Is your old sewing machine worn out and you need a new sewing machine? And you’re trying to decide which type is the right sewing machine for you. There are a ton of different sewing machines out there to choose from. You can get just the basic machine or you can get a more fancy sewing machine with more bells and whistles.
What this post is about is mechanical and computerized sewing machines and which is better. No matter which one you get a sewing machine is one of the most important things to have for sewing. Unless you’re more into hand sewing, but using a sewing machine is faster.
Some seamstresses prefer using a computerized sewing machine, others like to use mechanical machines. But, besides one being more modern and the other the more traditional sewing machine, what’s the difference between them?
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Mechanical Sewing Machines
A mechanical model of sewing machines are the traditional sewing machines that have been around the longest. They don’t have a display screen and all the setting are selected with knobs. The settings like stitch length and width and tension.
Mechanical machines can have a variety of stitches. How many different stitches your mechanical sewing machine can have depends on the model of sewing machine. But, the two stitches that every sewing machine has is the straight stitch and the zigzag stitch. And you also select what stitch you want with a knob.
And one of the best things about mechanical machines is that they are the most affordable sewing machines. Because computerized sewing machines are more expensive.
A mechanical sewing machine is the easiest sewing machine you can use. Because they don’t have all the confusing buttons that the computerized models have. And mechanical sewing machines always use a foot pedal to start sewing.
These are also the best sewing machine you can use for beginners. Because they’re a little easier to keep up and more straightforward to use.
Computerized Sewing Machine
A computerized machine has a computer inside and has a screen. And instead of having knobs the setting are selected by buttons. Computerized sewing machines almost always have a button for needle up and down.
And computerized sewing machines have a automatic needle threader, automatic thread cutter and a number of other features to help save time. It is also said that computerized machines have more precise stitching.
A computerized digital sewing machine also has many decorative stitches. Computerized models can also do embroidery, there are some that just do embroidery, than there are others that sew and embroider.
While embroidery sewing machine have quite a few of different built-in embroidery designs. You can add more designs to your computerized embroidery machine.
And can you believe that you can use a computerized sewing machine with or without a foot pedal? Yes, computerized sewing machines can have a start/stop button, to start or stop sewing.
And computerized machines are great for specialty sewing. Because you can make your project unique by add embroidery and you can get machines that have large throats for free-motion quilting and other bulky sewing projects.
Mechanical vs Computerized
So, they’re both great sewing machines. But, which is the best type of machine? Well, to me it depends on which one you feel more comfortable with and which one better fits your budget.
The computerized may have a few more automatic features than the mechanical ones. But, the mechanical sewing machines can be a little more easier to use, because there is a bigger learning curve with computerized machines.
And both of these types of machines can have quite a few different stitches. But, computerized machines will usually have more built-in stitches than the mechanical ones. But, you really mostly just need the basic stitches for basic sewing. But, you can get both machine types with buttonhole stitches.
If you’re needing a new machine either a computerized or a mechanical sewing machine would be great. If you’re wanting to embroider and like the extra features, then a computerized sewing machine maybe the best choice. And with either machine you can do simple sewing projects.
If you’re just needing a good sewing machine and don’t like the computer technology and don’t care about the number of features and just want a simple straight forward machine. Then a mechanical sewing machine might be your best choice.
And some seamstresses don’t just have one or the other. They’ll have both types, and you can buy one type right now and a little bit later and buy the other type if you want both types and are having a hard time making up your mind.
But, with either machines I would just make sure to read the instruction manual. Because all sewing machines are different.
Sewing Questions
What are the main types of sewing machines? The two types of sewing machines out there are computerized and mechanical sewing machines. And the main difference is that one has more technology and the other is simpler and easier to use.
Which sewing machine has more precise stitches? While both types of sewing machines can be great for any sewing project, whether they’re simple projects or harder projects. It’s said that the computerized sewing machines have more precise stitching. And they also have a greater stitch selection.
Can you lower the feed dogs on a sewing machine? Yes, you can lower the feed dogs on a sewing machine. And sometimes the button for lowering the feed dogs seems like it’s hid. If you can’t find it look in your owner’s manual to find where the switch is.
Do all sewing machines have a bobbin winder? Yes, all sewing machine will have a bobbin winder. You can wind a bobbin by hand, but it’s quicker and easier to use the bobbin winder.
Can you do better work with a computerized sewing machine? Personally I think that you can do great work on either machine. A computerized sewing machine is the only type of sewing machine that can do embroidery designs and they have a ton of different features. But, a mechanical sewing machine takes less work to use and a lot simpler to figure out how to use.
Check out my other sewing posts
- Serger vs Sewing Machine: What You Need to Know.
- Perfecting Your Sewing Patterns with Tracing Paper.
- Ideas on How to Store All of Your Sewing Patterns.
- The Different Types of Sewing Buttons You can Use.
- Eight Different Types of Scissors to use for Sewing.