Computerised sewing machines

You operate a computerised sewing machine using buttons or a touchscreen, with your chosen stitch shown on the display. It has dozens to hundreds of built-in stitches: alongside straight stitch and zigzag stitch, there are stretch, overlock and decorative stitches. Here you can choose from computerised sewing machines by Singer, Husqvarna, Minerva, Texi and Pfaff. Texi Kiwi Duo and Texi Viva Duo can embroider as well as sew.

How does a computerised sewing machine differ from a mechanical one?

On a mechanical machine, you turn rotary dials to make adjustments: one selects the stitch, while the others set the stitch length and width. A computerised sewing machine uses buttons for these settings and has a display showing the stitch currently selected. It offers more stitches and follows a programme to sew a buttonhole. If straight stitch and zigzag stitch are all you need for clothing repairs, take a look at the mechanical sewing machines.

How many stitches do you actually need?

A machine with a few dozen stitches is enough for making and altering clothes, such as Singer Confidence 7463 with 30 stitches or Singer Brilliance 6160. Machines with hundreds of stitches, such as Singer Quantum Stylist 9960 with 600 programmes and five alphabets, add decorative stitches and lettering. The stitch width on most machines is 7 mm, while Husqvarna Designer Epic 2 sews stitches up to 9 mm wide. For thicker fabrics, Singer HD6605C from the Heavy Duty range has a metal frame and is a suitable choice.

Which features make sewing easier for you?

• Automatic thread cutter – the machine cuts the threads itself when you finish a seam; examples include Husqvarna Sapphire 930, Singer C430 Professional and Texi Tango.
• Speed control – lets you sew slowly and steadily around curves and through thick fabric, for example on Singer HD6605C or Minerva MC210PRO.
• Sewing and embroidery – Texi Kiwi Duo and Texi Viva Duo embroider in an embroidery hoop, and you can upload your own designs via USB.

Additional sewing machine presser feet and sewing machine needles are useful accessories for your machine.