Sewing can be fun, and at the very least, it is a useful skill to know. However, if you have never before used a sewing machine, you probably don’t want to get a super fancy and expensive high-end model, at least not until you get the hang of a more simplistic model. This article can help you find the best sewing machine for beginners.
In a Hurry? Here are Our Top Choices
So, you might be wondering why you would choose the best sewing machine for beginners when there are more advanced options to choose from.
- They tend to be much smaller, more compact, and lighter than big-time professional sewing machines
- Beginner machines have much easier to use controls than expensive high-end sewing machines
- They also cost a lot less than other sewing machines, making them ideal for beginners, or if you don’t know how far you want to take your sewing career
Features That Make a Sewing Machine Good for Beginners
Before we find the best sewing machine for beginners, there are some functions and features we need to keep an eye out for.
- An automatic needle threader is definitely something that will help make life easier for beginners
- An LED work light is always a nice feature because it helps illuminate the working area
- You want to look out for the number of stitches and stitching capabilities of the sewing machine in question. As a beginner, you won’t need too many, but generally speaking, the more the better.
- A sewing machine with an extension table is another benefit, as it will allow you to work with larger projects
- An LCD display is always nice as it makes selections and adjustments easy to perform, although it should be a nice display
- A sewing machine that is small and compact tends to come in quite handy as well
The 8 Best Sewing Machines For Beginners
Here we have what we think are the 8 best sewing machines for beginners on the market at this time, so let’s take a closer look at each of them.
Singer Stylist 7258 Computerized Sewing Machine
This is a fairly cost-effective, advanced, and user-friendly sewing machine. For the relatively low price which the Singer 7258 Computerized sewing machine comes at, it can actually do a lot. Keep in mind that it uses 110 volts, and is therefore technically built for use in the US and Canada.
Our Review
The Singer Stylist 7258 computerized sewing machine, for one, comes with a fully programmable needle, which is really cool. Even better is that programming the needle is fairly easy to accomplish. Even more impressive is the fact that this sewing machine comes with 100 different stitch options to choose from, making this sewing machine very versatile and able to complete a wide variety of tasks. All settings can be chosen using the user-friendly LCD display and included control buttons, although the display is a little small and hard to see.
The Singer 7258 computerized sewing machine also comes with the option to adjust all stitch lengths and widths, yet another bonus, but the optimal tension, width, and length settings are technically already preset for each stitch type.
We like how this sewing machine is fairly compact and lightweight, which makes it easy to transport. It also does not take up very much space, but the downside is that it does not have a very large work area. What is pretty awesome about the Singer 7258 computerized sewing machine is that it comes with a 25-year limited warranty. You also get various feet and extra accessories.
The Pros
- Very user-friendly
- Lightweight and portable
- Very versatile
- Cost-effective
- LED light
The Cons
- Small workspace
- LCD display is very small
Singer Heavy Duty 4423 Sewing Machine
The Singer Heavy Duty 4423 sewing machine is a great option if you are working with heavy materials and need a strong motor that can muster enough power to pierce through pretty much anything. This machine is tough, durable, easy to use, and has a lot of power, not to mention that it comes at a great price.
Our Review
The Singer Heavy Duty 4423 sewing machine has a motor which is around 60% stronger than an average sewing machine. This gives it enough power to jam the needle through thick and tough materials like leather, and canvas. As you can see, it is designed for some really heavy-duty jobs. More or less all the components here are made of heavy-duty steel and other types of metal. In other words, this is a powerhouse and a tough-as-nails work horse too.
What is also impressive about the Singer Heavy Duty 4423 sewing machine is that it allows you to adjust the speed of stitching, and can perform up to 1,100 stitches per minute. In terms of convenience and ease of use, it comes with an automatic needle-threading function, as well as easy to use knobs for changing the type of stitch being used. Now, be aware that this sewing machine is meant mainly for decorative stitches, as it comes with 12 preset stitch settings, but no other stitches. On the other hand, it does come with quite a few useful accessories.
The Pros
- User friendly
- Lots of power
- Superior durability
- Can work very fast
- Easy to adjust
The Cons
- Very heavy
- Only good for decorative stitching
Here’s our review of the Singer Heavy Duty 4423 sewing machine.
Brother Project Runway XR9500PRW Sewing Machine
This is a slightly more expensive sewing machine than the first 2 we looked at, but it is still relatively inexpensive all things considered. This moderately priced sewing machine has many stitches it can create; it has a nice LCD display, and is user-friendly.
