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The free arm is a term used to define a certain component present inside most contemporary sewing machines of today. Generally, all sewing machines today come with a free arm to sew tube items such as cuffs, sleeves, trouser legs etc. The free arm is located right at the bottom of your sewing machine and protrudes out of the main body, beside the main needle and your feed dogs.
The feed dogs, bobbin race and stitch plate on all sewing machines are built into and inside this free arm. Most sewing machines also carry a molded accessory box that covers and guards the free arm. You can simply remove this accessory box by sliding it across backwards – the free arm will be revealed once you remove it.
When you don’t require the free arm function anymore, you can slide the box back into its place to act as a small sewing table. This small box comes with three functions of its own; to hold the free arm, to act as a small space for storing accessories or sewing machine oil and to also act as a small but convenient sewing table. Of course, you will have to slide this accessory box to access the free arm whenever you need it.
The free arm is useful and necessary because it makes it easier for sewers to sew one layer of fabric without catching another. This is easier because all the workings for the needle, the bobbin race and feed dogs are housed here.
After going through countless product evaluations and customer reviews, we have made a list of some of the best free arm sewing machines in the market today. Go through this list and find the best machine for your use.
Contents
TLDR: This Is Our Top Pick
- 50 UNIQUE BUILT-IN STITCHES: The Brother Project Runway CS5055PRW features 50 built-in stitches including 5 auto-size buttonholes
- AUTOMATIC NEEDLE THREADER AND DROP-IN TOP BOBBIN: This sewing machine includes an automatic needle threader that perfectly pushes the thread through the needle and a convenient, jam resistant drop-in top bobbin
- INCLUDED ACCESSORIES: The CS5055PRW comes with 7 sewing feet, 3-piece needle set, twin needle, instruction manual and more
- LCD SCREEN: Simply select your stitches with the push of a button and view your selection on the LCD display
The Brother CS5055PRW Sewing Machine is our top pick as it helps you create high-end fashion design at an affordable price. The sewing machine comes with premium features that help you channel your fashion sense into runway-ready clothing.
The Brother CS5055PRW Sewing Machine comes with 50 built-in stitches that cover a wide range of quilting, heirloom, utility and decorative stitch functions. The machine is ultra lightweight and can conveniently be carried along with you to your fashion shows and training classes.
1. Janome 2212
The Janome 2212 sewing machine is the ideal fit for beginners and first-time sewers. The sewing machine comes with a free-arm and an extended table covering it to give you excess space when you are sewing and embroidering longer patches of clothes. The Janome 2212 is a quality sewing machine that comes with a flexible and lightweight feeling to it.
The sewing machine has 12 convenient built-in stitches and also has a four-step buttonhole feature. You can easily select the width and the stitch pattern for your clothes using the selection dial on the machine. The machine comes with a wide range of features including presser feet and a built-in thread cutter.
There are other features as well, such as a sliding buttonhole foot, a zipper foot, a blind hem foot, a seam ripper, needles and bobbins. This sewing machine can expertly be used to cut through thick fabric easily. You will find no issues in sewing folded cotton fabrics and jeans with this free arm sewing machine.
Pros:
- Comes with 12 built-in stitches
- Resists jams
- Easy to use for beginners
- Has an in-built lamp
- Great for cutting and designing clothes with different thickness of fabrics
Cons:
- Not for more advanced sewing projects
- Not computerized
2. Brother CS5055PRW Sewing Machine
- 50 UNIQUE BUILT-IN STITCHES: The Brother Project Runway CS5055PRW features 50 built-in stitches including 5 auto-size buttonholes
- AUTOMATIC NEEDLE THREADER AND DROP-IN TOP BOBBIN: This sewing machine includes an automatic needle threader that perfectly pushes the thread through the needle and a convenient, jam resistant drop-in top bobbin
- INCLUDED ACCESSORIES: The CS5055PRW comes with 7 sewing feet, 3-piece needle set, twin needle, instruction manual and more
- LCD SCREEN: Simply select your stitches with the push of a button and view your selection on the LCD display
This Brother CS5055PRW Sewing Machine comes with a free arm and helps you create high-end fashion designs at an affordable price. The sewing machine is incredibly easy to use and learn and has a computerized display for more options and convenience. The sewing machine comes with premium features that help you channel your fashion sense into runway-ready clothing.
