Sewing Machines

How to choose a beginner sewing machine

The criteria that matter most when choosing a first sewing machine, in the order they actually change the decision.

1. 1The three stitches you will actually use — A first machine only has to sew a straight stitch, a zigzag and a buttonhole well. Those three cover every project in Levels 0 to 2 of The Pattern, and a 170-stitch machine sews them no better than a 20-stitch one. Count the stitches you will use, not the ones printed on the box.
2. 2How the buttonhole is made — A one-step buttonhole sews the whole hole in a single pass once you drop the buttonhole foot; a four-step asks you to turn a dial at each side and stop in the right place. Both produce a working buttonhole, and a four-step is not a reason to reject a machine. It is, though, the feature that most changes how a beginner feels about their first shirt.
3. 3How the bobbin loads — A drop-in bobbin sits under a clear plate where you can see the thread running out; a front-loading bobbin lives in a removable case behind a door. Drop-in is easier to learn, easier to unjam and is what most machines under $250 use. Neither sews better than the other.
4. 4Weight, and where the machine will live — A machine that has to be lifted out of a cupboard gets used when it is light enough to lift without planning the evening around it. Heavier machines with more metal in them feed thick fabric better and move less at speed, which starts to matter once you sew denim or coats rather than cotton.
5. 5What is actually in the box — Most machines ship with a zigzag foot, a zipper foot and a buttonhole foot; a walking foot, a blind-hem foot and an extension table are usually extra. Read the included-accessories list rather than assuming, because the feet you have decide which projects are comfortable in the first month.
6. 6Whether it can be serviced and read about — A machine from a brand a local repair shop recognises, with a manual published online, can be adjusted, repaired and resold. An unbranded listing with no downloadable manual usually cannot be, which turns a cheap machine into a disposable one.

Often overlooked: the consumables the machine ties you to. Bobbins, needles and presser feet are the things you buy again and again. A machine that takes a common bobbin class and standard low-shank feet can be fed from any sewing shop for the rest of its life; one with a proprietary bobbin or an unusual shank means ordering from a single seller forever. Nobody checks this before buying, and it costs more over five years than the price difference between two machines.

Frequently asked

How much should a beginner spend on a first sewing machine?

Most beginners are well served between $100 and $250. That range buys a machine that sews a straight stitch, a zigzag and a buttonhole reliably, which is every stitch the first ten projects need. SewingPath keeps its top sewing-machine pick at or under $500 and recommends nothing above $1,500, because spending four figures before you know whether you enjoy sewing is how a machine ends up unused in a closet.

Should a beginner buy a mechanical or a computerized sewing machine?

Either. A mechanical machine sets stitch type and length with dials and has fewer electronics to fail; a computerized one adds a screen, stitch presets and usually a needle up-down button. Both sew the same seams on the same fabric, and threading the machine correctly matters far more to the result than which of the two you chose.

Do I need a sewing machine to start sewing?

No. Level 0 of The Pattern is entirely hand-sewn: a button, a fallen hem, a felt keyring and scrunchies, using a needle, thread and small scissors for under about $25. Borrowing a machine from a relative, or using one at a library makerspace, is a completely valid way to do the Level 1 machine projects too.

How many built-in stitches does a beginner sewing machine need?

Three: straight, zigzag and a buttonhole. Beginner machines advertise anywhere between about 20 and 170 built-in stitches, and the count is close to irrelevant to a new sewer, because the decorative stitches are the ones almost nobody uses twice. Judge a machine on how it handles those three rather than on the number on the box.

What else do I need to buy with a sewing machine?

Thread, machine needles, bobbins and something to press seams with. A machine arrives with a starter set of feet and a few bobbins; needles and thread are the parts that run out. An iron matters more than most beginners expect, because pressing each seam as you sew is most of the difference between a homemade finish and a made one.

Is Brother or Singer better for beginners?

Neither brand is better across the board, so compare models rather than logos. Most of our current picks are Brother because the ranking follows owner ratings and value model by model, and every Brother pick here lists a drop-in top bobbin and an automatic needle threader. The SINGER on this shelf lists a threader too, and adds a metal interior frame and a stated top speed of 1,100 stitches per minute. Both brands publish their manuals online.