Long post, but lots of info here, that you might want to check out.
Please read this before you buy
deep inhale "ok so you want a sewing machine. Anything that is considered "new" on Amazon, unless it is from a brand most sewists know of, do not buy You don't know the quality, what to expect, it may highly likely be overpriced, and not worth getting from Amazon, so try to avoid Amazon if you can in general.
New machines:
The primary sewing machine brands are as follows, in order of more to least reliable in sturdyness, quality, and overall longevity for home sewing brands:
Bernina
Juki
Bernette (subsidiary of Bernina)
Brother
Janome
Husqvarna
Necchi
Singer
For "Industrial machines", I've used Singer, Juki, and "Reliable" brands at school. Industrial machines, they only do one thing, but do it really REALLY well, and FAST. Do not get an industrial machine as a beginner
Singer for home sewing is the lowest on the rung for "new" machines, because of the current quality and longevity of the machines.
Yes, I have several Singer machines, no I would not recommend buying them if you want them to last. I should have gone with a Bernina but its what I could afford at the time
Vintage machines:
If you get a VINTAGE machine (40 years or older), Singer is ok, as is most other vintage machines which you will find the following brands, again high to low (although they're all pretty competitive, even back then)
Singer Bernina Juki White Kenmore/Sears Brother Viking Husqvarna Remington Elna Vulcan Cavalier Dressmaker
Ok so why is Singer at the top of this list now?
Because cross compatibility. There were/are a LOT of parts that fit multiple machines depending on what era you buy it from. If you buy one that's made between 1920 and 1950, there are a shit tonne of Singer 15 clones, so tonnes of parts. The bodies were metal, built to last with regular maintenance
With that said, older machines will have their ticks, and quirks. I mean…don't we all with age?
The key thing with any machine is knowing how to use one, and maintaining it, so regular oiling is mandatory
Part of the problem is, newer machines, they don't want you getting under the hood, kinda like a car, to maintain them. They want you to use it till it breaks, then throw it out and get a new one Examples of machines and personal opinions on each:
As an example, this is my Vintage baby. She's old, but still beautiful! Built in Scotland in 1937, and she still works! Hand powered (no electricity) cast iron body, all metal parts, except for the felt for wicking oil into the bobbin thread shuttle, and the rubber tire for the winding mechanism. Built to survive a nuclear blast just about. The downside is she's the heaviest machine I own, and also the oldest machine I have. This is the Singer 99k. The K is just an indicator of where she was made. Most Singer 66 parts are cross compatible with the Singer 99 models, if you're looking for replacement parts. The most likely thing to go is the springs, such as the presser foot springs and the spring that opens and closes the tension discs. (I'm working on replacing mine, but she does work)
This is an example of 'a in bad need of repair' industrial machines, that is also pretty old. They were selling them as is at college fairly cheap. I'd estimate this machine was made in the 60s or 70s based on the color of the table. I'm sure once they are given some love, they'd work just fine. Industrial machines are a workhorse, and generally regarded as being able to do the heaviest lifting when it comes to layers of fabric. You as a beginner do not need an industrial machine, but if you want to lean in and splurge, see if you can get a working second hand machine that's had a tune up
This one is a "Reliable" branded industrial sewing machine that I snapped a pic of in mid process of me making a collar sample for school. Its a newer machine, maybe max 20 years old. Just wanted to show you one as a comparison
This is a vintage machine that I gave to someone, thinking a newer one that was given to me would be more valuable. I was quite wrong, and I regret giving it up, but I hope the person who had it still uses it. This is the Kenmore Ultra-Stitch 12. My workhorse for the better part of a decade before I gave it up. Had I known then what I know now, it likely just needed a timing adjustment and it would have been fine. All metal body, the basic 12 stitches I needed, and worked really well for what I was doing with it. The video on me oiling this machine is one of my most popular on YouTube. Cat tax (RIP kitty), included. (she passed in 2020 from cancer for anyone wondering)
She was oh so helpful too. Anyhow...moving on
This is the Singer Esteem II. I realize the case is off. Not often you see a machine that has its case off. I wanted to show you that this one is ok. Mostly metal frame, fairly decent construction being made in the past 15 -20 years or so. I've used it for about 5 years, and it was given to me second hand by a colleague of mine who wasn't using it anymore.