This sewing machine also provides you with an easy and reliable threading pattern on both, top and bottom threads. The sewing experience is effortless as the machine comes with the ability to help you add professional quality zippers, buttonholes, overcast edges and decorative top stitching on your creations.
The Brother CS5055PRW Sewing Machine comes with 50 built-in stitches that cover a wide range of quilting, heirloom, utility and decorative stitch functions. All you need to do is select your desired stitch on the easy to use and informative LCD screen display before adjusting your stitches to your own specific needs.
The machine is ultra lightweight and can conveniently be carried along with you to your fashion shows and training classes. With just a touch of a lever, you also get to experience the feasibility of the automatic needle threader. This threader pushes your threads right through the eye of the needle. The LCD display screen is easy for new users to understand and has no complications involved.
The Brother CS5055PRW Sewing Machine gives you the edge you need as a designer – both, literally and figuratively. The special overcasting stitch and overcasting foot are design to give the perfect edge to your clothes, which is ideal for both, home décor and knit projects.
Pros:
- 50 unique built-in stitches for all kinds of purposes
- Automatic needle threader and a drop-in top bobbin
- LCD screen for selecting the right stitch and other purposes
- Free arm covered with extended table for added sewing support
Cons:
- A bit too advanced for beginners
3. Janome 2206 Sewing Machine
- Front Loading Bobbin
- Free Arm
- Speeds up to 860 spm
- Built-In Thread Cutter
- Drop Feed Dog
The Janome 2206 is another greater entry-level sewing machine for sewers that want the free arm option in their machine. This sewing machine comes with a snap-on presser feet with drop feed dog features and a built-in thread cutter. These features offer added convenience and make sewing easier.
This sewing machine may not be as customizable and feature-rich as some of the machines by Brother, but it is ideal for beginners and newbies. The set-up process is easy to follow, as you can start sewing your way to success the moment you lift the covers off.
The Janome 2206 comes with almost 6 built-in stitches that help you stitch and come up with a number of customized designs. The drop feed dog feature allows the drop feed to move back and forth within its own slot to aid in the steps between stitches. This is a decent machine for light simple sewing repairs and designs.
Pros:
- Comes with 6 built-in stitches
- Built-in thread cutter
- Drop fee dog
- Customizable selection of stitch width
- Speed of up to 860 stitches per minute
Cons:
- Very limited number of built-in stitches
4. Brother CS6000i Sewing and Quilting Machine
- 60 Unique built-in stitches: The Brother CS6000i includes 60 built-in sewing stitches, including decorative stitches and 7 styles of auto-size buttonholes
- Automatic needle threader and drop-in top bobbin: This sewing and quilting machine includes an automatic needle threader that perfectly pushes the thread through the needle and a convenient, jam resistant drop-in top bobbin
- Included accessories: The CS6000i includes a hard protective case, wide table, 10 sewing feet, needle set including twin needle, 3 bobbins and more
- LCD Screen: Easily select your stitches with the touch of a button and view your selections on the LCD display
- 25 Year limited warranty: The CS6000i is backed by a 25 year limited warranty with free technical support for the life of the product
This Brother CS6000i Sewing and Quilting Machine is a portable and user-friendly sewing and quilting machine that offers a wide range of features to users at an affordable price tag. The Brother CS6000i comes with over 60 built-in sewing stitches and 7 different styles of one-step buttonholes. The built-in sewing stitches within this machine allow you to stitch the perfect design, be it decorative or practical.
The machine comes with 9 presser feet – overcasting, buttonhole, zipper, monogramming, blind stitch, zigzag, walking, spring action quilting and button fitting foot. The Brother CS6000i Sewing and Quilting Machine also comes with a detachable wide table that covers the free arm. You can slide this wide table off to expose the free arm and to sew helms over pants and trousers.
