[Claudette]

I’m new to sewing and looking to purchase a sewing machine without breaking the bank. Can anyone provide guidance on what features to look for and where to find affordable options? I’m an adult beginner with no prior experience in sewing, so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance for your help!

[Emma]

Whatever you choose, whether Janome, baby lock, singer, etc. (those are the machines I have right now) it doesn’t have to be new, but it should work well and come with a manual. If it is giving you trouble because of issues that it has, it will make you frustrated, which you don’t want to have to deal with while learning.

I think that unless it’s a free machine then you should go for new so that you know it will work, and if it doesn’t for some reason you can exchange it. But the choice is up to you.

I love each of the brands that I have and have had good luck with them working well. I think you should be able to find relatively cheap machines in each of those brands.

[Linda]

1. Buy a metal machine. Plastic parts do not stay aligned.

2. Look for an old Singer or other make online. Have it cleaned and serviced before using. I often see them at Goodwill or consignment shops. You might even ask friends if they know of any for sale or as a give away.

I gave away my mother’s old Singer because I already owned three machines.

These old machines do not have fancy gadgets or sewing designs, but the person who is learning to sew doesn’t need those yet. She may even decide she doesn’t like sewing.

[Leah]

Google for area and see if there is a sewing machine repair person or shop near you. In my area there is a repair person who sells refurbished used machines.

[Jaime]

As a sewer myself, check out market place. For an older used machine you could get one for $50-$100. Really it depends on what you want it to be able to do.

I have four machines myself, three are between 1900-1926. The forth is five ish years ago and I barely use it.

[Nesha]

But also, put out the word that you’d like a sewing machine. Lots of people have one from family that isn’t getting used and they are happy to pass it on. You can get an idea as to whether you like sewing and what features you want.

[Kathy]

I don’t know if you belong to a neighbor market place, but I see sewing machines for sale on there quite often, for not much money since people don’t sew much anymore. I still have mine, but rarely use it.

[Debbie]

Look for an older(1970’s) metal machine. Bring someone along to test drive it. Fabric swatch and a spool of thread, too.

Kenmore machines, Singer, Dressmaker, Nechi, any of the more common names. MAKE SURE THE MACHINE HAS THE BOBBIN IN IT!

Many are missing and replacing it is expensive. Find a good sewing machine repair shop to give it a good look see.

Computerized machines will need $200+ just to look at them.

Go to a Kenmore or Singer FB page to ask specific questions. Good luck!

[Vanda]

Garage sales or estate sales sometimes practically give away old machines. Yes metal, Sears, singer Montgomery wards are all good. Clean and grease

[Meg]

Look on Marketplace and even buy nothing. We have as very simple Singer, it was around $80 iirc. We’ve had machines given to us that we’ve passed along because they were much more than we needed. We really just need one for hemming and really small projects.

[Regene]

See if you can find one through marketplace or from someone you known who sews- they sometimes upgrade or will have one that belonged to a family sewer. You don’t need a new machine with all the bells and whistles to start.

[Author]

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