10 Best Sewing Machine For Beginners In 2024

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Sewing machines are different. Today, you can find 200-, 500-, and even 2000-dollar models, but not everyone can afford to get a device for a couple of thousands of dollars. But the question is, will you even need to spend that much money? What would be better, a 400-dollar sewing machine with a nice set of features or a 1500-dollar monster capable of working 24/7? What is a good sewing machine for beginners?

In today’s review/guide, we will try to give a comprehensive answer to that question. In this article, we review 10 best sewing machines for beginners. While we cannot tell precisely which model would be the most fitting for you, there are a couple of steps that you need to take to make your search much quicker. The goal of our buying guide is to help you with knowing what you need and can find out there.

But that’s not all for today as we are going to examine 10 great models of best sewing machine for making clothes, which are perfectly suitable for both beginners and advanced tailors. To establish our point on “sewing machines are different”, we picked a wide range of devices from simple and mechanical 100-dollar models to over 400-dollar multi functional computerized machines. Hopefully, it will give you an idea of what you can find today.

Enough with words. Let’s start our review without further ado.

Best Sewing Machine for Beginners

Best Sewing Machine for Beginners Comparison Table?

Image Name Weight Dimensions Price
Brother CS6000i 5.89 Kg 16 x 6.7 x 11.4″ Buy On Amazon
SINGER 7258 Easy Sewing Machine 14.6 Pounds 14.5 x 7.5 x 12″ Buy On Amazon
SINGER Quantum Stylist 9960 Computerized Portable Sewing Machine 20 Pounds 17.25 x 8.25 x 12″ Buy On Amazon
Brother SE600 Sewing and Embroidery Machine 11.82 Pounds 21.18 × 15.51 × 16.54″ Buy On Amazon
Brother XM2701 Lightweight Sewing Machine 12.6 Pounds 12.1 x 5.9 x 15.3″ Buy On Amazon
Janome 2212 Sewing Machine
15.6 Pounds
17 × 9 × 13.5″ Buy On Amazon
Brother Sewing and Quilting Machine, CE7070PRW 16.27 Pounds 19.49 x 12.72 x 15.91″ Buy On Amazon
JUKI MO644D Portable Serger 18.4 Pounds 10.6 x 13.4 x 11.6″ Buy On Amazon
Brother Project Runway PC420PRW 294-Stitch Professional Grade Computerized Sewing Machine 20 Pounds 17.32 × 7.87 × 11.41″ Buy On Amazon
Janome HD3000 Heavy-Duty Sewing Machine 18.7 Pounds 10 x 19 x 15″ Buy On Amazon

1. Brother CS6000i- Best Sewing and Quilting Machine for Beginners.

Brother CS6000i

Highlighted Features:

  • 60 built-in stitches.
  • Automatic needle threader.
  • LCD for easy control.
  • 16 x 6.7 x 11.4 inches dimension.
  • 13 pounds weight.

The first sewing machine in our list is cs6000i by Brother Sewing. This best beginner sewing machine for clothes versatile machine is ideal for a wide range of sewing projects. That’s possible thanks to built-in 60 sewing stitches. Another nice feature contributing to cs6000i’s flexibility is its detachable oversized table for larger projects.

With a touch of the button, you can choose your stitch. The backlit LCD display will allow you to easily customize the project’s setting and clearly see them anytime.

Speaking of buttons, the power button will let you work without the included foot console. Then, the adjustable sewing speed is what will give you control over the process of sewing.

With cs6000i, threading will be extremely easy through the machine’s automatic needle threader. Besides, the numbered diagram printed on the machine will make it even more convenient.

The top jam-resistant quick-set drop-in bobbin will make installing and accessing the bobbin a child’s play. You will no longer worry about fishing for the bobbin thread.

The built-in free arm is perfect for sewing smaller items like sleeves or pants legs on children’s clothing. What makes it even more of a breeze is the brightly lit sewing area, which is especially useful with darker fabrics.

CS600i sewing machine is for quilting beginners if you are looking for a mid-price range sewing with quilting featured machine.

