Do you want to learn to sew?
Are you a complete newbie and wondering where to start in order to learn to sew?
The very first step is to get a beginner-friendly sewing machine and then learn about the sewing machine, and its different parts, start with your first-ever small sewing project, and practice sewing.
That’s how you can learn to sew.
So since buying a good sewing machine is your first step, are you confused about what are the best-selling & beginner-friendly sewing machines available in the market today?
Are you afraid that you will end up buying the wrong beginner’s sewing machine?
If this is so, read this whole guide and also browse through the different articles on this website.
You will get familiar with sewing machine models, types of sewing machines available, the advantages of having a sewing machine, and what are the prices of different models of sewing machines.
Nowadays, even kids of all ages are eager to pick up a sewing machine kit to learn to sew because they find it easy with the beginner-friendly sewing machine and more entertaining than ever before.
Though there are several machines available specially for the kids as well.
The sewing machine is really helpful for stitching clothes, repair ripped jeans if you don’t want to pay someone else to do it.
It is also quite exciting to buy the best sewing machine and start with your first crafting project.
Sewing Machine Guide for Beginners
Here is a short guide to help you choose the best sewing machine for yourself.
Have a look at the best 5 sewing machines for beginners to buy from the store or online marketplaces.
All the beginner sewing machines that we have discussed in this post are available in offline stores as well as online.
What is a Sewing Machine?
Starting with the very basics, first of all, you must get a clear idea of what a sewing machine is, what are the main components of a sewing machine and how it works.
According to Wikipedia, a Sewing Machine is a device that is used to stitch materials (clothes or fabrics of different types) with a thread.
In ancient days, people used to hand-sew their torn clothes.
It was too much manual work that used to take a lot of time and an individual’s efforts to stitch a simple piece of material.
But as the days passed and technology changed a mechanical device- the sewing machine was invented that completely changed the art of stitching material.
Who invented the Sewing Machine?
So we all know the sewing machine and what it is used for. but do we know who invented the sewing machine?
It was Englishman Thomas Saint who invented the sewing machine and the invention took place in 1790.
This invention improved the efficiency of the clothing industry.
Back then, the sewing machine used to be very big in size and had fewer features.
But today, the time has changed and today’s sewing machines are portable, advanced, stitch faster, and get the job done in a very quick time.
In fact, the advanced and computerized sewing machines widely used in industries sew much faster than those being used at home.
Basics of a Sewing Machine
Having a basic idea of what a sewing machine is always necessary.
However, if you have ever seen anyone stitching or attaching a button to a shirt, then you’d probably have understood the concept of stitching.
The above diagram of a sewing machine explains the different parts and components of a modern sewing machine.
The main parts you must understand well are the Bobbin and Bobbin cover, Needle Plate, Reverse Button, and Tension Control.
You need well balance thread tension well with the help of a controller to get a better stitching pattern.
However, with the help of the Stitch length controller, you can adjust how smaller or larger the length of each stitch is.
These are the basics of a sewing machine which more or less remain the same for every machine.
However, choosing the right sewing machine based on your needs is always a smart idea because there are several different models of sewing machines on the market ranging from simpler to complex ones and you should select one that goes in line with your sewing needs.
If you think you’ll use the sewing machine for the basic things, you can get a low-end sewing machine that can be purchased at a low price, however, if your requirement is stitching fashion garments, you can get an advanced sewing machine that requires a good investment.
In order to help the readers of my blog I’ve picked the top 5 sewing machines which are easy to use and I’ll explain each of them in detail in this article.
Until a few years back the sewing machines used to be operated manually with the foot or hand but today it has changed a lot.
The padding procedure used to take up extra space and it is the reason why this new trend (electronic) of sewing machines has come up.
The companies like Singer, and Brother took sewing experience to the next level and launched several computerized sewing machines which are smaller in size but feature-rich and operate electronically.
The below video from Singer Sewing Machine explains stitching basics.
Check it out.
Benefits of a Sewing Machine
Having a sewing machine at your home will always be beneficial.
If your skills and passion are to learn to stitch with the sewing machines then here are some benefits which you can always take advantage of!
For example, if you have bought a dress for yourself from the store and it doesn’t fit your body, you can easily use the sewing machine at your home and then customize it.