Just snapped a quick pic of what it looks like with the shell on, and coated in stickers. What can I say, I like playing Terraria from time to time, and I have a lot of Holo Taco. Again, not a bad machine. This has been fixed up, greased and oiled, and will be going to The Shitpost Calligrapher at a later date for them to enjoy
My camera skills aren't great, but this is a mostly repaired machine. This is the Singer Prelude. Found on the side of the road. I cleaned it up, it just needs the reverse bar replaced (working on that), and its good to go. The most common problem on this machine is the reverse bar breaking. So much so that you can get a replacement STL file on Thingverse I'm keeping this one just cause I like the button hole function a bit better
One of my newest machines, and the first brand new out of the box machine I ever bought for myself. This is the Singer Heavy Duty 6380. Metal frame, fairly sturdy plastic body, and most of the basic stitches you'll ever need, multi positionable needle (left, center, right). It will go through 2 layers of coutil (really tight woven corset making cotton), and if I want to use an electric machine, this is my daily driver so far. The Prelude is going to wind up being my "take with me to travel to a sewing party or help a friend with repairs" machine.
NOW.....what you don't see in any of these is "digital" features. Why? The more electronic stuff a machine has, the more chances of something going wrong and not being able to fix it it has.
Now... I'm not saying digital machines are bad. I would love to have one to do embroidery with, but that's just not in my budget, or most folks who want to just start out in sewing. If you want to get a digital machine, I wouldn't recommend one for a beginner as they're harder to maintain or fix. I'd wait till you are more comfortable with sewing before you consider getting a digital machine.
Sources for getting machines:
Facebook Marketplace/Craigslist/Kajiji if you're Canadian/yard sales:
This might be a good option. Someone couldn't get into sewing and wants to get rid of their machine. Someone in the family might even have a vintage one. Most vintage machines will go between 40$ to 100$, especially the really old treadle and hand cranked machines, or the Singer "featherweight" series machines from the 50s, or common cast iron bodied ones like my Singer 99k. Granted I overpaid for mine but I wanted a machine that was guaranteed to work when I got it.
Ebay/Etsy:
Again it really depends on the brand/condition/refurbished state of the machine. Some people are machine collectors (someone I remember seeing having an army of the grasshopper Elna machines as example), some people just want to sell their family members' machine that passed away with no intention on using it themselves
Estate sales: See Ebay/Etsy
Now....Any used machine you get, please have it checked out by someone you know who sews regularly, who can confirm any trouble spots before you get into using the machine. Or, get one cheap, and take it to a shop to get it refurbished
Thrift stores:
Places like Savers/Value Village/Goodwill:
Again might be a good idea to take a sewing friend with you shopping if you're looking for a used machine and find one at a thrift shop.
In person stores:
If Canadian:
Lens Mills, Canadian Tire, Fabricland/Fabricville, Quilt shops, sewing supply shops, Walmart, Michaels, Costco, some leather shops, sewing outlets stores. Sometimes colleges in the fashion department will have someone selling one (as can be seen by my pics from George Brown), Best Buy for some reason (be careful, a fair number of unknown brands)
If USA:
Wawak, Walmart, Target, Costco, sewing outlet stores, quilt shops, leather shops (IE Tandy Leather sells a few in brands I've never heard of but specific for leather sewing), dry cleaning supply stores, some Youtubers (ie Sarah Spaceman has a promo code for Bernina brand via her YouTube Channel), other big box craft stores like Michael's (RIP Joann), Best Buy for some reason (be careful, a fair number of unknown brands)
Avoid if in USA: Hobby Lobby (at your own risk, non LGBT friendly, extreme christian-puritanical views for the company, terrible health care plan if you're AFAB)
Elsewhere:
Quilt shops, Department stores, sewing supply stores, sometimes hardware shops, clothing fabric shops, sometimes you just have to shop around based on your location. Again beware unknown brands that are not commonly known.
Nice to have but not necessary: Sergers
This was brand new to me out of the box in 2024 the Singer heavy duty 4 strand home serger, model number 14HD854, also known as an overlock machine
Can you make clothes and sew with a serger: yes
Is it complicated to sew with a serger: also yes
Do I have to have a serger to make cool stuff: No
Do I have to have a sewing machine at all to make cool stuff: Also no
As an example I made this jumper dress 100% hand sewn, made out of linen.
Lastly: Industrial machines Can I get an industrial machine as a beginner: yes, but with a caveat. You will want to reduce the speed in which your machine goes, cause hoooooly shit can they go fast when you're not expecting it.
As an experienced sewist, I would say that the ones set at college with no speed regulator go way too fast for beginners. Even with the foot pedal, the slowest speed goes faster than my home sewing machine's top speed. So, if you do get an industrial machine, you will need to reduce the speed.
What NOT to buy:
If the machine looks like any of these above, DO NOT BUY! Super duper light weight, all plastic parts, or looks like a stapler, or looks like a toy, do not buy.
They break super fast, and its not even worth the 30$ (or less) you can get for them on Amazon.
Final thoughts:
Take a friend, ask around, and please do your research before buying a sewing machine. When you get one, read the instructions VERY thoroughly, watch a few YouTube videos on your specific make and model to get to know the features, go forth, and create cool stuff!
Thank you for reading this long post.