CS6000i comes with a rich set of accessories including accessory feet, needle set, spool pin, bobbins, and more. This model comes backed up by 25-year limited warranty and lifetime free phone support.

Pros
  • Start/stop function to allow work without the foot control.
  • Easy threading with an automatic needle threader and numbered diagram on the machine.
  • Simple to use and bright display.
  • Jam-resistant quick-set bobbin.
  • A large set of accessories.
  • Sewing & quilting both facilities.
Cons
  • Not suitable for thick fabric.
  • Shipped within the US and to APO/FPO addresses only.
  • Thread tension adjust is difficult.

2. SINGER 7258 Easy Sewing Machine.

SINGER 7258 Easy Sewing Machine

Highlighted Features:

  • 100 built-in stitches.
  • Automatic needle threader.
  • LCD screens for easy control.
  • 14.5 x 7.5 x 12 inches dimension.
  • 14.65 pounds weight.

The next machine, 7258 easy to use sewing machine by Singer, is for those who want to get more stitches with their device. This model comes with 100 built-in stitches, including 9 essential, 8 stretch, 76 decorative, and 7 fully automatic buttonholes. The stitches are easy to select through the convenient buttons and display.

But sewing machines are not only about stitches, so 7258 has some great features to offer. As you would expect from a modern machine, this model comes with an automatic needle threading feature. The programmable needle can be stopped at the highest position for easier removal of fabric from the machine and the down position ideal for pivoting and quilting. 7258 has twin needle capacity and supports 13 needle positions.

If you don’t want to bother with the foot control, you can unplug it and use the power button to operate the sewing machine. Use the speed control to achieve the desired performance. This feature is specially useful for beginner sewers and those who want precise stitching.

The top-loaded bobbin is easy-to-load and has a clear cover for a convenient monitor of thread supply. The area over the bobbin is LED-illuminated for better visibility.

What makes this model especially easy to start working with is the instructional manual (English, Spanish, French) and intro DVD.

Among all other models, 7258 is the easiest sewing machine to use and the best user-friendly singer sewing machine for beginners. You can order 7258 with a carrying case to ease its transport and make its storage more secure.

Pros
  • Programmable needle with down/up positions.
  • Twin-needle capacity and 13 needle positions.
  • Sewing speed adjustment for those who don’t want to deal with foot controls.
  • Top-loaded drop-in bobbin with clear cover.
  • Comes with instructional DVD.
  • Optional carrying case.
  • A large set of accessories (10 presser feet, set of needles and bobbins, etc.) included.
Cons
  • Perform well only on light weight fabric.
  • 7258 supports 110V current only as well.
  • Not suitable for decorative stitch.
  • Sewing speed control is difficult.

3. SINGER Quantum Stylist 9960 Computerized Portable Sewing Machine.

SINGER Quantum Stylist 9960 Computerized Portable Sewing Machine

Highlighted Features:

  • 600 built-in stitches.
  • Automatic needle threader.
  • LCD screens for easy control.
  • 17.2 × 8.2 × 12 inches dimension.
  • 20 pounds weight.

The next sewing machine on our review is the best sewing machine for intermediate seamstress. This is for those people who want to perform any projects on their unit. Meet 9960 by Singer; a reliable sewing machine brands. What makes it extremely diverse are the 600 built-in stitches for any type of sewing. And to not allow you get lost in that huge variety, this machine’s clear display will deliver data on the selected stitch with its length and width.

With stitching, this model truly has no issues. It has such features as automatic electronic thread trimmer and mirror imaging and elongation function with stitch editing capabilities, which greatly complete the 600-stitch set.

9960 is all about automation. Besides the aforementioned features, this machine has electronic autopilot to allow sewing without the use of foot controls. Then, the only thing left for you to do will be controlling the sewing speed and stop the machine when necessary.

Like the previous model by Singer, 9960 has programmable up/down the needle. Besides, the machine supports 25 needle positions for more precise sewing.

