Best Sewing Machine For Patches: Our Top 3 Picks

Patches can be sewn by ordinary sewing machines too. But the outcome doesn’t usually come satisfactory unless you’ve unparalleled skill with your sewing machine. 

It’s better to rely on a machine that can be suitable for sewing patches. So, what is the best sewing machine for patches?

• Singer 4452 Heavy Duty sewing machine is the overall best option to pick. It’s fast, durable, and has a lot of sewing styles.
• Brother SE600 is the best option if you’re looking for a digitalized machine. 
• Singer 4423 will be a good alternative to Singer 4452 as it is cheaper and has similar features.

Surely that’s not enough information to make a decision yet, right? So, join us in the full discussion as we talked about their good and bad sides in detail.

Let’s begin!

Top Sewing Machines For Patches

The names on the table are our top picks on the top list. These machines are suitable for any patch works and even embroidery projects.

Let’s take a look at more details on their specs, pros, cons, and functionalities.

Singer 4452 Heavy Duty Sewing Machine: Extremely Durable

Specs

• Stitch Speed: 1,100 SPM
• No of Built-in Stitches: 32 (6 Basic, 7 Stretch, 18 Decorative, 1 Fully Automatic)
• No of Buttonhole Style: 1
• Sewing space: 6.25” (needle to tower), 4.25” height 
• Max Stitch Length: 4mm
• Max Stitch Width: 6mm
• Bobbin Size: Class 15
• Product Dimension: 15.5 x 6.25 x 12 inches
• Item Weight: 14.6 pounds
• Warranty: 25 years. Warranty applicable for usage at 110 volts in the US and Canada
• Accessories: Non-stick foot, walking foot/even feed foot, clearance plate, extra heavy weight needles.

Pros

• 32 built-in stitches to make various styled stitches
• Has an automatic needle threader
• Maximum stitching speed 1,100 per minute
• Ensures skip-free sewing
• Has a built-in free arm
• Has an adjustable pressure foot
• Provides lots of accessories
• Easy to operate
• The bobbin is easy to load
• Has an automatic buttonhole maker
• Has LED workspace light

Cons

• Not suitable for beginners
• Noisy while sewing
• Mechanical stitch selection can be confusing initially

Singer 4452 heavy-duty is one of the best machines for sewing patches. Patches are usually done on heavy fabrics. And Singer 4452 heavy-duty machine is just the perfect pick for it.

It stands out for its versatility in features. It has 32 built-in stitches which include 6 Basic, 7 Stretch, 18 Decorative, and 1 Fully Automatic built-in stitch.

Thanks to this wide range of built-in stitches you can create any type of trendy patch or embroidery. Whether it’s regular stitch, decorative, or stretching fabrics, singer 4452 got it all covered.

You can switch the stitch style as needed by turning the dial knob. It also has 6 pressure feet that aid in different types of stitches. 

These are-

• Zipper foot
• All-purpose foot
• Button sewing foot
• Even feed walking foot
• Buttonhole foot
• Nonstick foot

The pressure foot is adjustable. It also has an extra-high foot pressure lifter. So, you can stitch pretty much on any fabric without worries about embroidery coming loose. 

Another advantageous feature is the free arm which makes working on circular or small items easier. Such as sleeves and cliffs. Adjusting needle position and tension is also pretty easy once you learn to use it.

Along with the versatile features it comes with an array of accessories. You get a non-stick foot, walking foot/even feed foot, clearance plate, and extra heavy weighted needles.

You get 5 heavy weighted 100/14 sized needles in the package. The automatic needle threader makes the usage even more convenient. 

It works pretty fast as the speed rate is 1,100 SPM. The only downside of this machine is that it is a little noisy. But it makes a fine option for the users.

Brother SE600: Easy to Use

Specs

• Stitch Speed: 710 SPM
• Max Embroidery Speed: 400 SPM
• No of Built-in Stitches: 103
• Max Working Space: 4” x 4” Hoop
• Sewing Design: 80
• Button Hole Styles: 10
• Max Stitch Length: 5mm
• Max Width Length: 7mm
• Screen: 3.2” LCD Touch Screen Display
• Bobbin Type: Drop-in Top Bobbin
• Product Dimension: 15.51″D x 21.18″W x 16.54″H
• Item Weight: 26.2 pounds
• Warranty: 25 years warranty

Pros

• Can generate 80 types of built-in designs along 
• Texts can be curved on-screen editing
• Has an automatic needle threader
• Can generate 103 types of sewing stitches
• The machine is computerized
• Has drag and drop editing feature
• Speed can be adjusted
• Can generate 10 types of buttonhole styles
• Can do reinforcement/reverse stitches.
• Budget-friendly

Cons

• The embroidery area is small
• Stitching speed is low
• Doesn’t have a hard case
• Doesn’t have embroidery software
• Lacks necessary accessories

Brother SE600 is one of the decent choices for embroidery machines on a low budget. It is a fully computerized digital sewing machine. 

The design patterns for embroidery and patches can be generated from 80 different built-in designs. You can also preview the design on the LCD display monitor before stitching.

It has 103 varieties of stitching options included. They are-

• 4 straight stitches
• 1 triple stretch, 1 basting, 1 stem stitch
• two-step and three-step elastic zigzag stitch each
• 7 overcasting stitches, 5 with additional side cutter
• 2 piecing, 2 blankets, 10 hems, and 2 blind hem stitch
• 4 decorative quilting, 5 decorative satins, 17 decoratives, and 5 cross-stitch
• 2 darnings, 1 button sewing, and 8 buttonhole stitch.

Since it is a digitalized sewing machine it’s controlled through a lot of buttons. Once you learn their functionality the machine is pretty easy to operate. 

