Mechanical vs Computerized Sewing Machine: an easy guide

I have been sewing for nearly fifty years and the question I often get asked is ” should I buy a mechanical sewing machine or an electronic or computerized model?”

So let’s take a look at a mechanical vs computerized sewing machine, the main differences between them and what to keep in mind when choosing a sewing machines.

Considerations when looking at sewing machines

• Your budget is often the first thing to keep in mind. Mechanical machines are normally cheaper than computerized machines, but with fewer features and options.
• I suggest that you take a good look at the type of sewing that you do and also how often you do sewing. This should give you an indication as to the type, and also the features, that you want in a machine.
• One of the biggest decisions you’ll make, is between a computerized and a mechanical sewing machine, because it directly affects the features and the price of the machine. Make sure you are not paying for features that you don’t need and / or won’t use.

Mechanical Sewing Machines

• Advantages of mechanical sewing machines:
  • Cost – Mechanical sewing machines are the most economical option and most mechanical sewing machines start at a lower price range than computerized ones.
  • Easy to maintain – Mechanical machines don’t have the intricate electronic parts and mother boards that computerized machines have. Many owners of mechanical machines often say they are easier to maintain because of their simplicity and therefore fewer problems.
  • Work horse – Depending on the type of mechanical machine you buy, you can get a seriously heavy-duty machine. A heavy-duty mechanical sewing machine can handle both thick fabrics, like denim, and delicate fabrics, like silk.

• Disadvantages of mechanical sewing machines:
  • Limited number of stitches – Mechanical machines have fewer stitch options and often as few as eight basic stitches. If you are impressed by the hundreds of stitches that a computerized machine can offer, then you’ll notice that most mechanical machines only have a fraction of that.
  • Stitch length – these have manual dials and levers, so any changes to the stitch length has to be made manually.
  • Tension – once again the tension has to be adjusted manually, which could be frustrating for a novice seamstress.
  • Few buttonhole options – If you like making clothes, then you are limited in choice when it comes to button holes and normally you only have one option.
  • Can be more complicated – With a mechanical sewing machine you have to choose all your own settings for stitch length and tension, which could be difficult for an inexperienced seamstress. A computerized machine where everything is automatic and you just need to touch a button, is often easier for the beginner.

Computerized Sewing machines

Computerized sewing machines often have a higher cost, but they have many features that could be of great benefit:

• Advantages of computerized sewing machines:
  • Automatic features – many models can automatically thread needles, cut thread, needle up and down position and automatically adjust tension and stitch length at the touch of a button.
  • These machines have many more stitch options and many will have as many as two hundred stitch options, including letters and numbers. The truth is that many computerized machines have far more stitches than most people will ever use.
  • Tension – select the stitch you want to use and the tension will automatically be adjusted
  • Stitch length – once again the stitch length is automatically adjusted according to the stitch option that you have selected. Normally you can also change it yourself.
  • Automatic buttonholes – sewing perfect buttonholes every time couldn’t be easier with the automatic settings.
  • Some computerized machines offer better speed control too, and with many models you now have the option that you don’t need the foot pedal.

• Disadvantages of computerized sewing machines:
  • Can be over complicated – beginning sewers can find a computerized machine overwhelming because of the many features. You might pay for features that you will simply never use.
  • Cost – computerized sewing machines are normally more expensive than mechanical machines.
  • Durability – some people say that a computerized machine doesn’t last as long as a mechanical model. With technological advancements, many people now buy new machines after only a few years. Often, you buy a new machine not necessarily because the old one died, but because you just want to try a new machine with features that the other machine didn’t have.

My verdict on a Mechanical vs Computerized Sewing Machine 

Both are very good and both have their pros and cons, so it is not that one is better or worse than the other. They both have a place and you must just make sure that you choose the machine that is right for your current needs.

My personal opinion is that if you can afford it, then go for a computerized machine. The additional features are certainly worth the extra dollars and you don’t want to feel after a year that you need to upgrade already.

Beginners who won’t be sewing very often, may find a simple mechanical machine far more efficient than a computerized model. However, if you like having more stitch options (and you know you’ll use them), and you don’t want to mess with manually adjusting dials, a computerized machine might be the right choice for you.

Please also read my review on how to chose the best beginner sewing machine.

If you have any comments or questions, please leave them below and I will get back to you.