Hello, beginner sewers, how is going on your life? This is 2020, and now that you have decided to buy a Best Sewing Machine, you need to be watchful. There are a lot of crap machines in the shop. Yet the top sewing machine manufacturers have their fair share of crap machines.
I am not teasing here; 90 % of the sewing machines released by the top sewing machine producers in the US don’t make it to the top list.
There are just a handful of machines that can be called a ‘Class Apart’ from all its siblings.
Best sewing machines for beginners 2020 in easy words, a beginner need an easy to operate, sturdy sewing machine with top-class stitch quality.
Truthfully, this is a hard combination to get. During my early sewing days, I had lots of trouble with choosing a good sewing machine. I have gone through lots of crap machines and lost a lot of money as well.
But now, finally, these years of experience with sewing machines, I have acquired enough knowledge to select the best of the lot. In this content, I will help you to get the best sewing machine that suits your needs as a beginner.
We are well into 2020, and a pair of machines that featured in the top 10 list last year have gone out, and a couple of new entries have entered.
Best Sewing Machine
Here is the list of 10 best beginner sewing machines you can find in the US. I have knowingly kept the list very reasonable because I honestly feel that it is the most amounts a beginner spends on a sewing machine.
Certainly, you can buy expensive machines if you have money, but I think you would be improved by growing your skills with a beginner machine and then switch over to a higher machine at a later stage.
Editor’s Choice Best Sewing Machines for Beginners
1.Brother CS6000i Sewing Machine
2017 has been a return year for Brother CS6000i. Last year CS6000i lost its top rank to XR9500PRW since the later was very aggressively priced. Brother CS6000i is now the best beginner sewing machine you can find in the US.
It has been on top for directly nine years (yes, it was released in 2007 and is still the best).
I believe you can now call this machine a ‘Legend’ because of its successful run for such a long duration. Its features, stability, and stitch quality, has been tried and tested largely these years by thousands of users.
It is also the top sold sewing machine in the US. CS6000i ticks all the checkboxes so far as beginners are concerned. The ease of use and user-friendly qualities made it popular among beginners.
You can call it an all-rounder regarding stitch feature. The stitch quality is consistent across a mixture of fabrics, including multiple layers of denim.
Main Features
- Computerized sewing machine
- 60 built-in stitches
- Automatic spine threader
- Top drop-in bobbin
- Programmable needle up/down
- Sewing start/stop and changeable speed control
2.Singer 4423 Sewing Machine
Singer 4423 is extremely different from other sewing machines on this list. It is the single heavy-duty sewing machine on this list.
You can simply say that Singer 4423 is the best heavy duty sewing machine. The best thing about 4423 is its influential motor. The motor can churn out 1,100 stitches/min, which creates it the fastest beginner sewing machine.
Additionally to that, the machine has the beginner-friendly features like the 1-step buttonhole, top drop-in reel, automatic needle threader, etc.
The stitch quality is brilliant as well. Even though the machine doesn’t have a lot of built-in stitches, the mixture of aggressive pricing, user-friendly features, and features made it famous.
Main Features
- Mechanical Machine
- 23 built-in stitches
- Top drop-in bobbin
- Automatic spine threader
- 1-step buttonhole
3.Brother XM2701 Sewing Machine
This guy just came to the stage and stole the show. XM2701 directly eclipsed XL2600I, which is its precursor. Brother XM2701 has become the best sewing machine in the round cost capable segment.
If you are seeking an inexpensive beginner machine, look no further. It is a class machine. The stitch quality is excellent, but you can’t sew too many layers of denim on this machine since it is not designed for such heavy-duty sewing.
The best thing about XM2701 is that it proffers so many beginner-friendly qualities that none of its competitors have. It is a class above all other machines in the cost bracket.
Main Features
- Mechanical Machine
- 27 built-in stitches
- Top drop-in bobbin
- Automatic spine threaded
- 1-step buttonhole
4.Singer 2277 Sewing Machine
This machine is a new applicant for this year. 2277 is Singer’s answer for Brother XM2701. Both machines arrive in the same price range.
Singer 2277 is the top entry-level Singer machine. The machine has a lot of features for the cost (but not as much as the Brother XM2701).
Singer 2277’s USP is its stitch feature and affordability. The stitch quality is brilliant. 2277 has many beginner-friendly features, but the lack of top drop-in bobbin is a large miss.
