Learning to sew? You'll want the best sewing machine for beginners to help you as you learn the ropes. Sewing is an incredibly useful skill, meaning you can create your own clothing, design home decor, or produce textile art - but it'll cost you, so it's important to carefully balance your choices while still getting a machine that can tackle whatever you plan to throw at it.
Right now, we think the Singer Heavy Duty 4423 is the best beginner sewing machine overall based on our extensive testing, as well as user feedback, and a comprehensive comparison of features and specifications, but we've included a variety of machines for different needs and price points below, including both mechanical and computerised options at various price points to accommodate different requirements.
If you require more advanced features, though, check out our guide to the best sewing machines overall. Crafters, meanwhile, may also be interested in our roundup of the best Cricut machines.
We rate this mechanical option as the best option for a beginner sewing machine that will last, and it can handle denim and other tough fabrics with ease. We found it to be easy to use and super fast, although the speed can make it a little noisy. Read more below
If you only need to do basic mending tasks, fully fledged machines are overkill. The Singer M1000 is as a 'Mending Machine' rather than a sewing machine. So while you can't vary stitch length, it's hard to beat for value. Read more below
Lightweight and easy to use, this computerised sewing machine checks a lot of boxes for beginners. It's also pleasantly quiet, and can handle multiple layers of fabric - even denim. With 30 built-in stitches and a jam-proof top drop-in bobbin, it's a great machine to learn the ropes with. Read more below
Here's a good choice for beginners looking for computerised machine that has plenty to stretch their skills further down the line. With 203 stitches and a removable wide extension table, this machine will serve as a great first machine. Read more below
This is a great beginner machine due to its easy-to-use speed selector and interface, making stitch and speed choices simple. I particularly like how the easy to navigate interface displays the foot you should use for the stitch you have selected. Read more below
This is a great beginner machine for kids, with two speed settings, a top thread and an underthread, a retractable holder for a reel of thread, a replacement needle, and it's wonderfully easy to use. Read more below
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The best sewing machine overall
(Image credit: Singer)
01. Singer Heavy Duty 4423
A fast, well made and practical sewing machine for beginners
Our expert review:
Specifications
Size: 6.25 x 15.5 x 12 inches
Weight: 6.58 kg
Number of stitches: 23 built-in stitches including basic, stretch, decorative, and buttonhole stitches
Reasons to buy
+
High sewing speed
+
Easy to use
+
Automatic buttonhole stitch
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23 built-in stitches
Reasons to avoid
-
No hard case
The Singer Heavy Duty 4423 is the best beginner sewing machine if you're looking for something that will last. This mechanical machine will stay the course beyond your first few years of sewing. This durable machine has a motor that’s 60% stronger than standard machines, enabling it to handle denim and other tough fabrics with ease.
Although I've chosen it with longevity in mind, the Singer Heavy Duty 4423 is still easy to use from the outset with simple dials for selecting your stitch and its length. Whilst as a mechanical machine it doesn’t have a vast amount of decorative stitch options, its 23 built-in stitches are more than enough for sewing with any fabric.
In our Singer Heavy Duty 4423 review, we found this is also a very quick machine, capable of sewing up to 1,100 stitches per minute, which is impressive whether you're new to, or experienced, with sewing machines. The only downside is this speed can make it a little noisy.
A great value beginner sewing machine for everyday mending
Our expert review:
Specifications
Size: 28.96 x 12.95 x 23.88cm
Weight: 2.49kg
Number of stitches: 4 built-in stitches
Reasons to buy
+
Great value for money
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Easy to use
+
Light and portable
Reasons to avoid
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You may outgrow it quickly
Start sewing for under $100 / £110! This basic cheap sewing machine from Singer can handle many everyday mending tasks (it's billed as a 'Mending Machine' rather than a sewing machine). And this may be all that many beginners need. It's very compact, lightweight and portable, and it does create a decent stitch, making it great for quick fixes if you want a machine you can easily store away when not in use. It has four built-in stitches, three needle positions and can hit 350 stitches per minute.
Just be aware that if you do get more into sewing, you may outgrow this machine very quickly. You can't vary the stitch length and the weak motor can't deal with anything thicker than a layer or two of denin (it will just stop working as a safety measure). So while the cheap price makes sense if you don't see yourself wanting to do more complex work in the future, it could be a false economy if you do develop further and find you have to upgrade.
The best computerised sewing machine for beginners
(Image credit: Brother)
03. Brother CP2160R
A computerised beginner sewing machine with a great display
Our expert review:
Specifications
Size: 6.65 x 16.26 x 12.21 inches
Weight: 6.44 kg
Number of stitches: 60 built-in stitches, including utility, decorative, heirloom and auto-size buttonholes
Reasons to buy
+
Excellent LCD display
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Low price for a computerised sewing machine
Reasons to avoid
-
Instructions could be better
The Brother CP2160R computerised sewing machine is that rare thing, a highly specced machine from a respected brand below £200. I think this feature-packed machine is an absolute steal.
I’d also say it’s one of the prettiest machines around. With a clear LCD display and push buttons it's very easy to select your stitch, stitch length and width from an impressive 60 built-in stitch options.
I am extremely impressed to find seven different buttonhole options on a machine at this price, too. Thanks in part to the included automatic needle threader, the Brother CP2160R is also easy to set up and get stitching with straight away.
Being a computerised machine there's some assumptions on Brother's part that you'll have some experience, which is why perhaps the instructions are a little lacking in detail. But you can find videos online to help, and once up and running the Brother CP2160R is excellent.
