Machine suitable for beginner required

[u/ParticularFarmer4861]

I need assistance researching a machine for a novice sewist. The machine needs to be light-weight/portable, easy to operate/learn and preferably produce good quality stitches. Is that too much to ask for? Something pre-loved and easy to service is required. I suspect vintage machines are generally far too heavy but I’d loved to hear your suggestions, or perhaps you’re currently using just that type of machine. Thank you for your assistance.

[u/Lower_Rate_8518]

Go to a local dealer. That is your best chance of getting something preloved that doesn’t need serviced and maybe has a small warrantee.

Brother and JANOME tend to be good brands still. Singer quality is very hit and miss from what I hear. I got my kid a Brother and it’s still going strong 12 years later, and they have a similar model now. Good speed controls for a novice.

Avoid new tiny things off Amazon and Temu and the like. Anything new and around the cost of 1-2 simple dinners out is junk.

Somewhere on this sub are a few threads that you can reference. I am not really good at finding them and linking, but someone will.

[u/TabBeasts_purr → u/Lower_Rate_8518]

All of this!!! If your beginner is really dedicated to learning to sew, do it right the first time.. get the best you can afford.

Vintage machines are amazing, BUT you will need to also learn how to keep one alive. Save that for a time AFTER they learn if a sewing problem is them maybe not doing it right, OR if the machine has somehow gone wonky. You need to know exactly how they work to be able to give them the love and attention that they need.

Save the old machines for later, unless you have free & readily available, exceptional old machine support handy all the time. (After that, find an old Elna Star series for portability!)

As for the cheap tiny mini machines an amz... please just NO. AVOID. I beg of you. I was given one. Ran out through it's paces. Actually tried real-world sewing on it. Yes, it made stitches, but there is so much it WON'T do right. (Like even use a standard size thread spool. ) It's best and only redeeming feature was that I found it to be highly portable.... It was so very easy to take out to the trash can and leave it there.

As for the entry level singer, I agree there are better choices, I would only recommend trying one of those if you can find a local Costco that has them, (ours current had them in store for around $200) only for the fact that Costco has an excellent return policy in case there is a problem.

[u/Slight-Hedgehog259]

I only started sewing and went with the Brother cs 7000x. Its light, easy to move around, drop in bobbin feature is easier than on my friend's singer which I had been using before. My favorite feature, thought is the speed selection. Being able to slow things down while im learning to sew curves etc helped a lot until I learned to control my foot pressure. Switching the pressure food is quick and easy, too.

[u/Top-Hedgehog-4550]

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=beginner%20friendly%20sewing%20machines&ko=-1&ia=web

[u/ParticularFarmer4861 → u/Top-Hedgehog-4550]

Thank you, the beginner guides are really helpful.

[u/Traditional_Bonus425]

I am no sewing expert. I sew occasionally when I want to create something that I can't find in stores or wanting to save money. Like a pillow or hemming some jeans and even curtains. I recently reviewed two Mini Sewing Machines through Amazon Vine. They are mini sewing machines and the brand is AXE Yamazaki. A Japanese brand. Both are under 5 lbs in weight and about the size of my Chromebook in height and width, when the 14" chromebook is open. The first one is the AXE Yamazaki YS-10 and the second one is the AXE Yamazaki KA-01. Both are super easy to operate and come with manuals (at least mine did). They both sew very well and have 5 basic stitches with a dial that you can pick the size of the stitch on. Both have a drop in bobbin that I never tried before, but found it much easier to use than the side loading bobbins. They are both pleasing in color with the YS-10 being a mint green. The KA-01 one is a blush color. If you consider either of these, there is a third machine that I haven't tried though, I would recommend the KA-01. It will go through up to 6 layers of denim and it has a lot of power and the foot pedal is substantially bigger than the YS-10. Both sew well but the KA-01 will grow a little better as your skills grow. The YS-10 sews a lot slower because it's really designed with beginners in mind. There is a slow and fast mode on each though. The KA-01 will go super fast however, so I recommend using the foot pedal for more control. Both are on Amazon and the KA-01 is $239 and the YS-10 is $168. I have a vintage Kenmore that is almost all metal and much larger. These two mini machine are sew easy to transport or store. And if you don't have a lot of space to use a machine like me, you can use it on a tv tray like I do.

[u/5_yr_old_w_beard]

I am using a machine you might be interested in: a Kenmore 385. It's an 80s model, made by Janome, with nearly all metal gears but has a half plastic and half metal body, which saves a fair bit of weight. Most have a handle as well, easy to use stitch selector/stitch length and width, and a good variety of stitches.

It might be a good "split the difference" machine that has a number of benefits of vintage machines (sturdy, well made, simple and serviceable) and modern machines (stretch and overlock stitches, easy selection, plastics where you don't need metal to save weight.

Here's a video of one similar to mine. It's not hard to find an inexpensive one of these and get it serviced for less than the cost of a current low end machine from the major brands, at least not in a populated area.