Considered as an old-fashioned form of art, the world of sewing has hit the 21’ st century and in good fashion. Mechanical sewing machines have been dumped for electronic and computerized machines, which are faster and have a ton of useful features.
However, the feature set in each machine might be very confusing, especially to a beginner, and might lead to the wrong purchase. Although they are useful, what is important to consider at the very beginning is your intended use.
If you are always on the move, portability should guide you. If you only intend to do occasional minor repair work, for instance, on your clothes, there is no need to invest in a very expensive machine that has every feature you can think of.
With this in mind, here are some of the best basic sewing machines available on the market.
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What is the Best Basic Sewing Machine for a Beginner?
If you have just taken your first step towards learning and practicing sewing, you would certainly need to look for beginners’ best sewing machine. Different sewing machines are available in the market these days, and it’s pretty normal for a beginner to find it hard to make a choice. We suggest you don’t choose a sewing machine without proper guidance since that way, you may end up selecting a wrong sewing machine for your project.
Besides, when you are a beginner, you have to ensure that you get a sewing machine with the most simplistic features to have an excellent, easy-of-use. Of course, you can upgrade to an advanced sewing machine as your skill improves over time. This post features 4 of the best sewing machines for beginners, and we selected them after testing around 12 sewing machines.
Brother XM2701
Brother XM2701 is a pretty lightweight sewing machine that features 27 Stitches, including decorative, blind hem, zigzag, stretch stitches, and an auto-size buttonhole. Besides, XM2701 comes with an automatic needle threader and a jam-resistant drop-in top bobbin, making threading unimaginably easy.
The versatile arm makes it an ideal machine for a wide range of basic and advanced sewing projects. The machine has many accessories, including six sewing feet, a 3-piece needle set, twin needle, four bobbins, an instructional DVD, manual, etc.
Singer MX231
Singer MX231 is a sewing machine with a made easy model and is perfect for beginners. The machine comes with 97 Stitch Applications, and that makes it pretty ideal for all types of fabrics and projects.
You should not have any problem in creating consistent buttonholes since the machine offers a one-step buttonhole. The adjustable presser foot pressure lets you adjust for both heavy and delicate fabrics.
Besides, the machines come with Adjustable Stitch Length & Width, Built-In Needle Threader, and Front Load Bobbin, which makes threading pretty effortless. Even if you are entirely a beginner, it should not take you long to get the machine’s hang since it comes with a full instruction manual.
Singer 7258
Singer 7258 is a computerized sewing machine with 100-stitches, including 76 Decorative Stitches. Threading is pretty simple since the machine has an automatic needle threader.
The push-button stitch selection is another handy feature that allows you to choose any stitch with just a single push of a button. 7258 also allows you to adjust the stitch length, width, and tension automatically.
Brother SE625
Brother SE625 is another hugely popular sewing machine, and the machine is a fantastic combination of computerized and embroidery machine. SE625 comes with 103 built-in sewing stitches that include decorative stitches and eight one-step, auto-sized buttonholes.
The 3.2 LCD allows you to preview your embroidery designs and stitch selections before stitching. Another super cool feature is the Embroidery Pattern Drag and Drop feature, which allows you to position your embroidery design with a single touch of a finger on the LCD touch screen.
SE625 also provides users with 280 embroidery designs, including beautiful decorative alphabet, Greek applique, borders, holiday, sports, florals, kids, and nature designs.
Wrapping Up
When you are looking for sewing machines for beginners, you have to be very cautious. The best thing one can do is look for a machine that offers the right mix of simplicity and advanced features.
The four sewing machines that we share in this post are extensively used by users worldwide and are especially suitable for beginners. You may consider choosing one of them based on your project requirements.
Reviews of the Basic Sewing Machine for Beginners 2020 – (Editors’ Choice)
1. Singer Heavy Duty 4423 – Best Heavy Duty Sewing Machine
This sewing machine has a heavy-duty aluminum frame that keeps its components and mechanisms firmly attached and in perfect alignment so that you can do your work easily. Its bed-plate is also very strong.
It is made from heavy-duty stainless steel that prevents it from scratching on its surface while sewing. This overall heavy-duty construction makes it very strong and durable enough to last for ages.
The inner mechanisms of this machine include a very powerful motor that can push the needle through seams of some of the heaviest fabrics, such as denim, making it ideal for almost all sewing projects.
Additionally, this motor delivers a speed of up to 1100 stitches per minute, which is faster than most basic sewing machines on the market. This enables us to carry out bigger sewing projects in a very short amount of time.
Functionally, this machine does not disappoint. It has 23 built-in stitches that include 12 decorative stitches, which are intricately designed and can be used to embellish garments or upholstery.