What makes 9960 even more convenient is the included extra table. It will provide you with a bigger surface to support your larger pieces of fabric. To illuminate your working area well, the machine has two bright LED lights.

Another notable feature of this model is its huge accessory set, including 18 presser feet, bonus presser feet, needle set, bobbins, screwdrivers, and much more.

Pros
  • Convenient automatic features like electronic autopilot, programmable needle, and electronic thread trimmer.
  • Supports 25 needle positions.
  • Extension facility for more work area.
  • Has auto-reverse.
  • Drop-in bobbin with a clear cover.
  • Large accessory kit.
Cons
  • Not shipped internationally.
  • Only works with 120V current.
  • Don’t expect this machine to deal with thicker fabric.

4. Brother SE600 Computerized Sewing and Embroidery Machine.

Brother SE600 Computerized Sewing and Embroidery Machine

Highlighted Features:

  • 103 built-in stitches.
  • Automatic needle threader.
  • LCD color touchscreen for easy control.
  • 21.2 x 15.5 x 16.5 inches dimension.
  • 11.82 pounds weight.

If you are looking for the best-computerized sewing machine; SE600 is for you. With this machine, you can import thousands of embroidery designs as well as update the device in the future. This makes SE600 highly expandable and more personalized for your needs precisely.

Even if you don’t need computer connectivity, this model has built-in 103 stitches and 80 designs. Although that’s much less compared to the previous model by Singer, customization may make this model much better for your requirements.

And what makes controlling this machine extremely convenient is its backlit easy-to-use LCD touch-screen display. With it, you will be able to easily edit the design features of your project.

This top rated computerized sewing machines has a large working area for easier sewing of larger fabric pieces. Despite this device having a free arm, the table’s design may make sewing sleeves and alike more difficult for you.

As for other specifications of SE600, you won’t see anything more mind-blowing than the computer connectivity. Like most of the sewing machines, this model has an automatic tension threading system to needle and features easy bobbin preparation. The drop-in bobbin of SE600 is jam-resistant to allow you to avoid fishing for the thread.

The large surface of the worktable will be illuminated by built-in lights. They will allow you to replace additional task lights, which take up more space.

The set of accessories of this machine is quite good – it comes with everything necessary for computer connectivity, includes feet, embroidery arm, softcover, 4″x4″ embroidery hoop, needle set, bobbin, and alike. We have more in details review of SE600 in case if you need it.

Pros
  • Touch-screen display for full control over the machine’s features.
  • Large and illuminated working area.
  • Auto-threading needle.
  • Convenient thread cutter.
  • Jam-resistant top-loaded bobbin.
  • Nice accessory kit.
  • USB drive to upload design.
Cons
  • Additional digitizing software requires converting image file format.
  • Hardware error may occur occasionally.

5. Brother XM2701 Lightweight Sewing Machine.

Brother XM2701 Lightweight Sewing Machine

Highlighted Features:

  • 27 built-in stitches.
  • Automatic needle threader.
  • LED light for bright work area.
  • 12.1 x 5.9 x 15.3 inches dimension.
  • 12.60 pounds weight.

Let us present to you with a simple and affordable model, XM2701 by brother sewing machine for beginners. It has everything necessary for beginner sewing and nothing excessive. But don’t think that this little guy lacks comfort or efficiency.

First of all, XM2701 comes with 27 built-in stitches. Although this model doesn’t have a display, you can easily select the stitch you need via the convenient stitch selector.

Those who are new sewers always face trouble to set thread in the machine. With an automatic threading system, you won’t unnecessarily spend too much time on threading the machine. This lets you proceed to sew in no time. 

Another essential feature of sewing machines is bobbin winding. With XM2701, it will be highly convenient. The top drop-in bobbin will provide you with reliable and even stitch quality. Another nice feature of the bobbin is its quick and easy winding. 

This machine features free-arm build to make sewing sleeves and alike much more convenient. To help with that task more, XM2701 has built-in light to brightly illuminate the work area.

