Sew and stitch with the right gear.
Sewing machines, embroidery machines, sergers, needles, thread and hoops, compared by what the makers state and explained with guidance from the people who make them.
Gear guides
Compared by what makers and listings actually state. No made-up test scores.
Brother, SINGER and Janome starter machines compared by stitches, buttonholes, threading and bobbins.
SINGER Heavy Duty, Brother Strong & Tough and Janome HD3000 compared by listed speed, frame and features.
Lightweight full-size machines vs mini and handheld menders, and what each one is good for.
The CS7000X's listed stitches, accessories and features, and how it compares with the CS5055 and XR9550.
Walking feet, wide tables and arm space, plus quilting-ready Brother and SINGER models compared.
What a serger does that a sewing machine can't, what it can't replace, and sergers compared.
Brother SE700, SE2000, PE900, PE545 and SINGER SE9180 compared by hoop size, designs and features.
The SE700's listed specs, and how it compares with the SE2000 and the embroidery-only PE545.
DMC's hooping method and tips, plus wood and bamboo hoop sets compared by size and hardware.
Six-strand hand floss vs 40 weight machine thread, rayon vs polyester, and thread sets compared.
Cut-away, tear-away and water-soluble stabilizers matched to fabric, using Brother's chart.
Beginner hand embroidery kits compared by contents and instruction, plus a build-your-own list.
Needle types and sizes by fabric, how sizing works, and when to change, from SCHMETZ and SINGER.
All-purpose polyester vs cotton, what thread weights mean, and Gütermann and serger thread compared.
Class 15, 15J, 66 and Brother SA156 bobbins, why to use your manual's type, and winding tips.
Which machines must not be oiled, which need it, how to clean lint, and oiling schedules.
OLFA's safety and mat-care rules, plus OLFA and Fiskars cutters, mats and rulers compared.
Gingher and Fiskars fabric scissors compared by blade, handle and what each is listed for.
Seam rippers, pins, pincushions, presser feet sets and hand-sewing kits compared by listing.
Find your way around
Sewing Machines
Beginner, heavy-duty, portable and quilting sewing machines and sergers, compared by what the makers and listings state.
Embroidery
Embroidery machines, hoops, floss, machine thread, stabilizers and beginner kits, with how-tos from DMC and Brother.
Sewing Supplies
Needles, thread, bobbins, scissors, rotary cutters, mats and notions, matched to the job using maker guidance.
Sewing How-To
Threading, bobbins, tension and hand-sewing basics, cited to machine makers and university Extension guides.
Learn the basics
Step by step, cited to the maker or Extension guide.
Hooping, separating floss, and back stitch, chain stitch and French knots, per DMC.
Doubled thread, a toothpick shank, and 2-hole, 4-hole and shank buttons, per UF Extension.
Presser foot up, needle high, the threading path, a quick check, and bringing up the bobbin thread.
Balanced stitches, what loops on top or bottom mean, dial direction, and why to rethread first.