Also if you need to attach anything to your dress such as a flower made of fabric, you can do that too easily with the sewing machine.
With the help of a sewing machine, you can easily repair them, or you can help others to repair their torn clothes as well.
A lot of people want to use their creativity and buy pieces of clothes and then stitch themselves instead of ready-made garments available at the stores.
Some feel that the readymade garments do not look good for them either by the fittings or by looks.
In that case, if you have a good sewing machine, you can get pieces of cloth (raw material) from the market, and by following the latest trend, you can stitch one of your choices. You can even mix other different cloth pieces to stitch together!
The other benefit of having a sewing machine saves money!
It happens often (at least to me) that you get your dress torn off and need to rush to the tailor.
The tailor charges money that you would otherwise have saved if you had a sewing machine at home.
So have a sewing machine at home and save money and time.
Now, last but not least, if you have the skills to stitch then you can also start a business.
You can collect different pieces of clothes and then stitch them with different variations and sell the dresses off for good money.
They all will be unique and quite attractive for people to buy from you.
How to choose an ideal Sewing Machine?
Selecting a sewing machine is not all that tough.
Take a gander at different models and read the depictions before you settle on an official choice.
By taking an opportunity to review and research different types of sewing machines before you decide on the final decision, you won’t choose something that does not address your needs.
You need to remember the price factor as well.
Refrain from choosing a sewing machine that has a bigger number of features that you require, it can be confusing!
Consider the below factors while choosing a sewing machine
Take some time and check out the various reviews on the internet and offline.
Get on the telephone with your neighborhood sewing-focused and fabric shops and locate the ones that may have the sewing machine you are searching for.
For me, the Internet is the best choice when I’ve to read reviews about any particular product.
Websites such as Amazon where the actual buyers of products leave their unbiased reviews can help you decide which sewing machine is the best for the price you are paying.
Search online for the machines with the best reviews inside your price range.
Note them down and go to the shops for online or offline purchases based on your choice.
Try to figure out how the particular model of a sewing machine would suit you.
Make a list of a few alternatives that you think suit your requirements as well and compare.
It happens often when you have several options with different options, you get confused about which one suits your requirements.
Sometimes you forget the actual purpose and get convinced by the features available in a particular sewing machine.
Different machines perform different functions and you will find one machine performs better than the other as specified in the details but you need to figure out how often you will use all those functions.
Before you go and settle on a sewing machine, consider what features you need and how the machine fits your budget.
Then again it is not advised to go for the least expensive model you can find without looking at the features.
Such models may be unsuitable for specific materials such as denim or chiffon.
You ought to spend a couple of dollars extra and get a machine that can deal with those fabrics well.
The other thing to consider while choosing a sewing machine is knowing your interests.
Some people are interested in sewing/stitching only, while others are interested in sewing, quilting, and embroidery as well.
Something having extra features comes costly.
So if you are planning to buy such a combo sewing machine, you must be ready to spend a bit extra.
Search for a sewing machine that has all the features you need and fits your budget.
A machine that has up to 16 fasten examples can be utilized for making window ornaments, pad spreads, garments, and many more things.
Try not to purchase the least expensive sewing machine out there because it might not serve the purpose.
You may find it can’t deal with substantial denim or gobbles up chiffon and stuff like that.
The people who work at fabric stores are ardent sewers themselves, so they can help you choose a machine that has the right features for the sort of sewing you’ve planned to purchase.
Common Problems with a Sewing Machine
So there are two things you must pay attention to.
Although I am discussing that under the “Problem” section but this isn’t a problem actually.
The thing I’m talking about here is thread tension!
If the sewing machine’s thread tension is Low or High, it’s a problem. You wouldn’t be able to sew the fabric at all.
To get the best stitching, you must have optimum thread tension. If it is low, it will result in bad stitching.
Low thread tension will make the thread released loosely and result in unclean stitching.
The stitching gets bunched up and eventually causes the sewing machine to get jammed.
You might have to take the sewing machine to a repair center.
What you can do to tackle this problem is to adjust the thread tension to the best of your knowledge first and then you can try stitching (don’t go fast, go for only a few stitches until you adjust the tension).
if you don’t get a clean stitch, adjust the thread tension with a knob.
