What Is The Best Sewing Machine For Beginners?
Learning to sew is an exciting hobby – but choosing your first sewing machine can feel overwhelming. With so many brands, features, and price ranges to compare, it’s not always clear which model is best for beginners.
The good news? Modern beginner sewing machines are easier to use than ever, offering built-in stitches, automatic buttonholes, and simple setup features that make learning to sew fun instead of frustrating. Whether you’re buying your first sewing machine for yourself, a friend, or a family member, finding one that’s reliable, beginner-friendly, and great value for money is key.
In this complete guide, we’ll break down what to look for in a beginner sewing machine – from stitch variety and bobbin types to ease of threading – and share our top 5 beginner sewing machine recommendations. These models from trusted brands like Brother, Janome, and Singer offer the right balance of simplicity, quality, and long-term reliability to help you build your sewing skills with confidence.
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Beginner Sewing Machine Buyers Guide
Buying your first sewing machine can feel confusing, but once you understand the basics, it’s actually quite simple. Below are the key things to consider before choosing your ideal beginner sewing machine.
What Type of Sewing Projects Will You Do?
Before choosing your first machine, think about the types of sewing projects you’ll be working on most often. Different projects call for different features – here’s a quick guide:
- Dressmaking or alterations: A simple, versatile model with straight and zigzag stitches is more than enough for hemming, patching, and garment adjustments.
- Embroidery or free-motion work: Look for a machine that allows you to lower the feed dogs for full fabric control. You can explore our full guide to the Best Embroidery Machines
- Quilting: If you plan to make quilts or work with multiple layers of fabric, a dedicated quilting or wide-arm machine offers the extra space and power you’ll need. See our comparison of the Best Quilting Sewing Machines
- Upholstery or denim: For thick or heavy fabrics, a heavy-duty sewing machine is essential. These models feature stronger motors and durable frames. Check out our guide to the Best Heavy-Duty Sewing Machines
And if you’ll mainly be sewing clothing, it’s worth reading our in-depth guide to Overlockers (Sergers), they give your garments a clean, professional finish just like store-bought clothes.
Mechanical vs Computerised Sewing Machines
One of the first decisions to make when buying your first sewing machine is whether to choose a mechanical or a computerised model. Both have their advantages, it all depends on how you like to sew.
Mechanical sewing machines are ideal for beginners. They’re straightforward, durable, and easy to control, using manual dials and levers to adjust stitch length, width, and tension. With fewer electronic components, they also tend to last longer and require less maintenance.
Computerised sewing machines, on the other hand, come with digital displays, automatic settings, and a much wider range of stitches. Many models include built-in memory, speed control, and programmable stitch patterns – perfect if you plan to grow your skills or tackle more detailed projects.
If you’re just starting out, a mechanical model is usually the best first step. But if you want something that can grow with you as your skills improve, a computerised sewing machine might be worth the extra investment.
How Many Stitches Do You Really Need?
It’s easy to be tempted by machines that advertise 100+ stitches, but most beginners only use a few.
A good beginner sewing machine should include:
- Straight stitch
- Zigzag stitch
- A stretch stitch for knits
- A buttonhole function
Around 15–25 built-in stitches is more than enough for most beginner projects. Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can look for models with decorative and specialty stitches later on.
1-Step vs. 4-Step Buttonholes
Buttonholes come in two types:
- 1-Step Buttonhole: Fully automatic – the machine does most of the work for you. Perfect for beginners.
- 4-Step Buttonhole: Requires more manual input and repositioning between steps but is easy to learn with a little practice.
If you’re a complete beginner, choose a machine with a 1-step buttonhole function if your budget allows.
Bobbin Type – Front or Top Loading?
Bobbins come in two main types:
- Top-loading (drop-in) bobbins are clear, easy to insert, and rarely jam. You can also see when thread is running low.
- Front-loading bobbins are more traditional and often found in older or budget models.
Top-loading bobbins are generally the best option for beginners thanks to their reliability and simplicity.
Built-In Needle Threader
Threading a needle can be frustrating, especially for new sewists.
Many newer machines include an automatic needle threader – a small feature that makes a big difference.
Just note that some budget models have finicky threaders that can be more trouble than they’re worth, so read user reviews before buying.
Presser Feet & Attachments
Presser feet hold your fabric flat while sewing, and different types help with different tasks (zipper insertion, hemming, buttonholes, etc.).
Most beginner sewing machines come with 3–6 presser feet, which is enough to get started. Look for snap-on feet, which are faster and easier to change than screw-on types.
You can always buy extra presser feet later for specialty projects.
Accessories & Extras
Extra accessories can make a big difference in value. Look for machines that include:
- Spare bobbins and needles
- Seam ripper and screwdriver
- Dust cover or carry bag
- Instructional DVD or online tutorials
Brother and Janome often include beginner-friendly guides that make setup much easier.
Top 5 Best Sewing Machine for Beginners
Now that you are prepared with all the information for buying a beginner sewing machine its time to take a look at what i consider to be the best models for those new to sewing.
1. Brother SH40 Computerised Sewing Machine
The Brother SH40 is the first model in my top recommendations. If you are looking for a great starter machine for to sewing, the SH40 from Brother is a good choice as it does have some very positive attributes and features. It is not the cheapest or most basic on this list, however it is a very solid machine that will future proof your journey and it will be a long time until you will need to upgrade to a new machine.
