If you’re new to sewing, odds are you don’t want to invest in a super fancy and expensive sewing machine just yet. But that doesn’t mean you should hold off on buying a machine altogether! Instead, check out these affordable sewing machines that are perfect for beginners.
These 5 sewing machines (listed from least to most expensive) are low in price, yet high in quality. They’re all beginner-friendly, but are also sturdy and advanced enough to last you for years to come.
So, without further adieu, here are my 5 top recommendations for affordable sewing machines for beginners!
P.S. – Prices may have changed since I wrote this post. I’ve linked all of these on Amazon so you can see current prices. Also, I recently joined Amazon’s affiliate program. That means that if you choose to buy one of these machines through links in this post, I will get a small commission.
With that said, I want to thank you for supporting me and making it possible for me to keep putting out free content like this! You guys are the best 🙂
Singer is one of the most well-known brands when it comes to sewing machines, and there’s a reason for that — they’ve been making sewing machines since 1851 and know what makes a good machine!
This Singer sewing machine isn’t as fancy as the other choices, but it still has all the functions you’d need to make just about any project.
If you’re new to sewing and aren’t sure if you want to make a big investment, then this affordable sewing machine is a good option.
Features:
- Â 6 built-in stitches
- Free arm for pants or sleeves
- 4-Step buttonhole
- Lightweight (11.5 pounds)
Brother is another company that is well-known and respected in the sewing industry. As with the Singer Start 1304, this Brother sewing machine isn’t as fancy as the other machines I’ve listed. However, it’s super functional and will allow you to make most everything you want!
Again, if you’re not looking to make a big investment, this is a nice low-price yet good-quality option.
Features:
- 27 Built-in stitches
- Automatic needle threader
- 1-Step, auto-sized buttonhole
- Â Free arm for sleeves and pants
- Online technical support from Brother team
- 12.6 pounds
This sewing machine is a super high-quality option for a relatively low price. Its’ computerized functions make it easy to use, plus the wide table makes for a convenient surface to sew on.
This one is therefore definitely one of my top picks! It’s a little more expensive than the first two, but would be sure to last you.
Features:
- 60 Built-in stitches, including decorative stitches
- 7 Styles of auto-size buttonholes
- 10 sewing feet included
- Automatic needle threaderÂ
- LCD screen to easily view machine settings
- Wide sewing table
- Online technical support from Brother team
- 13 pounds
Just as the name states, this machine is heavy-duty and won’t break down on you. It can be used for whatever project you want and whatever material you’d like to use.
If you want something both long-lasting and versatile, this is a great option for you!
Features:
- 23 Built-in stitches, including 12 decorative stitches
- Automatic needle threader
- One-step buttonhole
- 4 Presser feet included
- High sewing speed of 100 stitches-per-minute
- 60% Stronger motor for thick seams and fabrics
- 25-Year limited warranty
- 17 Pounds
Janome is one of my favorite sewing machine brands because I have a Janome myself! That’s why I’m super confident in this recommendation.Â
Although this is the most expensive of the options listed, in my opinion, it’s also the most dependable. Additionally, it’s a very user-friendly and versatile machine, which makes it the perfect affordable sewing machine for beginners.Â
Features:
- 12 Built-in stitches
- 4-Step buttonhole
- 3 Sewing feet included
- 25-Year limited warranty
- 5-Piece feed dog
- Good for a variety of fabrics (I use mine for everything from swimwear to upholstery)
- 16 Pounds
There you have it! Those are my 5 top recommendations for affordable sewing machines for beginners.
If you can’t make up your mind about which to one to buy, here are my two cents:Â
You can’t go wrong with any of the machines I’ve listed above. I myself, however, use a Janome sewing machine and am therefore slightly partial to the brand. The one I have belonged to my Mom and has been going strong for at least 20 years now.Â
My sewing machine is a Janome My Excel 4023.
That exact model actually isn’t even made anymore and I can’t find a site that sells it. But, the Janome listed above is sort of an updated version of it. I absolutely love my Janome sewing machine and have been using it for all sorts of projects for years now!
However, if I were to buy a new machine today, I honestly think that it might be the Brother CS6000i. It has so many awesome features and a nice long arm to work with.Â
But the Janome is a workhorse that is sure to last you! I use it for all of my projects, even swimwear.
So again, you can’t go wrong with any of these. They’re all just good for different things:
The first two listed are pretty basic, so if you see yourself getting more serious about sewing in the future, they may not be the best investment. However, if you’re just looking to do a sewing project here or there, they’re perfect options!
The Brother CS6000i is the fanciest choice with the most features, so if you’re planning on using those features, it’s a great investment. But if you end up just using 2 or 3 stitches the majority of the time, you might not need all those features.
Lastly, the Singer 4423 and Janome 2212 are more basic than the Brother CS6000i, but are quality machines that’ll last you a lifetime.Â
In other words, the best choice for you depends on the type of sewing you plan on doing.
If you’re super unsure about whether or not you’d like to get into sewing at all, I’ve listed one more option for you below that is great for testing the waters.
I very recently bought this super cute little sewing machine and thought I’d add it to the list as a bonus option. It’s definitely not as advanced as the machines listed above. Nonetheless, this affordable sewing machine is great for simple projects and for children to learn on.Â
Plus, despite how basic it is, it still has 12 stitches to choose from and allows you to do most everything you need! It’s just not as customizable as the other machines and isn’t what I’d choose for daily use. As a second sewing machine, it’s great though!
The reason I got this is because it only weights five pounds and fits perfectly into a carry-on suitcase! That way, I can keep designing as I travel.Â
If you want something super basic yet functional, this is another great option.
Hope this list of affordable sewing machines for beginners is helpful!
As I said, I really hope this list is helpful in the process of buying a new sewing machine. If you have any other favorite affordable sewing machines for beginners, let me know in the comments and I might add them to the list!
If you already have your sewing machine and are ready to get started with some projects, check out my tutorials here.
Plus, if you’re looking to make swimwear like I do, check out this list of fabrics & notions that you’ll need for swimwear.Â
I can’t wait to see what you make! Let me know which machine you decide on in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
Love,
Emily