The Best Sewing Machine For Starters-Our Reviews!

December 4, 2017

Top 3 Picks for Best Sewing Machine For Starters

Award Product Image Product Title Price Buy
Our Top Pick Brother Sewing and...image Brother Sewing and Quilting Machine, CS6000i, 60 Built-in Stitches, 2.0" LCD Display, Wide Table, 9 Included Sewing Feet, Beige/Blue $438.88
Editors Choice Janome 2212 Sewing...image Janome 2212 Sewing Machine Includes Exclusive Bonus Bundle $186.00

Just starting out in the great hobby of sewing and looking for the best sewing machine for starters? You have come to the right place! When you start out in a hobby, you want to buy equipment that works well, is easy to use, but doesn't cost a ton of money. That is where we come in. We will review our top pick, plus show you other sewing machines that would also work well for beginning sewers. So just sit back and enjoy our review. We will make this as painless as possible.

Best Sewing Machine For Starters
asian woman in sewing machine

Best Sewing Machine for Starters Comparison Chart

Here is a great comparison chart for the best sewing machine for starters. Hopefully, it will help you make your purchasing decision.

Best Sewing Machine for Starters-What To Look For

If you are a beginner, you probably fall into 2 different categories. Either you are a child and were given the machine as a gift, or you are a teenager/adult who is looking to purchase their own sewing machine and start a new hobby. Here are some things to look for when purchasing the best sewing machine for starters:

User Friendly-obviously if you are looking for a sewing machine for a beginner you need the machine to be user friendly. You don't want the beginner to become frustrated with the sewing machine and give up on the hobby! The sewing machine should have easy to read instructions with diagrams. Also, you don't need all the bells and whistles on this machine. That can come later when you are looking to upgrade. It should be ready to sew right out of the box if possible.

Price-You don't want to purchase an expensive sewing machine when you are looking for one for a starter. There is plenty of time for upgrading to a better machine in the future. The sewing machines that we are showing you in this article are fairly inexpensive.

Built in Stitches- Having built in stitches makes it very easy for a newbie to sew. All of the machines in this article have plenty of built in stitches. Once you master these stitches, you can search the internet for more!

Accessories included- This is very important when purchasing the best sewing machine for starters. You want most or all of the accessories included with the sewing machine so you don't have to scour the internet and stores searching for the proper accessories.

Presser feet- Make sure the presser feet are included with the sewing machine. Makes life easier.

Brand name sewing machine- I am sure that there are some non brand named sewing machines that would do just fine for a starter, but we would recommend you purchase a good, brand named sewing machine. We would go with a Brother, Janome, Singer or other bigger company sewing machine.

Best Sewing Machine for Starters-Our Reviews

Now that we have given you some of the features that you want to look for when purchasing the best sewing machine for starters, we can give you our reviews. If you notice, all of these machines have most or all of the features we recommend. That is why they have made our list!! Without further ado, here are the reviews:

OUR TOP PICK: Brother CS6000i

Of all the sewing machines we researched and used, our top pick for the best sewing machine for starters is the Brother CS6000i sewing machine.  Not only is it the top selling sewing machine on Amazon, it is also our top pick. We absolutely loved the simplicity of this machine. You will be able to learn how to sew with a sewing machine the right way with this machine. It is sturdy, well built and easy to use. Although it probably is too advanced for a young child, it is perfect for an adult or young adult. Here are some of the features that we loved about the Brother CS6000i sewing machine:

  • User Friendly-like we said above, for a sewing machine to work for a beginner, it must be user friendly and the Brother CS6000i is no exception. The user manual is very easy to follow and the diagrams are very easy to read and understand. The setup guide is simple to read and the sewing machine is a piece of cake to setup. Threading the needle and replacing the bobbin are super simple. The speed control is easy to adjust and perfect for beginners.
  • Built in Stiches- well, if you are looking for a beginning sewing machine with a lot of built in stitches, the Brother CS6000i is perfect for you. It comes with 60 built in stitches. If you master all 60 of these stitches, we will consider you an expert. But take your time and learn one stitch at a time.
  • Price- this is one of the top sewing machines for the money. You will not break the bank purchasing this sewing machine. It also allows you to learn more difficult stitches without buying a different sewing machine.
  • You can also quilt- if you are looking to learn how to quilt, this is a great sewing machine to use for quilting.
  • Automatic needle threader- this is really nice for someone starting out in sewing. You will really like this feature
  • Adjustable sewing speed- another great feature for a sewing beginner. It lets you sew as slow or as fast as you want.
  • 9 presser feet included- no need to look for more
  • Brightly lit sewing area- in case you need extra light to sew, the Brother CS6000i sewing machine has excellent lighting.
  • Great company- Brother is one of or the top sewing machine company in the world. You cannot go wrong purchasing a Brother sewing machine.
  • Wide table- it comes with a nice, wide table in case you are working on a project that requires it. Nice to have.

