Sewing Machine Buying Guide – Based On Your Age And Skill Level

If you’re looking to buy a sewing machine, perhaps even online, then this buying guide will show you which machines are my best choices based on your age and skill level.

Every once in a while, we hear someone say; “I got my first sewing machine when I was in elementary school.” For some reason, when we hear that, we almost always look at the speaker in awe. The truth of the matter is anyone who can read can learn to sew.

It all depends upon their aptitude, their actual interest in learning the art sewing and the machine they learn on. In fact, this reviewer got their very first sewing machine at the age of eight.

Elementary and Middle School

A child as young as seven or eight could learn to sew on a mechanical sewing machine. We recommend that the youngest of sewing students start on one of the very basic sewing machines, such as one of the very basic machines by Singer, such as the Pixie Plus.

There are very few stitch options or moving parts, and navigating through mastery of all the basic sewing techniques and skills is very simple.

High School and Adults

If the sewing student is a little older – perhaps in high school or college, a machine like the American Home AH 500 might be a little more suitable.

This machine offers the user a few more stitch options and basic features, however learning how to sew is easy because there are no challenging extras to master.

Both of these machines, and others from practically every manufacturer involved in producing and selling sewing machines in the same category cost less than $200. They are simple to operate and can withstand the special requirements of an inexperienced user.

We recommend sewing machines in this category for beginners of all ages as well as some experienced sewers who are 60 years of age or older [more on this age group and their specific sewing machine needs below].

18 – 59 Years Old

Intermediate sewers between the ages of 18 and 59 who have mastered the art of sewing and are ready to expand their repertoire of stitch options and are able to handle more challenging features on their sewing machines are ready to move beyond the basic mechanical machine and step up to computerized machines the like the Brother CS 6000i which offer many more stitch options and features.

Home sewers at the intermediate level are inclined to explore the world of machine embroidery or quilting, which opens up even more possibilities when it comes to selecting the right sewing machine.

Depending upon budget, skill level and interest in sewing, an intermediate sewer’s options cover thousands of sewing machines that range in price from less than $200 up to as much as $9,000 or more.

The costlier sewing machines – those that come with a price tag of $10,000 or more should be considered only by people with advanced sewing skills who are definitely committed to sewing for many, many years.

Otherwise, they will not be able to realize the full value of their investments. These machines are fabulous. They not only thread themselves, like some of the less costly electronic machines, they also render embroidery some of the most magnificent embroidery and quilt designs, and come with such a wide array of options that they simply cannot be listed here.

Machines that fall into this category include the Bernina 830 or the super exclusive 830 LE], the Shashiko by Baby Lock and the entire series of Pfaff Creative sewing and embroidery machines.

We suggest that people who are thinking about making this investment take time to consider the likelihood that physical challenges or other lifestyle conditions will not impede their long term use of the machine in question.

Therefore, we recommend these top of the line sewing miracle machines for avid home sewers who are no younger than 25 and no older than 50 years of age. As with all other things in life, there are exceptions to the rule.

Cynthia’s Fine Fabrics

Our concern here is merely economical, not skill based. Obviously, a young person with exceptional potential or a senior citizen in excellent health who is still extremely active and heavily involved in sewing would be thrilled to have one of these machines.

60 Years of Age and Older

There are thousands of people out there who learned to sew many decades ago. This exclusive group of senior sewers no doubt learned on all metal, mechanical sewing machines that performed straight and zigzag stitches only.

Through the years, they, no doubt, produced some of the most gorgeous, stylish, and unique clothes and home décor items imaginable. As time progressed, their time in the sewing room varied because of family or career obligations and lifestyle changes.

Now that many of these baby boomers are either retired, considering retirement or consider themselves semi-retired because they are no longer working a nine to five, but are still very active and enjoying all the things they did not have time for when they were raising families and building careers.

For many, the sewing room is once again a focal point of their homes. When it comes to purchasing a sewing machine, however, seniors need to take a few things into consideration.

The most important consideration is your budget. Regardless of how talented you may be, you must be practical. After all, with retirement in our future, or already a present reality, you may not be in a position to spend as much for a sewing machine that you might spend on a good used car.

With that in mind, you don’t want a machine that is so basic you will not be able to access some of the features that would enhance your sewing experience. With age come physical challenges, including eyesight that is not as keen is it once was.

Many of the basic mechanical or electronic sewing machines are perfect for the home sewer 60 years of age and older. It doesn’t matter if you are returning to sewing after a lengthy break for family and career or if you have been sewing all along and just want or need a new sewing machine.

Many sewing machines on the market today offer features that automatically thread needles. Anyone with even slightly diminished vision would appreciate not having to squint in order to thread a needle before whipping up some of those great creations they have in mind.

Other features available on then ewer sewing machines include bobbin sensors which let you know when the bobbin thread is low; start/stop buttons which allow people with knee and ankle issues to sew without stressing vulnerable joints that may be affected by chronic conditions such as arthritis.

Another alternative for senior sewers, especially those who learned the skill many decades ago, is the refurbished sewing machine. There are tens of thousands of dealers all across the US who specialize in rebuilding and selling the machines you learned to sew on.

If you are thinking about returning to the sewing machine, and want to return to the machines you were accustomed to, do not hesitate to visit one of the many sewing repair centers in your area.

The proprietors are certain to have an assortment of sewing machines in their inventories that will awaken the creative spirit deep within.

Many refurbished sewing machines cost between $100 and $400. Some even come with service agreements or warranties offered by the sellers.

There is a downside to buying a refurbished sewing machine, however. It is extremely difficult, and sometimes even impossible to find replacement parts for sewing machines made more than 30 or 40 years ago.

If you purchase a refurbished sewing machine or already own a sewing machine this old, be prepared to purchase a duplicate machine to be used for spare parts when your main machine starts to give you trouble.

The good news is, nearly all refurbished sewing machines are made with all metal components and as long as they are well maintained and lubricated, the metal parts last for decades. It is entirely possible that a well cared for refurbished sewing machine could last at least another 20 or 30 years.

As incredible as it may seem, there are still some Singer sewing machines out there made before the turn of the last century that are still in service. So why shouldn’t a refurbished sewing machine, or an all metal machine that is well maintained last a few extra decades?