I am currently putting together a guide to sewing machines for beginners. This article will be published at the beginning of National Sewing Month to encourage new people to the craft. I’d like to include a good variety of sewing machines for those looking to buy for the first time. Can you take a moment to answer our survey below on what kind of sewing machine you use? Poll below. Also, what kind of sewing machine would you recommend for a beginner? Please answer in the comments!
We’ve had some great sewing patterns lately. Take a minute to check out Letter Beanbags and 4 Sewing Patterns.
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I would encourage those new to sewing to buy the best quality machine they can afford. Nothing will turn a new sewer off faster than a machine that causes frustration. Better to go with a high-quality mechanical machine than a low-quality computerized one with all the bells and whistles!
While I agree you need to get something of good quality, I do not advise beginners to spend an eccessive amount of money just in case they decide sewing is not where their love lies. I personally bought a Brother machine that has like 50 decorative stitches and it sews like a dream….yet only cost me $130 at my local box store. I have been sewing for years and, while I haven’t progressed beyond the basics, I do design my own wall quilts, etc. I figure if I get around to taking my designs mainstream and selling them (other than giving them away as Christmas presents) then I will invest in a ‘bigger/better’ machine. Until then I love my little machine. Its been such a hit with me that my sister and 2 friends have bought one as well!
I had a universal sewing machine in college years ago and traded it for a singer. I have always regretted that trade because I have never gotten one as dependable or easy to use. Have you ever heard of them before?
I just started sewing this past summer. So far I have made a quilted handbag, slip covers for a chair, some pillows and a pair of sleeping pants. I bought the cheapest singer at Wal-Mart. I took it back twice for exchange because my neighbor explained how things are SUPPOSED to work and mine wasn’t working correctly. If I had it to do over again, I should have splurged and spent about $200 on a machine instead of <$100
I have several machines, I sew mainly with a White which was a hand-me-down from my sister, it sews okay. I would like to purchase a newer machine with some more decorative stiches. I sew mainly quilts, and I plan on joining a quilt quild. I would love to sew myself some simple linen clothes, I wonder if I need a serger. I’ve never enjoyed sewing clothes (only for my children) however, I think I want to branch out. I’ve even thought of sewing some curtains for my bathroom. I made curtains for my living room years ago. I just finished a quilt and pillows for my son’s dorm room, I used roping in the pillows for the first time. The pillows came out great, thanks to the pointers I received from the nice lady at the fabric store. I’d advise more people to get into sewing, I’m going through a lot of “trials” in my life about now, and sewing sure helps to ease the pain!
My machine now is afancey sewing Euro-Pro. I started with an old treadle! For those who dont know what that is, it has a pedal. As I got better I went to an older slant singer and went to upgrades thru the years. I would advise new sewers to look into the simple singers. They have easy to understand instructions and are easy to use.
JANOME The BEST machine I have ever owned. Beautiful, consistent stitches. There is nothing worse than beginning a p;roject only to end up working on your machine all day. when you sit down to sew that is exactly what you expect to do.
First time every time with a Janome.
Right now I am using my Brother I bought at an auction for $5.00. It is very old, extremely heavy, only sews straight stitches forward and backwards and is housed in the wood cabinet it was originally sold in. I am into making prim dolls and etc right now and this machine is quiet and very able to sew anything and does a fantastic job. I also have a Singer that does everything except talk and a Singer Serger. I learn something new about sewing every time I sew. For advice, I can only suggest—“Don’t try to force any issue in sewing; the harder you try, the harder it becomes. Be gentle. You will be surprised at how simple a difficult issue will become.
My sewing machine is a Wizard sold by Western Auto stores and manufactured by Brother. It was purchased for me as a Christmas present by my parents in 1965 and I would not part with it. It has made everything from aprons to mens work clothes to a doll for a 70+ year old woman. It has a few zigzag stitches, but nothing too fancy. I would advise a new sewer to get a simple machine, not too expensive. Learn to sew first, then go on to learning on a better, fancier machine.
