As you can predict from the name, the moving progress of stitches is alongside each other rather than moving straight.
I came a long way in researching to create a list of the best, starting from the key specifications to the affordable price ranges in a detailed way. In the end, I’ll guide you through the things you should consider in case the list wasn’t that satisfying to you.
Top 5 Best Zig-Zag Sewing Machines
5. SINGER | 7258 Sewing & Quilting – Best for Beginners
Keeping simplicity in mind, Singer 7258’s ease of use screams nothing but “effortless.”
Everything works seamlessly by avoiding any complicated button use.
It’s built from a mixture of metal and plastic and is a bit heavy, but the durability is still there despite the plastic involvement.
As for the beginning and intermediate stages, it will be your best accompany to bring you creativity and imagination. With its 100 built-in stitches, you can do basic fixing, stretches, and decorations. It features seven built-in buttonholes to broaden your sewing and quilting.
Singer 7258, even though it’s for beginners, nothing can go beyond your imagination. It will handle pretty well thick fabrics like denim, light leather, and other thick materials to certain layers. It quilted my two layers of cotton material which is a lot for the given price.
This machine also features programmable needle up and down stops. Plus, the stitch selection decides on width and length, so it is easier to adjust to the intended level. As a beginner, you may find it difficult, but believe me, it’s not as it looks like.
Summary
Key Specifications:
- Dimensions: 17.72 x 10.24 x 14.96 inches
- Weight: 18 pounds
- Build Material: Mixture of plastic and metal
What I Like About It
- A great number of stitches
- Up and down needle
- The free arm feature is available
- Automatic tension
What I Dislike About It
- It doesn’t include fonts
Why Should You Buy It?
The SINGER | 7258 offers amazing features starting from a high number of stitches at a budget-friendly price. If you’re too picky, let me tell you that it has an impressive overall performance.
4. Brother ST371HD Sewing Machine – Best for Tough Fabric
You may not know that ST371HD is the first heavy-duty release of the brand. Thankfully, they decided to step up the sewing game and let those thick fabrics conquer this time.
Anyway, the brand advertises this mode as “Strong & Tough, Made to Last,” and I couldn’t agree more because the metal body construction proves that it is not just a hollow claim.
The machine has all the standard features we are used to seeing, like a free arm, and is jam-resistant.
Another valuable feature is considered the automatic needle threader, especially in the first stages of sewing; plus is convenient for those who have bad eyesight. It employs 37 built-in stitches and a 1-step buttonhole that works automatically.
ST371HD is operating with the speed of 800 stitches in a minute. As for the precision part, I can’t praise the machine, but I can’t glorify it, either. It’s ok; it just didn’t reach my expectations. Considering the inexpensive price tag, the lack of precision is acceptable.
Summary
Key Specifications:
- Dimensions: 7.87 x 16.1 x 12.21 inches
- Weight: 14.2 pounds
- Build Material: Metal
What I Like About It
- Nice aesthetics
- Sturdy build
- Jam-resistant
- Economical
What I Dislike About It
- The needle doesn’t seem practical
- It lacks precision in stitching
Why Should You Buy It?
If you intend to work with tough materials like leather, canvas, suede, and burlap, this is your chance. Its tough body was built for lifetime use and belongs to economical class.
3. SINGER Heavy Duty Sewing Machine – Best Budget
It’s like unwritten rule for budget-priced products to look that ordinary in the construction. Some of you might not care about the appearance, but for those who do, I wouldn’t recommend it. Since you keep reading that means economical side weighs more than appearance. Let’s see what it has to offer.
It is built for heavy-duty projects with 110 stitch application. The working motor is impressive because it can reach to 1100 stitches per minute. This feature is highly appreciated among the last minute personalities including myself. You can finish the project beforehand and take a rest.
Another impressive feature is having the automatic needle threader and 4 presser feet which seem odd for the offered price range. It’s great starting point if you are a beginner to intermediate in the sewing plus are tight in budget.
The machine is lighter due to the plastic counterparts added, but the frames are built from metal.
Summary
Key Specifications:
- Dimensions: 15.5 x 6.25 x 12 inches
- Weight: 15 pounds
- Build Material: Mixture of plastic and metal
What I Like About It
- Handle heavy-duty stitches
- Easy-to-use
- Budget-friendly
- Versatile us
What I Dislike About It
- The aesthetic part fails to impress
- Questionable durability
Why Should You Buy It?
Even though it’s not aesthetically pleasing, it belongs to the economic side as well as versatile. It cooperates with thick and tough materials. So, if heavy-duty together with low-cost is your aim, go for it.
2. Reliable Barracuda 200ZW Zig-Zag Sewing Machine – Most Durable
The brand calls itself “Reliable” and is remunerate in that matter. The all-metal construction adds the machine extra heaviness, so if you plan to port it, then I suggest you consider other options. It’s simply made to last a lifetime.
This machine is able to handle medium to heavy-duty sewing and performs excellently in both straight and zigzag stitching. You can sew ornamental patches in any shape and pattern, bartacks, satin materials, and most importantly, 8 layers of sunbrella-plus. It’s noteworthy to mention that the light materials used for gowns and masks won’t give the expected results.
Barracuda 200ZW can sew 800 stitches per minute at a 4-inch density. The dial, which appears to be on the front side, allows you to adjust the length and height of stitches.
