Are you a fan of the BBC's Great British Sewing Bee and eager to begin your stitching journey, but don’t have the know-how when it comes to zipper foots, bobbins and free arms? Worry not, as all will become clear with our guide to the best beginner-friendly sewing machines.
We break down a range of models, from cheap sewing machines to investment buys, each with its own unique selling point and to make things less complicated, we've also included a handy guide to sewing terminology.
How do sewing machines work?
With a first sewing machine, it’s important to choose a model that has the right built-in features. To help you find one that caters to your needs, expert sewer Deborah Shepherd, Creative Director at Janome UK, explains what to keep an eye out for.
‘An automatic adjustable stitch length is useful as it will take the faff out of trying to find the right setting for the fabric. A drop feed facility is helpful if you’re planning on practising free-motion embroidery, and it’s also worth checking to see what types of feet come with the model. For instance, if you think you’ll need to add zips to your projects, ensure it comes with a zipper foot.
‘A drop-in bobbin with a full rotary hook will also help to avoid fabric jams, especially when you’re learning to sew.’
New to sewing with a machine? Here's a quick to how to use a sewing machine
Sewing terms explained
There are a lot of technical terms out there for sewing machines, but here’s what you need to know if you’re a beginner.
Automatic thread cutter This means that you don’t need to cut any of the threads by hand, simply press the button and it will cut the bobbin and needle threads for you.
Advanced needle threader Threading a needle can be fiddly, so save yourself the trouble with this mechanism.
Drop-in bobbin Also known as a top-loading bobbin, this means that there’s a sliding plate underneath the needle that you can remove to literally ‘drop in’ the bobbin. The alternative is a front-loading bobbin, but neither feature is generally better than the other – it’s up to your preference.
Presser foot This is an attachment that is used to keep the fabric flat when sewing. However, there are several types of attachments that are suitable, depending on what you’re sewing. For example, a zipper foot is great because it allows the needle to get closer to the zip teeth.
Square feed drive system This has a longer sewing foot, which allows most materials to be fed through the machine smoothly for a neat finish.
Free arm A free arm is a section that can be pulled out at the base of the machine – it comes in handy when sewing tube-like items, such as trouser legs, sleeves and cuffs.
Knee lift Instead of controlling the start, stop and speed of the sewing machine with a foot pedal, you may prefer a knee lift.
Automatic buttonholes This simply means that the machine will stitch a buttonhole in a certain number of steps. You’ll find instructions on how to set this up in your sewing machine manual.
Best sewing machines in 2022
Brother INNOV-IS F420 Sewing Machine
At a glance
- £599
- Knee lift
- Automatic thread cutter
- Advanced needle threader
- Lock stitch
This Brother sewing machine may be at the higher end of the budget, but if you want the potential to take your sewing to the next level then it’s a smart investment. Its Square Feed Drive System can cope with any type of fabric, plus it’s super easy to use with its advanced needle threader.
Singer Heavy Duty 4423
At a glance
- £299
- 23 built-in stitches
- Advanced needle threader
- Automatic one-step buttonhole
- Drop-in bobbin
- Heavy duty metal frame
For thick fabrics, choose the 4423 machine. This model has a 60 per cent stronger motor than most standard sewing machines, which means it can stitch through leather and upholstery materials with ease.
Top tip
Janome 2200XT Sewing Machine
At a glance
- £169
- 22 built-in stitches
- Free arm
- Thread cutter
- Automatic four-step buttonhole
- Manual stitch width and length adjustment
If you’re looking to dabble in a spot of sewing and want to stick with basic projects, then this inexpensive model is for you. It’s a great all-rounder and has all the popular stitches, too.
Silver 12-Stitch Mini Sewing Machine
At a glance
- £59
- 12 built-in stitches
- Mechanical machine
- Automatic four-step buttonhole
- Back stitch
- Comes with two thread spools, two bobbins, a needle threader and a needle
Tight on space? Then this compact machine is your calling. It’s a great beginner model that is best suited to lightweight fabrics, plus, because of its size, it’s easily portable. At just £59, it's a bargain sewing machine too!
Janome 230DC Sewing Machine
At a glance
- £379
- 30 built-in stitches
- LED light
- Automatic one-step buttonhole
- Drop-in bobbin
- Lock stitch
This computerised machine has enough basic and advanced features to ensure it will grow with you as you progress from newbie stitcher to seasoned professional! It also features no-fuss threading and a quick-set bobbin.
John Lewis & Partners JL110 Sewing Machine
At a glance
- £130
- 14 built-in stitches
- Free arm
- LED light
- Automatic four-step buttonhole
- Front-loading bobbin
Perfect for complete beginners, this retro-looking model is capable of tackling light- to medium-weight fabrics and has plenty of useful features, such as an LED light, a free arm and a good selection of stitches.
Brother LS14s Sewing Machine
At a glance
- £89
- 14 built-in stitches
- Four-step buttonhole
- LED light
- Free arm
- Drop-in bobbin
Whether you’re stitching a new cushion cover or repairing a seam, the LS14s makes simple sewing a breeze. The lightweight machine is an ideal choice for newbie stitchers.
Caught the baking bug too after watching The Great British Bake Off? See our buyer's guide to the best stand mixers and be sure to check out the rest of our buyer's guides here.
