3 Best Manual Sewing Machine for Beginners 2024 (Home Use)

The best manual sewing machine brands and models, which are trusted for quality, sewing experience, ease of use, and low price, depends on many factors. So, what makes a sewing machine best for your requirements?

In simple words, your best sewing machine is the one you could sew with comfortably, meets your requirement, you can be proud of it and it fits in your budget. Right?

If you are already using a sewing machine then you can answer this question easily. But if you are a beginner and learning to stitch, chances are - you have not tried your hand on any sewing machine till now.  (know Why You Should or Shouldn't Get a Sewing Machine!).

Best Manual Sewing Machines in India, for Home Use

Usha and Singer rule the sewing machine market in India, and you can trust both these brands for stitching machine models. But it does not mean that locally made sewing machines are poor in quality. I have one locally made sewing machine, and it is more than twenty year old machine. It works better than any new sewing machine. 

Basically, you should choose a manual sewing machine evaluating the points, which are given below -

1. Easy To Understand Features For A Beginner,
2. Pocket Friendly Pricing,
3. Easy Maintenance Of A Basic Sewing Machine,
4. Sewing Machine Servicing And Parts Locally Available,
5. Ability To Handle Occasional Sewing Work Load,
6. Not Frequent Usage For Commercial Purposes, And
7. Easy Portability,  No Additional Cost Of Electricity And Maintenance.

1. Usha Bandhan Sewing Machine

You can trust Usha for hand operated / manual / domestic sewing machines. This straight stitch sewing machine is reliable and long lasting.

It has closed shuttle race which makes it easy to maintain and clean. Moreover, it's ISI marked and your safety from electric shock is assured.

It has a traditional screw presser adjustment which helps in adjusting the presser foot.

What you get  - 

• In-built lever switch along with an auto tripping bobbin winder assembly.
• A sewing machine, plastic base of the machine, plastic cover and other machine accessories.

2. Usha Anand Sewing Machine 

Buyers' Guide - Best Manual Sewing Machine

Once your expectations are clear, it becomes easier to check out the reliable brands and available models in your budget range.

Buying a sewing machine is an investment, but making a choice and finalizing a buying decision is similar to your decision making process, while you decide what you want to eat. You make choices, based on  -

• Sweet or salty,
• fried or boiled (or may be roasted),
• how expensive it should be,
• which shop you should get it from.

Now you head to the varieties available and the shops of your choice. Similarly, when you have to decide on a sewing machine, choose - 

• Features you want,
• Sewing Machine brands, you prefer or do not prefer,
• Locally made sewing machine or imported,
• You want to buy from a company showroom or online,
• What is your budget, and how much you are willing to spend on upgrading your machine,

There may be some other factors, which you need to consider while buying a sewing machine smartly. 

Why Manual Sewing Machine Is Better Than Electric Sewing Machine

You can sew anything with hands, but a sewing machine makes your work easier. It is an essential tool to save time, energy and money.  

Whether you sew for hobby, or to earn money, a sewing machine is an investment and it yields returns pretty quickly. 

An electric sewing machine is faster than a manual sewing machine, but for a beginner sewing learner it may be fast and costly.

Whereas a manual sewing machine is hand operated straight stitch sewing machine, which is easier to control and use for making clothes. You can use a manual machine without electricity and maintaining these hand operated machines is simple. 

An automatic sewing machine has a number of sewing and designing features, which may tempt you, but a manual sewing machine has its share of good points, which you must consider before buying any sewing machine.

Related Read : Why Treadle Machine is Best for Heavy Duty Sewing

In your situation, it is common that you are still wondering if you should buy a manual sewing machine or an electric sewing machine. 

You may find it useful : Should You Buy New Sewing Machine or Fix Old One?

How I overcame The fear of trying something new, for the first time?

For last ten years, my husband was insisting that I must buy a laptop for my work. But I always worked on desktop and I was very comfortable working on a desktop only.

I had this fear that laptop was too fragile and high maintenance. I would not be able to work with such a in-built key board. Moreover, I had other apprehensions also.

At last when my computer started giving troubles I had to give up. And I preferred to buy a laptop because we shifted to a smaller house.

Now, I am working on a laptop for more than four years and I am super comfortable with it.

Okay, But What It’s Got To Do With A Sewing Machine?

Yeah! You are right.

You know, when I was a teenager, I always used my mother's Singer Sewing Machine. it was easy, simple to use. 

I didn't know how to use a machine so it used to break it down many times. Thankfully, local sewing machine repair mechanic used to fix it in no time.

And my mom didn't scold me because fixing it back to work was cheaper. It's parts were also easily available.

And years later, when my husband bought me the first sewing machine, it was a high speed industrial machine. I feared it then, but now I love sewing on this machine.

Conclusion -

As a beginner if you are in a tight budget, go for a straight stitch manual sewing machine. Practice your sewing skills and once you are confident that you love sewing and designing, go for an  automatic sewing machine.

Even if you buy an electric sewing machine, you can still keep a manual sewing machine handy in case of electricity, problems, or you may teach sewing to somebody else using your basic machine.

What do you think?

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