Mini sewing machines are a common trend these days. With the market filled with machines that all look alike, how do you find the best mini sewing machine? In this article, you’ll learn about the best mini sewing machines available to you. You’ll also learn about some small regular sewing machines that compete with these mini sewing machines. Keep reading to learn more.
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Best Mini Sewing Machines
Best All Around
- 27 built-in stitches
- LED sewing light
- Can sew denim
- 25 year warranty
Best for Beginners
- Six built-in stitches
- Metal frame
- Sewing light
- 25 year warranty
Best Mini Sewing Machine
- 10 built-in stitches
- No sewing light
- Presser foot with finger guard
- 1 year warranty
1. Best all Around: Brother XM2701 Sewing Machine
The Brother XM2701 sewing machine is super highly reviewed and rated. People rave about this little sewing machine that could. This sewing machine is basically a small regular sewing machine. While it is not quite a “mini sewing machine”, it’s included here because at 12.6 pounds and on the smaller size for regular sewing machines it’s quite portable. Cost wise, this machine is usually comparable with the mini machines that have fewer features.
This brother sewing machine is great for your average sewing projects. It comes with 27 different built-in stitches including basic stitches, stretch stitches, decorative stitches, and an auto-size buttonhole stitch. Simply turn the dial to select the stitch you want to use. This machine comes with a jam-resistant drop-in top bobbin, making setup a snap. It also has a thread cutter and reverse button so you can lock in your stitches before and after sewing. It has a LED work light so you can easily see what you are sewing. This machine comes with six different snap on sewing feet; a zigzag foot, buttonhole foot, zipper foot, button sewing foot, blind stitch foot and a narrow hemmer foot.
Product Features:
- Size: 12.1 x 5.9 x 15.3 inches
- Weight: 12.6 pounds
- 27 built-in stitches
- Plugs into standard US outlet
- Warranty: 25 year limited
- Can sew in reverse
- Can do free arm sewing
- Can sew through denim
- LED sewing light
- 6 included presser feet
- Automatic needle threader
- Drop-in top bobbin
- Includes 6 sewing feet; zigzag foot, buttonhole foot, zipper foot, button sewing foot, blind stitch foot, and narrow hemmer foot
- Additional accessories include a 3-piece needle set, twin needle, 4 bobbins, instructional DVD, manual and more
2. Best for Beginners: Singer Start 1304 Sewing Machine
The Singer Start 1304 sewing machine is a basic and easy to use mechanical sewing machine. This is a great little sewing machine with lots of features. This mini sewing machine has six built-in stitches with a pre-set stitch length and width. These stitches include a straight, zigzag, satin, blind hem, scallop stitch and a 4-step buttonhole stitch. This sewing machine is also capable of doing free arm sewing when you remove the onboard accessory storage. It has a reverse button for locking you start stitches, and an easy stitch selection dial. The Singer Start 1304 also has a built-in sewing light to make it easy to see what you are sewing. It comes with three different presser feet, an all-purpose foot, zipper foot, and buttonhole foot. This mini sewing machine has a full metal frame which improves its durability. This mini Singer sewing machine also has a great 25 year limited warranty.
Product Features:
- Size: 13 x 7 x 11.5 inches
- Weight: 11.5 pounds
- Six built-in stitches
- Plugs into standard US outlet
- Warranty: 25 year limited
- Metal frame for durability
- Can sew in reverse
- Can do free arm sewing
- Sewing light
- 3 included presser feet; all-purpose foot, zipper foot, buttonhole foot
- Additional accessories include a darning plate, pack of needles, bobbins, needle plate screwdriver, spool pin felts, seam ripper / lint brush, power line cord, foot control, quick start guide, instruction manual
3. Best Mini Sewing Machine: Janome Fastlane Fuschia Basic
This Janome Fastlane in fuschia is a great little sewing machine, perfect for beginners, and doing alterations on the go. This is a basic mechanical sewing machine. It comes in a ton of color variations, so you are not stuck with a hot pink sewing machine if you don’t want one. At 5 pounds and roughly the size of a sheet of paper, this is definitely a mini sewing machine. The small size does not stop this machine from being feature packed though! This Janome sewing machine has 10 different built in stitches. These include straight stitches, zigzag stitches, decorative stitches and a stretch stitch. It can sew in reverse, and do free arm sewing. This machine also comes with an easy to use drop in top bobbin and automatic bobbin winder. It uses a presser foot to control the speed of the sewing machine.