Main Features
- Mechanical Machine
- 23 built-in stitches
- Automatic spine threader
- 1-step buttonhole
5.Janome 2212 Sewing Machine
This just has to be the best Janome machine. It is not a feature-packed sewing machine by any widening of the imagination.
It lacks even the basic beginner-friendly features like an automatic needle threader, 4-step buttonhole, best drop-in bobbin, etc. But where it makes up for the features is in the stitching class.
This mechanical sewing machine is a winner regarding stitch quality. It can sew through something you throw at it.
The build feature is top-notch and doesn’t even doubt about durability. Old mechanical sewing machines will love Janome 2212 as it seems like one from the Classical Singer era.
Main Features
- Mechanical Machine
- 12 built-in stitches
6.Brother CS5055PRW Sewing Machine
This man has been around for a while now. CS5055PRW is an electronic sewing machine, not a digital one like CS6000i (the earliest machine on this list).
The stitch class is one thing that keeps this machine in the competition. It has some brilliant features as well.
Main Features
- Electronic sewing machine
- 50 built-in stitches
- Automatic spine threader
- Top drop-in bobbin
7.Brother XR3774 Sewing Machine
Almost two years after it begins; Brother XR3774 has started to build some reputation. Yet then I think, aggressive pricing would do the world of fine for this sewing machine.
This is a mechanical sewing machine with some brilliant features and good stitch quality.
Main Features
- Mechanical sewing machine
- 37 built-in stitches
- Automatic spine threader
- Top drop-in bobbin
- 1-step buttonhole
8.SINGER 7256 Fashion Mate 70-Stitch Computerized
Singer 7256 is a new contestant on our list. The machine has been in the US market for fairly some time now. The sudden jump in the ranking is mainly because of better pricing. Unlike Singer 7258, which we already considered, this one is an electronic sewing machine.
Thus this one misses out on features like programmable needle up/down, speed control slider, etc. These qualities are essential, particularly the needle up/down button, which works like an extra hand.
So I would suggest 7256 only if it is priced significantly lower than in 7258. The stitch quality of 7256 is brilliant. The machine operates quietly and smoothly.
Main Features
- Electronic machine
- 70 built-in stitches
- best drop-in bobbin
- Automatic needle threader
9.Singer 7258 Sewing Machine
If you ask me which the best Singer beginner machine is, I would reply to Singer 7258 all day. If it is a Singer then it has to be Singer 7258, at least in the beginner category.
Class and features are the two things that made 7258 so famous. The machine is easy to use, and it has lots of beginner-friendly features as well. The stitch quality is brilliant.
Main Features
- Computerized Machine
- 100 built-in stitches
- Sewing start/stop and changeable speed control
- Top drop-in bobbin
- Automatic needle threader
- Programmable spine up/down
10.Brother XR9500PRW Sewing Machine
This machine lost its top position mainly due to the fluctuating price. Though, XR9500PRW is an absolute champion regarding performance and qualities. It is no smaller than the previous machine on this list.
XR9500PRW has more features than CS6000i, thus you can expect the cost to be a tad bit higher than CS6000i.
But at times, the cost gap becomes colossal, which works against XR9500PRW. The machine is so quality-packed that even an advanced sewer will get it useful, forget beginners. The stitch quality is excellent across a range of fabrics.
The machine is attractive lightweight as well. XR9500PRW is the best sewing machine for beginners who focus on sewing classes. You can easily carry them.
Main Features
- Computerized Machine
- 100 built-in stitches
- Sewing start/stop and changeable speed control
- Top drop-in bobbin
- Automatic needle threader
- Programmable spine up/down
- 1 Font for monogramming
How to Choose a Sewing Machine for Beginners
Beginners always get the first step. Whatever the subject, device, or machine is, it must always be simple to start with. Or the novice will lose the interest to learn. They will fear to get the first step. Here we are talking about sewing machines.
We all know how the sewing machine has evolved during the years. Not just the look, still the features changed leaps and bounds. When you have new qualities to add, the machine becomes tough to understand.
Thus, here we start our discussion by letting you know a sewing machine with all the complicated qualities is not a sewing machine for an amateur.
A Simple Machine
Let’s elaborate that thought. And we will have to keep you again about the first step. Anything first has to be simple. For example, the first step towards education has to be learning the alphabet. It cannot be phrases or sentences.
Likewise, a sewing machine for beginners will have to be a basic one. It has to be an easy machine that is easy to use and sew with. Keep that in mind, and you will get your perfect sewing machine.
