Beginners should start on the most simple sewing machines, which are usually the cheapest sewing machines - either the lower priced versions of the Singer or the Kenmore. The average price for their lower priced machines is between $99 and $149. The price also often depends on where you purchase it or if there is a sale.
Often beginners never continue once introduced to sewing and the sewing machine. Some reasons for not continuing are that they just don't like it, it is just too hard, or the machine is too complicated. The most simple sewing machine may be complicated enough for the beginner. Starting off with an expensive $400 or higher priced sewing machine might be too overwhelming for the beginner.
You can actually do a lot with a simple sewing machine. You can make the most high fashion designer dress on a simple, uncomplicated, cheap sewing machine. You can buy a Vogue designer pattern and use a simple sewing machine. Most of the finishing touches in high-priced designer fashions are done by hand and not on the machine.
Some of the higher price machines offer all types of gadgets and attachments intended to make some sewing functions easier but usually they just become overwhelming for the beginner.
The beginner first needs to learn the rudiments of beginning sewing such as the following:
• Sewing a straight stitch
• Sewing without breaking the needle (you can even break needles if you are experienced so this really means being able to break a needle and not get upset over it).
• Threading the machine
• Winding the bobbin
• Threading the needle
• Inserting the bobbin in the shuttle
• Learning about what the shuttle is and what it is used for
• Learning what the bobbin is and what it is used for
• Sewing backwards and forwards
• Changing the size of the stitch
• Changing to a zigzag stitch
• Adjusting the tension
• Not sewing too fast (or not being too heavy on the foot pedal - something like not driving too fast and being heavy on the gas pedal).
• Being able to guide your fabric under the needle
• Sewing a buttonhole
• Sewing in a zipper
• How to install the zipper foot
• Knowing what to do if your thread decides to tangle up under the foot
• Knowing what to do if your thread breaks and slips out of the needle
• Knowing what to do if your needle gets stuck in the fabric while sewing
• Pulling your bobbin thread up from the bobbin
All of the these things can be done on the most simple and cheap sewing machine. So once you have mastered these, you are ready for a more high priced sewing machine, but not any sooner.
In reality you don't ever need a more high priced sewing machine unless you are doing embroidery in which case sewing machines are priced up to $25,000, but the cheaper of these are about $2000. But even a $400 sewing machine will do embroidery.
If you are doing a lot of baby clothes and using knit fabric you may want a Baby Loc and these are priced around $400 and up. These are merrow machines and imitate the factory merrow machines.
If you just like a gadget for everything and more dials and things on your sewing machine than you will want a higher priced machine, but not until you have gone beyond beginner status and can do all of the above sewing functions.
Too many people either go out and buy an expensive sewing machine or get one as a gift and then can't figure out how to use it and the machine sits in the house never used. Why not try something simple first and see the magnificent results you can get just from a simple sewing machine. Find out whether you like sewing first, before making a big investment. You will save time, money, and energy; and you just might gets some great results.