The rest of the stitches include 6 essential stitches and an automatic one-step buttonhole stitch. These give you enough stitching options for any sewing project.
It has an automatic needle threader that does a good job of simplifying the work of threading the needle. It is built into the machine and enables you to insert the thread into the eye of the needle without straining your eyes.
Features at a glance
- Transparent bobbins and bobbin cover to enable easier monitoring of thread supply.
- Jam proof top drop-in bobbin for stress-free sewing
- An adjustable pressure foot controller enables you to sew light to heavy fabrics with ease.
- Automatic reverse to allow you to sew backward to reinforce stitches.
- It comes with a variety of accessories that include a buttonhole foot, a button sewing foot, a zipper foot, an all-purpose foot, transparent bobbins, and screwdriver, among many others.
2. Brother CS6000i – Best Brother Sewing and Quilting Machine
This sewing machine is stocked with a wide array of built-in stitches that include 20 decorative stitches, 20 more for garment construction, 7 quilting stitches, 7 auto buttonhole stitches, and 6 heirloom stitches.
They are 60 in total and displayed in a numbered format on the machines’ cover. This makes it quite easy to select the required stitch on the selector buttons, with the stitch number showing on the machine’s backlit LCD display.
The size of each of these stitches is easily adjustable lengthwise or width-wise, and also uses selector buttons that display the selected size on the same LCD screen. These variations enable you to come up with well-decorated designs and are more than enough for any sewing project.
The machine’s sewing speed is adjustable between 3 preset speeds, which are labeled with arrows to show the fast, faster and fastest speed. This gives you control over how fast or slows you want to sew.
It features an oversized table that is very convenient for large sewing works such as quilts because the extra space gives you room to move the fabric around as you sew it. The machine has an LED bulb that lights up the sewing area, and this makes it quite easy to sew dark fabrics as well as to sew in the dark.
It comes with a foot control, but it features a start/ stop button that allows you to sew without using the foot control, giving you the option of either using your finger or your foot every time you need to power the motor.
Features at a glance
- Automatic needle threader for inserting the thread into the needle eye easily
- Built-in free arm for sewing cuffs, sleeves, pant legs as well as any other cylindrical item
- Numbered threading diagram on the machine’s body makes it very easy to thread.
- It comes with many accessories that include a screwdriver, needles, different types of feet such as an overcasting foot, a zipper foot, and a fitting button foot, among many others.
3. Singer Start 1304 – Best Sewing Machine for Beginners
This is the ideal sewing machine for beginners. It features 6 built-in stitches that include straight stitches, zigzag stitches, a blind hem stitch, a decorative scallop stitch, and a 4 step buttonhole stitch.
Each of these stitches has a preset length and width size, and this makes it quite easy to use because it does not require any further adjustment settings. These stitches are selected using a big dial that is well labeled and located on the front of the machine for easy accessibility.
It comes with multiple accessories that include needle packs, bobbins, screwdriver, and different feet. All these can be safely stored inside the machine’s storage tray that is conveniently hidden as part of its lower base body. The bobbins included as accessories can be wound easily using an automatic winder located on the top of the machine.
This winder is easy to use because it has a numbered diagram that gives a detailed string guide. Additionally, the winding will stop automatically when the bobbin is full while the needle bar disengages automatically during winding to prevent any piercing accidents or injuries from happening.
The machine’s components are held in place by a heavy-duty inner frame construction. This ensures that everything is perfectly aligned at all times for skip-free sewing throughout its lifespan. It also makes the machine very durable, ensuring you of long service life.
Features at a glance
- The built-in reverse lever enables backward stitching for reinforcing joints and seams.
- 6 built-in stitches with preset lengths and widths.
- Easy stitch selection from a clearly labeled and easily accessible stitch dial
- Includes 3 presser feet (buttonhole, zipper, and all-purpose feet), making it ideal for almost all sewing projects.
- Dual spool pins enable you to make twin needle stitches with ease.
- Free arm for stitching sleeves or cuffs
4. Janome 2212 Sewing Machine – Best Sewing Machine for the Money
This sewing machine has an impressive sewing speed, which can reach up to 1000 stitches per minute. This quickens the sewing process, enabling you to do more work in the same time frame as compared to other slower machines. This stitching is also reversible using its reverse lever, which is basically like an up and down switch. Reversing enables you to lock stitches as well as to reinforce them for more durable seams.
It features 12 stitch designs plus a built-in 4 step button stitch, and all are clearly labeled on a stitch chart located on the front side of the machine. These give you enough workable options for various sewing projects, while the labeling makes it quite easy to select the stitch you want.