A more complete sewing machine for beginners and improvers
Our expert review:
Specifications
Size: 13 x 22 x 15 inches
Weight: 9.77 kg
Number of stitches: 203 built-in stitches, including one-step buttonhole
Reasons to buy
+
Small but useful LCD display
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Features a lot of built-in stitches
Reasons to avoid
-
Perhaps too many stitches for beginners
I think the Singer 5560 (also called the Singer Fashion Mate 5560) is particularly good for beginners looking for computerised machine that has plenty to stretch their skills further down the line. With 203 stitches and a removable wide extension table, this machine will serve as a great first machine if you have quilting on the list of things you want to be able to do with your machine.
The Singer 5560 has a lot of built-in stitches so a beginner may find it a little overwhelming but it ensures this machine can grow with your skill level. The small LCD display makes it easy to see the stitch you’re using at all times, so there is help to get used to this kind of machine.
A fantastic quality sewing machine for beginners, but at a price
Our expert review:
Specifications
Size: 13 x 22 x 15 inches
Weight: 5.76 kg
Number of stitches: 50 built-in stitches including three one-step buttonholes
Reasons to buy
+
50 built-in stitches for every occasion
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Well made and will last you
+
Lightweight for taking to classes
Reasons to avoid
-
A little expensive for beginners
I've selected the Janome 14412-P MOD-50 as I think this is a great beginner machine due to its easy-to-use speed selector and interface, making stitch and speed choices simple. I particularly like how the easy to navigate interface displays the foot you should use for the stitch you have selected, which makes it great for first-time sewists.
It’s the only machine on my list with the option to select your speed and the slower speed option can be very useful when you’re just starting out. This is also one of the lighter sewing machines in this guides, making it ideal for taking to classes and a friend's house for a sewing session.
The Janome 14412-P MOD-50 takes its name from the 50 built in stitches so the machine will still serve you well once you’re up and running at full speed. Overall this is an excellent sewing machine for beginners but it's also one of the more expensive on this list.
Number of stitches: One, it's only capable of the running stitch
Reasons to buy
+
50 built-in stitches for every occasion
+
Well made and will last you
+
Lightweight for taking to classes
Reasons to avoid
-
A little expensive for beginners
If the young creative in your life isn't quite ready to try out a more complex model, the Theo Klein 7901 is a great start. It features a safeguard and comes with a pedal, allowing its user to get used to the process without being in any danger. It keeps things simple, with just one stitch on offer - the old faithful running stitch.
It's affordable, too, but that does come at the expense of some complexity. Plus, it's battery-powered rather than electric, which might be annoying if you want to use it frequently. However, it does mean it's a lot more portable!
For just learning the ropes and getting a quick start on the fundamentals, the Theo Klein 7901 children's sewing machine is a fantastic way to learn the ropes.
How to choose the best sewing machines for beginners
There are a number of things everyone buying a beginner sewing machine should consider, including whether you want a mechanical or computerised machine, what built-in stitches it features (look for type rather than number), you'll want a good warranty and finally think about the weight – as a beginner you'll want to take it to classes or a friend's house to practise.
How we chose the best beginner sewing machines for this guide
For over more than a decade online, Creative Bloq has been reviewing and tesing a wide range of craft tools, including sewing machines. Our craft reviewers test devices in real life situations with different fabrics and techniques to compare how they perform in practice.
We evaluate capabilities, build quality, features and easy of use. We also compare manufacturers' specifications and consider pricing to factor in value as part of our evaluation. When deciding which devices to include in our buying guides, we only select those that we have given at least three stars.
Are computerised or mechanical options the best sewing machines for beginners?
Both computerised and mechanical sewing machines can be good sewing machines for beginners, each with their own advantages. Mechanical machines typically have fewer built-in stitches and buttonhole options but are simple to use and easily repaired. A computerised machine can store more information and therefore offer more functions and stitch designs.
Which sewing machine brands are good for beginners?
The main brands we'd recommend would be Janome, Singer, Brother and Bernette; these often have good sewing machines for beginners that come with everything you need to get started at good prices. These are often good machines designed to introduce you to sewing and then upgrade. You may often find that store-exclusive sewing machines from places like Hobbycraft and John Lewis are rebrands of some of these named machines.
What accessories does a new sewer need?
I've listed some of the key accessories anyone new to sewing machine may need, but also do a little research as often the best beginner sewing machines will come packaged with accessories. Also research to see how a sewing machine can be expanded with new feet and tray tables, as you will grow in skill.
Seam rippers These are used to tear out seams, hems, buttons and snaps. They can also be used to easily unpick mistakes – so beginners will need one.
Fabric scissors These are sharper and more precise than standard scissors and whatever you do don't cut paper with them!
Pinking shears These are used to cut fabric to size and leave the edges in small triangular shapes, so the fabric doesn't fray.
Tape measure For measuring your fabric lengths.
Rotary cutter A handy tool to cut long and clean lengths of fabric without pulling or tearing.
Parchment paper Essential for patchworks and quilting, these also come in triangles and circles for more complex projects.
What is the easiest fabric to sew?
Cotton and linen is great, as would be old shirts and clothes cut up into quarters – reusing old clothes for projects means if you make a mistake it doesn't matter. Beginners should avoid stretchy materials as these are hard to work with (some newer sewing machines for beginners do have a setup to sew stretchy material).
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Michelle is a sewing teacher, writer and maker based in the Peak District. As a dressmaking tutor and freelance craft feature writer Michelle regularly writes for Love Sewing magazine as well as Woman's Weekly & Woman & Home. As a sewing tutor and avid dressmaker she has extensive knowledge of sewing machines and overlockers, and the know-how of how to match different dressmakers' needs and budgets to the right machine for them.
