Many of you ask me what the best machine is for beginners in sewing. To demystify buying your first sewing machine, I invite you to discover my 7 recommendations to avoid mistakes!

If you wanted a specific reference, you might be disappointed... because everyone has specific sewing needs/desires, different budgets, and particular project wishes (jersey, faux leather...) In short, a machine will suit one person perfectly and completely displease another! So we will identify together the essential criteria to choose the machine that suits you best.  

So let’s look together at the 7 essential recommendations I’ve identified to help you decide!

1. Determine what you will make with your sewing machine - What will your sewing projects be? How often will you sew?

All machines have their specific features; some make it easy to sew thick layers (for blankets, coats, jeans...), others have embroidery stitches, some have dual feed... All these features will only be useful if you really need them... There’s no point in having 1000 basic options on a machine if you only actually use two. 

When choosing your machine, it’s important to identify the projects that appeal to you most. Would you rather make accessories like bags where handling thick layers is key, or clothing in delicate fabrics where precision and beautiful straight stitches are needed...?

Determining the projects that interest you will help guide you through the wide range of machines available on the market. 

On the other hand, how often you use the machine will also determine whether you need a sturdy machine that will last over time or if you just want a small machine for a few little projects each month. 

2. Set a budget - assess the reasonable price for your creative hobbies/sewing budget

The second very important criterion in choosing your machine is the price because you can find machines for less than 100 euros as well as ones costing several thousand euros. It is important to set a reasonable budget for your creative hobby. This budget will help you determine a range of machines and therefore the most common features of such a range.

For my part, when I started, I didn’t know if I would continue with sewing. I set a budget of 200 euros maximum for my first sewing machine. I bought myself a small mechanical Toyota machine that served me very well during my first two years of sewing. I made clothes and accessories with it without any issues. I replaced it when I became more interested in technical fabrics, thick fabrics... for which it unfortunately proved insufficient. 

Nevertheless, it allowed me to sew for 2 years on a machine costing less than 200 euros. Knowing that I really used it a lot. 

3. Determine the acceptable sewing comfort for yourself

Several questions arise here, including the choice between an electronic or mechanical machine, with dual feed, noise...

Electronic or mechanical

There are advantages to both models.

The mechanical is:

• relatively more affordable 
• noisy
• manually adjustable
• robust

The electronic is:

• more expensive
• less noisy
• has automatic stitch adjustment

Even though you might be tempted to always choose an electronic machine, handling a mechanical machine and learning to adjust its stitches (length, width...) with the dial can help understand stitch settings. 

Noise can also be a deciding factor between these two types, especially if your machine is in a living area. Indeed, mechanical machines are noisy and can disturb the household calm. This was actually my husband's first thought (and relief) when I replaced my small mechanical Toyota with my electronic Janome. 

Also consider if you need/want:

• an automatic thread cutter, 
• a needle threader, 
• the option to move the needle, 
• a dual feed, 
• a visible bobbin on top, 
• automatic buttonholes,
• the option to adjust the sewing speed
• ...

this will also guide your choice of machine range. 

4. The basic stitches available on the machine

One can be amazed by the variety of stitches available on machines, and this can even be a marketing point for some sellers, but let’s be reasonable... most of the time, actually 99% of the time, we will use the straight stitch. So, I prefer a machine that makes a beautiful, regular straight stitch rather than one that offers 120 different stitches but an average-quality straight stitch... so if you’ve followed me well, be uncompromising about the beauty and quality of the straight stitch!

Make sure the machine has the following stitches:

• the straight stitch
• the zigzag stitch (especially if you don’t have a serger)
• the buttonhole function 
• the stretch stitch (which is quite handy for sewing jersey)

For the rest, it’s a matter of choice; it can be nice to have some decorative stitches to embellish a collar, a hem, a pocket... but it’s not necessarily essential. 

5. Available presser feet

Like the basic stitches available, the presser feet included with your machine should be evaluated because some brands sell additional feet at a relatively high price and the so-called standard feet sold in kits are often of poor quality. So, it’s best to carefully assess the feet you will need most and check that they are included with the machine.

I recommend having at least the following four presser feet which are often very useful:

• a standard foot 
• a visible zipper and piping foot
• an invisible zipper foot
• a buttonhole foot

With these first four presser feet, you will already be able to complete many sewing projects before needing to buy more if they are not included with the machine.

6. The weight of the machine

An important criterion when choosing your first machine can also be its weight. Indeed, if you do not yet have a dedicated sewing space, you will likely need to move it regularly to store it. It will be the same if you attend sewing courses where you need or want to bring your machine. To protect your back, I advise you to check this criterion because some machines (including older second-hand ones) can be very heavy and difficult to move.

Conversely, also be careful not to choose a model that is too light and might turn out to be fragile (this is the case with "all-plastic" machines) or that will vibrate a lot during sewing due to their light weight. The vibration often becomes very unpleasant both for sewing comfort (with a machine that moves) and for your arms, which absorb all the vibrations, which is not good for your joints. 

The key is to find the right balance.  

7. Try before you buy

One last piece of advice, and not the least: try before you buy!

If you have never used a sewing machine

If you are starting sewing and have never used a machine, I advise you to try it out once; whether during a course, at a friend’s or relative’s place... who lends you their machine... to see if you like sewing. It’s really a shame to invest money in a machine that will just sit at the back of a closet if you don’t end up enjoying sewing. Sewing is a hands-on hobby, and you quickly understand if it’s for you or not, believe me!

If you have already started sewing 

If you have already used one or more machines, I recommend going to a multi-brand sewing machine dealer and testing several models and brands that you have previously identified based on the earlier criteria, and above all, test them. You will benefit greatly from doing this rather than buying a machine that you end up not liking. Often, if you have some sewing experience, getting a feel for a sewing machine is quite revealing about whether you will enjoy sewing with it or not.

Finally, one last piece of advice: enjoy yourself! Buying a machine is a key moment in the life of an amateur or professional seamstress. So, don’t stress too much about finding your machine, try them out and trust yourself! Because sewing should always be about pleasure and sharing!

Happy sewing to everyone!