10 best manual sewing machine

best manual sewing machine

There are so many people who want to start a sewing journey but they are not familiar with the complex features of the electrical sewing machines.

This manual sewing machine is the best option for those people.

The mechanism is very simple and the best part is these machines are cheaper than those electronic sewing machines.

As the technology updated sewing machines also updated.

In modern sewing machines lots of new features are included that are not present in the traditional manual sewing machine. But the fact is modern electronic machines can not replace these traditional machines. Because of their durability.

Manual sewing machines are made up of high-quality metals and they are long-lasting. These machines can sew even more than 35-40 years without any malfunctioning.

You might be thinking why I am so much confident about this. Let me explain my experience.

I am currently using a sewing machine that was gifted to my mother in her marriage by her father.

The sewing machine is “USHA ki kiran“.

I still remember that moment when I started my sewing journey with that machine. I am still using that same machine because it has so many memories.

And the machine is still running smoothly without any problem. It has been working for 35 years and still in good condition. You can imagine the level of durability of the manual sewing machine.

In this article, you will get a list of the best manual sewing machines. We have covered the technical features, pros, and cons of each machine. So, you can compare them on every parameter and buy a perfect one according to your need and requirements.

Table of content

List of Best Manual Sewing Machine in India

1. Singer Tailor Delux Straight Stitch Hand Sewing Machine (Black)

This delux straight stitch hand sewing machine is affordable machine. It has a plastic base assembly. The quality of the machine is very good and durable.

Key features:

  • Plastic base assembly
  • Plastic case for covering
  • Extra needle for thick material is provided.
  • Nickel-plated needle bar.
  • Auto tripping spring-loaded bobbin winder.

This machine has all the common features like foot presser, adjustable thread tension, bobbin winding spool, etc. It has traditional look and made up of high-quality material. The company provides two different models at different prices. You choose anyone.

One extra needle is provided with the machine. This needle is very strong and useful for thick fabric. You can remove the plastic base and placed it on the tabletop as per your need. If you want to attach a motor instead of a handle you can do that as well. This machine has 2 years of manufacturing warranty.

ProsCons
High quality and long-lasting machine.The base is made of plastic material. 
Extra needle for thick material.

2. Usha Hand Operated Sewing Machine (NOVA Model)

This is an advanced modern sewing machine from the Usha brand. Definitely, you will love this complimentary look. This machine is made up of an aluminium die-cast body. This material is very lightweight. Due to this machine becomes lightweight and portable. 

Usha recently launch this Sewing machine under USHA NOVA brand. Two variants are USHA NOVA model and USHA NOVA pro model.

Key feature:

  • Advance machine
  • Lightweight and portable
  • In-built LED light 
  • Calibrated thread tension adjuster
  • maintenance-free machine

This is a hand-operated sewing machine having similar features. In addition, it has so many extra features like inbuilt LED light, thread cutter, automatic bobbin winding, etc. It has a calibrated thread tension adjuster you can adjust the tension by using a dialer.

It has a plastic base assembly and handles over the top. The fabric selector knob will help you to adjust stitches according to the fabric. This machine comes with 1 year of manufacturer warranty.

ProsCons
Inbuilt LED source near the needle.More precautions needed while operating this machine.
low maintenance.
Extra features if compared to other machines at the same price range.

3. LUXMI Family Composite Sewing Machine

Luxmi is a very well-known Indian brand since 1949. They always provide good quality sewing machines at very affordable prices.

Key features:

  • Adjustable stitch length
  • Forward and reverse stitch control with just one switch
  • Auto trip bobbin winding with screw adjusting system.
  • The maximum sewing speed is 800 stitches per minute for hand and 1200 stitches per minute for the treadle.
  • Oscillating shuttle type
  • Plastic outer cover provided with the machine.

To operate this machine, you can use a handle and drive the shuttle with hand or you can use a treadle or if you want then you can install the motor as well by just removing the handle.

The Presser foot is a slide-type you can easily attach and detach it. The needle plate is curved and a slight type. On the left side, there is one screw to adjust the tension on the thread. It has an auto trip bobbin winding. A plastic cover is provided to cover the machine when it is not in use.

The machine gives 800 stitches per minute if you are using hand and 1200 stitches for the treadle. However, it totally depends on the individual. The machine comes with the 2 years of manufacturing warranty.

ProsCons
Extra essential tools are provided with the main products.One needle for every type of material. The needle may get damaged if it is used for heavy thick material.
High quality
Adjustable stitch length

4. REENA Singer Magna Cast Iron Sewing Machine

This machine has an attractive traditional look. But base assembly is not provided with the product. You have installed it or if you already have a machine table then you can place this machine over it.

Key features:

  • Only a sewing machine head.
  • Attractive look with high quality.
  • Three different spools for thread and bobbin winding.
  • Adjustable thread tension

You just can’t ignore this machine because of no base assembly. This is a very high-quality product. This machine is best for home use and commercial use also. You just have to oil it properly and it will give hassle free non- stop performance for heavy use.