Selecting is actually done using a stitch selector dial, which is labeled according to the stitch chart. It has two more additional dials, one for adjusting the stitch length, which goes up to a maximum of 4mm for forwarding stitching, and up to 2.5mm for reverse stitching, while the other adjusts the stitch width, which can reach a maximum of 5mm.
The machine has a storage tray below the needle plate for storing its accessories, which include a screwdriver, bobbins, and needle sets, among many others. This tray is removable, leaving space and exposing the free arm, which is very useful for stitching sleeves or cuffs.
Features at a glance
- Stitch chart displays all the 12 built-in stitches and clearly labels them for easy selection.
- 3 easy to use dials; one for selecting the type of stitch, the other for stitch length adjustment and the last one for stitch width adjustment.
- LED light for lighting up the working area.
- Reverse lever for easy switching between forward and reverse stitching.
- Drop feed moves the fabrics freely, making it easy when quilting.
5. Brother XM2701 – Best Lightweight Sewing Machine
Straight out of the box, this machine looks good. It has an artistically designed drawing on its right side that gives you the feeling you are about to create an artistic masterpiece on your fabrics.
To help you achieve this, it has 27 built-in stitches that are drawn and numbered on the machine’s surface for easy referencing during selection. It has a dial that is used to switch between these stitches and is clearly labeled with the stitch numbers for easy use.
Its usability has been designed with simplicity in mind. Threading, for instance, is quite easy. Laying the thread is very straightforward, and the final bit is simplified by an automatic needle threader, which helps you insert the thread through the eye of the needle without straining your eyes.
The presser foot can be fitted with 6 quick-changing sewing feet that are included in the package. These include zipper, buttonhole, zigzag, narrow hemmer, button, and blind feet, giving you quite a number of options to work with. It has an LED light that lights up the work area, giving you an easy time as you work on dark fabrics as well as when working in the dark.
The machine features a free arm that is exposed to removing the storage tray from its position. This enables you to sew cuffs and sleeves as well as other hard to each area in fabrics.
Features at a glance
- Top drop-in bobbin keeps the bobbin in place, and its jam-resistant build ensures you sew uninterruptedly.
- LED light lights up the work area to keep you going non-stop.
- The small and light design makes it very portable.
- Single-step auto-sized buttonhole stitching makes it very easy to create buttonholes in fabrics.
- Easy bobbin winding makes for quick loading in between sewing projects.
- Includes many accessories such as multiple feet, needle sets, screwdriver, bobbins, and spool spin among many others
6. Singer Simple 3232 – Best Portable Sewing Machine
As the name suggests, this sewing machine is very simple to thread. From the bobbin winding to threading the upper part, simplicity is a key constant because the entire process can be done in a few seconds. It even has an automatic needle threader for quick and easy insertion of the thread into the needle eye.
It features 32 built-in stitches that give you a very wide selection of decorative, essential, and stretch stitches to choose from. It also has a single buttonhole stitch, which makes it quite easy to stitch around a buttonhole. All these are adjustable using 2 dials: one for adjusting the stitch length and the other for adjusting the stitch width. These enable you to personalize stitches to suit your preferred stitch appearance.
It has a powerful motor that tops its sewing speed at 750 stitches per minute. This speed makes it quite easy to penetrate tough fabric while also quickening the pace of your sewing projects.
The sewing direction can also be reversed using a reverse lever, which basically works like a switch but must be pressed down to engage reverse gear. This enables you to reinforce seams while still maintaining the same stitch pattern on the fabric.
Singer sewing machines are known for their strong and sturdy built frames, and this one is no different. It has a heavy-duty metallic inner frame that holds everything steadily in place for skip-free sewing. Additionally, it makes the machine very durable, giving you a very long service life while still maintaining optimal performance.
Features at a glance
- Storage tray beneath the needle plate for storing the accompanying accessories
- Removable storage tray exposes the free arm, which is very useful in stitching cuffs and sleeves.
- It contains a light bulb for lighting up the work area.
- 32 built-in stitches (19 decorative, 6 essential, 6 stretch, and 1 automatic single step stitch).
- It is accompanied by many accessories that include bobbins, feet, screwdriver, the quilting guide, and needle sets, among many others.
7. Singer Simple 3223R – Best Buttonhole Sewing Machine
This sewing machine is also among the singer’s simple lines up, and it is characterized by an automatic bobbin winding feature that is quite simple to use. The area from the spool pin to the bobbin pin is labeled with numbers, showing the sequence of thread passes that need to be followed before winding it onto the bobbin.
After this is done, the machine fills the bobbin automatically, cutting off the process once it is full. This, in addition to the labeled top installation, makes it quite easy to use, which is a good feature for first-time users.
