How much is a modern sewing machine? Between $75 and $12,000.
There is a wide range of sewing machines available today. You can get cheap disposables, solid mechanicals, electronic, or computerized machines. Like most things in this world, you must pay for value, features, and dependability.
What are the major brands of sewing machines?
A generic brand is a brand that depends on another company to produce its machines. Among the better known generic brands today are the Necchi, Dressmaker, Simplicity, Bernette, and White sewing machines. Necchi, originally an Italian brand, is marketed by Allyn International located in Denver, Colorado, but machines are drawn from a variety of generic sources. Dressmaker and Simplicity have just recently faded from the scene. Bernette sewing machines are manufactured for Bernina as a low end offering. Kenmore is the brand under which Sears sells many of its sewing machines. In the past, the Wards machine was sold in similar fashion. The White Sewing Machine Company opened in 1866 and was well known for offering small inexpensive sewing machines and attachments. Over the years the brand has been paired with a variety of other lines as their low end offerings.
The very popular newcomer, Baby Lock, offers the finest sergers as well as a premium line of sewing machines. Tacony Corporation and Brother International enjoy a great joint venture relationship yielding superior quality production in Japan.
The consumer electronics giant, Brother International, markets two brand lines. The Brother line is a low end product line sold through Walmart and other mass merchants. The Pacesetter By Brother line is a top quality line sold through independent dealers. It also produces standard machines for generic brands.
The Luxury Brand of sewing machines is Bernina. This line of top end machines includes their most recent offering the 8 Series full of advanced features costing $12,000. This brand is fourth generation family owned and manufactured by hand in Switzerland. The line has led the technologies for almost seventy five years, introducing many firsts: hem stitching, zig zag, computerization, Microsoft Windows operating system, and the largest stitch set on the market.
Elna was also made in Switzerland for many years. Recently, it was purchased by Janome of Japan, and being developed as its own distinctly feminine brand line.
Husqavarna Viking originally from Sweden became famous for its resilience and ease of use. Now it is part of the conglomerate including Singer and Pfaff being manufactured in China.
The worlds largest sewing machine manufacturer is Janome of Japan. They have made over 50,000,000 sewing machines. In the United States, it was previously marketed under the New Home brand, but is now marketed as Janome. Their Memory Craft line set a new standard for stitch quality and embroidery control by incorporating advance robotic technologies. It is also well known manufactures of several generic lines.
The German engineered Pfaff sewing machine line is held in high esteem as a true premium quality sewing machine. Originating in Germany, the brand takes its name from Georg Michael Pfaff who made his first machine In 1862. It is currently made in China.
During the earliest days of the sewing machine there were two key players, Elias Howe who patented his machine in 1846, and Isaac Merritt Singer. After the patent court battles were over, Howe held the patent, but Singer held the market. Within a decade, Howes company faded, but I.M. Singer & Company thrived for over a hundred years dominating the market. His efforts resulted in the first lockstitch sewing machine patent. In recent years, Singer has been sold and resold. Currently, it is manufactured in China. The Singer brand is the best known brand in the world.