When you start shopping for a sewing machine, you’ll notice that there are so many on the market that choosing between them can be overwhelming. It’s great if you can try out each machine that interests you, but sometimes that isn’t possible. That’s why we’re here to review the top five sewing machines for beginners.
Best Chart For Beginner Sewing Machines 2018
| Picture | Name | Built -in Stitches |
|---|---|---|
 | SINGER 7258 Stylist | 100 |
 | Brother CS6000i Sewing Machine | 60 |
 | Brother XM2701 Lightweight | 27 |
 | SINGER One Plus 221 | 231 |
 | Janome 8077 | 30 |
We’ll start with one of the most trusted brands in the world of sewing: Singer. They’ve been making machines since the 1850s. Let’s take a look at one of their best models for new sewers.
SINGER 7258 Stylist 100-Stitch Computerized Sewing Machine
The 7258 Stylist is very easy for beginner sewers to use. If you have very little experience sewing, it comes with a DVD full of tutorials to help you get started. There’s also an instruction manual and a quick start guide.
Overview of the 7258 Stylist
The Stylist takes the pain out of threading needles by doing it automatically for you. You can drop the bobbin in its transparent compartment and it also takes care of threading itself. It’s resistant to jams, and has automatic thread tensioning. All of these features reduce a lot of frustration for beginners.
If you’ve had to control a sewing machine with a foot pedal, you know that uneven speeds make for bad stitching. It’s hard when you’re a beginner to keep the speed steady. Singer took all the work out of that for you on the Stylist 7258. Slide the speed control switch to go as fast or slow as you want, then hit the stop/start button to begin or end.
Unlike a lot of beginner machines, this one offers 100 pre-programmed stitches. You can sew clothing, make buttonholes, quilt, and do crafts. Select the stitch and see confirmation of your choice on the LCD screen. You can also adjust the length and width of the stitch.
You can program the needle to stop where you need it. For example, if you are finishing a project, have it halt in the highest position to make it easy to remove the fabric. If you are doing appliqué and need to rotate your material, have it stop in the down position. There are thirteen needle positions available.
Besides all these helpful features, the Stylist 7258 has power to sew equally well through stretchy material and denim. The weight of the machine makes it less portable, but it helps it stay put on your work table while you sew. The only thing this machine lacks is a free arm for sewing hems and cuffs with ease.
What we like
- The Stylist 7258 is very easy to use, but has enough features that you won’t outgrow it right away.
- Threading and tensioning are automatic, and the drop-in bobbin is jam-resistant.
- 100 pre-programmed stitches cover basic garment sewing as well as heirloom crafts and quilting.
- While you’re working, there is a bright LED light that keeps your sewing area lit even if the rest of the room is dim.
- It comes with ten snap-on presser feet and other accessories that store in a drawer in the base of the machine.
- Singer offers a 25-year warranty.
What we don’t like
- We wish the Stylist 7258 had a free arm to make it easier to hem pants and sew cuffs.
Brother CS6000i Sewing Machine with 60 Built-In Stitches
The Brother CS6000i is a delightful machine for beginning crafters and quilters. It comes with a large quilting table, a walking foot, and a quilting foot. If you like to quilt, it’s ready for you. There’s even a monogramming foot so you can add a very personal touch to your finished project.
Overview
This Brother machine is great for beginners because it teaches you as you use it. If you set up the machine wrong, like with a presser foot that doesn’t match the stitch you chose, the CS6000i will warn you about the error before you start to work.
Like the Singer Stylist 7258, the CS6000i has a variable speed control switch that lets you sew without using the foot pedal. Just hit the start button and the machine keeps a steady pace for you.
You won’t waste time setting up this machine for a project. It has automatic threading and a drop-in bobbin that self-winds. In case you’re unsure how to set up the bobbin, there is a helpful graphic printed on the machine that shows you how it’s done.
The 60 pre-programmed stitches make the CS6000i useful for everything from crafting to sewing clothes. The free arm makes cuffs and hems easy to sew.
What we like
- The large quilting table has a quilting guide on it.
- This is a free arm machine.
- The manual is in both English and Spanish, plus there are helpful instructions printed on the machine itself.
