Those who sew...

[BubbleBoy12]

Can anyone point in me in the right direction for a sewing machine for ABSOLUTE beginners?

I haven't sewed (if that's even how you spell it) since I was in high school, and even then I wasn't very good. However, I need a new hobby and really want to start.

I actually have no idea what I'm doing, I'm heading to hobby craft later for some books etc.

Anyone have any advice/ideas?

Other than practicing baking a cake for my sons 1st birthday I have no hobbies at all. I'm a student nurse, so I'm sure I'll get busy once my placements start but I've got quite a bit of time on my hands lately so I can't wait to get stuck into something

@Winterfellismyhome I have the same one. I'm a complete novice (or was) and it's absolutely fantastic for learning on. I've taught myself loads on it and it's so simple to operate (and cheap too.)

Abakhan are fantastic, they also do (or did pre-covid) classes on various things. Their online delivery is good too. I prefer their Mostyn shop rather than Liverpool, just because it's bigger so more to spend my money on!
I'm using a basic Toyota machine at the moment, not a lot of bells and whistles because I don't tend to use them, just a selection of stitch lengths and zigzags. Make sure you have a zipper foot and a buttonhole foot though, and use the correct needle for the fabric you are sewing - plenty of online tutorials to give you the info.

The other thing which is invaluable for sewing is sharp scissors, which only get used for fabric and threads.
Simplicity sewing patterns are good and fairly easy to follow (most patterns provoke at least one "duh?" moment ).

If you do decide you enjoy sewing you can always get a more complicated machine or, !ike me, you can buy fabric, trimming and buttons instead!
Have fun

@yeOldeTrout

I know Menai means well, but that excerpt she wrote would make me quit without even trying. Too much to think about. I've done a lot of sewing and I don't know 80% of what she's talking about. OP is a beginner.

I would actually ignore most of it. I'm 65 and made most of my clothes as a teenager using an ancient Singer machine which only had straight stitches and reverse. I now make all my own clothes with a fairly basic machine (automatic buttonholes would be nice but not essential) and also have an overlocker which isn't essential for a beginner.

There is lots of help on YouTube and look on Instagram for #imakemyownclothes and #handmadewardrobe for ideas Tilly and the Buttons and Wendy Ward, among other people, do some good tutorials.

Aldi had their annual sewing offer on last week and that included 'their' sewing machine - which, rumour has it, is a Janome. I've had a Janome for 20 years and it's great.

Modern Singers are made by a different company to old Singers and are very inferior machines now. Avoid avoid.

I've been sewing for the last 3 months on the Hobbycraft basic full size machine. It's been good for what Ive been doing, a beginner here too!

I bought this one a few years ago and it was very easy to use, still using it now. Very happy with it!

www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-partners-jl110-sewing-machine-aqua/p4157122

This one!

Always plenty of good secondhand sewing machines on Gumtree. I think I paid £80 for mine (then another £50 to get it serviced) but it’s a barely-used Janome that would have cost me over £350 to buy new.

I haven't sewed (if that's even how you spell it) since I was in high school, and even then I wasn't very good. However, I need a new hobby and really want to start.
I could have written this.
I'm retired and bored. I have had a lot of health issues so not going out so much, groups and classes in everything have been cancelled.
I am not creative or artistic and have never made anything before.

Last winter I was ill for several months and taught myself to crochet from YouTube. I loved it but it gave me awful wrist pain.

Early in lockdown I could see facemasks being used in the future so had a go at making some. I bought a "mini sewing machine" for about £25. I figured it wasn't a huge waste of money if I didn't like it. It works in that it sews in a straight line but that's all.
I last sewed when I was a child in the 1960s and I found it came back to me and I quite enjoyed it. We now have lots of face masks....
So I'm looking to expand on it and really want to get a proper but very basic sewing machine.
Thanks to all the recommendations I now know what to look for.
I went to the nearest city today to Hobbycraft today, a place I have never set foot in before .
They had no machines - apparently they all sold out in lockdown and they haven't been able to re-stock.

@GlomOfNit I did spot the Aldi one last week but it said it was a digital machine and I didn't know what that meant or whether it would be a good beginner machine.

'Digital' might mean it just has a digital display and buttons to scroll through all the stitch patterns to select one, and I think these all have what amounts to tiny computers inside which control things. But looking the Aldi one over, it looks just like my Janome, which is extremely easy to use. The Aldi one has a foot treadle too, so to a certain extent it's not all done with finger buttons.

