field and speed.
Our top picks
All buying guidesNot statedStitches
Bernette sewing machines comparedBernette 38: thread cutter and automatic tie-off
Computerised sewing · Not stated
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link100Stitches
Best computerised sewing machinesJanome JW8100: 100 stitches, 7 buttonhole styles
7 automatic styles · Slider
Check price on AmazonAffiliate linkCoverstitch onlyType
Best coverstitch and combination overlockersJanome CoverPro 2000CPX: free arm cover hems
Yes · Not stated
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link5 x 7 in (130 x 180 mm)Embroidery field
Best embroidery machines for beginnersBrother PE900: 5 x 7 in field with wireless LAN
Embroidery only · 193 plus 13 fonts
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link
Needle size guide
Open the guide →80/12
NM / US size · Light to medium
- Typical fabrics
- quilting cotton, poplin, shirting
- Point type
- Universal or quilting
- Thread
- Standard 50 weight polyester or cotton.
Common guidance: brands vary, so test on a scrap. Domestic machines use the 130/705H needle system; overlockers may need a different system, check the manual.
Machines and supplies
Every topic on the site, from first machines to needles and feet.
- Beginner machinesEasy to thread sewing machines with sensible stitch sets for first projects, hems and repairs.4 guides · 2 buying guides
- Computerised machinesComputerised and heavy duty machines for dressmaking, denim and home furnishings, by stitches and features.3 guides · 4 buying guides
- Embroidery machinesEmbroidery only and sewing plus embroidery machines, by hoop field, built-in designs and file formats.6 guides · 2 buying guides
- OverlockersOverlockers and coverstitch machines for knits and neat seam finishes, by threads, feed and threading.5 guides · 2 buying guides
- QuiltingLarge throat machines, walking feet and stitch regulation for patchwork, quilting and free motion work.3 guides · 1 buying guide
- Needles and feetNeedle sizes, presser feet, bobbins and the fixes that keep any sewing machine stitching evenly.12 guides · 0 buying guides
- Brands and modelsBrother, Janome, Singer, Bernette and Juki ranges explained model by model, plus brand against brand.5 guides · 5 buying guides
Calculators
Needle sizes and hoop fields, worked out for you.
Common problems
Skipped stitches, loops underneath and snapping thread: causes and fixes.
- Loops or a nest of thread under the fabricA nest of thread under your fabric usually means the upper thread missed the take-up lever or tension discs. How to find the cause and fix it quickly.
- Upper thread snaps or shreds while sewingWhy sewing machine thread keeps breaking: old or poor thread, burrs, the wrong needle size, missing spool caps and over tight tension, with fixes for each.
- Gaps in the seam where stitches are missedWhy a sewing machine skips stitches: needle type and age, ballpoint needles for knits, threading faults, and the timing problems that need a service.
- Machine does not run, or runs erratically, when the pedal is pressedSewing machine pedal or motor not working? Check plugs, the bobbin winder, start/stop buttons and speed sliders, and know when a pedal needs replacing.
- Fabric stays still or barely moves under the footFabric not moving under the foot? Check for lowered feed dogs, a stitch length of zero, lint packed under the needle plate and presser foot pressure.
Comparisons
- Sewing machine vs overlocker: which comes first?Sewing machine vs overlocker explained: what each one does, why an overlocker cannot replace a sewing machine, and which to buy first for dressmaking.
- Quilting machine vs sewing machineQuilting machine vs sewing machine: throat space, stitch regulation and long arm frames, plus what a standard machine can quilt with a walking foot.
- Overlocker vs coverstitch machineOverlocker vs coverstitch: how each stitch is formed, which jobs suit each machine on knits, and when a combination overlocker and coverstitch makes sense.
- Overlock stitch vs zigzag for finishing seamsOverlock stitch vs zigzag and overcast stitches for finishing seams, compared by fabric type, with when a sewing machine is enough and when an overlocker helps.
- Mechanical vs computerised sewing machinesMechanical vs computerised sewing machines compared: dials against screens, buttonholes, speed control, repairs and which suits a first machine.
- Janome vs Singer sewing machinesJanome or Singer? We compare Singer Heavy Duty machines with Janome's HD and mechanical models for denim, everyday sewing, buttonholes and feeding.
Buying guides
Focused guides to one type of machine each, compared on what the listings state.
- Bernette sewing machines compared
- Best computerised sewing machines
- Best coverstitch and combination overlockers
- Best embroidery machines for beginners
- Best heavy duty sewing machines for denim and canvas
- Best overlockers for beginners
- Best sewing and embroidery combination machines
- Best sewing machines for beginners
- Best sewing machines for dressmaking
- Best sewing machines for quilting
- Best sewing machines under £500
- Best sewing machines with automatic thread cutter
- Brother sewing machines compared
- Janome sewing machines compared
- Juki sewing machines compared
- Singer sewing machines compared
Guides & advice
- Why are embroidery machines so expensive?Why embroidery machines cost more than sewing machines: hoop drives, motors, screens, design libraries, field size and the jump to multi needle machines.
- What is a stitch regulator on a quilting machine?A stitch regulator keeps free motion quilting stitches even by matching needle speed to fabric movement. How it works, its limits and which machines offer it.
- Sewing machine needle size chartA sewing machine needle size chart from 60/8 to 120/19, matched to fabrics, plus when to choose universal, jersey, stretch or denim points.
- Sewing machine feet explained: zipper, walking, rolled hem and moreWhat each common sewing machine foot does, from zipper and walking feet to rolled hem and blind hem feet, and which projects need each one.
- Overlocker differential feed explainedWhat overlocker differential feed does, how the two feed dogs work and which settings stop wavy seams on knits and puckered seams on fine wovens.
- One-step vs four-step buttonholes explainedHow one-step and four-step buttonholes work, which sewing machines have each, and why one-step buttonholes come out the same size every time.