What is the Best Cheap Sewing Machine for Beginners?
25th Sep 2024
What is the Best Cheap
Sewing Machine for Beginners?
A sewing machine is an essential piece of equipment for sewers of all levels. For a beginner sewer, buying a sewing machine can be a bit daunting, especially if you are not familiar with what a feed dog is, a long arm, or an automatic needle threader.
Sewing machines can vary in
price, but you don’t have to break the bank on your new hobby. There are plenty
of
Before we dive into our list, here is a quick glossary of the basic features every new sewer should know.
Built-in stitches—your standard baseline sewing machine will always have a straight-stitch option. But if you want to take your creativity to the next level, you will want a machine that offers a variety of stitch options such as zigzag or a stretch stitch for fabrics such as jerseys. A good rule of thumb is to look for a machine that has a minimum of 20 built-in stitches.
Free arm—a free arm has a space underneath your sewing machine’s surface and is narrower which allows for sewing tubed materials such as pant legs and shirts. Think of it as the same concept of ironing the sleeves of a shirt on an ironing board…. the narrower part of the board gets the job done!
Built-in needle threader—this feature is self-explanatory and can save you the frustration of traditional needle threading. Automatic needle threaders is a favorite of sewers of all levels and is a simple action that pushes the thread through the eye of the needle using a wire attached to the machine.
Drop-in bobbin—a bobbin is a metal or plastic wheel that is located under the needle plate of a sewing machine. There are two types of bobbins on a sewing machine one is front load and the other is drop-in. Bobbins allow the sewing machine to perfect a seam from two threads from the bottom and top of the needle. A drop-in bobbin makes changing the bobbin a seamless process. Simply slide out the plate and drop-in a new one.
Here is a list of the best affordable sewing machines that don’t compromise quality and the basic functions you need in a modern sewing machine for a variety of sewing projects for beginners.
The EverSewn Sparrow 15 is a good entry-level mechanical sewing machine with a heavy-duty metal frame, built to be strong and sturdy. It is easy to set up, user-friendly, portable, and lightweight.
Features:
- 32 built-in stitches, including one-step buttonhole
- LED-built work area
- Stitch length and stitch selector dial
- Automatic needle threader and thread cutter
- Adjustable presser foot pressure knob
- Four standard presser feet
- Free arm sewing
- Stitch set up to 5mm
The Swedish-designed mechanical sewing machine has all the basic functions with extra features, which makes this great for beginners for their simplicity and durability. This model is also incredibly lightweight, which makes this portable!
Features:
- 21 built-in stitches, including 4-step buttonhole
- Easy stitch selection
- Needle threader
- Adjustable presser foot pressure
- Adjustable stitch length from 0-4mm
- Built-in needle threader
- Free motion capability
- Snap on presser foot
Brother BM3850 Sewing Machine with Wide Extension Table
The Brother BM3850 is a mechanical sewing machine with a jam-resistant bobbin drop. It also includes an extra wide quilters extension table, making this machine great for patchwork and quilting.
Features:
- 37 built-in stitches and one-step buttonhole
- 74 stitch functions
- Free arm / flatbed convertible sewing surface
- Automatic needle threader
- Drop-in top bobbin
- LED-lit work area
- Accessory storage
The ST371HD is a lightweight yet full-size mechanical sewing machine that can work from heavyweights like denim and canvas to lightweights like silk and can handle layers of thick fabrics, making this machine great for heavy-duty needlework. It also has a built-in handle for easy carry and storage to store accessory materials.
Features:
- 37 built-in stitches, including 1-step buttonhole
- 6 sewing feet
- Reverse sewing lever
- Convertible flatbed to free arm surface
- Automatic bobbin winding system
- Drop feed for sewing flexibility
- LED-lit work area
- Free arm sewing
Co-produced by the popular reality show Project Runway, this metal-build yet ultra-lightweight computerized sewing machine can be used in a range of needlework from quilting decorative sewing, blind hems, and more. It can also handle thick fabrics with the help of its feed system.
Features:
- 50 built-in stitches, including 5 1-step buttonholes
- 87 stitch functions
- Free arm sewing
- Automatic needle threader
- Drop-in top bobbin
- Fast bobbin winding system
- Adjustable stitch length to 5mm
- LED-lit work area
- Vertical spool pin
- Bright LCD display with computerized stitch selector
Now that we’ve covered the best sewing machines for beginners, other factors to consider are accessories that are included with your machine and a solid warranty. We hope this list helps you narrow down the right machine to get started in this creative hobby!