Which sewing machine for a complete beginner?

[elsmandino]

Hello.

I would be really grateful for some advice.

My wife has suddenly taken an interest in sewing and I said that I would get her a sewing machine, to see how she gets on with it.

I have a few items of clothing that need replacement zips and shortening, so I am also rather tempted to have a go at doing these myself.

I recalled seeing an old machine in our loft, which I brought down for a look - it is extremely heavy and called a Jones Foreign.

Unfortunately, it doesn't work - the motor does not work and there is a switch which seems to be seized in one position.

I am therefore on the look out for a new machine.

I have done a bit of research and, like anything, there are so many variants.

Thus far, these three models keep popping up as recommended for beginners:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Brother-LS14S-Chassis-Sewing-Machine/dp/B07B6KL7VZ

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Singer-Model-1507-Sewing-Machine/dp/B001TLEHE4

https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-partners-jl110-sewing-machine-white/p317685

There is also mention of a Lidl sewing machine that they are selling for £79.99 at the moment, but they seem to be limited to only a number of stores.

Any advice/suggestions on what to look out for would be very much appreciated.

Thanks very much.

[Iminei]

Hi and welcome

Everyone will give you different recommendations as everyone gets on with their personal machine.

I'm a Janome girl!

I started with a fairly basic model and have upgraded through the years until Im happy with The Splurgess and see no reason to upgrade further.

I think Janome make excellent sewing machines, whereas Brother make good Embroidery machines.

What to advise ... Have you a relatively local sewing machine Emporia near yourselves where you can go and try the machine out??

This would be an excellent move as you would see a variety of different makes just beware being upsold by the salesman !

Features to look for ... Adjustable foot pressure, Variable speed limiter/control, up/down needle position, Automatic needle threader

Choose a relatively sturdy/heavy machine ... some of the cheaper one are almost all plastic ... not good.

The John Lewis machines (I think) are JL branded Janomes but quite lightweight and no speed limiter

If you choose a good machine, find you love sewing you can always upgrade, selling on the first machine (keep all the packaging, instructions books, receipts etc if you think you might be doing that)

[Silver Rose]

@elsmandino , I see you are in Essex, Franklins of Colchester have a good range of sewing machines and the staff are very helpful, they also have a lots of lovely of fabrics . They have a shop in Chelmsford too but I haven't been to that. I got my modestly priced Alfa from the Ipswich branch as a start and have been sewing happily with it for about 7 years. I hope you find something suitable for your wife.

[Ohsewsimple]

As someone who spent years working in a sewing shop and recently retired I would give Singers a wide berth.  I would also avoid Lidl machines.  Sometimes they work sometimes they don’t but they aren’t smooth and it’s not a good sewing experience.   For a beginner that’s important.  Many people have given up thinking it’s them when it’s the horrible machine they have. 
Brother and Janome make good basic machines and are reasonably priced.  I would definitely recommend going to Franklin’s and having a look and getting some advice.  Don’t buy from the internet or places like Argos.   What you get is a box, end of.  If you buy from a dealer they will be there to help you and show you how to use the machine. 
Something else to consider is the type of sewing your wife may want to do.  It makes a big difference to the machine you will be recommended. 

[StitchinTime]

If you are able to get to a sewing shop, they might have "pre-loved" machines that they have taken in as part exchange. If you would consider one of these, you'd get more features for your money.

If you can't get to a shop and have to buy online, then a specialist sewing machine site would be able to offer advice and help both before and after your purchase. A couple that I have used are Sewing Machines Direct and Sewing Machine World. Franklins (who have already been recommended) also sell online - Franklins Group.

[Lowena]

If you're in Essex, do as Silver Rose suggests.Go to Franklins ( Colchester and Chelmsford ) I used to live in Colchester and they are brilliant. I bought my first machine from them, a Brother and it was an excellent buy. Don't buy too cheap a model but tell them your needs and take their advice.

[So Chic]

I agree with Lowena’s comments and buy from a dealer.  The only on line retailers I would consider are Sewing Machine World or Sewing Machines Direct.

[Iminei]

Franklins are excellent as they have more than one brand of machine (some shops only stock one make and will push ypu hard to that one when it might not be best for you/your wife)

If internet, Sewing Machines Direct ... Which is the one to avoid Girls? with the dodgy bloke ???

[snoozi soozi]

Everybody has already given good advice, but I'll tell you my experience.

When I took up sewing about five years ago, inspired by GBSB, I bought a Singer (something, can't remember the model) from Argos, it was about a hundred pounds. I only bought it from there because I would get a £10 voucher which I thought was well worth it.

I used it a lot until about one year in the foot pedal jammed 'on' and couldn't be fixed, think modern plastic    After looking round the cheapest replacement pedal would cost £60.

In the meantime I had inherited my MIL's Janome which she had bought sometime in the 80's, it was computerised, it had buttons and it terrified me. Putting my big girl pants on one day I plugged it in and tentatively started tinkering with it, and there and then I fell deep    The new Singer ended up at the council tip, and the Janome is still going strong.

What I'm trying to say is that it is worth looking at older pre-loved models over a new one which may only have half of the functions available, and on the down side, might not last long.

Let us know what you decide, we're nosey 

[jintie]

Can your wife post her sewing requirements?

[sewingj]

Ladies - can I ask? For a complete beginner do you think a manual or computerized would be best?

[Ohsewsimple]

Computerised ones are generally easier to use.  They often have a speed control button which is wonderful for a beginner.  And  the optimum stitch length and width are already set, so no fiddling required....unless you want to. 

[Deafoldbat]

My wife has suddenly taken an interest in sewing and I said that I would get her a sewing machine, to see how she gets on with it.

I have a few items of clothing that need replacement zips and shortening, so I am also rather tempted to have a go at doing these myself.

If your wife is going to be the main user, she should accompany you to the shop and try out the machines and find out what she likes. If you're going to share the machine, then you both have to try them and settle for what suits you both best - compromise may be required. Don't forget to look at the pre-owned models too.

[Roger]

Im a massive fan of older machines theres a lot of those machines that are excellent and have a lot of more metal in them than modern machines, and the more metal the better the longevity, I'm a big fan of the Singer 401 as being a solid option that needs reasonably little care and will outlast us all some of the Japanese models from the 8os are excellent too, like the Frister Rossman 500 models.

My first machine came from posting in the vintage section of a similar sewing forum the local gumtree to the radius I was happy to go to and the advice I got was excellent

[Lowena]

Computerised every time for me