@gosha I started on a Janome basic - the current model looks to be called sewist 709. I highly recommend look at second-hand for a beginner machine, there are so many! Dealers often will resell them, and you’ll be sure that it had maintenance done first.

@gosha I have a very simple Singer that I got in college. I am sure it’s got a different model number or whatever now but in twenty years that little work horse has never failed me.

She’s easy to use and not fussy with a powerful motor.

My good friend who is a very active seamstress swears by her husqvarna machines.

@gosha the most important thing to finding a reliable machine is to get one with the fewest features you know you will never use.

The more electronic controls or fancy systems that are on a machine, the more things that are likely to go wonky on you.

Be realistic about what stitches and functions you really need and use 95% of the time and get a machine that does those things well and nothing else.

Happy sewing!

@gosha I personally like Brother a little better if I had to choose between those two. However my favorite is the Janome Gem. It is a good quality, easy to use machine. Mine is about 12 years old and still going strong. It is lightweight so you can put it away easily if you don’t have a dedicated space for it, or carry it to a friend’s house or sewing class. Sometimes dealers give free classes when you buy any machine from them, so check that out too!

@gosha Hello! I had a Singer, lots of headaches, and my SIL had a brother, same headaches. I think you should try something in the Janome line of machines, they have all price points, but there are some good sales going on now. My first was a "Sewist721" and the easiest machine I ever operated.

@gosha can't help you, all i got is my mothers mothers singer with the mechanical dial a stitch wheel.

@gosha

I am a newbie, and I got Brother FS40s. It works.

It looks like it has a lot of features, but they do not get in your way. You can start simple and you will be fine. I think I have used ~5 different stitches and three different foots so far on a lower speed and the setup is straightforward.

Also the number of stitches is not really a deal breaker. But you need a couple of zigzag stitches, overcast stitches, buttonhole stitch, and enough power to sew fleece/felt/jeans or canvas.

@gosha
Last Christmas, I researched a machine that my son and I purchased as a gift for his wife/ my DiL. We decided on the Singer Heavy Duty 4452. Not too complicated and durable enough to tolerate the abuse of the learning curve.

@gosha I got a Pfaff 260C when I took up sewing, and it's been great. Really easy to use - auto needle threader, one-press buttonhole with the buttonhole foot - but has kept being useful as I've skilled up.

@gosha First check the used machines in your area and before you buy check that there is a deep support market for spare parts.

@gosha the singer 44's are good affordable machines. Like many in the comments I found myself just using the straight stich so I simplified to a more expensive one lol.

It mainly depends on what you will be stitching. If you are going to be using thicker materials even the Heavy Duty home machines might struggle.

@gosha If you can find a really old hand cranked machine, it might actually do most of what you want, while being inexpensive, and usually rather good to look at!

@gosha I've had the basic $99 model (I think it's a Brother) from Walmart for years and it's worked great for basic sewing. I don't/haven't done anything more complicated than a button hole.

@gosha The first thing you should do is find out who repairs sewing machines in the area. Sewing machines have a life span measured in decades. Both of my machines are Singer portables from the 1960s, one a hand me down from my mother, one purchased at a Goodwill store for $15. My grandmother's machine was a console Singer that was over 100 years old and perfectly functional when she died 6 years ago.

@gosha I don't know enough to have specific model recommendations, but my beginner partner loves his Janome machine, and a more advanced acquaintance whose sewing room I got to see recently also spoke highly of that brand.

@gosha responding to follow thread

I was really not prepared for so much amazing advice, thank you everyone! You've given me a lot to think about!

@gosha I have a Baby Lock BL300 which has survived 30 years of frankly infrequent use. They're actually made by Brother, or at least used to be, and perform really well.

I agree with the other replies that say it's worth looking for a used machine to get started, but make sure you get one from a person you like and can rely on for advice, or a good local sewing shop. Don't do ebay or Goodwill.

@gosha
I picked my sewing machine up from the curb in South Philly 15 years ago. Still works great and does everything I've ever asked of it.

Seems to be a 1970's model, but not really sure. Similar to, but obviously a bit newer than, my mother's 1960's machine that I learned on.

Add me to the "whatever old(ish) one you can find used" parade.

@gosha @arclight I got a basic Elna that I haven’t used for much except face masks, but it’s super easy to use.