Sewing is a relaxing and rewarding way to learn a new skill while boosting your creativity, and the best part is that anyone can learn how to sew! It is an important life skill that can benefit everyone regardless of age or gender.
Many teenagers learn how to sew by hand-stitching simple projects, then gradually move to a more complicated sewing machine when their skills advance. Sewing machines come in so many different designs with so many different features; it is hard to figure out what is the best starter sewing machine for a teenager.
There are plenty of models that are suitable for young children and teenagers, but if you don’t know what to look for, you may end up buying something that frustrates your child and dwindles their passion at a crucial stage of their learning curve.
So, what are the best sewing machines for teenagers? The best sewing machines for teenagers are safe machines made of high-quality and long-lasting materials. They should have features that make it easier to use, such as automatic threading and a manageable and consistent speed for easy use.
In this article, let’s walk through the features you need to look for when buying a sewing machine for your teenager and point you to some best options on the market.
Buying A Sewing Machine For Teenagers
When buying a first sewing machine for your teenager, there’s really no need to invest in a high-end machine that will cost you a fortune.
As beginners, they can’t really take advantage of all the advanced features. On the contrary, all these features may feel overwhelming and discourage your child from learning to sew altogether.
However, you should not buy the cheapest sewing machine you can find, either. These sewing machines may not be very well-designed, can jam up easily, and are difficult to operate, which can also discourage your teen from learning how to sew.
The cheap, plastic sewing machines are often toy machines designed for kids. These machines are definitely not worth buying since they don’t have the basic features necessary to be useful and are often not very functional.
If you are thinking of buying a beginner sewing machine for a teenager, make sure it is durable, beginner-friendly, safe to use, and has all the basic features that one will need to sew simple garments.
Most basic sewing machines can sew a straight stitch, which is versatile enough to help you sew with many different types of fabric to create a wide range of garments. Your teenager can learn to sew with a basic machine with just a straight stitch and move on to ones with more complicated features as their skills advance.
Look for machines with features designed for beginners, which can be an automatic threader, visual thread options for selection, and a simple bobbin winder. Depending on your teen’s age, you may also want to consider some key features below.
The first thing to consider is the foot pedal. Adults may find it easier to use a foot pedal to operate your sewing machine, but teenagers, especially those who are still growing, may find it difficult to use a standard foot pedal. If that is the case, using a push-button model will be more suitable.
For those who are new to sewing, using a sewing machine with presser feet firmly attached to the sewing machine with a screw will make a world of difference. The snap-on, snap-off feet may cause difficulties and frustrations for beginners.
Of course, beginners will also struggle with using a high-speed sewing machine, so using one with a manageable and consistent speed will make it easier for them to create controlled and precise stitches.
Also, let’s not forget about safety. You should look for sewing machines with basic safety features that will provide a layer of protection to help your teens learn to sew without hurting themselves!
Best Sewing Machines for Teenagers
If you still need help picking out the best sewing machine for a teenager, then take a look at our best picks below!
Rank | Product | Key Features |
---|---|---|
1. | Brother Sewing Machine | Auto threading, 37 stitches, 6 presser feet |
2. | Singer Free-Arm Sewing Machine | 57 stitches, free arm, auto bobbin winder |
3. | Janome Easy-to-Use Sewing Machine | 19 stitches, auto threading, free arm |
4. | Hyeastr Electric Household Sewing Machine | 12 stitches, LED lights, sewing kit |
5. | Magicfly Portable Sewing Machine | 12 stitches, sewing kit, adjustable speed |
6. | Aonesy Sewing Machine For Beginners | 20 stitches, adjustable speed, auto buttonhole |
7. | KPCB Sewing Machine For Beginners | 12 stitches, backstitching, battery option |
1. Brother Sewing Machine
Of course, the first brand name on our list has to be Brother. Brother sewing machines are known for quality, ease of use, and fantastic functionality.
This sewing machine is an entry-level sewing machine geared toward beginners, so it doesn’t have all the shiny added touches of more expensive models, but does have most of the features you will need.
This easy-to-use sewing machine comes with 37 unique built-in stitches and an auto-size buttonhole, which is quite an extensive range for those hoping to learn basic sewing techniques. You can select the stitches using the visual guide printed on the machine and adjust the knob to choose the stitch you want.
This lightweight machine comes equipped with 6 easy-to-use presser feet to provide versatile sewing techniques and also features thread tension control dials for optimal sewing performance, allowing you to sew with a wide range of fabrics and create many different effects with your project.
A free arm feature allows you to sew cuffs and sleeves and other hard-to-reach areas. Built to be durable and beginner-friendly, this machine also comes with an automatic needle threader, which perfectly pushes the thread through the needle. In addition, the top bobbin drop-in system allows you to conveniently change out your bobbin when needed.
The Brother brand is known for its reliable performance and high-functioning machines, which means this sewing machine will likely be useful in your craft corners even after you have become an expert in sewing.
2. Singer Free-Arm Sewing Machine
Looking for a reliable, affordable sewing machine that’s easy to use? This Singer sewing machine, with a classically chic look that is designed for style as well as function, is the answer.
Designed for beginners, this beautiful machine delivers crisp, clean, and precise style with 57 stitches, suitable for a variety of projects: basic, decorative, and heirloom stitches. This machine comes with easy-to-use, reliable, and beginner-friendly features that make any sewing project easy to accomplish.
The sewing machine features a highly visual stitch selection knob that allows you to see and choose the most appropriate one simply by looking at thread formations. The removable free arm makes it easy to sew smaller tubes and cuffs, while the automatic bobbin winder is perfect for the new sewer who doesn’t want to spend a lot of time hand-winding bobbins.