This sewing machine by Brother is popular for its ease of use and the backlit LCD display. The LCD display does not over-complicate things and helps you choose the right stitch for your stitching job. The machine also comes with a lamp to light up your sewing area during nighttime sessions. An easy to see sewing area during nighttime is nothing less than a blessing for sewers today.
The Brother CS6000i Sewing and Quilting Machine also comes with a hard machine case. The machine case makes it easier for you to travel around you with your sewing machine, without damaging it per se. Reading through the instruction manual is a hassle, as there are numerous incorrect references.
Pros:
- 60 unique built-in stitches
- Automatic needle threader and a drop-in top bobbin
- Includes all necessaries
- LCD screen for selecting stitches
- 25 years limited warranty
Cons:
- Instruction manual is confusing
5. Luby Sewing Machine for Beginners
- SMALL & PORTABLE: LUBY Mini Sewing Machines is designed in portable size and weight, so you can take it anywhere.
- MULTIPLE BUILT-IN STITCHES: LUBY small sewing machine 12 built-in stitches including basic, stretch, decorative and buttonhole stitches are set in the sewing machine, meet your fashion, home decor, quilts, curtains, buttons and crafts needs.
- CLEAR STICKER DESCRIPTION: Stickers for short descriptions, sequences of steps and main functions are stuck on LUBY portable sewing machines. You can learn the machine just by following the stickers in an emergency situation.
- 12 Built-In Stitches: Gently turn the knob to select the stitch, simply stitch out the style you like. It has a 4-step buttonhole presser foot for virtually perfect buttonholes sewing.
- STEP BY STEP OPERATION TUTORIAL: LUBY electric sewing machines provide tutorial video and instruction manual with picture description and 5 language translations.
The Luby Sewing Machine is the perfect entry-level sewing machine for beginners and novice level sewers to start sewing. The machine comes with a wide range of sewing materials and is ideal for DIY experts as well, who want to have some fun sewing their favorite designs as well.
The Luby Sewing Machine comes at an affordable price and offers a number of features that can help beginners learn the art of sewing. There are plenty of sewing videos online as well on how you can start practicing sewing on this machine. Patience is a virtue that you should possess, as you will slowly and gradually learn sewing in full.
The machine includes an all purpose foot and a buttonhole presser foot. The accessories that come packed with this sewing machine include a buttonhole presser foot, a threader, a needle, a foot pedal, 3 bobbins and 4 spools.
Pros:
- Sewing machine for beginners
- Has a low/high speed button
- Small in size and portable to carry around
- 12 built-in stitches
- Ideal for sewing sleeves and trousers due to the accessible free arm
Cons:
- Functionality and features are rather limited
Buying Guide for the Best Free Arm Sewing Machine
If you’re an aspiring or a beginner sewer, there are a few things you should take into consideration before purchasing the best free arm sewing machine. We want your sewing experience to be full of fun and rewarding, which is why we have narrowed down some of the things you should consider.
Choose Quality Over Features
When buying the best free arm sewing machine, we recommend you to go for quality over features. We would want you to go for something that offers quality over something that offers unbelievable features.
Go for a machine that you know has quality output than some other machine that promises 100 plus stitches. You will probably not use all of those 100 stitches during your time sewing, which is why it is best that you prefer quality over features.
Consider Your Type of Sewing
Before you really decide the sewing machine you buy, you should first decide the type of sewing projects you work on. This is an important factor and we hope more people consider this. If you’re just sewing for DIY purposes and random decorative stitching, then a limited sewing machine with basic features would do.
However, if you want to take your work to the runway or have to sew on heavy duty denim or canvas, then you need a more specialized sewing machine that can help with bigger projects. The space on top of your sewing machine also matters here.
Weight
Most sewers carry their sewing machines around with them on their excursions and travels. If that is your deal as well, then you should probably get a machine that doesn’t weigh much and is easy to carry around. A machine that weighs a ton would be hard to carry around or even fit inside one of your bags.
Included Accessories
Finally, you should consider the accessories present inside the sewing machine. You need a sewing machine that offers all necessary equipment and does not compromise on anything. The more you get inside the original package, the easier it is to set up and start sewing immediately after taking off the covers or packaging.
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