How Many Sewing Machines Do You Need?

Sewing is a wonderful hobby that can easily turn into a full-fledged passion. However, novice sewers often wonder – how many sewing machines do I really need to get started?

The ideal number of sewing machines depends on several key factors:

Your Current Skill Level

As a complete beginner to sewing, starting out with one basic sewing machine is perfectly fine. This allows you to learn the fundamentals without getting overwhelmed.

With a standard domestic sewing machine, you can make simple projects, practice sewing straight seams, hemming pants, and more. Over time, you’ll get a feel for which features and capabilities you need for your projects.

Once you advance to an intermediate or expert skill level, you may find yourself needing more specialized sewing machines. A basic starter machine likely won’t allow you to easily embroider, quilt, cover stitch, or serge fabrics.

So for more advanced sewers, owning multiple sewing machines – each geared towards different techniques – can be extremely useful.

Types of Sewing Projects You Enjoy

What do you most want to sew? The types of projects you’re interested in should guide your machine purchases.

• Quilting – Look for a sewing machine with a large work area and built-in quilting stitches. Many sewists invest in a separate long arm quilting machine.
• Embroidery and embellishing – Consider machines with ample built-in embroidery designs, lettering fonts, and large hoops. An embroidery-only machine is a great option.
• Garment sewing and dressmaking – For constructing clothing, a basic sewing machine with stretch stitches, buttonholes, and zipper feet is likely sufficient.
• Crafts – An all-purpose sewing machine with straight, zigzag, and decorative stitches works great for smaller projects like tote bags, pillows, etc.

The sewing techniques you want to learn determine if you need specialized machines right away or can start with something more general purpose.

Your Sewing Volume

How frequently do you plan to sew?

Sewing often means more wear and tear on your machine(s). So having a backup machine in case your main machine needs servicing can be really smart.

If you only sew occasionally as a hobby, one high-quality versatile machine is probably enough for your needs. You won’t be putting a ton of mileage on any single machine.

Your Crafting Budget

Sewing machines vary tremendously in price – ranging from $100 to thousands of dollars.

As a beginner, it’s wise to start with a budget-friendly basic machine and slowly upgrade as your skills grow. There’s no need to invest in expensive specialty machines too early. Give yourself time to explore what features matter most to your projects.

For advanced and expert sewists interested in embroidery, quilting, garment construction, etc., splurging on higher-end machines can be worthwhile. But focus on must-have features and quality construction, not just cost.

Available Space

How much room do you have available in your crafting area at home? Sewing machines need sizable flat surfaces to support projects.

If you’re tight on space, carefully evaluate machine sizes and footprints. You may need to prioritize the functionality you need most in a smaller machine. For instance, a mini portable sewing machine can handle basic mending and alterations without hogging your entire tabletop.

With a larger dedicated sewing room or studio, you’ll have space to comfortably use and store multiple sewing machines like sergers, cover stitch machines, and long arms.

Just for Fun!

Let’s be honest – who doesn’t love adopting new crafting tools and toys? Many passionate sewists enjoy collecting vintage sewing machines or adding the latest and greatest new models to their arsenal.

If you have the disposable income and available space, going on a sewing machine shopping spree can be extremely enjoyable. Curating a sewing machine collection can become an incredibly rewarding hobby all on its own.

FAQs About Sewing Machine Needs

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about how to determine your ideal number of sewing machines as a beginner or experienced sewer:

How many sewing machines do most sewists own?

On average, sewists report owning 2-4 sewing machines in surveys. Almost all sewists have at least two – typically a primary general purpose machine plus a serger or backup machine. Avid sewists often acquire several specialized machines over the years.

What features should I look for in a sewing machine?

Key features to consider include:

• Powerful motor
• All-metal internal components
• Smooth and consistent fabric feeding
• Adjustable presser foot pressure
• Free arm
• Automatic needle threader
• Easy bobbin winding and changing

What are the basic types of sewing machines?

The main categories of sewing machines are:

• Mechanical – Manual turning of dials/wheels to select stitch type and length
• Electronic – Push button controls to select built-in stitches
• Computerized – Digital display screen, 100+ built-in stitches, automatic functions
• Overlock/Serger – Seam finishing and edging
• Coverstitch – Hemming knits and stretchy fabrics
• Embroidery – Decorative stitching and embellishing
• Quilting – Machines with wide work areas and quilting stitches/guides

What’s the difference between domestic and industrial sewing machines?

Domestic machines are designed for home and hobbyist use with occasional sewing. Industrial machines are engineered for frequent high-volume sewing and commercial garment production. Industrial machines are more heavy-duty and can sew faster.

How much should I spend on a sewing machine for beginners?

A quality starter sewing machine suitable for learners costs $150-$300 typically. Be wary of flimsy generic machines priced under $100 – they can be more hassle than they’re worth. Reputable brands like Singer, Brother, Janome, Juki, and Bernina offer very solid options in this beginner-friendly price range.

When should I upgrade from a starter sewing machine?

Consider upgrading your sewing machine if:

• You’ve mastered all the basics and want to try more advanced projects
• Your current machine constantly jams, skips stitches, or has other mechanical issues
• You find yourself sewing much more frequently and need a sturdier workhorse
• You want to add skills like embroidery that require more features

When first starting out, go slowly and only upgrade if you truly feel creatively limited by your entry-level machine. Resist the temptation to overbuy too quickly!

The Bottom Line

There’s no universal magic number for how many sewing machines you “should” own. Let your individual skills, interests, and project needs guide you. Resist overbuying at first as a beginner. Start with one user-friendly machine and slowly grow your collection as your abilities grow. With the right machines suited for your techniques, sewing will remain a relaxing and fulfilling hobby instead of a frustrating chore!

Happy stitching!