7 Best Sewing Machines Under $200 For Beginner Sewists
When you first start looking into purchasing your first sewing machine, it can get confusing and overwhelming with all the different options and colossal price ranges. Your favorite sewing influencer SWEARS by this brand or that and claims you MUST have a top-of-the-line machine with all the “bells and whistles.”
I get it; I’ve been there. But making that big of an investment into a machine, which you’re not sure you will utilize a bunch or even have the budget for, can be downright depressing.
That’s why I’ve sat down and found the seven best sewing machines under $200 to help you figure out the best machine for you and your needs.
How Much Does a Good Sewing Machine Cost?
The biggest takeaway I hope you get from this post is that you do NOT have to pay an arm and a leg to have a great sewing machine. This is an essential topic to me because I remember when I started sewing, I was so frustrated that I didn’t see anyone making quilts or other sewing projects with a “cheap” sewing machine.
I didn’t have $1,000+ to shell out on a sewing machine, especially as a beginner, but so many quilters and other sewists I followed were always recommending these fancy schmancy machines.
Sewing is a beautiful way to express yourself creatively; for many, myself included, it is therapeutic and healing. That said, you shouldn’t feel pressured to purchase an expensive sewing machine or feel you can’t experience the joy of sewing because you can’t afford the fancy machine so-and-so is recommending.
So how much does a good sewing machine cost? Well, that depends on a few factors.
- What will you be using the sewing machine for?
- What is your budget?
- Can you wait for a deal like Black Friday sales?
If you will use the machine for hobby sewing and nothing too specific, then a basic domestic sewing machine will work great for you. We will look at several basic machines later that are under $200.
However, if you plan to make quilts, you may need to search for “quilting machines.” That doesn’t mean it has to be an expensive machine, though. My first quilting machine cost around $250, but I had already figured out quilting was my jam, and I wanted a machine with a few more bells and whistles than my basic sewing machine.
As far as budget goes, if you can spend between $300-$400 on your first machine, you will be able to get a great machine, but guess what? If you can only spend $150-$200, you can also get a marvelous machine!
If you can, I recommend holding off on purchasing a machine until it goes on sale. Joanns (a large craft and hobby store in the states) has its sewing machines on sale several times throughout the year.
You can also check out the cheap sewing machines Amazon has to offer. If you purchase a machine from Amazon, I recommend sticking to brands you have heard of, like Singer, Brother, Janome, Juki, etc.
These brands will be a safe bet, and you can sometimes find sewing machines under $100. My first sewing machine was $75, which my parents purchased for me on Black Friday. It worked great, and I taught myself to sew on that machine.
Brother or Singer Sewing Machine: Which is Better?
The age-old question: Brother or Singer? The short answer: both. Whether one is better than the other will depend on personal preference and what type of machine you are looking for.
Both companies have been around for over a century. Singer started in 1851 and has been an industry-standard in domestic sewing machines. Brother was created in 1908 and is also an industry standard, especially in garment-making.
Both companies have machines in every domestic sewing category, like quilting, heavy-duty, sergers, mechanical, and electric. If you want to learn about the different types of sewing machines, check out my post here.
Either way, you go, Singer or Brother, you will purchase a well-made machine from a trusted company. We will look at machines from both companies in the next section.
7 Budget-Friendly Sewing Machine Options Under $200
In this section, I will list the different sewing machines, their cost, and the different features of each one. This list is a great starting point for someone searching for the best sewing machine under $200.
Note: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
This Brother sewing machine is a fantastic choice for any beginner, regardless of what kind of sewing you want to do. It has 27 built-in stitches, including stitches you can use for garment making like a zigzag stitch, blind hem, and buttonhole. It also comes with six attachable feet for all your sewing needs.
When you purchase a Brother sewing machine, you get access to their excellent customer service for the lifetime of your machine. This should give you peace of mind that you can contact the company for help if you run into an issue.
This beautiful navy blue Singer sewing machine has 97 stitch applications to give you complete control over the customization of your projects. It also features an easy-to-use needle threader, so you don’t have to waste a bunch of time trying to thread the needle yourself.
The frame is made from heavy-duty steel, meaning this machine should last for years of use. Easily convert the machine to a free arm to sew curved pieces like hems and cuffs. When purchasing this machine, you can access an online Free Sewing Class to teach you how to use the machine. That’s a massive bonus for beginners.
If you know you will be sewing with thick layers of fabric, you may want to invest in a heavy-duty machine. These machines are built to last and power through several layers of fabric like denim or suede.
The Singer 4423 is a popular choice since Singer is a well-known name in sewing machines and known for sturdy frames. This machine comes with an accessory kit with four feet, tools to use and clean the machine, and a dust cover. It features 27 built-in stitches to use for decoration and construction. The machine also comes with a 25-year limited warranty.
Beginners who want to try quilting might have just found the perfect machine. The Brother XR3774 is an excellent choice for beginner quilters because it offers everything you need to start quilting at an unbelievable price.
With this sewing machine, you can quilt, create clothing, sew fun craft projects, and do pretty much any other kind of sewing. The machine has 37 stitches to choose from, comes with eight sewing feet for different tasks, and has a great extension table for when you want to start quilting.
As a quilter, I highly recommend this machine for new quilters since it doesn’t have a huge price tag, comes with everything you need to quilt, and comes from a reputable company.
Janome is another well-known, highly respected sewing machine brand. They’re usually a bit more expensive than Singer or Brother, but I found this machine on Amazon for only $139! This would make an incredible entry-level sewing machine for anyone wanting to try sewing.
This is a great lightweight, portable sewing machine at just 11 pounds. You could easily pack this up and take it to your friend’s house or on vacation. The machine has 15 stitches built-in and comes with 4 feet. This machine also features a 5-feed dog system to feed the fabric through the machine evenly, even with thicker materials.
EverSewn is a newer brand that has come on the scene recently. I’ve heard nothing but great things about them. I would actually like to try out their machines someday. Their machines are extremely user-friendly and simple in design, making them an excellent choice for beginners.
This machine features 32 built-in stitches, four presser feet, tools, and a dust cover. It has an automatic needle threader and a side cutter for the thread. You can also adjust the stitch length and width to customize your sewing projects just how you want them.
Okay, I had to finish the list with the machine, most like my first sewing machine. The Singer M1000 has preset stitches and 32-stitch applications to help you learn how to sew. This machine is ideal for a brand-new beginner or someone who only needs a sewing machine for mending or the occasional small project.
This machine is extremely lightweight, weighing only 5 ½ pounds, so if you need to move it around your home or take it with you, that is doable. Like the other Singer machines, you gain access to a free online course that will teach you the basics of sewing when you purchase this machine.
Well, what do you think? Purchasing a new sewing machine seems a bit more attainable now, right? I never want you to feel like you can’t sew because it’s “too expensive.” There is a machine out there for every budget. You can literally go online and find used sewing machines for under $50.
To my more experienced readers: what was your first sewing machine? Do you have a favorite sewing machine brand? Let me know if the comments below!
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