Best Intermediate Sewing Machines

This review covers only computerized machines. If you're interested in mechanical machines less than $300, check out our review of the best sewing machine for beginners. If you have the basics of sewing down—like how to thread a machine, change a bobbin and a needle, and make simple pillows or clothes—you might want to invest in an intermediate-level machine that can help you progress into more complicated projects. Although you can spend thousands on computerized models, a budget of $400 to $900 will get you really handy features, like the machine telling you which stitch and presser foot to use for specific fabrics.

How we picked and tested

We considered machines best for all-purpose use, quilting, travelling and small spaces, and for those that want to take sewing classes and buy from a dealer (dealers will often throw in classes for the cost of a machine).

After looking at our Best Sewing Machine for Beginners guide, we narrowed down machines within a $400 to $600 price range with the features we would want if we weren't beginners anymore. We were looking for a good selection of useful everyday stitches, like straight, zigzag, buttonhole, and basting (which loosely secures layers together while you work, an alternative to pins).

Harvey Federman, owner of the sewing machine dealership Sew Right, suggested we look for machines with automatic needle threading (which is great if your eyes strain to thread through those impossibly tiny needle holes), easy-to-edit stitch width and length options (and a program mode to save them, if possible), a start/stop button so you don't have to use the foot pedal, and a needle up/down feature to let you choose where the needle stops when you stop sewing. Every machine on this list has at least three out of these four functions.

We wanted a nice assortment of included presser feet, including ¼-inch seam, zigzag, buttonhole, zipper, darning, and straight stitch. We were also looking for a few included bobbins and some basic cleaning supplies to help maximize the initial investment in the machine. And ideally we wanted safety features, like a machine that beeps or won't sew if the presser foot is raised—this helps prevent you from sewing over your fingers.

To find machines with as many of these options as possible and then start narrowing them down, we paid close attention to models that were readily available on sites like Amazon and Sewing Machines Plus, a huge online sewing store, and we looked at their user reviews. Then we read thorough reviews from sewing sites and blogs. We reached out to Federman, who sells a range of brands at his dealership, to see what we should be looking for in this price category.

Best for sewing a range of products

We think the Janome DC5100 is a great all-around machine for most intermediate sewing needs. Compared with other computerized machines less than $600, the DC5100 offers more preprogrammed features, better customer service, and you can buy it online or at a dealership, depending on what's more convenient for you. This machine will do a great job at sewing heavy-duty fabrics like denim or leather, delicate silks, and even medium and large projects like curtains or twin-size quilts. It has most of the features on our wishlist for an intermediate machine.