Mechanical Sewing Machine
When it arrives at a simple sewing machine, nothing is simpler than a mechanical sewing machine. There are computerized with electrical sewing machines, but for a beginner, the learning must begin with mechanical sewing machines.
They priceless as well. After learning a few things on the sewing machine, one cans growth towards the computerized ones. But at the start, a beginner should stitch with a mechanical sewing machine.
Computerized Sewing Machine
At this stage, where you have finished some sewing projects with your mechanical sewing machine, you can spend in a computerized sewing machine. Computerized, since they have some solid features that make sewing easy and fast.
Still, in the case of a computerized sewing machine, you need a simple one. Not the one with hundreds of fitted stitches and other intricate features. But easy doesn’t mean there will be no features in your machine. There will be some qualities but at a lesser amount and only the must-have ones.
Let’s discuss some of them below to make it easy for you to understand what you require to consider in a computerized sewing machine that is for beginners.
Built-In Stitches
When it arrives at automated sewing machines, built-in stitches in them have no limit. Too many built-in stitches are going to make things rough for you. Thus, for a beginner, the lesser is always better. You need only three to six basic built-in stitches.
Straight, zigzag, and widen stitches, these three and a couple of more are enough for a beginner. You can simply complete a good amount of sewing projects with the basic stitches.
Many times, yet the most skilled sewist don’t use all the built-in stitches that a mechanized sewing machine has to proffer.
Thus, as a novice, you know you will not use the maximum stitches. Stay within ten at the most, and that’s more than sufficient. And there are some good sewing machines with only the basic built-in stitches. Try to purchase one of them.
One-Step Buttonhole
All the programmed machines either have four-step buttonholes or one-step buttonholes. The higher machines have a varied style of buttonholes. But for easy projects of a beginner, a one-step buttonhole is perfect.
If you have learned sewing buttonholes with zigzag stitches, trying the four-step buttonholes will not be any hard. Because it is much easier than that, but our option will be a sewing machine that has a one-step buttonhole.
Auto Threader
Beginner or the most skilled, none like straining the eyes. And when you keep trying to set the thread through the needle eye, your eyes are strained beyond tolerance. You have to have very high-level eyesight and a stable hand to thread the needle at one goes.
Therefore, better to have the auto needle threader in the machine. As a beginner, you have better things to fight with, so leave the job of threading to your programmed machine. It will save you time, will make you less frustrated and defend your eyes as well.
Bobbin
There are two types of bobbin systems in a programmed machine. Either it will be a top-loading visit bobbin or a front-loading bobbin. Between the two, the top-loading drop-in bobbin method is the best for a beginner.
In a front-loading bobbin system, you have to chase a few steps to load the bobbin, which contains removing the accessory compartment. They are not yet easy to do for a person who has been doing it for years. On top, it consumes too much period.
So, yet the experienced sewists prefer top-loading drop-in bobbin. Since in a top-loading bobbin method, you have the see-through cover plate to see how much thread is left in the bobbin.
And when required loading, you just need to move the plate and increase the needle. Remove the blank bobbin and drop in the new one, and that’s just it.
Free Arm
Beginners tend to evade stitching big projects. Projects like jackets, quilts, or huge gowns; are not what one can expect from a beginner to sew. Thus, the machine you are buying for a beginner must have a free arm. A free arm makes sewing tight spaces simple.
As a beginner, you will have less management over the machine. You will find handling the machine difficult. Therefore, if it doesn’t have the free arm option, it will limit you in many ways. So, ensure to invest in a sewing machine that has a free arm.
And once you gather sufficient experience, you can start sewing bigger projects on that very machine. After that, how experienced you become, you will still require to sew collars, hems, and pant legs. So, a machine with a free arm proves to be an improved investment than the one which doesn’t have one.
Reverse Stitch
When you have the reverse stitch option, you can save the stitches both at the beginning and the end. In most programmed sewing machines, there is a sole button for reverse stitching.
Therefore, when you can create knots with only one push on the button, you better not miss having it in your sewing machine.
So, all in all, you require trying two types of machines as a beginner. The mechanical sewing machine will be the first step and the programmed one the second. And in an automated sewing machine, you will require a maximum of five to six features.
conclusion
If you find a sewing machine that has these few features, you can buy it for a beginner. Trust us when we say these are sufficient for you to work for at least some years and become a Pro sewist.