Choosing your first sewing machine can feel overwhelming. Shops are full of machines with hundreds of stitches, touch screens and price tags to match. Here’s the good news from a fashion teacher: you don’t need any of that.
I have made lots of clothes and taught classes on budget domestic sewing machines. They stitch the same as expensive ones. Pricier machines are heavier, so they shake less, and they come with extra decorative stitches. That’s about it.
What to look for in a beginner sewing machine
- Straight stitch and zig-zag. These two stitches do almost everything. Anything else is a bonus.
- Adjustable stitch length and width. So you can make longer stitches for gathering and tacking.
- A reverse lever or button. For locking the start and end of every seam.
- Easy threading. Numbered thread guides and a needle threader save a lot of frustration.
- A free arm. The base slides off so you can sew sleeves and trouser hems in a loop.
- Some weight. A heavier machine stays put on the table. Very light machines bounce on thick fabric.
- A one-step buttonhole is handy later, but not essential on day one.
Mechanical or computerised?
Mechanical machines have dials and knobs. They’re cheaper, simple to understand and easy to repair. For most beginners, this is the one to buy.
Computerised machines have buttons and a small screen. They’re lovely to use and often have extras like automatic needle threading, but they cost more and are harder to fix.
Good beginner sewing machines in the UK
Prices are a rough guide from October 2026 and change often, so check before you buy.
Brother L14S: best budget pick
A simple mechanical machine with 14 stitches, around £115. Everything a beginner needs and nothing to confuse you. See the Brother L14S.
Brother LX17
Another mechanical beginner machine from Brother, at around £129. See the Brother LX17.
Singer Promise 1408
A basic machine from a name Nanna Betty would have known well, around £165 at Hobbycraft.
Janome 2200XT: best all-rounder
A sturdy mechanical machine with 22 stitches, around £195. Janome machines have a good reputation in UK sewing classrooms. See the Janome 2200XT.
Janome J3-24 or bernette 05 Crafter: a step up
Both are mechanical machines at around £299. The Janome J3-24 has 24 stitches and a one-step buttonhole. The bernette 05 Crafter has 30 stitches and is built for heavier fabrics.
Brother Innov-is A16: if you want computerised
A computerised machine with 16 stitches, around £369 to £399. See the Brother Innov-is A16.
For independent testing, Which? has a guide to the best sewing machines, and you can browse the full Janome UK range.
Do I need an overlocker too?
Not at first. An overlocker neatens the edges of fabric like shop-bought clothes, but a zig-zag stitch on your sewing machine does the same job while you learn. My guide to types of sewing stitches explains how.
What about handheld and mini machines?
They’re cheap, but they’re not a replacement for a full-size machine if you want to make clothes. Here’s how to use a handheld or mini sewing machine, and what they’re good for.
Buying a second-hand sewing machine
Older machines can be brilliant, and many are built to last. Ask to see it sew, check it comes with a foot pedal, bobbins and a manual (or that you can find one online), and budget for a service. If you’re not sure, a new budget machine is the safer choice.
Got your machine? Pick up the 10 sewing tools every beginner needs and try one of these easy beginner sewing projects.
Learn how to sew the Nanna Betty way
Whichever machine you choose, Nanna Betty Sewing School shows you how to thread it, start sewing, and fix it when it won’t sew. Short videos for your phone, and every make takes 2 hours or less.
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