Best sewing machines for beginners: easy to use machines from Brother, Bernina, and John Lewis
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Whether it’s The Great British Sewing Bee, a friend’s enviable Instagram or pure boredom that’s inspired you to take up sewing, finding the right machine will make or break your newfound hobby.
There are numerous sewing machines targeted at beginners on the market, with Janome, Brother and Bernina among the leading brands. They tend to have a single motor and a foot pedal, which leaves your hands free to guide the fabric.
What should you look for?
Sarah Cordery, founder of fashion design agency Sarah Denise Studio, enjoys making burlesque costumes in her spare time. She recommends looking for a machine that offers straight stitch, zig zag stitch and an automatic buttonhole function, while steering clear of “anything too fancy” that might overwhelm you and put you off.
“Check that the machine you buy lets you adjust the stitch length and width,” she says. “A feature that alerts you when your bobbin is running out of thread is handy too.”
What will a beginner’s machine be able to do?
Entry level sewing machines should suffice for alterations, dressmaking and simple crafty projects, but you may want more stitch options for quilting and embroidery. Consider size and weight. Look for a lighter, more compact machine if you’ll need to move it about a lot, but go bigger and heavier if you can for better stability, clearer controls and a larger sewing area. Even the trustiest sewing machines can be temperamental and need servicing, so check that your chosen model comes with a decent warranty.
What should you pay?
In terms of what you should spend, there are plenty of affordable and reliable machines that will last you years with proper care. Beginners should expect to pay between £100 and £300 for a standard machine and between £300 and £400 for a computerised machine. We’ve included a couple of options for under £100, too, which can make good choices if you simply want to have a play or tackle odd jobs.
Ready, steady, sew!
If you’ve never heard of Pfaff, rest assured that it’s a favourite brand of many professional sewers. The Smarter range is more accessible for beginners and those on a budget, with this versatile sewing machine offering fantastic value for money.
Though fairly basic, its range of features exceeded our expectations for the price, with helpful extras including a built-in needle threader and the ability to adjust the needle position for more precise topstitching.
There are 23 stitches available, including an automatic buttonhole function. The feet snap on quickly and the funky fuschia dials for selecting your stitch, width and length add a jolly touch to the simplistic white casing.
It doesn’t damage your fabric, it has a pleasingly soft whirr and the instructions are thoughtfully written with diagrams. In short: it’s a savvy first buy that’ll go the distance.
Bernina sewing machines are the creme de la creme, but they come at a high price. Bernette is part of the Bernina family, but it’s aimed at starter sewers who are wary of splashing too much cash on a fledgling hobby.
There are 23 stitches to try, including an automatic buttonhole function, and it’s a doddle to select the pattern, width and length by turning the three big dials.
Unlike many cheaper models, you can adjust the tension using a wheel, resulting in more stable stitching. You get a generous seven snap-on presser feet to help you with a variety of sewing tasks, including hemming and adding zips, while the hidden accessory box keeps all your bits and bobs to hand.
It can sew through multiple layers of fabric without making a din and there’s an integrated needle threader for convenience. It’s a quality buy that’ll offer you more freedom as your confidence grows.
