Best Sewing Machine for Beginners?

What is the Best Sewing Machine for Beginners?

One of the most important parts of sewing is having a good sewing machine! But it can be SO overwhelming to find one that is a good price that is also reliable! I have used a few entry level machines and I have pored over reviews and ratings for other entry level machines to answer the question for you, what is the best sewing machine for beginners? Read on for my findings. If you aren’t sure whether you need a sewing machine or a serger check out THIS post which will explain the difference between the machines.

This is just one of my 50+ easiest sewing tutorials. Check out the rest HERE.

What is the Best Sewing Machine for Beginners?

When you are looking into purchasing a sewing machine it can be so overwhelming. What is the best sewing machine for beginners? I am going to share several machines in several price points that are great for beginners. To be fair lots of these are great for most intermediate and some advanced sewists too.

What is a good brand of sewing machine?

There are several brands that are tried and true and have been around for a long time. They all have great machines but I definitely have my favorite.

I have used Brother machines since I started sewing and I really like the quality of the machine paired with the economical prices of their introductory machines.

A few other brands that are great are Singer, Babylock, Juki, and Janome.

What is the best starter sewing machine to buy?

My absolute favorite starter sewing machine is the Brother CS6000i. Here are the reasons why it is the best machine for beginners.

• Start/Stop button – the machine has a pedal but you don’t have to attach it. You can instead press a button to start and stop sewing which allows you to focus all your attention on your hands. Not on your feet and the pedal.
• Speed regulator – simply slide the switch to regulate the machine speed. This is another great way for newbies to slow down and just focus on sewing.
• Presser Foot Alarm – if you leave the presser foot up the machine will beep and will not allow you to sew. This is a life saver because this is one of the things that many people forget when they are just starting out.

Plus this machine is really reasonably priced which is a plus when you are just starting out. See it on Amazon HERE or on Joann HERE.

What is a good beginner sewing machine?

If you want more options here are a few more machines that I think are good quality and well priced. There are two different price points to choose from depending on your budget. I recommend you look for the features listed above if you are choosing a machine not off this list. The Brother above stands out because it has TONS of features compared to the comparably priced machines below.

Less than 100$:

Brother XM2701

This machine is the newer model of the sewing machine that I STILL sew with! I have yet to have a project that I couldn’t do with my basic brother machine. This machine gets over 90% 4 and 5 star rankings. The negative reviews have to do with the machine being a budget machine, which is what we are buying it for right? There are not a lot of bells and whistles but that is a plus for a beginner.

This machine has 27 stitches, I have literally only ever used like 4! It comes with 6 different feet and an automatic needle threader. It also has an instructional DVD which is great if you are brand new to sewing. This machine is great for beginners and intermediate sewists! I still have not upgraded from my version of this machine. Brother has several high quality low cost budget machines. You can’t go wrong with a machine like this as a beginner.

Singer 1234

This machine only has 6 stitches, which is really all you need as a beginner. It has a reverse stitch which is a must when you are looking at a machine. It also comes with the basic feet you will need to get started. You can do zippers, button holes, and it has a darning plate for basic quilting. This machine is great if you are brand new to sewing. It even comes with an online class for beginners, which is fantastic right? The threading instructions are even pictured right on the machine.

This machine is perfect for the brand new sewist. It is a machine for the most basic use. Once you have gained some proficiency you will want to upgrade to a different machine because this machine doesn’t allow you to set stitch length or alter tension which is not great for more advanced sewing. This machine would also be good for kids who are wanting to learn to sew. This machine is less pricey than the first but if you have the extra few dollars I still recommend the Brother machine listed above.

Over 100$:

Janome 5812

This machine is another great machine for newbies. There are 12 stitches (39 stitch function variations.) As I have stated this is more than enough even for intermediate sewists. The complaints people have about this machine are a touch ridiculous…there is no needle threader (a feature I have NEVER used on my machine.) It squeaks a little when you wind the bobbin, so what, I am usually listening to music when I wind my bobbins anyway? It makes a whirring sound when you sew, what machine doesn’t make a sound?? But I digress.

This is a high quality brand that is well known in the sewing community for having wonderful machines. It does everything you could want and need as a beginner or intermediate sewist. It is said to work well even for denim projects, which is a hard feature to find in a basic machine. I highly recommend this machine.

Juki HZL-353ZR-C

This is the most expensive machine on the list. You are paying extra for the brand. This brand is well known for it’s excellent quality. This machine is sure to last for a very long time. If you are a beginner and plan to stay in the hobby sewing realm then this machine is definitely worth considering. While the machines above are all “starters” that are meant to be upgraded as your skill level increases this machine will stand the test of time. If you plan to sew fun projects like totes and circle skirts this machine will more than suit you. When you passed the beginner stage and are sewing with ease this machine will still give you everything you need.

This machine comes with a hard cover and all the common presser feet. It has 21 built in stitches and an automatic needle threader. It also comes with an instructional DVD which is so helpful for a beginner. If you only want to buy one machine without having to upgrade then I recommend springing for this machine.

You have probably noticed that a lot of these machines look the same. Yup they are pretty much the same. They have very similar functions and set ups. They have very few bells and whistles or extras. What they have is all that you need to begin sewing. The main difference is in the brand. I have only included the machines that have excellent ratings and reviews that will ensure your success as a beginner. These machines have nothing that will get in the way of learning to sew or distract from the task of basic sewing.

I hope I have answered the question, what is the best sewing machine for beginners, for you. Which machine will you try as a beginner? Share with me in the comments below.

Never miss a stitch!

Signup be notified every time I stitch up something new!

SUBSCRIBE!

You have Successfully Subscribed!