The SH40 is a new model from Brother and is the updated version of the widely popular Brother FS40 that has been one of our recommendations for a long time.
This machine boasts a has 40 sewing stitches that are listed on the front of the machine, 5 styles of convenient 1-step buttonholes. With a maximum sewing speed of 750 stitches per minute, it allows for swift completion of projects without sacrificing precision. It also has adjustable sewing speed and a start/stop button, a built-in needle threader and nice and easy drop in bobbin system making it very very simple to set up and use.
The design is compact and very durable, weighing only 4.5kg it is simple to move and for instance bring to a sewing class. Another positive feature is the adjustable stitch length and width, the maximum stitch width of 7 mm and stitch length of 5 mm are ideal for a variety of sewing tasks.
With excellent customer feedback and at a affordable price the Brother SH40 makes a a perfect choice for an affordable entry model.
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2. Brother LS14 Sewing Machine
The Brother LS14 is the most popular sewing machine in the UK and it ranks highly in many sewing machine reviews. Similar in price to the Singer 1507 sewing machine it is another super affordable entry model.
In terms of features the Brother LS14 has a bit more to it than our previous model making it better value for money. In total there are 14 stitches with this machine and it also comes with a 4-step buttonhole.
The bobbin is top loading and it is also see through which allows you to see how much thread is left at all times.
Featuring a metal chassis for durability and a sturdy and robust design ensures it is built to last, unlike with plenty of other cheap sewing machines. It also has a 50W motor that has enough power to be able to stitch through at least 4 layers of denim.
In my opinion this is another very good model for beginners as it is very affordable and it has enough stitches and presser feet to introduce a newcomer without overwhelming them. With 4.5 stars on Amazon from over 1000 customer reviews, you can be pretty sure this is a top quality sewing machine. The full review of the Brother LS14 can be read here.
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3. Brother AE1700 Sewing Machine
Another model by the Brother brand and this time its the Brother AE1700, which i recommend as been the best value beginner model in the UK. In terms of price, it is in the same region as the first two models only it has more to offer.
With 17 stitches in total including straight, zigzag and decorative it offers a good variety for a newcomer. There is a 4-step buttonhole, which allows for the sewing of different size buttonholes.
It features a drop-in bobbin and for ease and convenience an automatic bobbin winder, which eliminates winding the bobbin by manually.
There is a built-in LED light as opposed to a traditional bulb. Traditional bulbs tend to make the thread look a different colour than it actually is, an LED light eliminates this minor problem
It also has a reverse sewing lever for locking off stitches and finally a twin needle and zipper foot.
If you are tempted by any of the sewing machines in my reviews so far, i hope it is this one. The AE1700 Sewing machine is the clear winner when it comes to the best sewing machines costing around £100. Durable, portable, highly functional, very practical and simple to use it is the perfect model for a beginner. Furthermore it comes with an instructional sewing DVD, which may come in handy if you are struggling. The manual is also available online here. We also have a more thorough review of the AE1700 here: Brother AE1700 Sewing Machine My Full In-Depth Review.
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4. Janome 2200XT Sewing Machine
Janome are one of my favourite brands their sewing machines are always very high quality, robust and built to last. The Janome 2200XT is one of their entry models and it comes highly recommended for both beginners and more experienced users of sewing machines.
Featuring 22 stitches and with a good variety the 2200XT is ideal for more complex sewing projects than our previous featured models. It has a 4-step buttonhole function which is straightforward to use.
There is a maximum stitch width of 4mm and a maximum stitch length of 5mm.
In total it comes with 6 presser feet which are the standard foot, hemming foot, overcasting foot, satin stitch foot, sliding buttonhole foot and a zipper foot. All in all a good selection to get you going. In addition there is the option of course to buy additional presser feet. These can cost anything between £5 and £15. For roughly £15 you can get a full set of presser feet on Amazon which is the cheapest supplier I have managed to find in all my years sewing.
To sum up the Janome 2200XT provides excellent quality at a reasonable price. Like all the models in our reviews it comes with very good customer feedback which is always a very good sign. Our full review of the 2200XT can be found here: My Review Of The Janome 2200XT.
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5. Singer Talent 3321 Sewing Machine
The Talent 3321 from the Singer brand is my top pick for a number of reasons. First of all it comes with the best customer reviews out of all beginner models in my reviews, a good sign for sure. Then there is the fact it is a Singer, which is another very good attribute. After all they do make some of the best sewing machines and have been doing so for a very long time.
In total it comes with 21 stitches, which is plenty for a first time sewing machine. There is the usual 4-step buttonhole that all entry models come with. Then there is also a built-in needle threader and it works a treat at taking the hassle out of threading needles. It also come with an adjustable stitch length and width which is another good feature to have.
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Final Words
Hopefully with the help of my beginner’s guide to the best sewing machine for beginner you have managed to learn a thing or two. If you have read the full guide then you will be far better prepared for when you do decide to buy a sewing machine. If you didn’t manage to find a model for your needs or budget in my recommendations then be sure to check out my sewing machine reviews out. Here you can find out all the information you need to know about each individual model available in the UK.
If you think I have missed anything out in my beginner’s guide then please leave a message in the comment section. Furthermore if you have any questions comment in the section below and i will do my best to help.
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