This best sewing machine for home sewers model comes with a set of accessories like 6 quick-change sewing feet, 3-piece needle set, twin needle, bobbins, etc. What makes this machine great for beginners is the included instructional DVD to help you with learning the basics of sewing.

Considering all the great features above we can say Brother XM2701 is the best inexpensive sewing machine for those who learn to sew.

Pros
  • Simple and affordable, cheap sewing machines for beginners.
  • Auto threading needle to allow you to start sewing almost instantly.
  • Drop-in bobbins deliver even and quality stitches.
  • Large-set of accessories.
  • Proper instruction video.
Cons
  • Not adjustable foot controls.
  • No start/stop feature.
  • Not suitable for thick fabric.

6. Janome 2212 Sewing Machine.

Janome 2212 Sewing Machine

Highlighted Features:

  • 12 built-in stitches.
  • Manual needle threading system.
  • 17 x 9 x 13.5 inches dimension.
  • 16 pounds weight.

Liked Brother Sewing XM2701, but it lacked some features important for you? Maybe Janome 2212 will satisfy you. Although this model has fewer stitches (only 12), it has some more variety to it.

The first and maybe the most important feature for you is the reverse lever, which will help you to easily lock the stitches. Another nice feature is the stitch length adjustment, which will add more versatility to your projects and, maybe, will fit your needs more.

Other features of 2212 are quite basic. The free arm will allow you to control the fabric better and sew more small pieces. The machine comes with automatic bobbin thread winding to save your time and make winding more convenient. It has an illuminated work surface to help you with sewing darker fabrics.

You can get 2212 in three options – the machine itself, machine + Bonus Bundle, and machine + Bonus Package. The base kit includes a set of feet, needles, bobbins, a screwdriver, seam ripper, vinyl dust cover, etc. The bonus bundle and bonus package generally include the same accessories – an additional pack of bobbins and set of needles. One might argue that it’s not much, but right now, each of the options comes at the same price.

For some, the simple design of the machine may be a huge drawback. It doesn’t have a start/stop function, it has a minimal set of built-in stitches. Overall, it is the most modest and best lightweight user-friendly sewing machine for beginners on the list. But that isn’t necessarily a downside. If the features of this model are enough for you, why not consider buying it?

Pros
  • The simplest machine on the list.
  • Great for what it is designed to do.
  • You can adjust the length of the stitches.
  • Free arm design.
  • Has a built-in thread cutter.
  • Auto bobbin winding.
  • You can choose between three sets.
Cons
  • Doesn’t have a start/stop function.
  • Manual needle threading.
  • Only 12 built-in stitches.

7. Brother Sewing and Quilting Machine, CE7070PRW.

Brother Sewing and Quilting Machine, CE7070PRW

Highlighted Features:

  • 70 built-in stitches.
  • Automatic needle threader.
  • LCD display to choose setting.
  • 19.5 x 12.7 x 15.9 inches dimension.
  • 16.3 pounds shipping weight.

Now, we are going to review another quality product by Brother Sewing. With CE7070PRW, you get a larger work surface compared to the most models on the list. This model is the best sewing machine for intermediate. While it makes sewing more convenient, the absence of free arm will negatively affect the precision with smaller pieces of fabric.

This model offers a fairly wide range of features. It comes with 70 built-in stitches and an LCD display to choose whichever one you want. Choosing a stitch is extremely convenient – the only thing you need to do is press a button.

Another convenient feature is the easy auto threading. No more hassle with trying to stick the thread into that tiny eye of the needle.

As with other Brother Sewing models, CE7070PRW comes with a top-load drop-in bobbin. It ensures the stable placement of the bobbin and the stitch quality you will need for any of your sewing projects.

The needle plate markings plus the LED-light will help you with precise sewing during even most complex projects. This will give you more room for your imagination.

This model comes with a big set of accessories – feet, 4 bobbins, 3-piece needle set, twin needle, cleaning brush, screwdriver, and alike.

Pros
  • Large working surface.
  • An LCD display and convenient buttons for easy management of the device’s settings.
  • Needle plate markings and LED illumination.
  • Drop-in jam-resistant bobbin.
  • Large accessory kit.
Cons
  • Works with 120V current.
  • No start/stop function.
  • No free arm.