Our Review
The Brother XR9500PRW sewing machine comes with an oversized quilting table, which is quite convenient. This allows you to expand your workspace to do larger projects, such as quilting for one. The table can be removed, which then creates a compact package for easy storage. Something else you might appreciate is that this sewing machine is fairly lightweight and portable, plus compact, so it is easy to store and to move around.
The Brother XR9500PRW sewing machine is quite impressive in the sense that it comes with 110 built-in stitch patterns. This is seriously impressive, especially for the relatively moderate price tag.
Moreover, this sewing machine also comes with a nice LCD display, one which is fairly large and easy to read, plus the button controls makes stitches easy to choose from and to adjust; you can adjust the length and width of stitches. The automatic needle threading feature is something else which makes the Brother XR9500PRW sewing machine ideal for beginners. It also comes with a hard plastic shell for storage to keep it in prime condition while not in use. The fact that it can perform basic monogramming is pretty neat.
The Pros
- Lightweight and portable
- User-friendly controls and LCD display
- Large working area/extension table
- Many stitches to choose from
The Cons
- Tends to jam when thick fabric is used
- The motor is not the best
Singer Heavy Duty 4411 Sewing Machine
The Singer 4411 Heavy Duty sewing machine is very similar to the Singer Heavy Duty 4423 sewing machine which we reviewed earlier. However, this one, the 4411, is a bit less expensive, but also has slightly fewer features and lower capabilities. Simply put, you get what you pay for.
Our Review
So, whereas the 4423 was meant mainly for decorative stitching, the Singer Heavy Duty 4411 sewing machine has higher all-around functionality. It comes with 11 built in-stitch patterns, which is less than the 12 of the 4411, but with that being said, the stitches for this particular model are more functional and useful in nature, rather than just purely decorative. It’s a good option for beginners who just need a few stitch types for fashion and decorative purposes, for someone who is just getting into sewing.
The 4411 Heavy Duty sewing machine is still a heavy-duty option in the sense that it has a really strong motor which provides the needle with enough force to get through even the toughest and thickest fabrics. It can handle pretty much any type of fabric including leather.
Even better than that, this is a super-fast sewing machine that can be adjusted for speed, one which can pump out around 1,110 stitches per minute. Moreover, the 4411 Heavy Duty sewing machine is a true work horse, as it is made mostly out of heavy-duty metal. If one thing can be said here, it is that this sewing machine is durable and powerful, plus it does come with some other cool features too.
The Pros
- Heavy-duty and durable frame
- Very strong motor
- Super easy to work with
The Cons
- Very loud
- Very heavy
Singer Quantum Stylist 9960 Computerized Sewing Machine
This is a slightly more expensive option than what we have looked at so far, one that we would classify as a middle- to high-end sewing machine, yet it is still not too expensive for what it is. After all, this is a computerized sewing machine that is easily controlled and has literally hundreds of built in-stitch patterns.
Our Review
The Singer Quantum Stylist 9960 computerized sewing machine is quite portable and lightweight. It’s not the smallest or lightest model around, but we would still call it small and light enough to be considered portable and easy to store in a tight space. What is nice here is that it comes with an extension table which can be attached at will, which helps to increase your work area for larger projects.
The really impressive part about the Singer Quantum Stylist 9960 computerized sewing machine is that it comes with well over 600 built-in stitches, stitch patterns, and stitch functions. This is more than you could usually expect considering the moderate price which it comes at.
What is also nice here is that this sewing machine comes with over a dozen built-in one-step button hole stitches, plus many other functions too. It is a fast sewing machine as well, being able to pump out over 850 stitches per minute, with an adjustable speed function too. One thing to note here is that although the Singer Quantum Stylist 9960 computerized sewing machine comes with a nice LCD display, there are a lot of buttons and controls that need to be mastered. Reading the owner’s manual is not an option here – it is a necessity.
The Pros
- Fast and adjustable speed
- Fairly compact and portable
- Extension table for large projects
- Over 600 stitch options
- Nice LCD display
The Cons
- Controls are a little hard to master
- Excessively noisy
Here’s our review of the Singer Quantum Stylist 9960 sewing machine.
Brother SE400 Computerized Sewing and Embroidery Machine
This is another fairly pricey sewing machine to go with, although by far not the most expensive option, especially considering the wide range of features and high level of versatility which the Brother SE400 Computerized Sewing and Embroidery Machine brings to the table.
