Stephanie M Decker

View Original

Top Sewing Machine Suggestions for Beginners

Stephanie Decker

*This blog post contains the use of affiliate links.

For those of you who may not know, I used to work in a sewing shop. Part of my job centered around helping clients find the right machines to suit their needs ranging from beginner to advanced as quilters, garment sewists, embroiderers, and crafters in general. More often than not, I would meet with those looking to start sewing for the first time - those who weren’t sure on which machines would suit their needs. That’s what this blog post is all about: Which beginner-friendly machines should you look at?

When it comes to a beginner sewist, it really comes down to a couple of questions that my recommendation is based on (Stay tuned for next month where I break down the top questions - these and more! - on how to find your perfect machine!):

  1. What are you looking to use it for?
    Garment Sewing? Wovens or Knits?
    Quilting?
    Embroidery?
    Repairs and Crafting?

  2. Do you want new? Or would you be interested in a refurbished machine?

  3. Are there any specific brands you’re interested in?

  4. How often will you be using it?

  5. What is your preferred price range?

Honestly when it comes to buying a sewing machine, it’s almost like buying a car. Every case is different. However, there are a number of more basic models that I would always recommend to those just starting off. Make sure you also consult with your dealer and see if you can take the machines you’re looking at for “test drives”. If you have your list of machines you’re interested in, check the brand’s website to see where your nearest dealer is so you can try to check them out in person!

Now let’s get started:

Before I break all of the categories down a bit I want to encourage you to look at refurbished machines, especially if you’re not sure how often you’ll use it, won’t use it frequently, or if you want a higher level machine with a lower price point and that you don’t mind a pre-loved option. They’re a great option to help you save a bit while still getting your feet wet.

Garment Sewing

https://www.bernette.com/en-US/models/bernette-35 Bernette 35

https://amzn.to/3wTySsK Singer 3352 Sewing Machine

Sergers

https://amzn.to/3BcTJtO Brother 1034DX

https://amzn.to/3cG9DDz Singer ProFinish

https://amzn.to/3RsFVRi Juki MO600N

https://amzn.to/3AOQ5Vx Bernette B44

Quilting

Machines with a great amount of room under the arm - perfect for your rolled quilts while sewing your next section! Check out the “Friendly to Most” section for some more suggestions for quilting-friendly machines!

https://www.bernina.com/en-US/Machines-US/Series-Overview/BERNINA-4-Series/BERNINA-475-QE BERNINA 475 QE

https://amzn.to/3wYJcj7 Juki TL-2000Qi

Embroidery

Embroidery machines tend to be a bit pricier but here are some of my top recommendations for beginners to get their feet wet! You can also look into combination embroidery/sewing machines (again, a little pricier) if you plan on doing a bit of both!

https://amzn.to/3cLgkUE Brother SE600

https://www.bernette.com/en-US/models/bernette-70-deco Bernette 70

https://www.bernina.com/en-US/Machines-US/Series-Overview/NEW-BERNINA-5-Series/BERNINA-500 BERNINA 500

https://www.brother-usa.com/products/ns1750d Brother NS1750D

Repairs/Crafting

https://amzn.to/3Rh77Te Brother CS6000i

https://amzn.to/3KOoCYv Singer Heavy Duty 4452

Friendly to Most

These machines stand out a bit more from the rest seeing as they’re great machines for garment making, quilting, AND Repairs/Crafting! Definitely worth a look if you’re hoping to use it for a little of everything or even while you try and figure out what you love.

https://amzn.to/3qg9Hg9 Janome HD1000BE

https://amzn.to/3QlpuVA Janome Skyline S3

https://www.pfaff.com/en-US/Machines/Sewing/ambition-610 Pfaff Ambition 610 or 610 for a little more oomph

https://www.pfaff.com/en-US/Machines/Sewing/passport-2-0 Pfaff Passport 2.0 or 3.0 for a little more oomph

https://www.bernina.com/en-US/Machines-US/Series-Overview/BERNINA-4-Series/BERNINA-435 BERNINA 435

https://babylock.com/machines/sewing/zeal Babylock Zeal

https://babylock.com/machines/sewing/verve Babylock Verve

Have a favorite machine? Make sure you comment what it is below!