All other features are similar to that of other sewing machines. You will get one-year warranty from the date of purchase. 

ProsCons
Auto trip bobbin winding.The base, table, and cover are not included with the product.
Attractive traditional look, high-quality material used for manufacturing this machine.
Best sewing machine for home and commercial use.

5. Pargat Straight Stitch Composite Sewing Machine (Black)

Pragat delivers products worldwide. They have quality products. This is a newly arrived machine and comes with a wooden base that is amazing. Wood adds extra weight but it ensures the toughness and quality of the base.

Key Features:

  • Can sew any type of material
  • Lever-type stitch mechanism
  • Wooden base assembly
  • Adjustable thread tension 
  • forward and reverse stitching

You will get handle coupled with a while to drive the wheel with your hands. You can easily remove this handle and use a treadle table. This is a composite sewing machine made up of high quality cast iron material.

ProsCons
Made for every type of fabric material.
The wooden base provided with the machine.
It has a special type of foot presser.

One screw is available to adjust the thread tension. You can remove the wooden base that comes with the machine and placed it on the tabletop if you want. It has all the other common functions. It has a special type of foot presser that is useful for every type of material and you can adjust the length and position of the stitches. The product comes with one year of manufacturing warranty.

6. Usha Bandhan Straight Stitch Composite Sewing Machine (Black)

And here is everyone’s favorite brand Usha. This is ISI marked sewing machine so, there is no chance of low-quality products. You will get a plastic outer case.

Key features:

  • Closed type shuttle race mechanism.
  • Auto tripping bobbin winding.
  • Adjustable thread tension.
  • Reverse and forward stitches.

You can adjust the pressure of the presser foot by using a screw according to the type of fabric material. Perfect pressure on fabric gives smooth operation and the chances of irregular stitches become negligible. You will get the plastic base with the machine. 

The Stitch regulator helps you to adjust the stitch length. If you don’t want to operate this machine using your hand, then you can attach a motor-operated 

escalator to the machine. This machine has a traditional closed-type shuttle race mechanism which is easy to maintain and clean.

Plastic base and outer cover, warranty card, and instruction manual included with the machine. This machine comes with 1 year of manufacturer warranty.

ProsCons
This is an ISI marked sewing machine that ensures the quality of the machine.There is a problem with bobbin threading. It sometimes gets jammed while threading.
Traditional closed type shuttle race mechanism.
Both base and out case is provided with the machine.
Easy maintenance and cleaning.

7. Usha Anand Straight Stitch Composite Sewing Machine (Black)

This is another sewing machine from the Usha brand. This composite sewing machine is best for home use. You will get machine oil with the product that is required to pour it on the parts of the machine at the time of the first usage. All the instructions are given in the manual you can refer to that.

Key features:

  • For forward and reverse stitches there is a lever-type mechanism.
  • Adjustable thread tension screw.
  • Auto-trip bobbin winding.
  • Comes with base assembly.

This is best for beginners because this machine doesn’t have any complex mechanism. All the features are the same as the previous one. The reason for including this product in the list is the quality of the material used for every part of the machine.

You can easily install a motor and operated it on electricity. This is a heavy-duty machine and best for heavy usage. You will get one year of warranty on the machine.

ProsCons
Simple mechanism best for beginners.The material of the plastic base is not good.
Comes with a plastic base and can be installed on the table as well.

8. NAVEEN Sewing Machine Cast Iron Tailor Model Sewing Machine

This is a traditional cast iron model with a round arm shape and presser foot hinge. This machine gives maximum efficiency. Best domestic machine and for home use.

Key features:

  • Liver type stitch length regulator.
  • Extra tools like measuring tape, screwdriver, bobbin, etc are provided with the machine.
  • Bobbin winder
  • 1 year of manufacturer warranty

This is only the top part of the machine. No base assembly or table is provided with the main product. So, you have to purchase it separately. Also, no handle and the outer case are included this adds the extra cost.

Liver type stitch regulator helps you to adjust the stitch length and screw provided to adjust the tension of the thread. This is a high-quality traditional sewing machine. It has all the common features and extra tools that are essential for sewing operations. Measuring inch tape, 2 screwdrivers, an organ needle, 3 bobbins, an oil can, and a threader these are the tools included with the main product.

ProsCons
Extra tools with the main product.Base assembly, cover, and handle are not provided with the machine.
High-quality sewing machine.

9. Zenith Tailor Master Sewing Machine

Zenith is the oldest manufacturer of sewing machines in India since 1940. This is the only the top part of the machine. You have to arrange a table or base assembly for it. If you want to operate this machine using a motor then you can easily install the motor and coupled with the wheel. The handle is not provided the main product.

Key features:

  • Hinged type presser foot
  • Front and reverse stitches
  • Cam motion thread take-up lever
  • oscillating motion shuttle
  • bobbin winder

This machine has a lock stitch system for both forward and reverse stitches. It has a cam motion type thread take-up lever, oscillating motion shuttle mechanism, and hinge type presser foot. All other features are the same.

