Top 10 | Best Sewing Machine for Advanced Sewers
What’s the best sewing machine for advanced sewers? I stand by my comment that a mother sewing for her kids can generally get by with a beginner sewing machine. However, an intermediate sewer or advanced sewer might be ready to upgrade to one of the more expensive sewing machines. Perhaps a sewing machine with a few more options or features or a machine that is a little better for heavy duty sewing. Questions inevitably arise regarding which advanced sewing machines are the best, what features they have, and what features one might need for their advanced sewing projects.
If you’re a beginner sewer and you’d like a Beginner Sewing Machine then this article probably isn’t for you. Instead, I already covered the Top 10 Sewing Machines for a Beginner. Take a look through those. This article will focus more on the best sewing machine for an advanced sewer. The sewing machines that have additional features not found in many beginner sewing machines.
Where can I buy a Sewing Machine? I’ve generally linked (some affiliate links too) to Sewing Machines Plus, which has very detailed product pages complete with videos, recommendations, stitches, embroidery features, etc. Most advanced sewing machines can’t be purchased anywhere (like Amazon). I like Sewing Machines Plus because their prices are generally the same as Amazon on machines that both carry, they give free shipping, they have a greater selection of sewing machines. Their product pages are also far superior to other sites I’ve seen, they carry repair parts, and accessories, and are more knowledgeable with customer service when it comes to a high-end sewing machine.
With all of that being said, I’ve surveyed our Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop Facebook Group Members and done some research. I’ve tried to answer questions like: (1) What is the best sewing machine for heavy duty sewing; or, (2) Which is the best sewing machine for professional use? I’ve left out a lot of advanced machines that are designed for sewing AND embroidery but I did include a couple embroidery options.
For more information on all sewing machines and how to use them click HERE. With that said, here are my top 10 rankings for the best sewing machine for advanced sewers:
Advanced Sewing Machines | $1500 & Under
1. Baby Lock Brilliant Sewing Machine
Baby Lock is one of the top names in the high end sewing machine world and is a good option if you’re a sewer looking for something more advanced. There are groups dedicated to their love of Baby Lock sewing machines. The Baby Lock Brilliant Sewing Machine is a mid-range machine at around $1000 at the time of this writing. It includes 190 stitches and 10 one-step button hole styles. It has a hands-free knee lift that actually raises the presser foot with a tap of the knee, so you can keep both hands sewing – several of the advanced options here have this feature. It also has easily programmable stitches and an advanced needle threader. Finally, the Baby Lock Brilliant comes with a 25 year warranty.
One sewer says that “Finally went ahead and ordered the Brilliant and I wish I had done this long ago. Wonderful machine so far, great stitches, very quiet and so smooth. Knee lift is my favorite part…” If you’re looking for the best sewing machine at a reasonable price then this machine might be a good option for you. For more information on sewing features or to purchase this machine click HERE.
2. Juki HZL-DX7 Sewing Machine
Another top brand for advanced sewing machines is Juki. The Juki DX7 Sewing Machine is a high quality workhorse machine with 287 stitches and a max stitch speed of 1050 stitches per minute. One of its advanced features is that it uses its “box feed” system to make consistent and reliable seems and stitches on all types of fabric. Customers note how durable this machine is in that it can get through thick fabric or even stacks of thicker fabrics. Like the Baby Lock Brilliant above it has an advanced knee-lifting lever to lift the presser foot without hands.
One sewer said, “I am in absolute love. I’ve been sewing for two years, and this machine is really pushing my sewing to the next level. I was nervous to switch to an electronic machine after being on a mechanical beginner’s machine, but the interface is extremely easy to learn. Highly recommend! Also, I love how quiet the DX7 is.” Sewers love the advanced Juki machines. For more information on sewing features or to purchase the Juki DX7 click HERE.
3. Brother PS500 Sewing Machine
I can’t get to far in an article about top sewing machines without mentioning a Brother sewing machine. They’re known for their beginner sewing machines but also have some good sewing machines for advanced sewers. Many sewists got their start sewing on Brother sewing machines and they have some nice options if your interested in stepping it up a notch. The Brother PS500 is a good option at a reasonable price point of around $800. The PS500 has 100 built in stitches and 7 one step buttonholes. It sews up to 850 stitches per minute. It has an easy to use interface and the Brother name.