8. JUKI MO644D Portable Serger Sewing Machine.

JUKI MO644D Portable Serger

Highlighted Features:

  • Automatically rolled hem capability
  • 2/3/4 thread serger.
  • 10.6 × 13.4 × 11.6 inches dimension.
  • 18.6 pounds shipping weight.

Let’s review something more eye-catching that regular sewing machines. MO644D by Juki is suitable for generally the same tasks as sewing machines, but being a serger makes this machine more specific.

Who would MO644D be ideal for? If you need more tidy seams, this model will provide you with them. You could even say that the serger adds a finishing touch to your fabrics. But how does it work?

First, this model is 2/3/4-thread, which means it can work with up to 4 threads at once. But don’t think that you will get lost in the threads as the color-coded threading breakaway loopers will allow you to differentiate between different threads. Besides this nice convenience, the loopers let you adjust the stitch length to fit your current project. This is one of the reasons for the cleaner result delivered by this serger compared to regular sewing machines.

Another nice feature is the serger’s powerful knife system with its own drive mechanism. It ensures automatic removal of excess fabric from your cloth. The serger with its knife is capable of sewing light to medium weight fabric.

So who should consider buying MO644D? Obviously, those who need a cleaner result. Besides, the auto-cutting makes this machine a little bit more convenient. This device is designed for more specific purposes than sewing machines.

As for functionality, one may think that this machine lacks such things as built-in stitches and auto-threading. The absence of a display might be an inconvenience for some people. But keep in mind that you cannot draw a direct comparison between sergers and sewing machines. Each machine will find its own user, and if MO644D is not for you, just continue looking for the right model.

Pros
  • Cleaner and faster results with this serger.
  • A 2/3/4-thread machine with color-coded threading breakaway loopers for easy distinguishing between different threads.
  • The breakaway loopers will allow you to regulate the length of the stitches.
  • Knife system with its dedicated drive mechanism for quick removal of excess fabric.
Cons
  • Works with 110V.
  • Can’t deal with heavier fabric.
  • Not necessarily a drawback, but this machine doesn’t do what sewing machines are capable of.

9. Brother PC420PRW Professional Grade Computerized Sewing Machine.

Brother PC420PRW Professional Grade Computerized Sewing Machine

Highlighted Features:

  • 294 built in stitches.
  • Capable to stitch per minute 850.
  • LED display for easy setting.
  • 17.3 x 7.9 x 11.4 inches dimension.
  • 26 pounds shipping weight.

Yet another professional-grade sewing machine for beginners sewers, PC420PRW by Brother Sewing has all that’s necessary for the majority of sewing applications. First of all, it comes with 294 built-in stitches for a wider range of projects you can complete with this machine. Another stitch-related feature of this model is that it can deliver 850 stitches per minute. And after you are done, the built-in thread trimmer will save your time even more by cutting the upper and lower threads for you. PC420PRW is the best sewing machine for advanced sewers.

Having around 300 stitches doesn’t mean that you will mix them up. The LED display will ensure easy and convenient stitch selection.

But PC420PRW is not only about its variety of stitches as you can design your own stitches thanks to the machine’s My Custom Stitch feature. They all can be saved to internal memory, so you can access them anytime.

What makes the machine more time-efficient is its automatic needle threader. You can start working or move on to the next project in minimal time.

The work area of this machine is fairly big but not as large as some would want it to be. Besides, PC420PRW doesn’t have a free arm, which makes this machine not as suitable for sewing small pieces of fabric.

Among other features of the machine is the easy winding system to bobbin, pressing function for work without the foot controls, adjustable speed, and a big set of accessories.

Pros
  • The computerized machine allows you to design your own custom stitches.
  • LED display for easy selection and creation of your stitches.
  • Such features as a speed of 850 stitches per minute, auto thread trimmer, auto needle threading, and fast bobbin winding will greatly save your time!
  • Big work surface.
  • You can unplug the foot controls and work without them thanks to the start/stop function and the adjustable speed of the device.
  • Big accessory kit.
Cons
  • Works with 120V only.
  • Only shipped within the US and to APO/FPO addresses.
  • This model has no free-arm.
  • You shouldn’t expect the heavy fabric to work well with this machine.

