Independent sewing-machine buyer guide • Affiliate links may earn a commission
Ideas today. Stitched tomorrow.
What Could You Make for Someone You Love?
A Halloween costume they'll never forget. A handmade gift that actually means something. Clothes for your kids. A tote for your best friend. Pillows for your home.
Or maybe something just for you. ♥
The fun part is imagining it. The less-fun part? Figuring out which sewing machine gives you what you need without paying for what you don't.
Different needs. Same creativity. ♥
Finding the Right Sewing Machine
Don't start with stitch counts and spec sheets. Start with the things you can't wait to make. Then choose the machine that fits where you are now and where your ideas might take you next.
Make it personal
What Do You Want to Make?
For the kids. For the house. For someone you love. For yourself.
Two different ways to begin
How Much Machine Do You Want?
One keeps the cost of trying sewing low. The other gives you more creative capabilities to grow into.
I just want to start sewing
Brother XM2701
A simpler, more affordable way to find out where sewing takes you.
- Everyday sewing, clothing and crafts
- Kids' projects and costumes
- Handmade gifts and home décor
- Repairs and alterations
- 27 built-in stitches
- 6 included sewing feet
You don't have to buy a lot of machine to discover that you love sewing.
Paid link • Check Amazon for current price and availability.
I know I'm going to want more
Brother SE700
Sewing plus embroidery and personalization for ideas that keep getting bigger.
- Regular sewing plus embroidery
- Personalized names and monograms
- 135 built-in embroidery designs
- 3.7" color touchscreen
- Wireless embroidery design transfer
- Automatic thread cutter
The reason to spend more isn't simply “more stitches.” It's the extra ways you can personalize and experiment.
Paid link • Check Amazon for current price and availability.
The comparison that matters first
Picture Yourself Making It
This comparison is a fixed graphic, so it stays intact on phones and after import.
Now the nuts and bolts
What's Actually Different?
Once you know what you want to make, the technical differences make more sense.
About those 103 stitches: more stitches do not automatically make a machine better for ordinary sewing. The meaningful SE700 difference is the broader computerized, embroidery and personalization capability.
Which One Sounds More Like You?
“I've always wanted to try sewing. I just want a good place to start.”
The XM2701 lets you start making clothes, gifts, kids' projects, home décor and repairs without paying for embroidery features you may never use.
“Once I start, I'm going to want to personalize everything.”
The SE700 gives you regular sewing plus embroidery, names, monograms, decorative designs and more creative options to explore.
The SE700's maximum embroidery area is 4" × 4". If large-format embroidery is central to what you want to make, keep that limitation in mind.
Your Ideas Don't Have to Stay on Pinterest.
Pick the machine that fits the way you want to create, then make something.
Paid links • Amazon pricing and availability may change.
Affiliate Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. If you purchase through one of these links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Product specifications can change. Confirm current specifications, compatibility, pricing and availability with the retailer or manufacturer before purchasing.
For the Kids
Clothes, costumes, little surprises and the things they'll remember you made just for them.
♥
For Someone You Love
Birthday gifts, holiday keepsakes, bags and something nobody else could have picked off a shelf.
♥
For You & Your Home
Clothes, pillows, accessories, repairs and those “I could make that” ideas you've been saving.
♥
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