Looking for a mechanical sewing machine? You have come to the right place. Our review covers 5 of the top mechanical sewing machines that you can get online.
The difference between mechanical and electronic sewing machines is a bit fuzzy because nowadays, all sewing machines run on electricity.
Gone are the days when you would find a sewing machine run by a foot or knee treadle.
Well, the difference between the two is in the user interface.
Currently, most manufacturers classify mechanical sewing machines as having twist knobs or levers to make any settings, and they generally have fewer stitch designs.
On the other hand, electronic and computerized machines usually have multiple stitch patterns, with some having LCD screens and push buttons for selection, and are more precise in their stitching.
The reason why some people prefer mechanical units, however, is their simplicity and affordability. Because of this, we have reviewed 5 of the best mechanical sewing machines in the market so that if you prefer this type, you can have your pick from the options below.
Top 5 Best Mechanical Sewing Machines – (Editors’ Top Picks)
After thorough research, we have compiled this list of the top mechanical sewing machines. Go through them and pick the one that you prefer most.
Features at a Glance:
- Needle position adjustment settings
- Adjustable stitch width and length
- The sewing speed of 1100 spm
- Automatic needle threader
- Thread tensioning settings
- 23 built-in stitch patterns
- Heavy-duty metal frame
- 60% stronger motor
- Reverse stitching
| Heavy Duty 4.9/5 | Versatility 4.8/5 | Durability 4.7/5 |
| Easy to Use 4.8/5 | Easy to Learn 4.7/5 | For Beginners 4.6/5 |
Product information:
| Brand Name | SINGER |
| Color |
Gray |
| Material | Metal |
| Weight | 14.5 Pounds |
| Dimensions | 15.5 x 6.25 x 12 inches |
| Power Source | Corded Electric |
| Is Electric? | Yes |
| Country of Origin | Taiwan |
| Material Care Instructions | Sewing Machine |
| Assembly Required? |
No |
| Batteries Required? | No |
Product Description:
If you are looking for an affordable mechanical sewing machine, then you should consider Singer’s 4423. However, this does not make it a low-quality product.
The machine also has a motor that is 60% stronger, and this results in greater piercing power as you create thick seams on denim, leather, or quilting projects. Being this powerful, the motor also makes the unit very quick, with a top speed of 1100 stitches per minute.
On stitches, you get 23 built-in designs that include basic, stretch, decorative, and buttonhole stitches that are enough for a wide variety of sewing projects.
Selection is made using dials, with the length and width of these stitches also being adjustable using different dials, making it easy to use.
Thread tensioning and needle position adjustment is also possible using different dials, while a reverse lever lets you stitch backward for seam reinforcement.
For convenience, an automatic needle threader lets you thread the needle strain-free while a free arm and a storage tray enable you to stitch around pant hems, collars, cuffs, etc., and keep all the accessories within close reach respectively.
A couple of accessories come with the unit, and these include several feet, needles, bobbins, a screwdriver, and a soft-sided dust cover for storage purposes.
Features at a Glance:
- Adjustable stitch width (max 5mm) and length (max 4mm)
- Reverse stitching (length adjustment max 2.5mm)
- 12 built-in stitch patterns with dial selection
- Automatic bobbin winding system
- Automatic needle threader
- Extra high presser foot lift
- Top speed of 1000 spm
- LED-lit work area
| Heavy Duty 4.5/5 | Versatility 4.4/5 | Durability 4.6/5 |
| Easy to Use 4.7/5 | Easy to Learn 4.7/5 | For Beginners 4.7/5 |
Product information:
| Brand Name | Janome |
| Color |
White |
| Material | Metal |
| Weight | 7.14 Kilograms |
| Dimensions | 17 x 9 x 13.5 inches |
| Power Source | Treadle Powered |
| Is Electric? | Yes |
Product Description:
Janome’s 2212 is a top-rated mechanical sewing machine that has 12 built-in stitch patterns, which include one 4-step buttonhole stitch and multiple basic stitches. A stitch chart is printed right next to the stitch selection dial for quick reference when making the selection.