10. Janome HD3000 Heavy-Duty Sewing Machine.

Highlighted Features:

  • 18 built in stitches.
  • Mechanical sewing machine.
  • 10 × 19 × 15 inches dimension.
  • 18.7 pounds weight.

And the last model on our list is the mechanical HD3000 by Janome. This great machine doesn’t have a huge set of built-in stitches or such conveniences like a display. But it will be extremely efficient in most tasks you will be performing, hence its high price.

This best mechanical sewing machine for beginners is ideal for those who need high performance but don’t need fancy features. It only has 18 basic built-in stitches plus 1 one-step buttonhole. It doesn’t have auto needle threading system. But this machine has something that may compensate for the lack of those convenient features.

Firstly, the device has reverse stitching to help you with completing your projects. It has foot console with adjustable pressure for more control over the process of sewing. Bobbin winding won’t take much of your time as it is automatic. The arm design will let you deal with small pieces of fabric much more easily. Overall, this model has the most basic features a sewing machine would need, but what makes HD3000 stand out is its efficiency. It delivers a max speed of 860 stitches per minute. We also have few other best heavy duty machines reviews in case if you need to check.

Pros
  • High-performance machine for those who don’t need too many features.
  • 18 built-in stitches plus 1 one-step buttonhole.
  • Reverse stitching function.
  • Auto bobbin winding.
  • Has free arm design.
  • Foot controls with adjustable pressure.
Cons
  • Works with 120V only.
  • Only shipped within the US and to APO/FPO addresses.
  • This model has no free-arm.
  • You shouldn’t expect the heavy fabric to work well with this machine.

How to Buy a Sewing Machine? – Our Buying Guide

Now that we are done with the reviews, let’s move on to the buying guide. Here, we will examine the main types of sewing machines, their general features, and who they are suitable for.

Types of sewing machines

best sewing machine for making clothes

There are two general types of machines – mechanical and computerized sewing machines. Mechanical sewing machines are usually much more affordable compared to computerized devices. They have the most necessary basic features like manual needle threaders, reverse speed, auto-winding bobbins, foot controls with adjustable pressure, and other functions. Among mechanical sewing machines, you can find extremely efficient models. Their significant drawback is that they are typically not as versatile as computerized machines.

With computerized machines, you get much more flexibility. They come with a bigger set of built-in stitches, have displays, auto needle threaders, and alike. One may think that these are just convenient features exclusively, but a couple of hundreds of stitches, auto threading, and thread trimmers will come in handy for those who perform high-volume projects. Some models have computer connectivity allowing you to upload custom designs and stitches to the machine while others let you create them at a site without additional devices. Obviously, computerized sewing machines are usually much more expensive compared to mechanical machines.

Besides computerized and mechanical machines, you can find more specific types, like embroidery machines and sergers (also known as overlock sewing machines). While they may lack some features like built-in stitches, they are much more effective in their job compared to common sewing machines. Embroidery machines are used to decorate fabrics while sergers deliver more flexibility in stitching. If you have more concrete needs than general sewing, look for a specific device appropriate for your needs.

Sewing machine accessories and features you should know about

You should know that the type of machine maybe not as important as the accessories coming with it. And that’s why we are going to more or less in-depth review them so you get a general idea of what you will need.

Sewing machines can come with a variety of accessories like feet, needles, screwdrivers, bobbins, seam reapers, etc. For you, they may be not just minor items as they can tremendously help with your sewing projects. Today, we will generally examine some of them so you know what to look for.

Accessory feet

Let’s start with the feet. If your budget allows you to, you should look for a sewing machine with the richest set of feet just in case. Besides, you can always get additional feet if you need them. So what are the types of accessory feet?