- It has a hard protective case and comes with accessory feet for zippers, button-fitting, quilting, monogramming, and more.
- Accessories store inside a drawer in the machine.
- Setup is practically automatic with a drop-in bobbin and easy threading.
- The machine warns if it isn’t set up correctly for the type of stitch selected.
- The six-part feed dog keeps fabric moving smoothly under the needle.
- Brother offers a 25-year limited warranty with free phone support.
What we don’t like
- It doesn’t have automatic thread tensioning.
- There’s no built-in memory to save stitch combinations when the machine is turned off.
Brother XM2701 Lightweight, Full-Featured Sewing Machine with 27 Stitches
The Brother XM2701 is a simple and portable machine that pleases both new and expert sewers. It has 27 built-in stitches that cover basic garment sewing and some crafting.
Overview
The XM2701 comes with an instructional DVD, bilingual manual, and free phone support for the life of the machine. You can call Brother to get instructions from an expert on how to use the XM2701. Besides all these helps, it has some of the same easy-to-use features as other two machines described above.
It has a built-in needle threader and a drop-in self-winding bobbin. Even the buttonhole maker adjusts the size of the buttonhole automatically. Snap on one of the six presser feet, select a stitch, and all you’ll need is thread to get started.
The XM2701 lays down neat, even stitches in stretchy fabrics, but struggles a bit in thick denim or multiple layers of material. The only other con to the XM2701 is that the presser foot lever is located underneath the arm, so it’s a little hard to reach.
What we like
- It comes with all the presser feet needed for basic sewing as well as extra needles and bobbins.
- The instructional DVD and free phone support is very helpful for learning how to use the machine.
- Stitch type and size selection is as easy as turning a dial.
- The machine is lightweight and portable.
- Brother offers a 25-year limited warranty.
What we don’t like
- There is no automatic thread tensioning.
- There is no free arm.
- While it’s good for beginners, experienced sewers may outgrow this machine quickly.
SINGER One Plus 221-Stitch Computerized Sewing Machine
The Singer One Plus has 221 built-in stitches, including alphabet letters and numbers. If you like to do home decoration projects, this machine was made especially for you. It will help you excel at quilting and appliquéing as well as garment sewing.
Overview
On the One Plus, sewing starts off frustration-free with the automatic needle threader and auto-winding drop-in bobbin. In fact, this machine can almost do a project for you by itself.
The presser foot sensor makes sure the presser foot is in the correct position for your project. If you want to do free motion embroidery, you can drop the feed dogs with the push of a lever. The twin needles can be programmed to stop at the best position to either remove material from the machine or pivot fabric.
If you like to quilt, the extra-high presser foot lifter makes it a lot easier to move fabric. The One Plus has a large 14.7-inch free arm work space. This makes sewing sleeves, hemming cuffs, and quilting so much easier to do.
When you select a stitch on the One Plus, you can elongate some of them up to three times their normal length. The maximum width ranges up to a wide 7mm. The machine has the ability to memorize combinations of stitches so you can repeat a personalized design. With a top speed of 750 stitches-per-minute, a one-push Tacking Stitch Button, and automatic thread cutting, it won’t take you long to complete your next project.
What we like
- It has easy-to-use features that novices will love and experts will appreciate.
- The large workspace, programmable needle height, and the ability to drop the feed dogs makes very simple to manipulate embroideries, quilts, and more.
- This is a free arm machine.
- 221 stitches to choose from means you’ll never outgrow this machine.
- Singer offers a 25-year limited warranty.
What we don’t like
- We tried to find a con, but there just wasn’t one on this machine.
Janome 8077 Computerized Sewing Machine with 30 Built-In Stitches
If you want to sew clothes and make basic home decoration crafts, the Janome 8077 is a reliable free arm machine that’s powerful and straightforward to use.
Overview
To start, this machine threads itself and winds the jam-proof bobbin automatically. The see-through bobbin cover lets you keep an eye on how much thread is left.
The 8077 has automatic thread tension so you can count on it laying down neat, tight stitches. You won’t need to use the foot pedal to control stitch speed. The start/stop button and the three-speed slider switch take care of it for you. The machine won’t let you sew off the edge of the fabric either, so you don’t get jams.
