Which sewing machine for a total beginner?

[MelloDee]

I've never used a sewing machine, all my garment repairs and alterations are shipped off to my MIL! But I really want to learn how to use a sewing machine, do my own repairs/alts and maybe even make some crafty creations of my own eventually.

But having never touched a sewing machine before I'm completely clueless as to what machine would be best for a complete novice like me.

Can anyone help please?

Id love to know too as I'd love to get into making clothes! Bumping for you.

I’ve just bought a Brother LS14, and it’s very good for basics. It’s £65 on amazon right now, and I’d happily recommend it. I made all of DS’s nativity costumes on it, and I’ve not sewed a thing in years.

I’ve just bought this one for myself. Not tried it yet as I’m waiting for fabric and thread.

I borrowed a all singing and dancing machine recently and got very confused when all I wanted to do was basic stitching so I bought a basic looking machine on purpose so to speak.

The reviews looked good so that made me choose this one.

www.argos.co.uk/product/4602576

Cross post with callami, I’m glad you like the machine that’s good to hear. Just noticed the price on Argos, I paid £65 a few weeks ago.

Haha! Brilliant. I like it better than my old Janone. It’s super light too.

The normal sized John Lewis one is made by janome I think and is a really good value basic one.

John Lewis own machine is good, mine is bright pink, works for all stuff I've used it for, instruction manual is brilliant. I think it was £99

I’ve just bought this one, she arrived today! I looked at quite a few and decided that for the price it was a good option. It’s simple and relatively basic but it has enough settings that it should last me if I want to do slightly more complicated things later on.
I sewed a pair of baby leggings on my mums ancient machine (which then died on me) so I’m excited about sewing on this

www.hobbycraft.co.uk/janome-4400-sewing-machine/601437-1000

Me too!

I have a Janome that looks very much like the 4400 (my model is discontinued, but similar price bracket). It's probably "easy" to use. I'm not a good sewer, am very declined wrt to practical skills, but I have used mine a huge amount.

Some sewing/fabric places do "get to know your sewing machine" classes. This evening I offered to teach a friend how to use her machine, funny enough.

I know folk say you can learn everything from Youtube: I cannot. I needed a 3 hr lesson to learn the very basics with my machine. (I never had a lesson in school & my mother failed to teach me, too). I strongly suggest you get a real person to help you get started, don't try to wing it unless you're really good at self-teaching techy-crafty stuff. Do you have a good sense of rhythm and a sense of tension; can you tie your own shoe laces easily then maybe you don't need much help to understand a sewing machine. Good luck whatever you do.

Thanks for your advice guys. I bought the Brother from Argos!

"can you tie your own shoe laces easily then maybe you don't need much help to understand a sewing machine"

In my mid 30s so I like to think Im capable if tying my shoe laces fairly adequately. Im glad thats all it will take to figure out this beast of a machine that scares me to death, because I have no idea wtf Im doing with it!

I'll start with some youtube tutorials, but think I may need to book in for some proper classes (and double check Im doing my laces up right while Im at it )

I had been winging it a bit on my mums machine but reading the manual for mine made so much more sense! I can refer to it anytime I’m not sure of something. I used YouTube for knitting but not so far for sewing

I got the Janome 4400 for Christmas haven't done any seeing forecasts I am loving it

*Sewing for decades....... bastard kindle hates me