Product Features:
- Size: 10.5 x 5 x 9 inches
- Weight: 5 pounds
- 10 built-in stitches
- Plugs into standard US outlet
- Warranty – 1 year limited warranty
- Can sew in reverse
- Can do free arm sewing
- No sewing light
- Drop in bobbin
- Presser Foot with Finger Guard protects little fingers
4. Magicfly Mini Sewing Machine
The Magicfly mini sewing machine is a highly reviewed and rated mini sewing machine. This machine comes with a detachable extension table, making it easier to sew larger projects with it. If you remove the table, then this machine can do free arm sewing. Free arm sewing is great for finishing sleeve cuffs, hemming pants, and sewing other small items. This machine can sew at two different speeds, fast or slow. It also comes with a foot pedal to control the sewing speeds even more. This machine can also automatically thread bobbins for you. This would be a great beginner’s sewing machine for someone looking to do some hemming or doll clothes sewing.
The Magicfly mini sewing machine also comes with many different accessories. It has multiple different threads and bobbins included. It also has a measuring tape, scissors, and needle threader included. This miniature sewing machine also comes with a seam ripper, thimble, and four extra needles. There is also a portable bag included for storing and travelling with the Magicfly mini sewing machine.
Product Features:
- Size: 12 x 11 x 9.5 inches
- Weight: 3.39 pounds
- 1 built-in stitches – straight stitch only
- Can run on power supply or batteries
- Warranty – none
- Sewing light built-in
- Thread cutter
- Can do free arm sewing
- Does NOT sew in reverse
- 42 pcs sewing accessory kit which includes 36 pcs bobbin, 5 pcs needles, 1 threader, 1 scissors and 1 tape measure, 1 extension table, and 1 portable bag
5. BTY Mini Sewing Machine
This mini sewing machine is full of features! This machine has 12 different built-in stitches that are selected by a simple button press. It also comes with a built-in LED light. It can also automatically wind bobbins for you. This machine runs on either AC power with the included plug, or on 4 AA batteries. This BTY Mini sewing machine is a mechanical sewing machine. It comes with a foot pedal for controlling the sewing speed, some thread, and two bobbins. This machine is small, portable at 10.8 x 4.8 x 10.2 inches. It is super lightweight at 5.39 pounds. This machine is easy to pack up and take anywhere you need to sew. It is great for sewing on the go, or for a beginner looking for a cheap introductory machine to learn the basics on.
Product Features:
- Size: 10.8 x 4.8 x 10.2 inches
- Weight: 5.39 pounds
- 12 different built-in stitches
- Stitch length adjustment
- LED lighting
- Accessory storage drawer
- Reverse stitch
- Thread cutter
- Can do free arm sewing
- 6V in-line energy-saving power supply or 4 AA batteries (not included)
- Warranty – 15 days return, 30 days for new, 12 month warranty
6. SINGER 01663 Stitch Sew Quick Portable Mending Machine
The Singer 01663 Stitch Sew Quick is a handheld sewing machine. It is included here because it can sew, and it it smaller than a regular sewing machine. The Stitch Sew Quick is small and portable. This machine is great for doing small repairs to items that would be difficult to move or sew with a traditional machine. This sewing machine is battery operated, but it can run on an AC adapter (not included). This handheld sewing machine can sew medium weight fabrics. It would not work well for heavier fabrics. Handheld sewing machines like this are capable of only one stitch – a straight stitch. Being handheld, this machine is great for being able to move around an object to sew it.
Product Features:
- Handheld sewing machine
- Size: 9 x 2.25 x 7.5 inches
- Weight: 0.83 pound
- Can run on batteries or AC power adapter (not included)
- Has one built-in stitch – a straight stitch.