Try to increase the tension and see what is the appropriate tension level. Adjust the tension until you start to get clean stitches.
Just like low thread tension, your sewing machine might have high thread tension as well.
If the thread tension of your sewing machine is high, you will notice the thread breaking after every few stitches.
High tension can cause sewing machines to get damaged and hence need to be taken to the service center.
Here too if you notice the thread is breaking often, try to decrease thread tension with a knob and figure out the optimum thread tension level.
You shouldn’t start to stitch fast until you adjust the thread tension.
Adjusting the thread tension is not rocket science, you can do it yourself.
In due course, you will have an idea and you will be able to adjust tension without many hits & trials.
Lucky if your sewing machine’s thread tension is balanced when you purchased it adjusting thread tension is not rocket science as I was sad about before.
All you have to do is to increase or decrease the tension with the knob depending on whether you have low or high thread tension.
Don’t worry about your sewing machine being damaged because it doesn’t happen easily.
However, you shouldn’t start to sew fast until you adjust the tension.
In case of low thread tension, you get a bunch of stitches that could thicken the fabric the sewing machine’s presser is running on and eventually result in the needle getting broken. You don’t want that.
So again, you must not start sewing until you adjust the thread tension.
Best Beginner Sewing Machines
SINGER 7258 Stylist Award-Winning 100-Stitch Computerized Sewing Machine
Why the SINGER 7258?
The SINGER 7258 Stylist Award-Winning 100-Stitch Computerized Sewing Machine is one of the best products that you can get.
It has 100 stitches with 10 Presser which is absolutely perfect for crafting.
The easy threading system with the automatic thread will help you a lot with stitching.
The LED display on the front of the sewing machine will help you comfortably adjust the stitch needle and width.
It has a heavy-duty metal frame and is thus a bit heavy in weight.
Reviews:
The Singer Stylist 7258 is one of my most loved sewing machines to work with.
This sewing machine has an advanced sewing interface that is to some extent simple to operate.
It incorporates 99 different fastens, which are useful for different sorts of fabrics.
It additionally accompanies a spectacular assortment of embellishments such as a zipper foot, blind sew foot, unsettle foot, and a few others that make this sewing machine considerably less distressing.
It also incorporates an alternative to change the velocity which is good for a newbie as they can significantly diminish the pace.
Check the Current Price on Amazon
Brother HC1850 Computerized Sewing and Quilting Machine – Mid-Price Range
Why Brother HC1850?
The one big reason to buy the Brother HC1850 Computerized sewing and quilting machine is the feature-packed and reliable product for decorative stitching.
It has a set of 130 needles which is all set to give you one-step buttonholes.
You can manually adjust the needle size according to the material of the cloth.
It has special quilting features which make the procedure to be much faster.
Reviews:
Reviews:This machine gives you a choice of utilizing the foot pedal or you can utilize the controls on the machine.
This sewing machine comes with an instructional DVD that will help you operate this sewing machine well.
With 25 years of warranty, the Brother HC1850 computerized sewing and quilting machine is not a bad choice.
The sewing machine wouldn’t work in countries that don’t support 120V AC.
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SINGER 2259 Tradition Easy-to-Use-Arm 19-Stitch – Best Low Price Sewing Machine
Why buy SINGER 2259?
The SINGER 2259 Tradition Easy-to-Use Free-Arm 19-Stitch Sewing Machine is a great sewing machine to buy for personal use.
If you are not using Singer 2259 for business but are just willing to get the torn clothes repaired, then SINGER 2259 is one of the best choices.
As the name suggests, it is quite easy to use with 19 stitches and all of them are manually adjustable.
It has a 4 step buttonhole procedure that will give you the advantage of getting your jobs done conveniently.
Reviews:
The most critical thing for a sewing machine to do is to hold its strain.
Terrible pressure control of your string results in bad fastens and dissatisfaction.
I’ve heard stories about poor pressure on low-end sewing machines.
This machine has great strain though.
The engine snarls a little before beginning when you discourage the foot pedal.
Once you start, it is really simple to control the velocity.
The most important thing about a sewing machine is the crisscross and there is no issue with this sewing machine about the same.
