The Best Budget Sewing Machine of 2025, in my opinion, and reasons to choose it
- The Sewistry
- Oct 15
- 5 min read
Post Sewing Bee there's always a bit of a clamour by brand new sewists to learn and part of that is buying the right machine.
Many people opt for second hand, and that's a great choice if you can find what you want locally, and within the right price range... But it can be hit and miss.
Many people bring machine to us for servicing and repair that they've never even used. They've bought it, but have no idea if it works. So in addition to the purchase price, you're adding another £55 to £70, then add a week's wait whilst this in done.
Then, if it does work, they don't know how to use it. Sometimes old machines don't come with instructions or a manual, or even all of the tools/ feet etc that may be needed or useful to a sewist.
That's when they contact me, and whilst I know a fair amount about sewing machines and most have some transferrable skills; it's only honest of me to admit that I'm not an encyclopaedia of knowledge of every sewing machine ever made, so whilst I can help a little it may be that some machines just flummox me!
So the safest bet is often a new machine.
But aren't they expensive I hear you ask?
Well, yes they are. But that's because they've quite frankly a marvel of modern technology, packaged up as something friendly and non threatening that your Grandma used to shorten your trousers with when you were a kid.
They're also undervalued as a commodity because they are generally considered to be used for women's work, which in itself is undervalued. Ever heard "Can you shorten my trousers, it'll only take you 5 minutes" anyone!?
Modern machines come in lots of sizes, shapes, and flavours. They vary from very cheap toy like ones to top of the range thousands of pound machines that do all sorts of things that a beginner might never need.
And this is where it's tricky, because everyone quite rightly, wants to spend as little as possible and get a great quality machine that they'll never grow out of, that will outlive them, just like Grandma or Mum's machine did. Or they want it to just do the basics. "I don't need hundreds of stitches" is something I hear often and it's understandable but it's also near damn impossible. It's like trying to find a mobile phone that only makes calls, they just don't exist anymore.
Unfortunately they also don't make all singing and dancing machines at a low price range. I'm not sure they ever did since the receipt I have at the shop for a Singer 66K from 1910 shows a price of 12 pounds and 5. That's over £1200 in today's money according to the Bank of England inflation calculator.
So what's a decent machine without too much cost is a better question. But be prepared to sacrifice things that you don't even know the existence of yet.
Most modern machines come with what I call Quality of Life upgrades:
Needle threader
Speed control
Computerised control for stitch selection, length & width
Needle stop position up or down as set by you
Top loading bobbin with a clear plate so you can see how much thread is left
For people who struggle with foot control, a way to sew without it
Thread cut button at a higher price range
Programmable stitch patterns at a higher price range
Longer arm machines with more sewing throat space at a higher price range
Laser pointers to show the position of buttonholes for example, are you ready to sell organs to afford these machines!?
That's in addition to all the things sewing machines should have:
Adjustable stitch length & width (I personally wouldn't consider a machine without both)
Reverse or Lockstitch
Easy way to make a buttonhole (preferably 1 step)
A selection of stitches suitable for a range of projects
A selection of feet suitable for a range of projects
So in my opinion the current best value machine for beginner and aspiring sewists in 2035 is the Brother SH40.
What have I considered, in no particular order:
Ease of use
What's included
Robustness V weight
Price
It's EASY to use. So very easy. And if you don't believe me come and try out my demo machine for free and see for yourself.
You can adjust stitch selection, length & width with the touch of a button. You can sew backwards and forwards with ease. You can unplug the foot controller and press start and stop to sew without it. You can control the speed whichever way you choose to sew with the convenient speed slider.
It's a simple no nonsense machine that just works. It sews like a dream, it's quiet, steady, and smooth. It does 40 stitches, which is more than you'll probably ever need. And it comes with:
Zigzag foot “J” (on machine)
Buttonhole foot “A”
Overcasting foot “G”
Monogramming foot “N”
Zipper foot “I”
Blind stitch foot “R”
Button fitting foot “M”
Seam ripper
Bobbin (4) (One bobbin is on machine.)
Needle set
Ball point needle
Cleaning brush
L-shaped screwdriver
Bobbin case (on machine)
Foot controller
Dust cover
Operation Manual
Quick Reference Guide
All this means that straight out of the box if you have thread and fabric, you're good to go. You can be stitching up a garment in no time and finishing the seams with foot G to overcast them so they don't fray. Or you could be doing a blind hem so you can't see the seam line on the outside with foot R. Add a zip, choose from 5 different styles of buttonhole, you can even sew buttons on using your machine if you want or prefer to. There's even some decorative stitches to make things pretty if you so desire.
It's lightweight, which is handy if you live somewhere you can't leave your machine out all of the time. At 4.5 kilos it's light enough to move around with ease but substantial enough to tackle a few heavier weight projects, as long as you set it up with the correct needle, and settings, and are prepared to sew slowly.
It's not going to tackle layers and layers of denim, canvas or twill. But I did have a couple buy one of these to sew embroidery patches onto leather and denim jackets and they have no complaints.
If you want to sew horse blankets or waterproof boat covers you need a heavy duty machine like the Brother PQ1600S
So... here's the big one, what 's the price of this dream of a machine then since they're expensive?
Considering all it can do and what comes with it, this is a good price for a sewing machine that's built so that you won't outgrow it within a year. It will make your sewing life easier and more pleasurable, and is designed with beginners to aspiring sewists in mind.
Can you buy a cheaper machine? Absolutely Brother have some fantastic promotions this year.
Will it do all this machine can? No.
Will it be easier to use? Also no.
Can you pay in 3 with PayPal with no interest to spread the cost? Yes
Consider this if a new machine is your bag, or don't if you're from the 'mechanical is better' school (I promise you they aren't, it's almost never the computer that fails)...
Or just come by and try it!
Comments