Sewing machines can be very confusing and complicated to anyone new to the art of sewing. Investing in an easy-to-use sewing machine can simplify the learning process and make it easier for beginners to get accustomed to sewing.
The question is – how does one determine whether a sewing machine is easy-to-use? Well, these machines usually don’t have lots of complicated features. Moreover, they usually come with instructions on how to operate the machine. Easy-to-use sewing machines also usually have some automatic features like start/stop button which makes operating the machine easier for a new user.
In a Hurry? Here are Our Top Choices
Many brands have created beginner-friendly sewing machines to help make it easier for people to learn how to sew. Since there are plenty of easy-to-use sewing machines available in the market, it may be hard for you to find the one that best suits your needs. To help you out, we will review five of the best easy-to-use sewing machine available on Amazon. However, before that, let’s talk about the things you should consider when buying an easy-to-use sewing machine.
Things to Consider When Buying an Easy-to-Use Sewing Machine
The vast range of features can be overwhelming for inexperienced sewers. To decipher which features will be useful for you, it’s important to think of the type of work you’ll be doing and the projects you will be completing. To get started, you need a straight stitch from your machine in a variety of lengths and the function for sewing a buttonhole – most sewing machine available in the market these days offer these functionalities. All other fancy features are extras that may be helpful for you depending on whether you’ll be doing complicated work or not.
The ability to adjust the machine’s speed, a needle up/down feature, and a bobbin that’s easy to load will be useful. Features like memory options and lever for lifting the presser foot with knee are probably necessary only if you will be doing complicated work. Some machines come with feed dogs that allow you to pull the fabric from beneath. This is useful only when you are dealing with tricky fabrics. However, if you are a beginner, you wouldn’t need it.
A well-chosen sewing machine can last a lifetime. We recommend you to invest in a sturdy product that has some automatic features to make your work easier. Many of the computerized sewing machines available today can select the optimum stitch length and stitch width for you, limiting your mistakes. Now that you know the things to consider when buying an easy-to-use sewing machine, let’s get to the review.
The Best Easy-to-Use Sewing Machines
1. Brother CS6000i
The Brother CS6000i is a fantastic choice of beginners. This lightweight machine features 60 built-in stitches and seven styles of 1-step buttonholes. It comes with a little LCD display that shows the basic information. This isn’t a touchscreen, so you have to use the four buttons located on the corners of the screen to cycle through the menu. It takes some time to get used too but, after some time, you will find it easy to navigate through the menu. The LCD is a great addition for beginners as they can see the stitch they selected and confirm that it is the right one.
The Brother CS6000i also features an oversized table that will help you sew quilts and larger items once you have learned the basic sewing. Another great feature in this machine is the adjustable speed control which allows you to change the speed of the machine while it is in operation. You can speed through straight lines and slow down when dealing with complicated areas. Threading the machine is easy – simply follow the diagram and you will be threaded in no time.
The Brother CS6000i is a budget product and since it is an easy-to-use sewing machine, beginners should consider buying it for basic projects. If you are just starting out, you would not regret getting this sewing machine to learn the craft of sewing.
2. Brother XM2701
The XM2701 is another easy-to-use sewing machine and it is the most inexpensive machine on this list. If you are looking for an economical and easy-to-use model, then this would be the perfect choice for you. The Brother XM2701 comes with 27 built-in stitches and the controls on it are manual dials. There isn’t any LCD display, so it will take time for you to get used to this machine. However, you will get the hang of it after some practice. The Brother XM2701 also features six interchangeable sewing feet with quick change functionality. The feet included with the machine are buttonhole, zigzag, zipper, narrow hemmer, button, and blind stitch.
The Brother XM2701 features a simple threading and bobbin system which is ideal for beginners. Use the lever and the thread will go right through the eye of the needle. If you have shaky hands, you will find this feature incredibly useful.
One issue with this machine is that the LED light is dim. If you aren’t sewing in a well-lit room, you will find it hard to use the machine. You can overcome this dilemma by sewing in a well-lit room.
There isn’t anything really bad about the Brother XM2701. At this price range, it is hard to find a machine that offers this much. Overall, the Brother XM2701 is a good choice for those who are looking for an easy-to-use sewing machine under $100.
3. Janome 2212
The Janome 2212 is liked by seamstresses for its ease of use. Beginners will love the straightforwardness of this product. The Janome 2212 is suitable for sewers of all ages and this is one of the reasons behind its popularity in the sewing community. If you are learning how to sew, this machine could be a good option for you.
