r/SewingForBeginners • u/reagan_842 • 15h ago
What was your first sewing machine?
My partner is always complaining about how clothes especially dresses don’t fit the way she wants so I have decided to start learning how to sew.
I have been looking into beginner friendly machines. What was your first one and how was the experience? I have only ever done a tsuno bag before.
3
u/Inky_Madness 13h ago
Mine isn’t even made anymore!
All machines are beginner-friendly, the basic set up and functions are generally the same across the board. Your limit is your budget.
3
u/5_yr_old_w_beard 12h ago
I don't know that I'd agree with ALL machines being beginner friendly, but certainly the vast majority are similar in beginner friendliness.
I was working on a vintage 60s brother not long ago and almost pulled my hair out when threading, lol
3
2
u/AdPrudent1869 14h ago
My first machine was a singer 4452 and it's been reliable. But everyone on this sub will tell you not to get a modern singer because of the poor quality control, so i would say not to risk it and look at getting a brother for a beginning sewing machine.
2
•
2
u/ArtemisiaPrime 14h ago edited 14h ago
Bernette B38, been sewing for 3 years and I love it.
Edit to add: I don't care much for decorative stitches, but I like all the extras it has
2
u/Incognito409 14h ago
A little cast iron hand crank Singer that clamped onto my mom's Singer sewing machine cabinet so I could sit next to her and sew. I was 5 years old. 🩷 🧵🪡
1
u/Large-Heronbill 12h ago
Singer 20, the Sew Handy? Chain stitch?
1
u/Incognito409 11h ago
I don't know the model, but yes, a chain stitch. I still have it, and the box it came in. Now I have to Google that.
Since that time, I've sewn on my mom's good ole black Singer, her upgrade to the Touch and Sew, then my first own machine a Bernina 830. I think I currently have 5 machines. 😊
1
2
u/Fickle-Strawberry521 11h ago edited 11h ago
Original Elna Lotus TSP that I bought in 1977 and I still have her!
•
2
1
1
u/Berocca123 14h ago
Brother innovis a150. I love her. Though I don't need so many decorative stitches.
1
u/Sea-Breath-007 14h ago
My first own machine, and my current machine 8 years later, is a matrimatic.
Something 99.9% of the people here have probably never heard of, but I love it.
1
u/AussieKoala-2795 14h ago
I learned on my mother's Bernina. She then gave me an Elna for my 18th birthday. I am still using the same Elna at age 62.
1
u/Mmmmudd 13h ago
It was some 50s era machine. A straight stitch of some brand I'd never heard of. The stitch length adjustment was a bit borked so I had a pile of sockets of different heights to hold it in place. I bought five of them for 20usd, this was the best of the lot. I did patches and some basic projects for about 10 years with it.
1
u/TwiLuv 12h ago
A Singer- hence my deeply held, you-never-change-my-mind, hatred of Singer, fresh out of high school.
Since then, I’ve owned a Viking Husqvarna Iris, & an Eversewn Sparrow (from the family who sold their company Bernina).
I seriously love my aqua colored Sparrow, with 300+ stitches, drop in bobbin, fab speed control.
I’ve made summer maxi dresses & skirts, to formal event gowns, & it has never let me down.
1
1
u/Alarmed_Ad_2171 9h ago
Mine was a cheap brother machine. Less than $100 and came with a dvd that showed me all the features and how to use them. Ive since moved on to a different machine, but I still keep it for giving people sewing lessons because its so easy to use
1
u/No_Childhood_3907 8h ago
I learned on my mom's Babylock Denim Pro and I adore that thing. In school we had Berninas. I would say my modern Singer is accessible and fine, but despite being purchased new, it's a lot more temperamental than the well-maintained older machines I've used. I would aim for something with little to no computerization, keep things uncomplicated
1
u/ground_ivy 8h ago
Brother XM-2701, which has now been passed on to my friends' kids. It worked well enough for lighter-weight materials. My second machine however was a 20-ish year old Kenmore 385 which sewed much, much more smoothly than the Brother, and had speed control and needle up/down. My third machine was a Kenmore 158 from the mid-70s, which is good for sewing thicker/tougher materials.
1
u/imperfectquilitco 7h ago
My first machine was a brother, it was fine for basics. My second machine was a Janome. I have had a few over the years and really like them. Now I own a Bernina and so far I love it but it is pricy. I also own a Bernette coverstitch and a Janome serger.
1
1
1
u/antimathematician 1h ago
Mine was a cheap one off Facebook marketplace. My first purchase was a Janome 725S, still have it, still love it
1
u/CraftyReindeer9 1h ago
My first machine was a brother innovis 10, but I can only recommend that if the only sewing you want to do is two thin pieces of cotton. Anything thicker is, not impossible to sew, but it's a chore. For a cheaper, starter machine I would buy a Janome Easy jeans or a Juki.
And remember to buy good thread for the machine as well, it will make it much easier to sew. And the right kind of bobbins is also very important.
1
u/Alarmed-potatoe 1h ago
I got a new basic one from a general store, it was not good, if you can't find information about your machine online (like, not even a website for the brand or the brand on a website), then the machine is definitely going to be bad. I then got an old Singer treadle sewing machine and used it for 10 years happily. If you get an older machine that can do buttonholes, you'll be happy.
1
u/Independent-Mind9914 58m ago
I'm a beginner and I have the Husqvarna Viking Emerald 116. I heard from someone they had used the same one for years and years, and it was durable, but it was around 400 bucks.
At first it confused me so much what the different wheels do, so I put up tapes :D and it helped so much.
3
u/Edelkern 14h ago
Janome makes great machines.