This machine is best for commercial because it is compatible with all types of fabric material and for heavy usage. This machine comes with 1 year of manufacturing warranty.

ProsCons
A most affordable machine with high quality.Base assembly and handle are not provided with the main product.
Compatible with all types of material.

10. Prema Brather Cast Iron Tailor Model Round Arm Sewing Machine

This is the complete machine with all the essential tools. You don’t have to buy anything if you want a complete manual sewing machine.

Key features:

  • Both the machine top and table with foot pedal included.
  • Toolbox provided with the machine.
  • 2 years of seller warranty.
  • Attractive traditional look.
  • Fabric selector switch.

This machine includes a machine top, table with foot pedal, and toolbox. In the toolbox 2 bobbins, 2 needles, 2 screwdrivers, and an oil cane are available. This is really value for money set. For different materials, you can use different settings by using a fabric selector switch.

All other functions of the machine top are similar to previous machines like foot presser, thread tension regulator, stitch size regulator, etc. The quality of the whole table material and machine top is good. All the parts of this product come with 2 years of seller warranty which does not cover breakage. Please clear this warranty term before buying it.

ProsCons
All the parts are provided with a machine like a table, foot pedal extra.If you want to use a motor, then this foot pedal table is not useful. So, if you want to operate this machine manually then only buy.
The toolbox contains all the essential tools of sewing.
Best for all types of fabric materials.

Benefits of having a manual sewing machine:

  • Most importantly, these machines are cheaper than electronic machines. You will save lots of money.
  • Low maintenance machine you just have to keep it dust free and oiling to the moving part regularly it is more than enough.
  • These machines are sturdy.
  • High quality and durable as compared to electronic automatic sewing machines.
  • Electricity is not required for operating a manual sewing machine.

How to maintain a manual sewing machine:

Manual sewing machines are mechanical machines only they don’t have any electrical parts. So maintaining them becomes easy.

You have to keep them dust-free. You can use a small blower or vacuum cleaner or just simply clean with a brush.

You have to keep these machines away from the moisture. Because the metallic parts easily get rusted in contact with moisture.

As I told you this is a mechanical machine and every moving part has to be lubricated. You have to keep oiling every moving part of these machines regularly.

Buying Guide for a manual sewing machine:

If you know every part of the mechanical sewing machine and know how they are efficient then choosing a good manual machine becomes easy. But if you don’t know anything or a little bit then it becomes complicated to choose the right one.

1. Quality of the material

High quality and durable material always best these machines are long-lasting. These machines will not easily rust and stop working. If you choose a cheap and low-quality machine, then it will start rusting after a few days of work. And, all the moving parts start to make noise while operating and it becomes bulky.

2. Features

Check all the functions and features of the machine. Like, bobbin winder, thread tension controller, stitch length controller, presser foot. These all small functions become important while sewing so keep the focus on all of these features and functions.

3. Budget

Obviously, you will only buy a machine that is only fit for your pocket. But we suggest you don’t try to save unnecessarily and neglect the main features. Don’t go for cheap and low-quality machines always choose quality products.

4. Brand

Yes! name of the brand matters in the sewing machine. The well-known and reputed brand always provide a quality product. These machines may be expensive than local ones but these are low maintenance and long-lasting. Choose a branded machine. You can select any one from the above list.

Manual sewing machine VS Electrical sewing machine 

We are not here to just prove the manual sewing machines are always the best. Both machines have their own advantages and disadvantages.

Manual Sewing machinesElectrical Sewing machines
Cheaper than electrical sewing machines.Much costly than manual sewing machines.
Long-lasting and durable.Less durable.
Limited types of stitch patterns can be sew using these machines.So many options and stitch patterns are available.
Bigger size, bulky, and heavy weighted.Lightweight and easy to carry anywhere.
Not a portable machine.These machines are portable.
Easy to maintain.More precautions need to be taken while maintaining these machines.

Frequently Asked Question

1. Is it worth buying a manual sewing machine?

Ans: Absolutely! manual sewing machines have so many advantages. They are very tough and long-lasting you can use them for hours and hours. Manual sewing machines are much cheaper than other types of sewing machines. Truly value for money machines. You will never regret buying manual sewing machines it will really worth buying.

2. Which type of sewing machine is best for beginners? 

Ans: Sewing is the art and it is really difficult to learn this skill if you are just starting. But if you choose a perfect a beginner-friendly machine then the machine itself helps you to lift yourself and you will find the improvement in yourself.

A beginner-friendly machine means machine should be easy to handle and all the features should be easy to understand then only new learner will understand the functions of the machine. And the manual sewing machine fits in all these criteria. Also, manual machines are cheap.

Conclusion

We found that these machines are quality and best manual sewing machines in India. You can choose anyone according to your budget and purpose. These machines are long-lasting and made up of very high-quality tough material. Even the automatic sewing machines can not replace this machine in case of heavy usage.

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