Check the Current Price on Amazon
SINGER Sewing 4432 Heavy Duty Extra-High Speed Sewing Machine – Best for Heavy Materials
Why buy SINGER 4432?
If you are willing to buy a sewing machine that sews fastest, then the Singer Sewing 4432 is just what you must go for.
It has an impulsion of 1100 stitches per minute and also gives you stitching speed and results.
It has 32 built-in stitches, out of these you can adjust 18 decorative stitches at your convenience.
It has a 1 step buttonhole and thus is quite faster than you think!
Reviews:
This sewing machine is well-designed. Except for internal metallic parts external finish is made of plastic.
The machine is by all means sufficiently simple to utilize and wouldn’t require many instructions to operate it.
Someone with a basic understanding of the sewing machine can operate this pretty nicely.
All the feature of this sewing machine is easy to use.
I gifted this sewing machine to my Aunt who is in her 60s and never used such a modern sewing machine.
She didn’t take too long to understand the feature of this sewing machine and by now she is perfect!
These are the top sewing machines for beginners and are easy to use.
Though these sewing machines are good for the beginner it doesn’t mean they lack features.
All of these sewing machines are full of great features that are easy to understand which makes them a good choice for beginners.
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SINGER 9960 Quantum Stylist 600-Stitch – Our recommendation
Why buy the SINGER 9960?
If you need a little advanced sewing machine that has more functions, the Singer 9960 is one of the best choices.
It comes with a lot of interesting functions that could make your sewing experience more fun.
Although the price of this sewing machine is a bit on the higher side but its worth spending that much money to buy this sewing machine.
Also since this sewing machine comes with advanced-level functions doesn’t mean you need to be an expert to use it.
It automates many functions such as automatic needle threader and top-in bobbin, automatic one-touch thread cutter, etc., and hence makes it a good choice for beginners as well.
Review:
Singer 9960 is a computerized portable sewing machine that comes with 600 built-in stitches (the other two models have 820 & 960 built-in stitches) and 13 styles of one-step buttonholes.
Its easy needle threading system, drop-in bobbins, digital information adviser that displays the stitching patterns, and extension table make it the best choice not only for intermediates/experts but for beginners as well.
The interior body of the SINGER 9960 sewing machine is made up of metal that accounts for longer durability.
It has a maximum speed controller which is really helpful for beginners.
Also, it comes with electronic autopilot stitching that doesn’t require the use of a foot controller.
This is a good option for Experts, Intermediates as well and Beginners because it is very easy to set up and use.
If you are planning to buy a sewing machine for the long run, you must consider this option.
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Brother CS7000i Sewing and Quilting Machine with 70 Built-in Stitches, 2.0″ LCD Display, Wide Table – Our Choice
Why buy BROTHER CS7000i?
If anyone asks me to reply in 1 second which is the best beginner-friendly sewing machine, I’d say Brother CS7000i without any delay.
Yes, Brother CS7000i is one of the best sewing machines for those who want to learn to sew or just get started with their first project.
There are several reasons why this is the best choice.
First of all, it comes with one of the best sewing machine makers in the world- Brother!
It comes with automatic features such as an automatic needle threader despite being a low-budget sewing machine.
This is a portable sewing machine but if I talk about its versatility, it can be used for making quilts, not just the regular sewing chores.
It fits everyone’s budget and is dispatched with a wide extension table and dust cover.
Review:
This is a newer version of the legendary Brother CS6000i sewing machine which is an award-winning sewing machine.
The newer version is more advanced and comes with additional features than its predecessor.
Brother CS7000i is easy to set up and easy to use as a sewing machine.
It comes with 70 built-in stitches and 7 styles of 1-step automatic buttonholes.
These built-in stitches include regular, decorative, quilting, etc.
It comes with an automatic needle threader so you don’t have to worry about doing it manually.
It also comes with a backlit LCD screen which tells you the current stitch and other details such as the length & width of the stitches.
The pushbuttons around the LCD screen can be used for stitch selection and the adjustment of stitch length.
It comes with an easy-to-set-up top drop-in bobbin instead of a sideloaded one which is more convenient.
It comes with a wide detachable extension table for large projects such as curtains or quilts.
You can attach and remove the wide table easily. The dust cover helps you keep the sewing machine in good condition.