Some of the things that we don't like:

  • Vibrates if it goes too fast

Here are some others that made our list of the best sewing machine for starters:

EDITORS CHOICE: Janome 2212 Sewing Machine

This is a great sewing machine for starters. It is easy to use, the price is very friendly, and it has everything which you need to start on your swing journey. The design of the sewing machine is classic. The white body is highlighted by shades of green and black lettering, making the controls intuitive and easy to read. Children will feel as much at home on this machine as adults will. Having said that, there are also enough features to keep intermediate and even advanced users interested. Let’s take a look at the features.

This is a machine which keeps things simple. This will attract new users. It is also a machine which still provides a lot of functionality. There 12 built-in stitches, which is above the cheapest sewing machines. A straight stitch is always expected, and you will also benefit from buttonhole stitches, zigzag stitches, reverse stitches and decorative stitches. The dial also makes it easy to choose between them. A second dial, next to the stitch dial, will let you change the length and width of the stitch with a quick turn.

We like the option to move the needle to a second position when you are stitching. If you have thicker fabrics, or fabrics with a different weave, it can be hard to sew on them. Having the option to change the needle position takes this problem way. The drop feed also allows you to mix up your stitching. If you are the kind of person who likes to stitch by hand, or use free-motion stitching for items such as quilts, then you will have the freedom to do so. The reverse stitch is also accessed at the touch of a button, making it easy to switch direction when you are stitching and secure stitches when you need to.

You are probably not going to be sewing in the dark but, if you are, you have a light at your disposal. This is also great for when you are doing detail work. If you are having trouble threading your needle or trying to unblock a jam or tangle, then the extra light will be a welcome addition.

Something else which we appreciate is the front-loading bobbin. You can easily get to the thread should it become tangled, without having to completely remove your fabric and backtrack on your project. The built-in thread cutter is also something which we love. It may not seem like a big deal, but that simple addition saves you having to look for your scissors to make a cut.

This is a really easy-to-use machine. The extra touches, such as the lamp, the thread cutter, and the front-loading bobbing, make it a great tool for beginners or experienced users. The instruction manual is easy to read and understand, as are the controls. A large part of the user experience is the ability to get the machine going without reaching for the instruction manual. While a basic knowledge is needed to get any sewing machine going, this one is easy to transition to without having to read the user guide.

BEST VALUE: Brother XM2701 Sewing Machine

We love the look of this machine. It is hard to move away from the classic sewing machine, and why would you need to when the style and shape just works. This machine utilizes the classic design while adding a flourish of purple to the classic white. The machine is also extremely light for its size. The machine is compact, allowing you to easily move the sewing machine around your home or transport wherever you are going. The size and weight also makes it easy to store.

As with any sewing machine, especially ones which we can consider great for beginners, we expect them to be easy to use and the controls to be intuitive. This machine is. You can  sit down at this machine and use it without the need for much instruction. With so many features, it is essential to have a machine which is easy to use.

The bobbin is top-loading, making it quick and easy to replace the bobbin when you need to. You have a work light should you need to work in low-light conditions or have the extra illumination for detail work. You also have 27 different stitches at your disposal. Straight stitch is there, as expected, and you have many zigzag and decorative stitches to play with. Showcasing the functionality of this sewing machine is the automatic bobbin winding and the automatic needle threader. If anyone has experienced any frustration from threading a sewing machine needle, then chances are it is because of the thread not going through the eye of a needle. Th automatic threader takes that frustration away. The bobbin winder also makes it easy for beginners and exciting for experienced users.

When you compare this machine to many at the same price point, you will notice that there are 6 quick-change sewing feet. This is more than most other machines. This makes it easier for you to feed through the material through easier and reach higher speeds than other sewing machines. This makes it a great sewing machine for those beginners who want to hone their technique rather than just learning the basics. It also offers more experienced users an experience which you will not get from many more affordable machines. Even machines at the same price cannot compare to this one.

This is not a machine for a complete beginner, though it will help beginners to learn and develop. If you have some experience with sewing, then this sewing machine will take your skills to the next level. It will also bolster the skills of those who have some and lots of sewing experience. This sewing machine comes with a multitude of accessories, allowing you to start any of your sewing projects. A needle set, screwdriver, presser feet, and darning plate, among other accessories, are included to give you everything which you need.