This sewing machine is incredibly lightweight and portable, making it perfect for sewing in smaller spaces or taking to sewing classes. If you are looking for something reliable and beginner-friendly, then definitely consider this option!
3. Janome Easy-to-Use Sewing Machine
The Janome MOD-19 is the perfect starter machine for sewing enthusiasts of all ages! A simple dial selection gives you access to a total of 19 stitches, including an easy-to-use four-step buttonhole.
The stitches range from basic to decorative stitches, and you can even customize the stitch length and width using the dials to achieve the best look for your project. This feature is useful if you are sewing with different types of fabric that require different treatments.
The top-loading horizontal bobbin system and built-in needle threader make setting up simple, so you can get started on your next sewing project right away. The clear bobbin cover also makes it easy to see when you will need to top up your bobbin and can help you spot jams in the bobbin area right away.
The machine is built with a one-hand needle threader, which helps beginners conquer the most challenging part of the sewing machine with ease. A removable storage compartment also acts as a free arm so you can sew smaller openings like sleeves or hem with ease.
Although this is surely an investment, especially for someone’s first sewing machine, this investment will surely pay off thanks to its ease of use and beginner-friendly features!
4. Hyeastr Electric Household Sewing Machine
Hyeastr is the best choice for teenagers to start their sewing hobby. It has 12 kinds of different stitches, including basic stitches and some decorative ones. You can even sew reversely, which is great to reinforce the end of each line of the stitch.
The sewing machine has all the stitches printed on its side for easy reference. You only need to adjust the knob to the corresponding number on the stitch chart to get it going.
All of these stitches are basic enough to learn, but there is still some room to help beginners explore the possibilities.
The included multifunctional presser feet allow you to sew, create buttonholes, sew edges, and even zippers. This sewing machine can be adjusted to speed up and slow down as you please, providing you with added control and precision. You can take advantage of the foot pedal when sewing to free up your hands to control the fabric.
If you are intimidated by threading the machine, you will appreciate the thread guide that is printed right on the machine, which makes threading much simpler and quicker.
With an LED light that illuminates the working area so stitching can be seen easily, the needle is clearly visible when sewing. This LED light also has soft lighting that doesn’t tire out your eyes, even after sewing for a long time.
The Hyeastr sewing machine is an affordable, lightweight sewing machine that is small and compact for easy storage. This small sewing machine can be charged with only 4 dry batteries, and equipped with a mini thread cutter, so you can take your sewing almost everywhere.
This sewing machine is designed with beginners in mind, so you will have a highly enjoyable time learning how to sew and level up your skills in no time.
5. Magicfly Portable Sewing Machine
This small and exquisite portable sewing machine is an ideal choice for beginners, especially suitable for teenagers to learn how to sew.
The machine is equipped with 12 different stitches, including basic stitches as well as decorative stitches that can help you create a variety of different effects.
All the stitches are clearly printed on the side of the machine, and you can turn the selection knob to choose the right stitch for your project.
As you sew, you can adjust the machine’s speed for greater control of your project. This feature is especially friendly for beginners who often struggle with the high speed of a sewing machine. This portable sewing machine comes with 3 interchangeable presser feet so you can easily sew on buttons, zippers, and more.
Lightweight, easy-to-use and convenient, the Magicfly Portable Sewing Machine is your ideal partner if you’re just starting out. As you sew with different fabrics with different thicknesses, you can choose from 3 needle sizes that work best with that fabric. The automatic thread cutter is also a bonus feature that makes it quicker and more convenient to sew.
Operating it is very simple and straightforward, and the threading guide printed on the machine’s body is designed to help beginners set up the machine properly for sewing. If you are looking for a great starter machine, then this one is a great basic option that is designed for beginners!
6. Aonesy Sewing Machine For Beginners
The Aonesy sewing machine is loaded with helpful features that make it simple and fun to sew.
You can enjoy 20 built-in stitches, and thanks to its easy stitch selector, you can quickly switch from basic straight stitching to decorative stitches, all with the turn of a dial.
The stitches range from basic straight stitches to more complicated ones like a blind hem, zigzag, and other decorative stitches used in quilting.
You can adjust the sewing speed of all of these stitches with just a button. The machine also has a one-step automatic buttonhole feature and included buttonhole presser foot, so you get beautiful buttonholes every time.
This sewing machine has a drop-in bobbin system. This bobbin system is easy to use, making sewing simpler as you don’t have to see the tangle of the thread and fabric while sewing. The jam-resistant bobbin also works very well, making sure that you don’t lose all your hard work while sewing.
Threading and sewing the machine is also quite easy thanks to the LED light, which supports the work area really well. Its free arm makes it easy to sew cuffs, pant legs, and other smaller tubes, and you can even enlarge the sewing area for bigger projects too!
This is a great beginner-friendly sewing machine that can help you accomplish your very first projects and learn the basics of a sewing machine before moving on to more complicated projects and stitches.
7. KPCB Sewing Machine For Beginners
The KPCB sewing machine features an easy-to-read dial that allows you to see the stitch pattern in order to help you learn simple, versatile stitches.
You can achieve beautiful results with ease thanks to the 12 built-in stitches, including 4 straight line stitches, 4 zigzag stitches, 2 buttonhole stitches, and a blind hem stitch.
You can adjust the speed of the sewing machine to make it easier to control your fabric. Additionally, features such as the backstitch feature to secure your sewing and an easy threading system make this machine great for beginners.
This sewing machine can be operated with a foot controller. There are also two options for power: battery and a plugged-in power source, so you can easily set it up in your sewing corner or even take it on the go to your sewing classes!
Although this sewing machine doesn’t come with all the fancy features, it can be a great first sewing machine for those who are looking to just learn the basics. It gets the job done and allows beginners to gain some confidence in their sewing skills.
Up Next: The Best Fabric For Hoodies