The extra-high presser foot is the most likable feature of the Janome 2212. When you are first learning to sew, you will find it hard to deal with fabric that’s below the needle. However, you get a good height here which allows you to easily make all the adjustments and turns you need.
The Janome 2212 provides a good stitching quality. This is useful for new sewers who occasionally suffer from slip-ups. The machine’s stitching is consistent, clean, and holds very well. Not only that, but the Janome 2212 provides you with 12 basic built-in stitches to choose from. You can now focus on learning the basics and mastering the craft of sewing.
Although the Janome 2212 is a great product, one issue with it is that it’s a bit noisy. So, if you are sewing on it, you might not be able to hear songs or television in the background. Overall, the Janome 2212 is user-friendly, simple, and built with good quality material. Beginners will certainly appreciate this model. Anyone who wants an easy-to-use and beginner-friendly sewing machine should consider the Janome 2212.
4. Singer Fashion Mate 3333
Are you looking for a machine that’s simple and good for casual use? Then, the Singer 3333 should be on your shortlist. This machine takes simplicity to the next level by offering the absolute basics and removing all the bells and whistles.
The Singer 3333 is not only simple in functionality but will also help you learn the craft of sewing more quickly thanks to the free online tutorials. Singer also provides numerous instructional guides and videos that might cover all the questions you have. If you are looking for a sewing machine that comes with lots of educational resources, there isn’t a better option than the Singer 3333.
This simple and easy-to-use sewing machine boasts 23 built-in stitch patterns to choose from. All you have to do to select a pattern is turn a dial. Who needs a display screen when it is this simple? You would expect a sewing machine at the price range to be built of low-quality material and quickly break down. This is not the case with the Singer 3333. After all, Singer has a reputation to maintain. The Singer 3333 is built with a hard, metal shell that is sure to survive any dent. Moreover, the machine doesn’t vibrate while you are working.
An important thing we should point out here is that this sewing machine isn’t meant for heavy materials like denim, leather or multiple layers. This won’t be an issue if you are a beginner as you would start with simple materials when learning how to sew.
The Singer 3333 gives you everything you would need when you are just starting to learn how to sew. It’s highly reliable and comes loaded with online tutorials. If you are looking for an easy-to-use sewing machine, then this is definitely a good option for you.
5. Singer Simple 3232
The Singer 3232 is another easy-to-use and budget-friendly sewing machine. It is a basic machine that’s designed for beginners. If you aren’t after machine with bells and whistles, you will find the 3232 a good option. The Singer 3232 features 32 built-in stitches which aren’t much for advanced sewers but will satisfy the needs of beginners. When you are starting out, a low amount of built-in stitches can actually be good. That’s because it makes you think creatively about the options you have, allowing you to use your mind and develop your skills instead of relying solely on the built-in stitches.
Even at this price point, Singer has included 1-step buttonhole technology in the 3232 model. This is a good feature for new sewers. It makes a tricky task a lot easier and ensures that even beginners can make reliable buttonholes.
There are several essential accessories included with the Singer 3232 that beginners will find useful. For example, you get an additional four feet with the machine that will allow you to sew different items in a variety of styles. You will also find a lint brush, seam ripper, spool caps, needles and bobbins included with this sewing machine.
Since this machine is easy-to-use and designed to be beginner-friendly, you won’t find high-tech features in it. We can’t complain about this since Singer has created this machine for those who just want to learn how to sew or do basic sewing.
Overall we like the Singer 3232 and recommend it to those who want an easy-to-use sewing machine to get started. This machine is reliable and offers plenty to satisfy the needs of beginners. Once you have learned the basics of sewing using the Singer 3232, you can move to a more feature-rich sewing machine.
Our Final Thoughts
We have listed five of the best easy to use sewing machines available on Amazon and discussed their features and capabilities. Now take your time reading the review of each machine and carefully consider their functionality. All the sewing machines we have listed above are easy to use, but they vary in features and functionalities. So, consider your needs to decide the machine that best suits you.
If you want some level of automatic functionality and an LCD screen, then we would recommend you to go with the Brother CS6000i. When a budget-friendly machine is your most important feature, then the Brother XM2701 is probably the best choice for you. If you want an economical price with a few basic stitches and some added accessories, the Singer 3232 is a good option.
