Good Beginner Sewing Machine

Really, Singer makes the best machine for your money. Brother machines are pretty good as well. So far, I have seen many people suggest going to Wal-Mart and getting a $100 machine. These are good machines and will get the job done. The little 20-40 dollar machines from hobby stores are useless if she wants to make anything to use. They don't do secure stitches, and are only really good for scrapbooking or decorating things.

Honestly though, what I would suggest is checking resale shops and yard sales, and finding an older machine, from the 60's or 70's. There are 3 reasons for this.

1. They are more durable because they have more metal parts. They will last longer if treated properly. (I use a Singer 500A, made in 1960, the last machine made with FULLY metal parts, which they claim will work for 100 years - so far so good.)

2. You can probably get one for around 20-50 dollars (Really - I paid 20 for my Singer, which is built into a table).

3. (And this is the most important reason to me) The machines made back then have a reverse stitch lever, rather than a button. With years of experience sewing, I still detest having to hold down a button to sew in reverse. A starter should have both hands free to guide the fabric and learn the ropes and all. This will make it easier.

I hope this helps!

2 moms found this helpful

Rebecca,

I work at Hobby Lobby and we have two beginner sewing machines in the kids crafts dept. One is 20.00 and the other is a little more advanced is 40.00. This week's coupon is 40% off, so that helps alot (you can print that out at HobbyLobby.com). We also have two kits/games made by Project Runway, that focus on designing clothes and the other on designing accessories. I believe that Target carries a sewing machine for kids that is also put out by Project Runway...I don't know how much that one is. Good luck with your future designer!
K.

I use mine sorta like you do. Not much of a seamstress, just repair, curtains, etc. I bought the Brother machine at Walmart. I don't know what you consider cheap price but it was $80.00. Thats about as cheap as they come in price. Unless you go to used. This machine is simple and easy. Good luck with that designer you have. Nice to have one in the family....

Our daughter is 9 and picked up sewing this summer. We bought her a Project Runway sewing machine and it is the easiest thing EVER! She loves it and can do everything herself on it.

I don't know how to sew at all and I can even use it.

When I was a kid, I had a sewing machine from a department store like Sears, and it lasted for at least 20 years.
I had a Brother machine with the fancy stitches but I got frustrated with it. The plastic case for the drop-in bobbin got scratched when the needle got out of line. Since it would cost $75 for a repair place to even look at it, I decided to buy a cheap and simple machine to replace it.
Now I have one of the cheaper Brother machines, I think from Walmart, that just does straight and zig-zag. It is simple enough to thread following the arrows, and does not have the automatic needle threader which seemed more difficult for a child to learn how to use. The bobbin and bobbin case are metal, so they're not likely to break when things get tangled.
This summer, I did a project with my son where he sewed decorations onto squares made from his old t-shirts, and then I put it together as a quilt for his bed.

I sew a lot and I have sever of the high end sewing machines. I have also looked very carefully into the ones that come out in the newspaper occasionally saying they are school machines. These are very good, well made machines and they actually have quite a few stitches. They usually sell for around $150-$250 and I believe they usually have those in the paper this time of year. Another suggestion that I have is that I have just run across a place in Austin that teaches all kinds of sewing classes. They have a website called stitchlab.com. I was very impressed with the classes that they teach. I am sure that if you look you can find something equivalent in other areas also.

Hi Rebecca,

I am also a beginner sewer, more working with crafty type things. I bought the Singer Simple machine at WalMart for less than $100.00. It is so easy to use with arrows marked on the machine to show you how to thread it properly. It takes care of any basic sewing I need to do.

Good luck!

What a great gift! I have a 10 year old or so Singer that is super easy to thread, which my daughter and I both like. I would throw myself on the mercy of the store where you can also go for service, which may be important if you're neither one "handy".

Walmart has some for a really great price. I think I got mine from Sears years ago and they have all prices. Good luck! She may be our newest Fashionista at fashion week!

I am not sure where you live but I just want to tell you about a couple great places in Austin.
For beginning sewing and all levels as wells as just fun little project classes check out Stitch Lab http://www.glitzkrieg.biz/schedule/schedule.html
and for clothing fabric check out The Common Thread fabric store. http://www.commonthreadfabric.com/

I have a Brother sewing machine. I bought it at Wal-Mart for a little under $100.
It is a simple machine. I don't use it too often. It is light weight. Happy sewing!!

Hello Rebecca,

I have a few Italian machines, they are old but solid built and very simple to use. I have done upholstery for boats and sail repair.
I can spare one of the machines, it is Necchi BU model. Extreme simple and easy to use. I was hoping to keep it for my daughter but I do not think she is interested :)
If you do not mind giving your daughter something old, rather vintage then I will be more than happy to ship it to you. If you are interested, please let me know. I can send some pictures to help you decide.

I have many years of sewing experience and there are alot of machines out there, but I would buy a Kenmore or Singer that has many fuctions. She will most likely have this machine for years into adult hood like myself. The last machine I purchased was from Sears, and it sure has been a good one. Also, a Christmas gift that I received once was a large book on all the different kinds of stiches by hand and the how to was very clearly written. It has things like the french knot etc. If you are interested in the exact name of the book I will have to get it and send you the name, but I can not tell you how handy that book has been.

I have a Singer that I bought from Wal-Mart for $99. I love it. It is simple and easy to use. I had a little trouble threading it the first time but my Mom was able to talk me through it over the phone. It has a good selection of stitches for whatever project she may take on. I would get her one like this to start.

We just bought a Brother Sewing machine for my daughter from Costco, and it came it with a dvd to help learn how to use it. For a long time I thought just stick with the basic stitches and go cheap, but I've changed my mind. The kids machine we bought never threaded properly and was discouraging. If all they can do is go backward and forward and zigzag its not as fun. You don't have to spend a fortune but having a few extra stitches could help them really use it frequently and build skill. The Brother machine was between 3 and 4 hundred and worth every penny...it was so smooth! I gave the used Italian machine (that shook apart!) to a tinkerer at our garage sale. The new machine was amazing and my 14 yr. old daughter loves whipping out projects. (I never sewed much so I'm in awe!)

Also, you can find lots of free patterns and tutorials online if you google around.

White brand is great. I bought my daughter one cause our 4H club had the same model. It was around $150. We got it at Patty's in SA (in michael's at Crossroads mall).
These new ones are way easy to use and somewhat computerized. Even threads the needle!! Great for older eyes!!
Patty's even has sewing classes you might want to check out. My girls started a flipflop quilt (which is not finished, lol).

What a great gift! I, too, have been sewing since I was around 14 and started sewing with my Mom's Brother sewing machine. I then bought a Sears Kenmore 35 years ago that is still going. You might talk to a high school or middle school teacher who teaches sewing to get their advice. Good Luck!

Rebecca,

As a child my mother kept me busy sewing just two pieces of material together on her Singer pedal sewing machine. Took only 1/2 semester of sewing in high school and now as an ADULT have sewed alot things for myself and daughter. I learned to alter my patterns as I wanted and my outfits came out beautiful. My daughter had ORGINIAL dresses or costumes made that she LOVED to wear and I SAVED alot and now her daughter will be wearing them.

I RECOMMEND going to different sewing machine stores and price and look at the different functions thought you do not NEED that many functions for a BEGINNER. Also, look at the internet and search for SEWING MACHINES IN AUSTIN, TX and will give you ALOT all types of brands.

My Singer Touch N Sew sewing machine of 30 years has put in it's time SOOOO I too am looking on the internet for one but NOT OVER $200.

Good Luck and I am glad you daughter is learning early.

M.

Go to a good sewing shop and ask their advise.