It has 7 sewing feet but unfortunately lacks many necessary accessories. Such as a prepositional hoop, a magnetic hoop, a stabilizer, and other embroidery supplies.

More importantly, it doesn’t come with an embroidery digitizing software. Getting the software and the accessories will raise the cost of your project. Which is one of its downsides. 

Another controversial point is the stitching speed of it. Compared to other embroidery machines, Brother SE600 has a rather low SPM rating. 

When focusing on making patches, these lackings won’t become any major issue. But if you’re planning to do big embroidery projects we would suggest you look for more options.

Singer Heavy Duty 4423: Budget Friendly

Specs

• Stitch Speed: 1,100 SPM
• No of Built-in Stitches: 23 (6 Basic, 4 Stretch, 12 Decorative, & 1 Buttonhole)
• Buttonspace: 4-step Automatic
• Pressure feet: 4
• Max Stitch Length: 4mm
• Max Stitch Width: 6mm
• Bobbin Size: Class 15
• Product Dimension: 6.25″D x 15.5″W x 12″H
• Item Weight: 14.5 pounds
• Warranty: 25 years Limited Warranty 

Pros

• Very durable as it’s a heavy-duty sewing machine
• Can work with thick materials like denim, leather, canvas, etc.
• Fast stitching speed
• Has an automatic needle threader
• Has a top drop-in bobbin system
• Comes with various accessories
• Stitch length and needle positions can be adjusted
• Has an adjustable pressure foot and an extra pressure foot lifter
• Has a free arm
• Has working LED

Cons

• There are complaints of machine jamming and needle breaking
• The machine is loud
• Although it’s a heavy-duty machine, it’s not very reliable for heavy-duty projects

Singer Heavy Duty 4423 is a predecessor version of singer heavy duty 4452. All of its functionalities are present in Singer 4452. But it doesn’t have all the features that Singer 4452 has.

It is lacking in the feature section compared to the Singer 4452 heavy-duty sewing machine. But it has all the necessary features and even more that can be needed for making patches.

It is a decent alternative to Singer 4452 if you have a tight budget. Because it’s a lot cheaper than Singer 4452 and yet you get to experience most of its functionalities.

Talking about the functionalities it has 23 types of built-in stitches and 4 pressure feet. These are-

• General purpose foot
• Buttonhole foot
• Button sewing foot
• Zipper foot

Like Singer 4452 the stitch and needle settings can be adjusted, and so is the pressure foot lifter. You can sew fabrics of various weights by adjusting the pressure foot.

The accessories case includes needles, bobbins, a quilting guide, a spool pin felt, spool caps, and auxiliary spool pins. It also contains a screwdriver, dust cover, lint brush, and a combo seam ripper.

The accessory package is pretty different from Singer 4452. But their stitching speed is the same. Singer 4423 has a stitching speed of 1100 SPM, which is pretty decent for making patches or embroidery projects.

Things To Look For When Buying A Sewing Machine For Patches

When choosing a sewing machine that will perform patchwork, you should consider the following factors.

Design

Patches and embroideries are decorative works that require detailed designs. Most embroidery machines come with a number of pre-programmed designs.

Many also incorporate a USB interface for uploading new custom-made designs. These features make decorative works a lot easier. 

The more design it offers the more creative you can be with your work. So prioritize the built-in design numerals.

Hoop Options

Hoops are essential when dealing with embroidery or patchwork. When doing a beautiful stitching, a hoop is very helpful in holding the fabric firmly in place. 

Its functionality is similar to red snappers or leader grips. The length of the hoop also makes a lot of difference in the design. The provided design area will limit the size of your embroidery patterns. 

The hoop length on most machines ranges from four to ten inches. For making patches this measurement is enough. 

When shopping for an embroidery/patchwork machine, keep these key aspects in mind, which can be impossible to overlook when embroidering.

Sewing Ability

To make a complex patch design different types of stitching patterns may need to be implemented. Such as zig-zag, cross stitch, font sewing, etc. Most sewing machines can perform multiple types of sewing patterns. 

But not all of them give a satisfactory outcome. So, before buying a sewing machine take reviews on sewing capabilities on different styled stitching.

Some sewing machines do an excellent job on straight stitching but suck big time on patterned ones. Also, make sure to check if they are sturdy enough to work on heavy materials.

Patchworks are often done on thick materials. So if the machine can’t handle weighted fabric the needles might break while working. 

Heavy-duty sewing machines like Singer 4432 or Singer 6380 are better in this aspect.

Speed 

Speed is an important factor in embroidery and patchwork. Since a design needs a lot of stitching and patterns to be implemented, the stitch speed should be good. 

The SPM rate should be moderately high. Otherwise, it’ll take a lot of time to finish your project.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

How to sew a patch on a hat with a sewing machine?

To sew a patch on a hat, first place the patch in the designated position. Then pin down the patch with the help of the pointed ends in the center. Now, turn the hat inside out and set the tension of the sewing machine according to the fabric. Choose the needle and thread and start sewing.

What is the best stitch for patches?

Straight stitches are the best option as it provides the strongest hold. Especially when the stitch length is set to 2mm or less. It is also the easiest stitch pattern to employ, whether sewing by hand or machine. It’s a simple stitch that doesn’t take much time to complete. 

Is it better to sew or iron on a patch?

Sewing is preferable on a patch if you intend to keep the patch on your hat permanently. Sewing the patch is more durable than ironing it. However, you can choose to iron it under special circumstances. That is if you don’t have a sewing machine. In that case, you can iron it over.

Conclusion 

That was all from us about the best sewing machine for patches. All three of them are excellent choices to go with. However, you must evaluate the factors like budget, fabric compatibility, ease of use, etc.

Also, make sure you pick the one that can aid you well in other types of projects as well. Prioritise durability and customer reviews before making the decision.

Good luck!