All these features take away the hassle that new sewers face when using a sewing machine. But there are more benefits than just those. On the 8077, you can also program the needle to halt in either up or down position. “Up” lets you remove the work as you finish sewing. “Down” lets you rotate the fabric to go around a corner.
One reason why the 8077 doesn’t jam is the 7-point feed dog design. More points mean that your fabric moves smoothly under the needle so your sewing is practically effortless. It also means that you can sew tougher materials like denim without it bunching up.
If you want to sew hems or cuffs on sleeves and pants, the 8077 is a free-arm machine. Just remove the extension arm and you can do free-arm sewing. If you want to make buttonholes, this machine does them with one push of a button. You can insert the included buttonhole foot and then select one of 3 different styles. The machine will repeat the stitch to reinforce it if you like.
The 30 built-in stitches cover all the basics for home sewing and a few for decorative work, too. The maximum stitch length is 5mm. Once you choose the stitch, you can set the size. The presser feet snap on without tools. There are three included with the machine and others sold separately.
What we like
- This is a simple machine that handles basic garment construction without fuss.
- Everything it does, it does well, from the automatic threading and bobbin-winding to one-step buttonholes.
- It has anti-jam features that keep novice sewers from common errors.
- The free arm capability is essential for sewing sleeves and cuffs.
- It’s possible to sew with the speed selector instead of the foot pedal.
What we don’t like
- It comes with only three presser feet.
- Limited features mean sewers who like crafting may outgrow it quickly.
Now that you’ve seen the top 5 sewing machines for beginners, let’s look at why we selected them.
Buying Guide
Having a sewing machine at home gives you the freedom to create your own clothing, personal items, and decorations. Everything can be customized just the way you want it, from the size and fit, to the number of pockets, and how it’s embroidered. In order to complete your projects successfully, first you’ll want to decide what kind of machine you’ll need.
Will you be sewing clothing? Quilting? Making decorative projects or accessories? A mix of all of these?
Clothing
Any of these five machines work well for sewing clothing. Some of them are capable of a lot of decorative stitching while others are not.
For basic clothing construction, we recommend the Janome 8077, the Singer 7258 Stylist, or the Brother XM2701. The Janome and the Singer can handle denim and thick materials better than the Brother machine can, but the Brother is more portable.
For advanced clothing design, choose the Singer One Plus. Its wide range of stitches make it possible to sew heirloom clothing like christening dresses.
If you want a free arm machine for easy sewing of collars, cuffs, and sleeves, look at the Brother CS6000i, the Singer One Plus, and the Janome 8077.
Quilting
The Singer One Plus and the Brother CS6000i are perfect for quilting projects. The Brother CS6000i is made especially for this type of sewing with a large workspace and quilting guide.
Decorative projects and accessories
The Singer One Plus, the Singer 7258 Stylist, and the Brother CS6000i are all ideal for decorative projects and craft sewing.
Beginner’s Guide to Sewing Machines
We know that people new to sewing may be unfamiliar with certain terms. To help with that, let’s define a few of the ones we use in this review.
Feed dog—Look underneath the needle at the stitch plate. The feed dogs are the the metal bars with teeth that move the fabric along as you sew. Having more of them means easier sewing in thick fabric.
Free arm—The bottom part of the sewing machine breaks away to reveal a narrow arm that doesn’t come in contact with the surface on which the machine is resting. This allows you to work easier with collars, cuffs, and sleeves.
Presser feet—These are literally the feet that “walk” over the top of the fabric while you sew. Different styles include buttonhole, zipper, and quilting feet. Most modern machines have snap-on feet that don’t need tools to change.
Common challenges faced by novice sewers and how to solve them
When you’re new to using a sewing machine, here are a few things that tend to happen.
Uneven stitching
If you have a machine with automatic tensioning, or if you use the speed control instead of the foot pedal, you’ll have less problems with uneven stitching.
Wiggly fabric
If the material you’re sewing is moving around loosely, check to see if the presser foot is lowered.
Needle loses the thread
Pull a few inches through the needle before you start. You can always trim it off later.
While you wait for your new sewing machine to arrive
We hope you enjoyed this buyer’s guide to the best sewing machines for beginners. Check out our collection of the top craft blogs to follow to get brilliant ideas for your next projects.
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