One sewer noted that it “has a lot of power to sew through several layers an no skipped stitches. Threading the needle is so easy. I love the thread cutting feature. The extra space between the needle and machine head is the main reason I purchased – much room to position larger projects.” To get more information on sewing features or buy this machine click HERE.
4. Bernette 05 Academy Sewing Machine
Bernette sewing machines are known for their high made quality and Swiss design. They also sell under the name Bernina (as noted below in number 9). One member in our Facebook Group noted that she’d had her Bernette for 49 years without any problems.
The Bernette 05 Academy Sewing Machine is one of the lower end models on this list but would be great if you don’t need advanced features or don’t want to buy a computerized sewing machine. I through it in since it comes from a high quality brand, is reasonably priced and is non-computerized. I realize that there are a number of sewers that would rather not mess with a computer – and if that’s you then this might be a good option. At around $400 this machine doesn’t have the features of some other machines on this list but it does have a high 1100 stitch speed, 30 essential stitches, and a high quality extension table. For more information on sewing features or to buy this machine click HERE.
5. Juki 2010Q Long Arm Sewing Machine
The Juki 2010Q Long Arm Sewing Machine is another good non-computerized sewing machine with a few more features. This a true heavy duty sewing machine that will work well and provide an accurate feed and perfect stitching even through heavy weight material. It’s another one of the best options if you don’t want a computerized sewing machine. It stitches up to 1500 stitches per minute and has a switch on it to adjust the maximum sewing speed control from between 200 and 1500 stitches per minute.
One sewer says “this machine was easy to start sewing same day, heavy enough to not wobble the faster I sew! Saves time with the thread cutter setup and the knee lift. Best machine I have had.” To get more information on sewing features or buy this machine click HERE.
Top of the Line Advanced Sewing Machines | $1500 – $10,000
6. Elna Excellence 780 Plus Computerized Sewing Machine
We’ve heard a few of our Group Members note that they received an old Elna Sewing Machine from their grandmother that they were dusting off and putting to work. Well, Elna still makes machines today and I’m pretty sure that the Elna Excellence 780+ has a few features that your grandmother’s machine didn’t. This top of the line machine does run around $4500 at the time of this writing.
It has an advanced color touch screen that’s packed full of features. The Elna Excellence 780+ has 350 stitches, 11 buttonholes, and a max speed of 1060 stitcher per minute. It has a 9mm max sewing width for stitches whereas many of the machines listed above max out at 7mm stitches. People love the extra lighting it has to light up the sewing area. It has dual pedals (one for sewing speed and one for thread cutting). It also has a unique and easy to thread needle system. This machine comes with a very stout extended sewing table and would work well for sewing clothing, quilting, or about any other sewing project. This is a high quality machine for advanced sewers without some of the embroidery features that fill up some of the other advanced machines on this list.
If you would like any more information on sewing features or to buy it click HERE.
7. Juki Kokochi DX-4000QVP High-End Sewing Machine
Another high-end sewing machine is the Juki Kokochi DX-4000QVP sewing machine. As of the time of this writing it sells for about $4000. Like the Elna Excellence above this has advanced lighting features and features a large LED illuminated workspace. It also has an advanced touch screen that you can use to recall prior stitch patterns, change light brightness, adjust thread tension, adjust pressure foot pressure, and more. You can even view Youtube tutorial videos right on your sewing machine while you’re working. It’s one of the best sewing machines from Juki and one of the best in class machines when compared to the other sewing machine brands at this price point.
The machine comes with an impressive 368 stitch patterns, a maximum stitch speed of 1,050 stitches per minute, and all the features like auto thread trimming, auto needle threading, and auto tension system that you would expect from a high-end sewing machine. It’s packed with accessories and built for durability. One customer said that “I love this machine. It is user friendly and many features that I desired but would have had to pay much more for the convenience from other brand names. I absolutely enjoy sewing on this machine, so easy to use.” To get more information on sewing features or to purchase this machine click HERE.