However, when stitching in reverse, the length adjustment is capped to a maximum of 2.5mm.
Stitching on dark fabrics is made easy by the machine’s LED light while a free arm gives you the allowance to work on the hard-to-reach areas such as on collars, pant hems, and cuffs on garments.
For convenience, a removable storage tray is included underneath the needle plate, an automatic bobbin winding system, manual tension control, a built-in thread cutter, and a built-in needle threader to eliminate eye strain.
Other features include drop feed for free-motion sewing and quilting, an extra high presser foot lift, a 5-piece feed dog system for grippy fabric feeding, and a top speed of 1000 spm.
Features at a Glance:
- Two retractable vertical spool pins
- Comes with multiple accessories
- Manual thread tension control.
- Push-pull bobbin winder
- 6 built-in stitch patterns
- Dust cover for storage
| Heavy Duty 4.4/5 | Versatility 4.2/5 | Durability 4.3/5 |
| Easy to Use 4.8/5 | Easy to Learn 4.8/5 | For Beginners 4.6/5 |
Product information:
| Brand Name | Janome |
| Color | White |
| Weight | 14 Pounds |
| Dimensions | 17 x 9 x 14 inches |
| Power Source | Corded Electric |
| Is Electric? | Yes |
Product Description:
This mechanical sewing machine is like a smaller brother to 2212 above, having a similar design but featuring fewer built-in stitch patterns that total 6 and with stitch width adjustment only. The good thing though, is that it is slightly cheaper than the 2212 and thus, you get what you pay for.
The machine is not inferior, though, when it comes to convenience features. This is because it has an LED-lit work area for working on dark fabrics, a free arm for stitching around difficult-to-reach areas on garments such as pant hems, an accessories drawer for keeping all the accessories within close reach, and a built-in thread cutter.
Other desirable features include an extra high presser foot lift, 2 vertical retractable spool pins, a push-pull bobbin winder, manual thread tension control, a dust cover for storage, and a 5-piece feed dog system for feeding in the fabric. The feed dog system is also droppable to enable free-motion sewing and quilting.
Features at a Glance:
- Automatic bobbin winding system
- Heavy-duty cast aluminum frame
- Comes with several accessories
- Automatic needle threader
- 14 built-in stitch patterns
- Powerful 1-amp motor
- Reverse stitching
| Heavy Duty 4.8/5 | Value for Money 3.9/5 | Durability 4.5/5 |
| Easy to Use 4.6/5 | Easy to Learn 4.7/5 | For Beginners 3.7/5 |
Product information:
| Brand Name | Janome |
| Color | White |
| Material |
Aluminum, Metal |
| Weight | 15 Pounds |
| Dimensions | 18.25 x 8.5 x 15.25 inches |
| Power Source | AC |
| Is Electric? | Yes |
Product Description:
If you want a proper heavy-duty mechanical sewing machine for working on quilts, denim or leather, then the HD1000 from Janome is the best option to consider. This is because it has a cast aluminum body that is strong enough to hold all the components steadily for skip-free sewing.
Even when it comes to stitching patterns, the machine is not badly off, featuring 14 of them. Each of these stitches’ lengths is adjustable while only the zigzag can be set to different widths. Selection and adjustment are all made using dials, and a stitch chart is printed on the front panel for quick and easy referencing.
On the downside, these features make the HD1000 a very expensive mechanical sewing machine, but you also get several convenience features such as a free arm, drop feed dogs, an automatic needle threader, reverse stitching, and an automatic bobbin winding system.
Several accessories are also included in the set, and these include multiple snap-on presser feet, needles, bobbins, seam, and button rippers as well as 2 screwdrivers, all of which are conveniently stored in the accessories tray below the needle plate.
