Discover the 2 Perfect Beginner’s Sewing Machines
Looking for the best sewing machine for beginners? No problem! After evaluating numerous models I have isolated the two best options for a novice to start with.
Here are the basic things you should look at for a beginners sewing machine:
- Not expensive
If you’re a beginner, you’re still feeling your way around. No point in buying a $300 machine and then deciding a month or two later that sewing really isn’t for you. Buy something capable but affordable to test the waters.
- Easy to use
Nothing will put you off sewing faster than a cumbersome, complicated machine. The best sewing machine for a beginner is one that lets you get into the swing of things quickly, while giving you a good feel for the basics.
- Quality
While you don’t need to spend a lot of money, you don’t want a cheap, flimsy piece of machinery that’s going to frustrate you with erratic and unreliable operation. That’s not going to do your confidence any good, and it also won’t be a fair reflection of the joy that sewing can bring.
So, here are the two sewing machines for beginners that you should seriously consider.
Best Sewing Machine For Beginners (Mechanical)
Brother XL2600I Sew Advance 25-Stitch*paid link
This excellent machine from Brother is a proven little workhorse, and offers a few features and enhancements that make it well worth the extra cost over the slightly cheaper Brother LS2125. The XL2600I features a 1-step buttonholer and 25 stitches, compared to the more cumbersome 4-step buttonholer and only 10 stitches on the LS2125. You can also make more custom adjustments (like stitch length or thread tension) on the XL2600.
Nice touches like a light bulb to illuminate your workspace make the Brother XL2600I the perfect beginner’s sewing machine. A well-stocked pack of accessories add to the value. You really can’t go wrong with this machine, and far from just helping you learn how to sew, it will help you accomplish a wide range of sewing tasks and will remain a valuable backup machine once you upgrade to something more powerful in the future.
Other models to consider include the Brother LS2125 and Singer 1507WC, but neither of them can beat the XL2600 for features and ease of use. At approximately $20 extra there is also the Brother XL2610, but this offers no significant upgrade worth the extra cost over the XL2600.
This is one of the highest rated sewing machines on the market right now, and the #2 best-selling sewing machine on Amazon.com.
*paid link
Best Beginners Sewing Machine (Computerized)
A mechanical sewing machine is probably the better choice for a beginner, if only for the fact that it needs more manual control, which helps you get a more hands-on experience of how sewing is done.
Starting with a computerized machine is not out of the question though, although the sheer volume of options it offers can be overwhelming to a complete novice. The advantage you have is that a good basic computerized sewing machine offers you the kind of versatility that can bridge the gap between a beginner and an advanced machine, meaning that your beginner machine can also double as your intermediate or advanced machine, saving you some money in the long term.
There is no better beginner’s computerized sewing machine in terms of price/performance than the incredibly popular Brother CS6000i. It even offers a quilting table where you can start honing your quilting skills.
Being computerized you can download new patterns from the internet and you’re not limited to a few set stitches like you would be with a mechanical machine.
If you’re going to learn how to sew on your own, a mechanical sewing machine like the XL2600i is perhaps the better choice for a beginner. If you have an experienced tutor though, a computerized sewing machine is not a bad option to consider, and the Brother CS6000i is perfect for the job.
*paid link
This is the #1 best-selling sewing machine on Amazon.com, and it’s not hard to see why.
The Best Sewing Machine for Beginners: Closing Notes
Buying the Brother XL2600I as a beginner’s sewing machine makes sense if you’re mostly going to use it in a private capacity, for example sewing a few garments for yourself or just fixing the mishaps your family may suffer with their clothing. In fact, it may be the only machine a casual user will need.
If you plan on being a serious seamstress though, computerized machines will likely dominate your future and it makes sense to get to grips with a model like the CS6000i.
I hope this article will help you choose the best beginner sewing machine for your own needs.