- Warranty – none
- Cordless, handheld portable mending machine Single thread feed for quick repairs or temporary basting
- Works best on lightweight fabrics
- Includes threads, bobbins, needles and thread spindle
What is a mini sewing machine?
Mini sewing machines are defined as small sewing machines. There is no formal weight and size specification for mini sewing machines. These machines are portable, small, and lightweight.
Mini sewing machines often do not have as many features as larger and heavier sewing machines. These sewing machines can be great for beginning sewers who do not need as many features.
They are also really useful for taking to a friend’s house to sew or to a sewing class. If you are headed to a convention or event and might need to do some last minute sewing, a mini sewing machine would be perfect for you.
Mini sewing machines are often powered by either an AC adapter or batteries (some machines can do either!). If you expect to use your mini sewing machine for projects longer than 30 minutes, you should avoid getting one that only takes batteries.
Mini sewing machine FAQ
What’s the difference between a mini sewing machine and a handheld sewing machine?
Mini sewing machines are quite different from handheld sewing machines. Mini sewing machines are smaller versions of regular sewing machines. They are usually manual machines that are capable of doing basic sewing and some different stitches. Mini sewing machines sit on a table or other surface as you sew, and the material moves through them. Mini sewing machines are great sewing machines to take along if you want similar features to a full sewing machine, but in a more compact form. If you are looking for portable sewing machines, then these mini sewing machines are just what you need.
Handheld sewing machines are completely different from regular sewing machines. Handheld sewing machines are held in your hand and moved along the area to sew. They are capable of only doing one stitch – a straight stitch. Handheld sewing machines are great to use if you have something to sew that can’t be easily moved. Uses can range from adding decorative fabric on the outside of a box spring or mattress, hemming hanging curtains, mending rips in upholstery, and more.
What features should a mini sewing machine have?
Mini sewing machines can differ quite a bit on features. Since mini sewing machines are basically regular sewing machines, just miniaturized, they can often have similar features to regular sewing machines. They also have the additional benefits of being compact and portable. Often these machines run on either a power plug or batteries. Some machines can run on both!
These are some of the main features to look for in a mini sewing machine:
- Number and type of built-in stitches
- Power supply
- Run time on the power supply (no use having a machine that only sews for 15 minutes on batteries!)
- Size and weight
- Ratings and reviews
- Warranty
Do mini sewing machines come with a warranty?
Some mini sewing machines do come with a warranty. If a mini sewing machine comes with a warranty or not depends on which mini sewing machine you purchase. Some mini sewing machines have better warranties than others. Common warranties are no warranty, a 30 day warranty, a 1 year warranty, or an amazing 25 year warranty. So make sure you check the warranty details before you decide on a mini sewing machine.
Can a mini sewing machine sew like a real sewing machine?
Mini sewing machines can sew like a real sewing machine. They often have more limited features and built-in stitches, but they are quite capable of sewing. Mini sewing machines can be made to make clothes, home decor items, quick repairs, and most anything else a real sewing machine can do. One thing to keep in mind with a mini sewing machine is that they are often less durable than regular sewing machines. So a mini sewing machine would not be a good choice if you are looking to sew heavier fabrics like denim, canvas, and leather. For heavier materials check out a Singer 4423 or 4452.
In summary
So, which mini sewing machine should you buy?
If you are looking for a cheap sewing machine that you can take to class, then you should look at either the Brother XM2701 or the Singer Start 1304. Both of these are lightweight, full featured machines that can be easily packed up and taken to a sewing class or sewing session with friends.
If you are looking for a mini sewing machine to travel to events for quick repairs and alterations, then the Janome Fastlane or BTY mini sewing machines are your best bet. Both of these machines are quite small. They both have tons of features and versatility, despite their small size. They also both come with a 1 year warranty “just in case”.
If you are not sure if you will have power where you go, then you should buy the BTY mini sewing machine. This machine has the 1 year warranty, tons of features, plus it can run on batteries so it is truly mobile.
If you are looking to take your sewing machine truly mobile and sew items that cannot be easily moved, then you should buy a Singer Stitch Sew Quick handheld sewing machine.
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