8. Baby Lock Altair Sewing and Embroidery Machine
I can’t get too far in the top of the line high end sewing machines without mentioning another Baby Lock model. The Baby Lock Altair comes in as one of the more expensive sewing machines at around $9000. It’s best for advanced sewing projects and a good embroidery computerized sewing machine. It’s sewing machine features are hard to beat and a sewer can do pretty much anything they need on this machine. It includes 771 built in sewing stitches and 494 built in embroidery designs. It will work best for about anything you want with sewing.
This is a high tech machine and has an app to help you correctly position embroidery designs. It also connects wirelessly to your computer, helps you create your own embroidery designs, and has an over 10% LCD screen.
For regular sewing projects without embroidery it has all the best advanced features you would come to expect along with a 25 year warranty. One customer said, “this machine works very smoothly and comes with an amazing guide for set up and how to use it…I couldn’t be happier!” For more information on sewing features or to make a purchase click HERE.
9. Bernina 720 Advanced Sewing Machine
The Bernina 720 is another high-end sewing machine that comes in at around $5000. As mentioned above, Bernina is best known for their Swiss designed, well engineered sewing machines. This is a quiet and precise machine that has the Bernina Adaptive Thread Tension – this means that the machine adjust tension electronically to the selected stitch width, length, speed, and need position. It has the automatic features you want like semi-automatic threading, thread cutting, and presser foot lowering. It’s bobbin can hold up to 70% thread than a standard sewing machine and it can do up to 1000 stitches per minute.
Like the Baby Lock Altair Sewing and Embroidery machine above, the Bernina 720 has a wide variety of embroidery features. It comes with all of the necessary embroidery accessories, 80 built in embroidery designs, and the ability to design or upload other embroidery designs. These features make the Bernina 720 one of the best options for both sewing clothing and doing embroidery.
This is a very popular machine for advanced sewing. On Sewing Machines Plus, this machine has a ton of reviews with 95% of the reviews being 5 star. People love the quality of this machine. To get more information on sewing features or purchase this machine click HERE.
10. Consew Premier 1255RBL Industrial Machine
Finally, if you’re sewing clothing as a business and doing some production line sewing then an industrial level sewing machine might be your best bet. One brand that has high marks for industrial sewing machines is Consew. They have several different models of advanced sewing machines but I’ll focus on the Consew Premier 1255RBL here which is around a $4000 sewing machine.
This machine comes with an assembled table and clutch motor as its a true industrial machine. The table has a built in walking foot and the machine operates at high speed – up to 2000 stitches per minute. Consew is one of the best brands for industrial level sewing machines. To get more information on the Consew Premier 1255RBL or to make a purchase click HERE.
Other Machines for the Advanced Sewer
Apart from an advanced sewing machine, you’ve likely looked at what other equipment you need to complete your sewing projects in a professional looking manner. Most of the sewers here at Peek-a-Boo need a sewing machine that can sew high quality clothing. This leads them to look into purchasing not only a best sewing machine but also a serger and/or cover stitch machine for sewing clothing.
A serger is needed to create high quality seams that are durable and won’t pull apart in your clothing. A serger is faster, smoother, and gives you better seams then your standard sewing machine. It’s also particularly important when sewing through knit fabric.
A coverstitch machine is also a worthwhile investment if you need the right machines for sewing clothing. A coverstitch machine works best for hemming knit fabric. While a serger is used for constructing durable seams a coverstitch makes professional looking hems. A coverstitch creates a parallel row of stitches on the front and a chainstitch on the back of the raw edge of that fabric to make a professional looking hem.
Well, now the question is what do you think is the best sewing machine for advanced sewers. That rounds out our top 10 best advanced machines! Also, be sure to check out our 10 Best Sewing Machine for Beginners and our Top 10 Sergers.
We’d also love to have you join our sewing community in our Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop Facebook Group and come see what we have to offer at Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop and KnitFabric.com. We strive to have the best selection sewing patterns and knit fabric available for every sewer.
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