A beginner's buying guide to sewing machines

Starting your sewing journey is exciting, but choosing among the plethora of available sewing machines for beginners can feel overwhelming. This guide will help you understand what features to look for in a sewing machine and recommend some reliable beginner-friendly models that fit your budget.

One of the biggest decisions when choosing a sewing machine is whether to go for a computerized or a non-computerized (mechanical) model. Each type has distinct advantages and drawbacks, which can help guide your decision based on your needs and preferences.

Should you get a mechanical or a computerized sewing machine?

Singer Heavy Duty 4423 (a popular mechanical sewing machine)	Brother DX70SE (a computerized sewing machine)

• Mechanical sewing machines offer reliability, simplicity, and excellent value for money. Their straightforward design and manual control wheels for stitch selection, tension, and other adjustments, make them easier to service and less prone to malfunctioning. Typically, they feature around 6-20 stitches, which is usually enough for basic sewing projects (and considering that most sewists use 3-4 stitches at most). These machines an excellent choice for beginners who prefer a hands-on approach to sewing and want to understand the mechanical aspects of the craft. 
• Computerized sewing machines usually offer advanced features and convenience — I’ll list these features below. You'll recognize computerized sewing machine by the fact that they have an LCD screen (instead of a stitch selection handwheel). They typically come with a wide range of stitches (at least 60+!) including some decorative stitches. You select stitches and adjustments through buttons instead of a handwheel and use the LCD screen to check stitch width and length. While they might appear intimidating at first, computerized machines are super user-friendly, even for beginners, and you can easily get used to all the luxury features. However, they come at a slightly higher price point, and repairs can be more expensive.

❓ Still not sure which one to go for? If you're a beginner and not sure if the hobby will stick, get a mechanical machine. I guarantee you that 90% of the time, you will only use 10% of your stitches, which a mechanical model completely makes up for. It also allows you to learn the basics of how a machine works. A computerized machine is really only worth it if you are willing to put in more budget for features that really make a difference.

Which features matter in a beginner's sewing machine?

Here is a list of the top features you should have in your beginner’s sewing machine, ranked from the most important to the least important:

1. 4 basic stitches: The straight stitch, zigzag stitch, overcast stitch and automatic buttonhole stitch are foundational for most sewing projects, and with them, you will be able to sew 90% of your garments, both wovens and knits.
2. Adjustable stitch length and width: The ability to adjust stitch length and width lets you customize the look of your stitches for different fabrics and projects. This has a decorative function (for example when top-stitching) and is also very functional (e.g. when you’re using your longest stitch length to create a basting stitch). I’m pretty sure 99% of reputable machines brands offer this function, but I still wanted to share this!
3. Adjustable needle position: Being able to shift your needle to the left or the right is particularly useful for tasks that require very precise needle placement and seam allowances, like topstitching, and inserting zippers. It also makes switching seam allowances much easier!
4. A drop-in bobbin system simplifies the process of loading and monitoring the bobbin. I don’t find front-loading bobbins user-friendly at all because there’s a lot of manipulation with sewing machine parts involved. Also, drop-in systems let you easily see how much thread is left, which reduces your chances of playing “bobbin chicken”.
5. Speed control is a game-changer for beginners. It allows you to sew at a pace that feels comfortable, which helps build confidence and reduce mistakes. Most pedals will allow you to control speed, but getting the feeling right is a big learning curve. The speed control slider (or dial) will throttle maximum speed and gives you more control over tricker parts of your sewing process such as topstitching. This feature is mostly seen on Brother machines!
6. A mechanical needle threader saves time and eliminates the frustration of threading the needle by hand. This is a mechanism where you simply hook your thread through a spring that will do the job for you!

Finally, while it is not a feature in and out of itself, look out for a lightweight machine that is easier to move and store. This is ideal if as a beginner, you do not have a dedicated sewing space and/or you plan to take your machine to sewing lessons or sewing outings with friends (which I highly recommend you do!). Around 5-6kg max. should be an acceptable weight for a beginner sewing machine.

Drop-in Bobbin system: easily accessible for faster to threading!	Speed control: especially helpful at the beginning where speed is scary and messy.
Adjustable needle position: allows you to shift the needle in small increments.	Needle threader: a spring that allows you to thread your needle within seconds!

🤔 Still undecided? While many sewists like to go for lighthouse models that appear all over Instagram or TikTok (aka the Singer Heavy Duty), having done the comparison, I'd much rather go for a model that's less expensive yet features more essentials function. That's my personal opinion.

If I wanted a mechanical machine and could live without the needle shift, I'd go for the Brother XM2701 without hesitation. However, if I cared about the needle shift, I'd jump over the famous Heavy Duty, and straight to the Brother CS7000X to get more bang for my buck.

Should you buy a brand-name sewing machine?

• Brand-name sewing machines for beginners, such as those from Singer, Brother, Janome, Husqvarna, Babylock, Juki or Bernina, are known for their reliability, durability, and customer support. Additionally, parts and accessories for brand-name machines are more widely available — which ensures you’ll enjoy your machine for a long time, beyond its manufacturer’s guarantee and can easily upgrade.
• Off-brand machines (say for example Lidl machines) are often more affordable, but they can be a mixed bag. If you’re a beginner, this could drive up your frustration levels if something goes wrong, and it can become a limitation.

My short answer is: go for a brand machine.

Sure, it’s an initial investment. But the moment you want to add a few more presser feet to your collection or buy new needles and other accessories, you’ll be able to choose from a wide selection of compatible add-ons  that work perfectly fine.

Can you buy a sewing machine second-hand?

As a beginner, a good-quality second-hand sewing machine is often the smartest place to start — as long as it’s been serviced and comes from a reliable source. You’ll usually get a sturdier, more mechanical machine for less money, without paying extra for features you won’t use yet. A new machine can make sense if you want a warranty and zero uncertainty, but avoid very cheap “entry-level” models — they often cause more frustration than progress.

What matters most isn’t new vs second-hand, but choosing a simple, reliable machine that lets you focus on learning to sew, not fighting your equipment.

Start small, stay patient, and most importantly, have fun!

👉🏻 And if you want to join a supportive community of sewists and learn sewing hacks, please follow me on Instrgam at @Sew.Into.That in case you don’t already!