Our Review
The main function of the Brother SE400 Computerized Sewing and Embroidery Machine is to embroider, as well as do monogramming and lettering, but it can also do basic stitching. This sewing machine comes complete with 67 built-in stitches, 70 built-in designs, and even 5 lettering fonts. Although you can use it for basic stitching purposes and sewing needs, we personally would recommend it for those who want to do embroidering and monogramming, as that is where this item really excels.
When it comes to choosing the settings, the Brother SE400 Computerized Sewing and Embroidery Machine comes with a nice LCD display; it is programmable, and all controls are digital, or in other words, there are no wheels or knobs you need to turn. Sure, the controls do take a bit of time to memorize, but overall, this sewing machine is quite easy to work with.
The Brother SE400 Computerized Sewing and Embroidery Machine comes with a nice LED light to keep the work space illuminated. We also like how it comes with an extension table so you can work on fairly large projects with ease. With that being said without the extension table, this machine is actually quite small and compact, and therefore is highly portable and easy to store in a small space. The 25-year limited warranty is something else that we like.
The Pros
- Fairly simple to use
- Lightweight and portable
- Comes with an extension table and LED light
- Good LCD display
- Great for embroidering, monogramming, and decorative purposes
The Cons
- Not the most durable sewing machine in the world
- Motor could use some more power
Brother XM1010 Sewing Machine
When it comes to very basic and very inexpensive sewing machines for beginners, there might be no better option than the Brother XM1010 sewing machine. It’s small and portable, cost effective, and works fine for basic sewing needs.
Our Review
When it comes to making basic alterations, stitches, and other basic sewing jobs, the Brother XM1010 sewing machine is a fine option to keep in mind. It comes with a total of 10 built-in stitches, which is decidedly unimpressive, but it should do fine for basic needs, and for the super low price it comes at, you really cannot expect any more from it.
The easy stitch selector dial is about as straightforward and user-friendly as possible. What is useful about this sewing machine is that it comes with a 4-step automatic button hole feature, which can come in fairly handy.
What you might also like about the Brother XM1010 sewing machine, besides the low price, is that it is very compact, plus pretty lightweight. It is a great option to go with if you want to take your sewing machine to sewing class and for easy storage. However, it does have a very limited amount of room to work with, so large projects are not easily done with this sewing machine. Here you also get a few basic accessories that come in handy as well.
The Pros
- Very simple to use
- Very compact, lightweight, and portable
- Cost-effective
- Comes with a good number of accessories
The Cons
- Limited stitch options
- Not ideal for big jobs
- Cannot handle thick materials
Singer Start 1304 Sewing Machine
This is another very inexpensive and fairly low-end sewing machine, one that is ideal for beginners who are just starting to sew. It is a small and compact sewing machine, one that does not cost much, and when all things are considered, for the low price, it actually has a good number of features.
Our Review
The Singer Start 1304 sewing machine is a perfectly fine option to go with if you are a beginner who is just getting into sewing. It is one of the smaller sewing machines on our list here today. It is very lightweight which makes it portable and easy to carry around. Of course, the downside is that it does not come with much room to work with, so doing larger projects with it is more or less out of the question.
The Singer Start 1304 sewing machine comes with 6 utility and decorative stitches, which when you consider the low price, is actually quite impressive. It’s a fine option to keep in mind for basic sewing, stitching, and alterations. The one-step automatic buttonhole feature is something that we can get behind.
We also like the Singer Start sewing machine because it comes complete with an LED light to illuminate the working area. Also, the thread tension, stitch length, and stitch width can all be easily adjusted. The automatic needle threading feature is something else that makes this model ideal for beginners. This sewing machine also comes with the basic accessories needed for using it.
The Pros
- LED work light
- Very simple to use
- Lightweight and portable
- Great for beginners and basic sewing needs
The Cons
- Does not have a very strong motor
- Limited durability
Here’s our review of the Singer Start 1304 sewing machine.
Decision Time: Which Beginner Sewing Machine to Choose
All in all, it is hard to choose between the options here today, at least in terms of one we would recommend. When it comes to the best sewing machines for beginners, these were the 8 best.
If you need something very basic and affordable, either the Singer Start 1304 sewing machine or the Brother XM1010 sewing machine are good options to keep in mind.
If you need something a bit bigger, more powerful, and more versatile, the Singer Quantum Stylist 9960 computerized sewing machine is the option you might want to look into.
