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Sewing Machine to Make Clothes: The Features That Matter

Guide type
Best of
Last reviewed
Sources
13 cited
Tested by us
No. How we research

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Short answer

For clothes, look at four things: a one-step buttonhole, stretch stitches for knits, a free arm for sleeves and hems, and enough control on fine fabrics. SINGER describes its one-step buttonhole as "perfectly sized for that button", and bernette says the b38's stretch stitch lets you "create fantastic T-shirts from jersey fabric".1,2 A serger helps but is not enough on its own: the University of Kentucky says "You still need a sewing machine to put in zippers, make buttonholes, topstitch, and sew standard, pressed open seams."3

What clothes ask of a machine

Clothes features and what the makers say
FeatureWhy it mattersMaker detail
One-step buttonholeEven buttonholes sized to the buttonSINGER: “the machine sews a buttonhole perfectly sized for that button”; a four-step buttonhole is sewn “in four easy steps”1,8
Buttonhole size limitBig buttons on coatsBrother CS5055 family: “about 28 mm (1-1/8 inches)”; bernette b35: buttons up to 2.5 cm (1 in)5,9
Stretch stitchesSeams on knits that stretch without breakingSINGER M3500: stretch stitches marked in blue on the dial10
Ball point needleKnits: jersey, tricot, T-shirt fabricBrother’s chart: ball point needle 75/11 to 90/14 for stretch fabrics5
Free armSleeves, cuffs, waistbands, trouser hemsSINGER, bernette and Brother all describe it1,5,7
Presser foot pressureFine fabrics that pucker or shiftbernette b38: set 1 to 3 for chiffon and lace; SINGER M3500: preset, not adjustable1,6
From maker pages and manuals.

For buttonholes on stretch fabric, Brother’s manual says to “use a gimp thread”.5 For one-step buttonholes, Brother explains that the machine sews them “by automatically changing the sewing direction”.11

Three machines for making clothes

Dial machine with stretch stitches

SINGER M3500

Stitches
32, one-step buttonhole
Stretch stitches
yes, marked in blue on the dial
Free arm
yes
Strengths
  • One-step buttonhole and needle threader
  • SINGER says it sews from sheer to stretch knit to denim
Drawbacks
  • Check SINGER Canada for availability in Canada

Good fit: you sew everyday clothes and want a simple dial.
Skip it if: you want to set presser foot pressure yourself: SINGER presets it for sheers to denim.

Specs: SINGER product page and M3500 manual · checked 2026-11-11Check price at AmazonAffiliate link: we earn a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you. Amazon.com sells US models: in Canada, check delivery and import fees on the listing, and ask the maker whether its Canadian warranty covers a machine bought in the US.
Sturdier dial machine for clothes and denim

SINGER Heavy Duty 4523

Stitches
23, one-step buttonhole
Fabrics
light, medium, heavier and stretch, per SINGER
Controls
speed control, adjustable foot pressure
Strengths
  • Speed control for detailed work
  • Adjustable presser foot pressure
Drawbacks
  • No walking foot in the box

Good fit: you sew jeans and jackets as well as T-shirts.
Skip it if: you want many decorative stitches.

Specs: SINGER product page and HD4523 manual · checked 2026-11-11Check price at AmazonAffiliate link: we earn a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you. Amazon.com sells US models: in Canada, check delivery and import fees on the listing, and ask the maker whether its Canadian warranty covers a machine bought in the US.
Computerized, stretch and keyhole buttonholes

bernette 38

Stitches
394, 8 one-step buttonholes
Foot pressure
adjustable
Controls
start/stop, speed slider, thread cutter
Strengths
  • Keyhole and stretch buttonholes
  • Foot pressure adjustable for fine fabrics
Drawbacks
  • Walking foot sold separately

Good fit: you sew jackets, knits and fine fabrics and want dealer support.
Skip it if: you want a simple dial machine.

SINGER says the 4523 “is designed to sew lightweight, medium and heavier fabrics, including stretch fabrics.”12 Brother’s CS5055, a computerized option from our beginners guide, has seven buttonhole styles; bernette’s b38 has eight.2,13

Questions

Do I need a sewing machine to make clothes?

For most garments, yes. Kentucky's serger guide lists what still needs a sewing machine: "zippers, make buttonholes, topstitch, and sew standard, pressed open seams."3 NMSU says a mechanical machine already does zigzag, stretch stitching and buttonholes.4

What is the best sewing machine for beginners to make clothes?

One with a one-step buttonhole, stretch stitches and a free arm, all of which the machines on this page have. Start from our [beginners guide](/sewing-machines/sewing-machine-beginners/) for the other basics.

Which sewing machine for making shirts and dresses?

Shirts need many even buttonholes; dresses often need fine fabrics. Check the buttonhole size limit (Brother's CS5055 manual: about 28 mm, 1-1/8 inches, diameter plus thickness of the button) and whether you can lower the presser foot pressure: bernette's b38 manual says to set it between 1 and 3 for chiffon, lace, organdy and other fine fabrics.5,6

What sewing machine for clothes alterations?

Hems and sleeves need a free arm: bernette's manual says it is "used for stitching sleeves, waistbands, pant legs or any other tubular garments."7 SINGER describes its free arm for "trouser hems, sleeve cuffs".1

Which sewing machine for designing clothes?

Look for more buttonhole styles and stitches: bernette's b38 has eight buttonholes, including a "Keyhole Buttonhole (ideal for jackets and coats)" and a "Stretch Buttonhole".2 The rest is pattern work, not the machine.

Bottom line

For clothes, pick a machine with a one-step buttonhole sized to your buttons, stretch stitches with a ball point needle for knits, a free arm for sleeves and hems, and presser foot pressure you can lower for fine fabrics. Add a serger later for knit seams, not instead of the sewing machine.

Related guides

What we checked, and what we didn't

Checked
  • Buttonhole, stretch stitch, free arm and presser foot details on SINGER, Brother and bernette pages and manuals
  • University of Kentucky and NMSU Extension guides
Not checked
  • How each machine sews your fabrics: we have not tested them

Sources

  1. SINGER M3500 Sewing Machine · SINGER
  2. bernette 38 · bernette (BERNINA)
  3. FCS2-802: Selecting a Serger · University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension
  4. Guide C-203: Buying a Sewing Machine (2017) · New Mexico State University Extension
  5. Operation Manual 888-N00 family (CS5055, CS7000X) · Brother
  6. bernette b38 User Manual (2026) · bernette (BERNINA)
  7. bernette b35 User Manual (2026) · bernette (BERNINA)
  8. SINGER Start 1304 Sewing Machine · SINGER
  9. bernette 35 · bernette (BERNINA)
  10. Instruction Manual M3200 to M3500 · SINGER
  11. Operation Manual 885/888-X06 family (XM2701, XR3774) · Brother
  12. SINGER Heavy Duty 4523 Next Evolution Sewing Machine · SINGER
  13. CS5055 Computerized Sewing Machine · Brother USA

Revision history

2026-11-11Added Amazon.com links to some product buttons; removed maker stock notes.
2026-11-11First version.