Here is a honest list of 4 best sewing machines you can get for the price range $1000 – $1500. The list is based on quality only and the price range is just used as an indication.
This is an important decision. I am talking about the decision you made to buy a sewing machine that costs over $1000. It is a huge investment, so you need to be very careful. Since you are looking for a professional sewing machine, I assume that you have a decent sewing experience behind you. By this time, you would have some idea about which one is good and what are the features you need. Even then, choosing a sewing machine in the $1000 – $1500 price range is difficult because there are too many choices. Here I am giving you a list of 4 best sewing machines that I tried my hands on (within the above said price range). I am not claiming that these are the best you can find in US. There may be better machines, but these are the best 4, out of over a dozen machines I tested.
1. Janome Memory Craft 6500P
Ever dreamed of that store bought item perfection. This is as close to perfection as you can get. The stitch quality is that good. This is an absolutely feature packed sewing machine. You can even call it a computer, it has that many functions. Even though Janome MC 6500P has a lot of functions, it is very user-friendly. The LCD screen and its settings are intuitive. The large work space on offer is something that professionals will love. In one word, this is a workhorse. The build quality is top notch. Quality wise, Janome MC 6500P is one of the best sewing machines I have ever come across.
Features
- 135 built-in stitches
- 9″ x 5″ throat space
- Built-in memory
Cons : Janome MC 6500P doesn’t have ability to do free arm sewing. Now, this is a big surprise for a machine loaded features. I even wonder whether they actually forgot to include this feature.
MC 6500P is also the most expensive sewing machine in this list. Even then, it doesn’t cross the $1500 mark.
2. Janome Memory Craft 6300P
If you can’t afford a 6500P, then the next best option is the 6300P. Yes, you can’t have all the features of 6500P, but you will be saving couple of hundred dollars at the same time. But the good thing is that, you are not loosing too much if you opt Memory Craft 6300P instead of 6500P. All you will be losing is few built-in stitches, buttonhole stitches and some accessories. Everything else is identical. So for the price conscious people, this machine would be a better choice.
Features
- 66 built-in stitches
- 9″ x 5″ throat space
- Built-in memory
Cons : The same free arm issue that you saw on 6500P.
3. Juki HZL-F600
Here is a machine with value for money tag. For those who haven’t heard about Juki brand, search for industrial sewing machines and you will find out who they are. As far as features are concerned, Juki HZL-F600 betters what Janome MC 6500P has. The stitch quality is excellent and there is a nice variety of stitch options. The best thing about this Juki machine is that, it is the least expensive sewing machine in this list. It lies in the $1000 border, which makes it a value for money proposition. Sometimes the price even goes below the range.
Features
- 225 built-in stitches
- 8″ wide x 12-1/4″ long work space
- Built-in memory
Cons : Tricky tension. Sometimes it is difficult to get the tension right.
4. Singer 4 in 1 Futura Quartet
This machine is different from other sewing machines in this list. In addition to regular sewing, this machine can do embroidery, quilting and serging as well (which makes it a 4 in 1 machine). So if you need all those 4 functions, Singer 4 in 1 Futura Quartet is the best choice in the under $1500 price category.
Features
- 215 Sewing stitches
- 125 Embroidery designs
- 20 Fonts for monogramming
- 6 x 10 inch hoop
- 8.25″ throat
Cons : The machine is not very user-friendly, there is a definite learning curve associated with it.
The serger part does finish the seam, but you can’t use it to perform all the functions of a serger.
No knee lifter included. It is a separate purchase.