  • The standard presser feet, which come as the default option with the most sewing machines.
  • Universal or zigzag. As the name implies, this foot is for the simplest straight, zigzag, and some decorative stitches.
  • Zipper feet let you stitch close to the zipper coils, which results in a more tidy appearance and allows proper zipper functioning.
  • Buttonhole. Buttonhole feet come in different styles, but they all will help you with creating tidy buttonholes. Some feet come with built-in memory for repeating the same buttonhole size quicker.
  • Blind Hem. These feet are used to create almost invisible hems.
  • Overlock. Overlock feet are used to neaten seam edges on the fabric. This foot is a nice alternative to having a serger.

Some specialty feet are usually not included with sewing machines and are purchased separately. Before getting one, you should check on what feet your model supports. Specialized feet include:

  • Pintuck. These feet are used to add nice tucks to your fabric. They come in different sizes for the creation of differently sized holes.
  • Edgestitch. Edgestitch feet are similar to blindstitch hem feet and are used for the creation of perfectly straight topstitching.
  • Jeans. Jeans’ feet are useful in creating straight and tidy seams on denim and similar heavy fabrics.
  • Patchwork foot is the most suitable foot for quilters.
  • Non-stick feet are great if you want to prevent sticking to leather and materials alike.

This list isn’t comprehensive, but it should be enough for you to understand what to expect from accessory feet of sewing machines.

Needles

Sewing machine needles may seem insignificant, but the final result heavily depends on them. Having additional needles is necessary as using worn needles will result in broken or shredded threads, skipped stitches, uneven seams, or even fabric damage. Besides, you can find different needles for specific purposes.

There are three main types of needles used the most often for sewing:

  • Universal needles. These general-purpose needles with a slightly rounded tip are used with woven fabric and sturdy knits.
  • Jersey needles. The medium ballpoint tip of these needles is designed to slip between the knit fibers without damaging them. They are especially useful with knit fabrics.
  • Stretch needles. are medium-ballpoint as well but have a special eye and scarf designed for stretchy fabrics like swimwear.

Besides these general types, you can find special needles for sewing denim and leather, embroidery, and quilting. Choosing a needle, remember to first select a type based on the fabric type or usage. Then, pick the correct size based on the weight of the fabric and the size of the thread.

Bobbins

On a sewing machine, bobbins hold the bottom thread. Having a couple of them is useful for preventing thread waste when changing colors. Based on the sewing machine, it will accept different types of bobbins. Keeping spare bobbins may be quite helpful if you switch between them frequently. Most models come with 3-4 bobbins, but you can always buy more of them.

bobbin

These three types of accessories are the most basic and necessary items you will probably need to have. As for others like seam rippers and screwdrivers, they can be somewhat considered nice conveniences.

Now, let’s view the features you will find in the most modern sewing machines. They are not necessarily must-haves but bring a lot of comfort to your sewing activity. The most important and useful features are:

