What does a sewing machine cost today? Prices vary from about $75 to over $12,000.
You get what you pay for when it comes to sewing machines. There are throw away machines, low end mechanicals, midline electronics, computerized, and luxury machines.
What are the different brands of sewing machines?
A generic brand is a brand that depends on another company to manufacture 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 Baby Lock brand started as an advanced line of home sergers in 1964. It is currently owned by Tacony Corporation in Fenton, Missouri. It has developed into a very popular sewing machine line offering some of the most advanced sewing machines. Baby Lock works with Brother International to produce many of its sewing machines, but continues to make its own premium sergers.
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.
Bernina is considered the Cadillac of the sewing machine industry. The company is fourth generation family owned and operated from Switzerland. Its quality is well known and the brand enjoys one of the highest brand loyalties. It is considered a luxury line of sewing machines. Bernina introduced the hem stitching machine, home zig zag machine, computerized sewing, and the only Microsoft Windows operating system on a sewing machine. Its newest offering is an amazing computerized combination sewing and embroidery machine with over 1,000 stitches, a twelve inch sewing arm, and a $12,000 price tag.
Elna Sewing Machines is somewhat of a step child line. Originally, the Elna line was made in Switzerland, but in recent years financial pressures have hurt production and sales. Recently, Janome purchased the company and is in the process of developing the line as a distinctively feminine styled sewing machine line. Within the near future, Elna will be designed jointly by Swiss and Janome designers, but providing a distinctive Elna machine line.
Out of Sweden comes the Husqavarna brand also known as Viking. It is well known for its rugged endurance yet easy use. Husqavarna ,Singer, and Pfaff are currently owned by the same conglomerate and manufactured in China.
Formerly, the New Home brand was marketed in the United States. Today Janome of Japan is the largest of all sewing machine manufacturers boasting over 50,000,000 machines made. The Memory Craft series has been very popular because of the advanced robotic incorporated in the stitch control system. The company makes many generic sewing machine lines for other companies.
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.
Singer is the number one brand in the world of sewing. It has dominated the market since 1851. More Singers have been sold than any other brand. Today it is produced in China along with the Husqavarna and Pfaff lines. In many ways, the standing it once had has been lost to competitors, but it continues to be a popular brand.
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