Know a student who is taking a sewing machine to college?  I bet some do but it didn’t really hit me until I walked into Joanne’s the other day and saw – unexpectedly – a ton of dorm room décor right up front.

This was unexpected for two reasons the first of which came in the form of “Dear Lord, school starting up again so soon?” and the second was that I had sewing machines and fabric on my mind and seeing small dust pans with mini brushes and plastic drawer organizers in multi-colors wasn’t quite what I thought I’d see when I first walked in to a well-known fabric and sewing notions store.

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Sewing machine stitch patterns are different for each machine and even the names of the same stitches can be different depending on the manufacturer.

Sorting through your options can be confusing, especially if you’re just learning to sew. Deciding on a new sewing machine is pretty easy right up until you have to choose one or another based on the built-in stitches.  You can’t add more later but it’s difficult to know in advance which ones you’ll find most useful. Here’s one way to help narrow down the stitches you might use most often.

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Singer 7258 Sewing MachineIf you’ve never used a sewing machine before, it can seem quite confusing. Taken step by step everything will gradually fall into place, and what at first seemed frightening can suddenly become quite simple. Starter sewing machines for beginners however, are best kept simple so that all aspects of the machine are fully understood before any project is undertaken.

Sewing machines have come a long way since their inception, and some of the technology incorporated in many machines today can be overwhelming. A conventional type of machine which is used mainly for stitching and repairing is a perfectly adequate machine for a beginner.

It’s important to consider from the start however, what the machine will eventually be required to do. Initially you’ll just learn how to use it, but what is your ultimate goal?

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Portable sewing machines for beginners are simple to use, and most people will be able to familiarize themselves with a machine in a very short space of time.

Some portable machines on the market have aspects which allow you to turn out great designs. Although lightweight they can include many features which are found on larger machines.

The beauty of a portable machine is of course the fact that it can be transported easily. This can be particularly useful when on holiday with young children as clothing disasters can be easily rectified.

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Quilting was originally always done by hand, but with the invention of the sewing machine, women who were able to afford it started quilting by machine.

Quilting sewing machines for beginners are, of course, widely available today and allow the possibility of producing a quilt faster and with more accuracy.

Initially a quilting frame was attached to a sewing machine and slid along whilst holding the quilt taut. Later the design was altered so that the sewing machine moved instead of the frame.

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Sewing Machines for Beginners – FAQ:

Which sewing machine should I buy?

It would be easy for us to just tell you to buy a certain sewing machine knowing that it had a good rating and you’d be content with its performance but you might find that it doesn’t do everything you need it to do based on how you intend to sew. That is the key to finding the best sewing machine for you, as a beginner. First figure out what type of sewing you want to be able to do right away and in the not too distant future – just mending, making clothes, quilting, craft sewing or embroidery? The answer to that question is the first step in narrowing down your selection. Once answered, don’t look at machines that can’t help you do that type of sewing no matter how good they are because eventually you’ll be dissatisfied and looking for a replacement.

Which brand of sewing machine is best for beginners?

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