  • Drop Feed dogs. This is the most critical part of sewing machines. They pull the fabric through the machine in-between stitches. While this feature is extremely important, most of the recent sewing machines come with drop feed dogs, so you won’t have to worry about them as much.
  • Top-loaded bobbins. This is another feature common to modern machines. With top-loaded drop-in bobbins, installing the bobbin with the thread is extremely easy. Instead of having drop-in bobbins, some older machines required their front to be disassembled in order to load the bobbin. That’s why you should look for a model with easy to install bobbins.
  • Built-in stitches and buttonholes. As you could have seen from the review, some sewing machines come with several hundreds of stitches and dozens of buttonholes. That doesn’t mean that you will need to get such a machine, but having a wide set of stitches is better in the long run. But you shouldn’t go for a 600-stitch machine if you will need no more than 20. Some machines even allow you to create your own designs.
  • Free arm design. This is, simply put, more narrow work surface. That isn’t a bad thing as the arm allows the users to work on smaller pieces of fabric much easier. Free arm machines are almost always more compact compared to sewing machines with no free arm design and larger tables. If you will be sewing small items quite a lot, you should consider getting a machine with a free arm.
  • Start/stop feature. This function allows you to unplug the foot console and regulate the speed with adjustment controls. This may be more convenient for some people, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be so for you. Using or not using the foot controls is more like a personal preference. If you don’t like controlling the speed of the machine with foot controls, buy a model with this feature.
  • Auto threading, needle trimmers, and other automatic features. These are yet other functions which will make your work a little bit easier. With auto threading, you won’t have to spend as much time on preparation as with manual threading. Some models come with needle trimmers, which cut the thread at the end of your works. Such features are not that necessary but may be quite useful if you sew quite often. They can greatly save your time.
  • Built-in displays. While on models with not as rich functionality a couple of buttons will do their job perfectly, more advanced sewing machines are actually much easier to use with displays. For example, they show the currently selected stitch, which is extremely useful if the model has dozens or hundreds of them. Besides, some models will allow you to create custom designs without computers or mobile devices, which would be impossible with no display. So they are a must-have if you are going for more complex and multifunctional models.
  • Extension tables. Larger tables will provide you with more support during sewing. Some machines come with removable tables while others feature built-in big work surfaces. A drawback of an extension table is that they are not appropriate for working with small items. That’s not a too big issue with detachable tables (you can just remove them), but you certainly won’t have a free arm with built-in extended tables.

Some of the aforementioned features are purely for comfort while others can make your sewing significantly easier. But how do you know which features and, most importantly, sewing machine you need to look for?

How Do You Find the Best Sewing Machine for Beginners Making Clothes

So how do you know which model is the best sewing machine for making clothes? Would it be a 300-stitch or a 50-stitch machine? The answer is not so simple.

To find the most fitting machine, you will need to know a couple of things. The first is your budget. You need to know what top price you can afford. But knowing the budget is insufficient as, for example, “$400” won’t tell you much. You could get a 400-dollar machine with functions with no use for you. But buying a 400- or maybe even 300-dollar machine which will suit your demands perfectly would be much better. So, purchasing a sewing machine is about the combination of the price and features.

Now, how do you know what specifications you should look for? Answer the following questions:

  • What do you need a sewing machine for generally?
  • How much will you use the sewing machine?
  • Do you know what fabric you will be working on?
  • What stitches/buttonholes you will need?
  • What accessories would be useful for you?

Answering these questions, you will know what to look for. If you won’t be sewing frequently, you shouldn’t get a professional-grade and expensive machine. If you need only a couple of stitches, there is no point in spending money on a model with 100 of them. You better buy a 200-dollar model with all you need than 500-dollar sewing machine features of which you will hardly ever use.

Learn How to Use a Sewing Machine

What are the best sewing machines brands for beginners available today?

Right now a lot of companies are making good sewing machines for beginners. Singer, Brother, Janome, Juki, Bernina are the most well known and have been trusted brands for a long time.

Which is the best sewing machine for general use and quilting?

If you are a quilter then you probably need a professional quilting machine. General sewing and quilting machine has some difference. In some cases, you can use your sewing machine for quilting but normally a general sewing machine doesn’t have wide tables for making the best quilt.

Conclusion

Understanding your requirements is crucial. If you know what you are looking for, you won’t unnecessarily spend extra hundreds of dollars on what you don’t need. Besides, knowledge will allow you to not get confused with the huge choice of sewing machines. Regardless of your needs, being aware of them will help you with finding the best sewing machine for making clothes model you can get.

And that’s why you should conduct thorough research before going to a local store or buying a sewing machine online. Find and read guides, reviews on different models, compare them and make your final choice. There is no need to hurry as it could cost you your money. Be patient, and you will get the best sewing machine for beginners you out there.

Source:

  1. https://nymag.com/strategist/article/best-sewing-machines.html
  2. https://www.chicagotribune.com/consumer-reviews/sns-bestreviews-home-the-best-sewing-machine-2020-20200709-5fv45fkribhc7c7kgrfrsrmpw4-story.html
  3. https://www.thomasnet.com/articles/custom-manufacturing-fabricating/industrial-sewing-machines/