Summary
Key Specifications:
- Dimensions: 14 x 7 x 12 inches
- Weight: 34 pounds
- Build Material: Full metal cover
What I Like About It
- 800 stitches per minute
- Can sew up to 10 layers of material
- Extremely durable
What I Dislike About It
- Light work such as masks and gowns aren’t suitable.
- Heavyweight
Why Should You Buy It?
The full metal cover body is highly durable and will never require a replacement. It can sew 10 layers of material in total, so heavy-duty is easily accomplished.
1. Brother Sewing and Quilting Machine – Best Overall
Let’s start praising this multifunctional machine because I didn’t categorize it as the best overall for nothing. So, I guarantee you will be stunned by the performance and features. Let’s clarify in detail a little bit.
The body construction is built from aluminum material, which shows great durability. Even though metal is preferable, aluminum also can handle many years of use without breaking the bank.
CS6000i belongs to the group of computerized sewing machines and brings the benefits of start/stop and reverse buttons as well as changeable speed control. It took a while to discover how it works, but still, the instructions are clear. Doesn’t matter if you’re in the beginning stages or have experience in the sewing; Brother supports a wide range of quilting and sewing.
Since Brother CS6000i is computerized, it benefits from automatic needle threading and variable speed. It has 60 built-in stitches to embellish your work. Well, I have to mention the fact about this model, and it’s not suitable for heavy-duty.
I was surprised by the speed. It’s one of the fastest sewing machines available, with 850 stitches per minute along with 7 buttonholes.
Summary
Key Specifications:
- Dimensions: 16 x 6.7 x 11.4 inches
- Weight: 13 pounds
- Build Material: Aluminum
What I Like About It
- Works super fast at 850 stitches per minute
- Automatic needle thread
- Affordable price tag
What I Dislike About It
- It’s not preferable for heavy-duty
Why Should You Buy It?
It’s one of the best-computerized models with an automatic needle. It’s used almost for every type of material, from light to medium. The lightweight and compact design make the portability much more manageable. Plus, as a nice bonus, it comes at a low price. It’s one of the best-computerized models with an automatic needle. It’s used almost for every type of material, from light to medium. The lightweight and compact design make the portability much more manageable. Plus, as a nice bonus, it comes at a low price.
Buying Guide- Things to Look for Before Purchasing
Pick Quality over Unnecessary Features
You may have seen the stitching number more often in the advertisement, but those unnecessary features are rarely used, just like the extra features of our updated phones. Yes, it does sound appealing to the eye and ear, but do we actually use them? – Exactly, that’s why always go for quality and precision of the stitches instead of rich features.
The Purpose of Buying It
The aim will determine your next sewing machine. If you plan to sew as a hobbyist, you have entry-level machines that do light work, and there is heavy-duty work that can handle really thick materials up to 10 layers such as Reliable Barracuda 200ZW.
Automatic Needle Threader
The automatic needle threader is ideal when you are middle-aged or even adults who have poor eye vision. To avoid that waste of time, I highly recommend checking out if the threader is automatic and if you have sufficient lighting.
Work Space
The workspace is what differentiates a typical regular sewing machine from a quilting machine. The working space and the machine’s throat length tell the distance between the machine’s physical structure and the needle, together with the general length.
The throat length doesn’t have a significant role in case your intention isn’t to stitch blankets or any large-size projects. Nonetheless, it will affect the work if you have quilting in mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Zig-Zag Stitching Style?
Zigzag style goes from side to side. It’s useful when you stitch stretchy fabrics or strengthen the additional materials (buttonholes). Zigzag simply acts as a reinforcement at something where straight line struggles to deal with.
What Fabrics/Materials the Zig-Zag Sewing Machines Stitch?
Zigzag is adaptable to any kind of stitching. Bar tacks in general (denim mostly), appliqué design for decoration and creative stitching, seam finishing, embroidery, joining pieces/patches/trims, gathering. So, in brief, most of the stitch kinds are welcomed.
Who Invented the Zigzag Sewing Machine and How to Use it?
It is claimed that Helen Blanchard gave the idea of zigzag pattern and then first, it was brought to market in 1936.
As for the usage, part, written explanation isn’t enough, so watch this short video for a guide.
Final Words
Now we have reached the end of another article. Zig-zag stitching is adaptable in many situations, starting with bar tacks, appliqué decoration, seam finishing, embroidery, joining, trimming, and gathering. So, everything is possible to stitch.
Zig-zag sewing machines don’t only stitch zig-zag. You can create straight lines too. So, feel free to go beyond limitations.
What I would like to add here is to know your aim. There are different sewing machines used for different purposes. Decide if you will do heavy-duty or light-duty and then purchase one. Please don’t get fooled by fancy features that you won’t probably use more than twice ” quality over features.”
Further Reading
If you liked this article, here is the new assignment. Not only zig-zag, but I also have made a list of the Janome sewing machine for all tailors as well as the greatest quiet sewing machines for those who are easily disturbed by noises.
If you’re into hat embroidery, don’t miss the article I specifically dedicated to hat embroidery machines; look no further. All information you need is included. Have a quick look.
Moving forward, I have some fantastic embroidery machines for custom designs. The last suggestion, I promise, I’ve made a list of useful cobbler sewing machines at great prices, so if you consider getting one, check it out.
Sewing is definitely one of my biggest hobbies. I’ve been doing it since i was young, thanks to my mother. I specialize in sewing, and that’s what i mostly write about.