Sewing Machines for Beginners: What to Look For and 7 Models Compared
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A first sewing machine doesn't need hundreds of stitches. Most beginner projects use a straight stitch, a zigzag and maybe a buttonhole. What makes a machine easy to live with is how it threads, how the bobbin goes in, and whether you can adjust it when something looks off. Everything below comes from the makers' listings and support pages. We haven't tested these machines.
What to look for
- Bobbin system. Machines take either a drop-in (top-loading) bobbin or a front-loading one, and SINGER gives different insertion steps for each. SINGER says to always use the bobbin style that came with your machine, and Brother's support page says bobbins from other models can make its machines run incorrectly.
- Needle threader. Many Brother and SINGER models list an automatic needle threader. It saves squinting at the eye of the needle.
- Buttonholes. A one-step (auto-size) buttonhole sews the whole buttonhole in one go. A four-step buttonhole is sewn in four separate steps.
- Adjustable stitches. Some machines preset length and width for each stitch (the SINGER M1500, per its listing). Others let you set them yourself.
- Free arm. Sliding off part of the bed lets you sew sleeves and cuffs. Most machines here list one.
Brother XM2701: the basics, plus extras in the box
27 built-in stitches including blind hem, zigzag and stretch, an auto-size buttonhole, automatic needle threader and a drop-in bobbin, per the listing. It comes with 6 feet, a needle set, a twin needle and 4 bobbins, which covers most first projects.
Brother XM2701 Sewing Machine
- 27 built-in stitches including blind hem, zigzag and stretch, plus an auto-size buttonhole, per the listing
- Automatic needle threader; drop-in top bobbin
- 6 sewing feet, needle set, twin needle and 4 bobbins included
- Free arm
Brother CS5055: computerized, more stitches
60 built-in stitches and 7 one-step auto-size buttonhole styles, chosen on an LCD screen, per the listing. It also lists a metal frame and a larger needle-to-arm workspace. Its bigger sibling, the CS7000X, adds more stitches, a wide table and a hard case.
Brother CS5055 Computerized Sewing Machine
- 60 built-in stitches and 7 one-step auto-size buttonholes, per the listing
- Automatic needle threader; drop-in top bobbin; LCD display
- 7 sewing feet, 4 bobbins and needle set included
- Metal frame
Brother GX37 and XM3700: in between
Both list 37 built-in stitches, an auto-size buttonhole, automatic needle threader and drop-in bobbin. The GX37 comes with 6 feet; the XM3700 lists 5 named feet (zigzag, zipper, blind stitch, buttonhole and button sewing) plus a twin needle.
Brother GX37 Sewing Machine
- 37 built-in stitches and an auto-size buttonhole, per the listing
- Automatic needle threader; drop-in top bobbin
- 6 sewing feet, needle set and bobbins included
- Free arm
Brother XM3700 Sewing Machine
- 37 built-in stitches and a one-step auto-size buttonhole, per the listing
- Automatic needle threader; drop-in top bobbin
- 5 sewing feet, needle set, twin needle and 4 bobbins included
- Free arm
Janome 2212: mechanical and simple
12 built-in stitches and a four-step buttonhole, with dial stitch selection and adjustable width and length, per the listing. It uses a front-loading bobbin, has snap-on presser feet and an extra-high presser foot lift.
Janome 2212 Sewing Machine
- 12 built-in stitches and a four-step buttonhole, per the listing
- Dial stitch selection; adjustable stitch width and length
- Front-loading bobbin; free arm; drop feed
- Snap-on presser feet; extra-high presser foot lift
Brother FB1757X: the smallest step in
17 built-in stitches, a 4-step buttonhole, reverse button, free arm and LED light, per the listing. It's a mechanical machine with fewer extras than the XM2701.
Brother FB1757X Mechanical Sewing Machine
- 17 built-in stitches, per the listing
- 4-step buttonhole; reverse button
- Free arm; LED work light
SINGER M1500: preset stitches
6 built-in stitches giving 57 stitch applications, a four-step buttonhole, and threading guides printed on the machine, per the listing. Stitch length and width are preset for each stitch, so there's less to set, but also less to adjust.
SINGER M1500 Sewing Machine
- 6 built-in stitches, 57 stitch applications, per the listing
- Stitch length and width preset for each stitch
- Four-step buttonhole
- Threading guides marked on the machine
Compared
| Machine | Stitches (per listing) | Buttonhole | Bobbin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brother XM2701 | 27 | Auto-size | Drop-in |
| Brother CS5055 | 60 | 7 one-step styles | Drop-in |
| Brother GX37 | 37 | Auto-size | Drop-in |
| Brother XM3700 | 37 | One-step auto-size | Drop-in |
| Janome 2212 | 12 | Four-step | Front-loading |
| Brother FB1757X | 17 | 4-step | See listing |
| SINGER M1500 | 6 (57 applications) | Four-step | See listing |
Before your first seam
- Read the threading section of your manual. Brother says to raise the presser foot and put the needle at its highest position before threading. SINGER's check: with the foot up the thread pulls easily; lower the foot and it should resist. If it doesn't, rethread. More in our threading guide.
- Sew with the presser foot down. SINGER says sewing with it up tangles the thread and jams the bobbin.
- Don't oil it unless the manual says to. Brother's support page says the XM2701, CS7000X and many related models must not be oiled by the user.
- Keep spare needles. See our needle guide for which type and size goes with which fabric.
FAQ
What matters most on a first machine?
Threading, bobbin type, buttonhole style and adjustable stitches.
Computerized or mechanical?
Either works. The computerized models here list an LCD and more built-in stitches.
Do I oil a Brother machine?
Not the models on Brother's no-oil list. Check your manual.