What sewing machine do you use?

[Susannach]

I’m a total beginner wanting to learn how to sew — kids’ clothes and clothing modifications mainly.

I’m looking to get a reliable, easy-to-use sewing machine but don’t know where to start or what features to look for! Any recommendations? What machine do you/have you used that would be suitable for a beginner?

I've just started with a John Lewis one - can't remember the model number but it's about £99 and comes in different bright colours. It had great reviews and was recommended for beginners - I really like it and have found it easy to use. Made quite a few clothes for my one year old and now looking at what I can make for me!

I have an alfa which I have never heard of anyone else having but my highly regarded local sewing shop sold me it. It's a work horse. Janome have a good reputation but singer no longer do. Try marketplace I've seen some bargains on there but obv you need to be capable of checking it works

Thank you!

Navy I will look into that, £99 seems like a really good price. Glad to hear you’ve managed to make some stuff already!

Ranger Thanks for the tips/warnings. No idea how I’d check it works, but maybe I should do a crash course or something first! I will look into specialist sewing shops in my area too, that’s a great idea.

Mine is old, super reliable and a real workhorse. I've had it for 25years and paid £200 second hand. It's so good I have my eye on a couple on eBay in case my expires. They still hold their value today. It's a Janome (used to be Newhome) memorycraft 6000.
Fantastic machine regardless of your ability.

Thank you Maiden, I’ll have to have a look on eBay too!

I have an old Janome Newhome that I bought second hand from Ebay and I love it. It's very easy to use, once you've got the hang of threading it, which isn't difficult it's just that the thread has to run through all the machine parts in the right order.
I also have my grandma's old hand-cranked Singer (made in 1910!) that I love.
Friend has a machine from Lidl that's been very reliable.

A Brother Innovis 10a, which was a Special anniversary model specifically for beginners/novices. I got it because it the same model my sewing teacher used and I really liked how reliable and simple it was. Right at the beginning I had bought an Aldi model that had far more fancy stitches, but the quality was truly awful so I got the Brother instead. The only disadvantage to it is that it doesn't have much in the way of decorative stitches, but everything else is great. The features I value most as a beginner are the automatic threader and the three different speeds. You can also buy an edge trimmer foot as an extra which turns it into a sort-of overlocker device - that's next on my list to buy.

I know Janome has a great reputation, but I see them as a more expensive brand for people who really know what they're doing!

There's a Janome Memorycraft on eBay for £50 at the moment......absolute bargain.

Ooh will have a look!

I have a Brother Innovis too, and like it very much. The in house sewing machines at my sewing classes are Bernina and they are really sturdy and lovely and well made, like a BMW or Mercedes compared to a Ford. If I made this my really serious hobby going forward i think I'd get a Bernina next time round.

An elderly (1986) Elna Electronic.

And a juki overlocker....

I have a Silver Viscount for everyday stuff and a Singer overlocker for knits (today I was using the overlocker to make Floozy Doozy knickers). Plus a Singer 201k (hand cranked) semi-industrial machine which is great for sewing leather and an antique Singer machine (I think a 28K but CBA to check!) which I use for teaching the kids. Oh and a cheapish Brother machine for spare, just in case all the others are somehow unavailable.
My husband thinks I have too many machines, but I reminded him that he was 8 drills so he shut up!

I'm a collector of sewing machines, so I've tried out quite a few in my time and one thing I would say to someone just starting out is to experiment and that way try to find the kind that really suits you. Some people then realise they just want the basics and others like to discover all the things that different machines can do and they may develop a life long interest like I have.

My personal preference is for the older mechanical (all metal) ones, and all mine are still going well. Lower priced 'one job' plastic ones I find jumpy, fiddly and noisy in comparison. The computerised ones are impressive but not for me. Even so, if you're only going to be doing a few jobs now and again then 'taking the old girl out for a spin' is not likely to be on your agenda, is it?

Hopefully you can find people who are willing to let you try their machines, or you could try different kinds in a shop where they give sewing classes and you'll find what's right for you.

Just to warn you, if you do develop sewing machine obsession whilst it's quite respectable (DH does not dare comment in our house) it could turn out expensive, but I've made some great friends in the fancy.

I have several machines now, but my everyday one is a Janome Jem, it's quite basic and nearly 20 years old now but very reliable. I bought some attachments such as zipper feet, a walking foot, twin needles so I can sew quite a lot with it. The one thing it doesn't have which I'd look for in a new machine is adjustable speed. I bought an overlocker separately - also Janome, I think they're reliable.
I also have a 1950s Singer which is a wonderful machine but very very heavy, and an old 1890s treadle Singer which is a thing of beauty!

If you can find a used sewing machine dealer then you will get more for your money. For a beginner I would say don't get a computerised one - look for dials not screen's and buttons. A one step auto buttonhole and drop feed (for embroidery) are worth having, and some stretch stitches. Get a common brand like Janome or brother and it will be easy to find accessories and they aren't too expensive. A lot of shops do introductory courses too. The easiest sewing machine to use is the one you are used to, in the end.

Ps I have recently become a Bernina owner, the quality is amazing but the feet cost a fortune! £35 for the concealed zip foot.