It has an on-board storage tray that can store all the included accessories. This tray is removable and exposes the machine’s free arm which is used to sew cylindrical fabrics such as sleeves, pant hems, collars as well as other hard to reach areas. This makes it an all-round sewing tool that can be used on almost any type of project.
Features at a glance
- Heavy-duty metallic design keeps everything held in place for skip-free sewing.
- Includes 4 snap-on presser feet in the package, which are easy to switch from one to the other.
- Available in three colors (raspberry, petrol, and honey).
- Presser foot can be raised higher to accommodate thick layers of fabric.
- 23 built-in stitches with adjustable stitch length for more personalized options.
What We Need to Consider When Buying Basic Sewing Machine for Beginners?
There are a couple of things you need to consider if you are to buy the best basic sewing machine. These are:
Number Of Stitches
Stitches usually vary in types. They include decorative, stretch, and essential stitches, to name a few. The more the stitches a sewing machine has, the more options you get in terms of stitching as well as embellishments.
Even though you are a beginner, it is advisable to go for the most number of stitches in a machine because you might become good at sewing later on, and require to upgrade to a better machine if you started with one that has fewer stitches.
Adjustable Stitch Length And Width
In addition to the number of stitches, adjustable stitch lengths and widths are meant to give you more customization options. Long and wide stitches can be very useful for stretchable fabrics because they create loose seams.
On the other hand, short stitches create very tight seams and can be very useful in stitching denim or even toys because kids are known for very rough handling.
Additionally, you can modify the stitch’s appearance by playing around with these settings and get more appealing results in the process. Therefore, it would be advisable to buy a sewing machine with at least one of these settings.
Automatic Needle Threader
Most basic sewing machines have this useful component because of the convenience it gives you. It enables you to thread the needle without straining your eyes easily. Even though it has become very common, some machines do not have it. Therefore, it would be wise to be very keen on this before spending your money on any machine.
Speed Control
Speed control basically enables you to set your preferred sewing speed, which is the speed at which the fabric is fed into the machine. This gives you the convenience of sewing continuously and at a steady tempo instead of starting and stopping regularly.
Ergonomics
Ergonomics is all about comfort. Everything on the machine should be conveniently designed and easily accessible for easy use. From the reverse lever to the dials, they should all be placed conveniently as well as labeled clearly.
Stitching symbols and threading instructions should also be clearly indicated on the machine’s body to make it easy for first-time users.
Portability
If you like to move around with your sewing machine, you should go for the compact and lightweight machines for easier carrying while on the move. However, for the “stationary” users, the weight and size should not worry you too much.
Free arm
This is a very useful feature to have on any sewing machine, especially if you deal with wearable fabrics. It enables you to sew rounded fabric designs such as in sleeves, collars, and cuffs by simply “wearing” the rounded part into the arm and stitching it as it moves round the arm.
Automatic Buttonholer
This is one of the most important features that any sewing machine should have. Sewing buttonholes manually can be very stressful. However, this feature automates the whole process, giving you an easy time when sewing.
Some machines go a step further to include a button slot in which you place the button inside, and the machine determines the buttonhole size, depending on the size of the button.
Accessories
Accessories are always an added advantage. Most sewing machines come with multiple accessories, but the most basic ones should be a set of needles, bobbins and a screwdriver for tightening loose parts.
Top-rated Basic Sewing Machine for Beginners Comparison Chart
| Model | Stitches | Drop-in Bobbin | Auto Needle threader | Stitches Per Minute | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SINGER Heavy Duty 4423 Sewing Machine | 23 | Yes | Yes | 1100 | 15.5 x 6.25 x 12 inches |
| Brother CS6000i Sewing Machine | 60 | Yes | Yes | 850 | 16 x 6.7 x 11.4 inches |
| SINGER Start 1304 Sewing Machine | 6 | Yes | Yes | 750 | 13 x 7 x 11.5 inches |
| Janome 2212 Sewing Machine | 12 | Yes | Yes | 860 | 17x 19 x 13.5 inches |
| Brother XM2701 Sewing Machine | 27 | Yes | Yes | 800 | 12.1 x 5.9 x 15.3 inches |
| SINGER Simple 3232 Sewing Machine | 32 | Yes | Yes | 750 | 15 x 7.5 x 12 inches |
| Singer Simple 3223R Sewing Machine | 23 | Yes | Yes | 750 | 40 x 25 x 20 inches |
Conclusion
There are many different types of sewing machines. Even though they have attractive descriptions and fancy features, it is essential to consider your intended use first. If you do clothes stitching, your safest bet would be a machine with a buttonhole and free arm.
For quilting, a machine with a large working area would suit your needs the most because multi-layered fabrics might be heavy and need to be placed over a large surface area to balance it. If you consider these use cases first, you will most likely get the best basic sewing machine for your needs.
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