Features at a Glance:
- 35 built-in stitch patterns and 73 stitch functions
- Twin needle support for decorative stitching
- Top drop-in bobbin with clear cover
- Stitch width and length adjustment
- Automatic bobbin winding system
- Push-button reverse stitching
- Foot pedal speed control
- Thread tension control
| Heavy Duty 3.8/5 | Value for Money 4.0/5 | Durability 3.5/5 |
| Easy to Use 4.7/5 | Easy to Learn 4.8/5 | For Beginners 4.7/5 |
Product information:
| Brand Name | Brother |
| Material |
Metal |
| Weight | 5443 Grams |
| Dimensions | 15.4 x 6.7 x 11.5 inches |
| Power Source | Corded Electric |
| Is Electric? | Yes |
Product Description:
Brother’s XL-3750 is a highly rated mechanical sewing machine because it is convertible to have an oversized table for working on large projects such as quilts.
It also has 35 built-in stitches that are mostly decorative, 73 stitch functions as well as stitch width-and-length adjustment, giving you a lot of flexibility in stitch design when working on different projects.
For convenience, the machine features an automatic needle threader for reducing eye strain, a top drop-in bobbin with a clear cover for easy thread-level monitoring, an automatic bobbin winding system, thread tension control, and LED lighting for the work area.
Other features include foot pedal speed control, push-button reverse stitching, a free arm, an accessories drawer, variable needle positioning, and twin needle support for decorative stitching.
What do We Need to Consider When Buying a Mechanical Sewing Machine?
Before buying a mechanical sewing machine, there are a couple of things that you need to consider. These are:
Stitch patterns
The first thing to check is the number of built-in stitch patterns. Usually, machines with more built-in designs have more decorative stitches, making them ideal for projects that require an embellished finish. However, the more the number, the more expensive the product.
Therefore, if you mostly require only the basic stitch patterns in your sewing project, it would be wise to buy the cheaper machine with fewer patterns rather than spending more on designs that you will probably never get to use.
If you don’t mind spending more on more stitches though, then the ideal machine is the one with the highest number of stitches.
Sewing speed
A sewing machine’s speed is important to consider for two reasons. First, the faster the machine, the faster that you will get to complete your projects and move on to the next one.
Second, speed matters a lot if you are a beginner. This is because, at this skill level, it is best to work at slower speeds so that you do not mess up your work and lower the quality of your project. Therefore, speeds below 1000 spm can work well with beginners.
As a pro, however, the option between a slow or fast-speed machine is all down to personal preference.
Sturdiness
If you want to work on thick quilts or use tough fabrics such as leather or denim in your project, ensure that you buy a sturdy sewing machine that has a heavy-duty metal frame. Such a construction will hold all the parts firmly in position for skip-free sewing. Another thing to check is if the machine has a stronger motor so that it can provide enough piercing power.
Convenience features
Almost every sewing machine has some convenience features, but some have more than others. The basic ones to look for include a free arm for stitching around pant hems, collars, etc., an accessories tray, reverse stitching, an LED-lit work area, an automatic needle threader, automatic bobbin winding, and a top drop-in bobbin with a clear cover for easy thread-level monitoring. Basically, these features make the machine’s use much easier, and the more they are, the better the unit.
Accessories
Accessories are always an added plus because you would otherwise have to buy them separately, increasing your overall spending. Things to look for include additional bobbins, needles, seam and button reapers, feet, and screwdrivers, among many others. The more they are, the better.
Warranty
With electrical appliances, it is important to get a good warranty cover so that you are protected from repairs associated with manufacturer-related errors. When it comes to mechanical sewing machines and generally all sewing machines, you should get at least a 25-year limited warranty.
Conclusion
In conclusion, mechanical sewing machines are not all that limited as compared to electronic or computerized units. Most of them have all the basic features required for stitching on a wide variety of projects and are relatively affordable, making them accessible to many sewists.
After going through the review above, it is our hope that you will be in a better position to pick the best mechanical sewing machine that meets all your needs.