I think I've heard good things about the Aldi one and it's certainly good value. You'd pay twice that for a branded one. Sold out online, ring round some local Aldis and see if they still have any (it's been a week now since it was released).

Do you know what sort of things you want to make.

I started off with a cheap brother, that was ok, I now have a not cheap janome. If you want to quilt, which is quite a good beginning as you can start with small sample squares, the janome is much better as there is more space if you want to do the actual quilting by machine.

I started off 20 years ago with a basic Brother machine, I still have it. I've since got an overlocker (for doing professional style hems & edges) & an antique Singer (because it's beautiful).

Get something by Brother or Janome. I wouldn't recommend getting a digital, there's more to go wrong & it's harder to fix. Both my modern machines just have dials to select the pattern, stitch length, etc.

For a beginner I'd get a basic one. You only really need running and zigzag stitch when you're starting. Argos do them at reasonable prices.
Me and my friend sew and have discussed this before that in future we'd buy the cheapest because when they start going wrong it costs about £40 to service it, when you can pick up a brand new one for £80.
If you want to progress to a fancier machine, our sewing tutor told us to buy Brother, Singer or Janome.

I sew for living and have never had a new machine. I would look on eBay for a second hand Brother as they are really simple to use and sturdy.

in future we'd buy the cheapest because when they start going wrong it costs about £40 to service it, when you can pick up a brand new one for £80.
What happens to the machine, do you keep chucking them in landfill??!

I like the idea of quilting, though no idea whether I will be able to learn it from YouTube. I plan to trawl charity shops for sewing books.
Alas the basic Janome is sold out everywhere. I'm not confident using EBay! I notice some of the cheapest machines are manual but I need electric.
I just clicked on a review of the John Lewis JL110 and apparently it is made by Janome.

I got a JL110 in May as a beginner. There are a couple of issues you should be aware of. Firstly you can’t do thick fabric, so if ever you want to take up jeans this machine wouldn’t cope. I didn’t think of this when I bought it. Secondly, it is Janome and takes their accessories, JL online do not have a clue about which category of accessories - I wanted a concealed zip foot - Janome themselves were brilliant and helpful and for me the right one. In hindsight, as I enjoy it, I wish I’d got a better one. Yes it’s easy and was inexpensive but I’d like to do more and it doesn’t quite have the ability I wish it did.

@Martinisarebetterdirty I have the JL110 could you tell me which concealed zip foot you bought?

@honeybeedream it’s the Janome category A. You have to unscrew your zipper foot to fit it - I had to search YouTube for a bit! Janome were super helpful and quick to reply to my queries.

Loads of good advice about machines already so I won’t add to it. I started sewing 2 years ago and did an online course with “Tilly and the buttons” I also have her books and found them really easy to follow and cover some of the proper basics that other “beginners” guides assume you already know. Slight issue with Tilly is that her sizes are on the small side. I’m a U.K. 16 and only just fit into the patterns.
If your curvier then “cashmerette” also do a beginners course - I haven’t done it myself but I’ve sewn a few of their patterns and they are excellent so I’m sure the course is just as professional!

I would say don't go too cheap. If you spend about £100 you'll get a decent machine. The really cheap ones have plastic cases and innards and are not heavy enough to do the job. They bounce and that affects the quality of the stitch.

More expensive ones have a metal chassis that makes them a lot more stable and reliable.

Don't forget golden rule of sewing, always hold your thread tails when you begin a seam so that they aren't dragged into the bobbin case and cause a jam.

Good luck 😀💐

@Wobbitcatcher I know what you mean about proper basics. I bought a beginner guide and it assumes you already know a lot of terminology.

There's currently a shortage of affordable sewing machines .
If I was buying now I'd budget £150-200 for a new machine that will be just a bit better than entry level .

Minimum features I'd say
Straight &zigzag (all have this)
Selection of stitches inc. stretch
Buttonholes
Drop feed for embroidery
Proper adjustable stitch length and width
Twin needle capability

You can sew almost anything with the above .

Them you have features that make it easier, needle threader, start button, thread cutters etc, but these are a bonus.

Much cheaper machines aren't easier to use in fact they are often unreliable. Although Brother LS models are well reviewed.

Another vote for Janome, simple to operate and you can get accessories easily. Mine is 15 years old, well used, still going strong.