RUNNER UP: Brother XM1010 Sewing Machine

This is a sewing machine where you know what you are getting when you first see this machine. It does not come with all the bells and whistles of other machines, but those machines often are cluttered with extras which are not needed. The focus on the core features needed on any sewing machine is a great benefit to this sewing machine, and helps to keep the price down. The price of the machine and the core features make it a great machine for anyone who is only just learning to sew.

One of the key features for a beginner is the top-loading bobbin. This makes it extremely easy to load in new bobbins and take out old ones. Front-loading bobbins have many advantages, but can be difficult to manage and handle for beginners. The clear bobbin cover also makes it easy to see when the bobbin is running out or is empty. There are also ten stitches available to you. This is less when you compare this machine to others, but for a beginner, this will give you enough variety to work on any projects which you may have at the beginning of your sewing journey.

The stitch selection is easy. With the turn of a dial, you can select between the multiple options. You also have an LED light which will illuminate your work without it getting too hot. The light is great when the light level gets low and also for focusing on details when you are completing detail work. For the price you are paying, we are happy with the power of the sewing motor. Many cheap sewing machines come with cheap motors, but this one does not. You will find that you get a lot of power when you are stitching and are able to move through materials or varying thickness. The reverse sewing lever is also easy to use, and you can seal in your stitches with ease.

One extra feature which we like is the free arm. You can easily sew cuffs and sleeves, as well as small pieces of fabric. The free arm, however, does not compromise the weight and portability of the machine. The sewing machine comes in at a little over 2 lbs., making it one of the lightest sewing machines out there (you can get lighter but you will not have the basic features which you need). The weight, combined with the size, make it an easy machine to take with you when you are on the go. You can easily take this sewing machine to a friend’s house or a sewing class.

This is a sewing machine which is firmly marketed towards beginners. Intermediate and experienced users will not get a lot of benefit from this machine, but for someone who is just starting out, the price and the functionality are perfect.

RUNNER UP: Brother XR3774 Sewing Machine

Brother has been a trusted name in the world of sewing machines for many years. This sewing machine is no different. The classic white body is accentuated with floral designs and light blue hues to create something which is beautiful to look at but also easy to understand and read. The included instructions also give a clear and concise explanation of how to use and understand the machine. There is also a DVD included to further expand on the operations of the sewing machine.

For anyone, not only beginners, an automatic needle threader is a welcome addition, and you will happy to learn that this machine has one. The automatic threader takes away a lot of the frustration in getting started with your sewing projects. There is nothing worse than trying to get thread into a needle and not being able to. When you start sewing with this machine, you will also notice that the motion is smooth and noiseless. You also have 37 stitches at your disposal. Straight stitches are there, along with zigzag stitches, buttonholes, decorative stitches, hem stitches and quilting stitches. This goes above and beyond the stitches needed for a beginner, along with many which intermediate and experienced sewing machine users will find useful.

Along with the multiple stitches available, you have a LED bulb to help you see your detailed work (or any work you are completing), a stitch selection dial which is easy to use and select stitches with, a top-loading bobbin to make it easy to reload the bobbin when needed, an automatic bobbin winding system, a free arm for sleeves, cuffs and more, and a sewing speed of 800 stitches per minute. There are also eight sewing feet to give you options for your projects. You also have the ability to stitch in reverse.

Included with this sewing machine are a number of accessories. Along with the eight sewing feet are a darning plate, twin needle, extra bobbins, extra spool pin, screwdriver, and more. The sewing machine is a little heavier than others of the same size, but at a little over 12 lbs., it is still light enough to offer great portability. You will have no problem moving the sewing machine in and out for storage as well as transporting it between locations.

This is a great sewing machine for all levels of experience. There are a lot of stitches and options from which to choose, but the helpful instruction guide and DVD offer a lot of assistance for those who have never used a sewing machine before. For beginners, you will have everything you need at your disposal. As your skills progress, you will not need to upgrade your machine. This machine has enough functionality to keep you occupied for many years.

The great part is that for such versatility, you are paying a very low price. This machine is not perfect, but it can do a lot more than its competitors. A great machine for sewing and also for quilting.

Conclusion

Well, thank you very much for stopping by our website. We hope we have given you information on the best sewing machine for starters. Like we said, our top choice for the best sewing machine for starters is the Brother CS6000i. Although the other sewing machines in the table above are excellent sewing machines, we really, really liked the Brother CS6000i. However, you can't go wrong with any of the sewing machines in the comparison table!!! Please feel free to leave a comment!!!

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