Which Sewing Machine Should I Buy?

A Simple Guide to Buying a Sewing Machine for Children (8+) and Adults (£100–£500)

Buying a sewing machine can feel a little overwhelming — especially if you’re choosing one for a child but also want something that adults can use comfortably too. The good news is: you don’t need two separate machines. With the right choice, one good-quality beginner-friendly model can suit an 8-year-old, a teen, and a complete adult beginner all at the same time.

After teaching hundreds of children and adults at On A Sew, and using a wide range of machines over the years, I’ve put together this simple guide to help you choose the right one with confidence.

This guide covers:

  • What to look for in a machine for children aged 8+

  • Why “toy machines” are rarely worth the money

  • Machines I’ve personally used and recommend

  • Great options between £100–£500

  • What features really matter (and what doesn’t!)

What to Look for in a Sewing Machine for Children (8+)

A child-friendly sewing machine doesn’t mean a plastic toy machine — it simply means a machine that is:

✔ Sturdy and stable

Kids sew better when the machine doesn’t wobble across the table.

✔ Easy to thread

Clear threading paths help children build confidence quickly.

✔ Has a speed control option

This is incredibly helpful for beginners — especially younger ones — because they can sew slowly and safely while they learn.

✔ Straight stitch + zigzag stitch

These two stitches are enough for 95% of beginner projects.

✔ A simple interface

Buttons or dials that are easy to understand with no unnecessary complications.

✔ A soft, gentle foot pedal

Some pedals are quite stiff — this makes sewing harder for small feet.

If a machine includes these basics, it will support a child beautifully and will continue to grow with them as their skills improve.

Recommended Sewing Machines (£100–£500)

Here are the machines I know well, use in my studio, or have personally owned for years. All of them are reliable, beginner-friendly, and excellent for both children and adults.

⭐ Brother LK14s

Price: £89.00
Type: Simple starter
Perfect for: Beginners, children, basic projects

A great little starter machine! It’s lightweight, simple to use, and perfect for learning the basics. While it doesn’t offer lots of decorative stitches, it handles everyday sewing really well and is ideal for first projects. Do keep in mind that it only has a basic manual buttonhole function, so if your sewist is already a bit more confident, you may find this machine slightly limiting.

Click here for the John Lewis link

⭐ Brother Innov-Is 15

Price: Around £300
Where to buy: Sewing Machine Direct

This is the machine I use in my children’s and adult workshops at On A Sew — and I honestly love them. They’re reliable, extremely easy to thread, have beautiful speed control, and are gentle enough for an 8-year-old but strong enough for proper dressmaking link dresses, T-shirts and jeans!

I highly recommend this one as a long-term machine you can grow with.

Click here for the Sewing Machine Direct link

⭐ Brother Innov-Is A50

Price: Around £450–£500
Where to buy: Sewing Machine Direct

This is my personal machine, and I’ve had it for over 10 years!
The stitch quality is excellent, it’s smooth, quiet, and very durable.

The main difference from the Innov-Is 15 is the number of decorative stitches — great if you like having lots of options, but not essential for beginners.

Click here for the Sewing Machine Direct link

Other Brands & Models

There are plenty of good machines outside of Brother too — but the quality varies widely.

If you want to explore other brands, I strongly recommend visiting a sewing machine shop where you can test machines in person. A quick trial helps you feel:

  • How smooth the machine is

  • How easy the pedal is to control

  • Whether the stitch line is stable

  • If the machine feels sturdy or flimsy

Many shops will also give you honest advice based on what you want to sew.

Important Features to Check Before Buying

Regardless of brand, look for:

✔ A good buttonhole function

This becomes important very quickly for clothes, bags, cushions, etc.

✔ Included presser feet

A minimum of:

  • Standard foot

  • Zip foot

  • Buttonhole foot

A coverstitch/overcast foot is amazing for neat and tidy raw edges.

✔ Speed control slider

A must-have for children and nervous beginners.

✔ Quality of the stitch line

Even, smooth stitches = a good motor and good tension system.

✔ Weight of the machine

Heavier machines = better stability and better stitch quality.

Final Thoughts

The most important thing to remember is that a good beginner machine should make sewing enjoyable, not frustrating. You don’t need anything expensive or complicated — just something reliable, sturdy, and simple to use.

All the machines above are ones I trust, have taught on, or personally own. They’re great value, long-lasting, and perfect for families who want to sew together.

If you ever want advice, want to test a machine in person, or want to learn how to use yours confidently, you’re always welcome at the studio.

Happy sewing! ✂️🧵
Marcela

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