I started sewing on a treadle machine! I have had two other machines and wore them both out. I spent about four months testing machines and settled for a “Janome Memory craft 6600”.
What a great decision. I mostly make quilts and this has a very long bed – arm area for manuvering. I am still tesing many of the stitches – what fun playing.
I would recommend that anyone looking to buy find a dealer that will let you sit and test the machine.
I have five Janome sewing machines, 10,001 embroidery machine, a light-weigt which I take to classes, two sergers, and a 1600 Pro on my Grace Quilting Frame. My machines started at under $200.00 (on sale) and up. Make sure you have good service, education classes, and materials you will need to sew.
I started out with an old Singer straight-stitch w/attachments for buttonholes and zig-zag. About 20 years ago I traded it for a new White with a lot of built-in stitches. Everyone said I would be sorry, and they were right. Nothing but headaches. About 5 years ago I picked up an old Brother at a yard sale for $15, works like a dream. Never going back.
I have two Brother Emboridery Machines and I love them.
I think Brother’s are very easy to learn and they have
so many great features. I agree start, out with a least expensive machine. They always have great deals. I guess it depends on what you want to do with your machine. I like to emborider and design garments & blankets. I want to get into quilting. I have a Brother’s Serger and I don’t like it. It is very hard to sew with.
I would love to hear who else has segers and there opinions.
I have and use a 1957 AND a 1958 Kenmore. Recently, I was away from home and had to have a machine. A Friend loaned me a brand new Singer, never out of the box, but several years old. Directions said only oil race. Used it a few times and it locked up. My son took it apart and we oiled everything that thought about moving. Gradually
brought it back to life. This was not an expensive machine, I have seen some identical in the $100. to $200. range. If you should end up with one similar to this, don’t give up and toss it. Just don’t be afraid to take the bottom off and give it a good drink. It will need to sit a day or two between treatments and then gradually it will cometo life
I have spent thousands of dollars on sewing machines, sergers, machines that embroider etc and end up sewing on my favorite little 70’s singer that I bought at a yard sale for $5.00. It is portable, easy to set up and sews like a dream, backwards, forwards and a zig zag stitch. The others are used for specialized sewing like wedding dresses but for the every day stuff and my sewing class for ages 6-12 it is my little singer. When you find you are totally sold out to sewing you may want to spend more money, but in the beginning start with the simple-less expensive model.
I have been sewing for years and always had a hand me down, I had a couple of different models such as Brother, Singer, and on more I can’t remember it was so long ago. But I currently use a PFAFF I have had it for about 5 years and I love it now it is probably abit involved for sewing beginner but I do think that a few more bells and whistles beyond the basics would be a good idea because nothing more frustating in learning something new and then not being able to accomplish it just because you have a machine that doesn’t do a few more things for you and you don’t have to spend alot more to get some of those extras and so that can improve your experience quite a bit I currently have 2 machines my main one is a PFAFF and is was quite expensive about $1800 but it does serging and just about anything else you can think of but I also have a back up that is a Singer and I paid somewhere around $350 maybe a bit less and it is great sometimes when I have changed from the PFAFF to the Singer I sit down to work and don’t realize that I haven’t swithched back to the PFAFF. My PFAFF is my primarly machine and does everthing I need and a couple that I use rarely and it was rather expensive and then I have a very reasonably priced Singer I would recommend for a beginner something like the Singer something with a few bells and whistles one that takes care of the basics and a few other things that can help challenge you also, help keep up your interest in the hobby. Good Luck and happy sewing
I have been sewing since I was 11. My mother had a White sewing machine and I learned how to sew on it. In 1982 my mother purchased a White machine for me. I loved it! It never failed me. Then, a few years ago, I bought a Euro Pro and from day one, I had nothing but problems. Then I told my husband I needed a better machine so I bought a Singer. It is a nice machine, but I wish I had my old White sewing machine. I gave it to my friend.
I repair Baby Lock and some others, but I find the Baby Lock the most reliable and well Made. Why did you not include that brand in your list??