5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Buying My First Sewing Machine

So, you’re thinking about buying your first sewing machine? Maybe you’re dreaming of a perfectly tailored wardrobe or envisioning yourself whipping up handmade gifts in a weekend. I get it—I was right there with you. But before you take the plunge, let me share a few things I wish someone had told me before I bought mine.

1. Take a Beginner Sewing Class (Seriously, Just Do It)

When I got my first sewing machine, I thought, How hard could it be? I’d watched a few YouTube videos, picked out some cute fabric, and dove right in. Big mistake. I quickly realized that sewing involves way more than just pushing fabric through the machine. I wasted so much time (and fabric) making avoidable mistakes.

If I could go back, I’d absolutely take a beginner sewing class first. Even just a basic course on threading your machine, sewing straight lines, and troubleshooting common issues will save you a ton of frustration. Trust me, a little guided learning goes a long way.

2. Sewing Takes a Lot of Time

Ever watch one of those 30-second sewing transformation videos and think, Wow, that looks easy!? Yeah… reality check: those projects actually take hours (sometimes days).

Learning to sew well takes patience. Your first stitches will be wonky, patterns will be confusing, and finishing details (like hemming or inserting zippers) will take longer than you expect. But that’s normal! If you go in with the mindset that sewing is a skill you build over time, you’ll enjoy the process much more instead of feeling discouraged when things don’t magically come together in an afternoon.

3. Sewing Will Not Save You Money

One of the biggest myths about sewing is that it’s a budget-friendly way to build a wardrobe. Let’s set the record straight: buying fabric, thread, patterns, and tools adds up fast. Yes, you can make beautiful, custom pieces, but unless you’re thrifting fabric or upcycling clothes, sewing is not a cheap hobby.

That being said, the joy of wearing something you made yourself? Totally worth it. Just go into it knowing that sewing is an investment in a skill, not a money-saving hack.

4. Sewing Takes a Lot of Space and Storage

Before I started sewing, I had no idea how much stuff comes with it. Fabric, thread, scissors, rulers, pins, interfacing, patterns—it all adds up. That’s why you see so many people with entire rooms dedicated to sewing.

If you don’t have a spare room, don’t worry! You can absolutely make it work with a small setup. Just be prepared to get creative with storage (bins, shelves, rolling carts) and accept that your dining table might occasionally double as a sewing station.

5. You Will Waste Fabric (and Money) While Learning—And That’s Okay

I hate to say it, but you’re going to mess up. You’ll sew things backwards, cut fabric too short, and make things that just don’t fit right. And in the process, you’ll waste fabric and money.

But that’s part of learning! The best way to avoid heartbreak is to start with cheap fabric. Test patterns with thrifted sheets or muslin before cutting into that expensive linen. Every mistake is a lesson, and over time, you’ll make fewer of them.

Final Thoughts

Buying a sewing machine is exciting, and learning to sew is such a rewarding journey. But go in with realistic expectations: it takes time, space, and patience—but the satisfaction of making something with your own hands makes it all worth it.

If you’ve already bought your first sewing machine, what’s something you wish you had known beforehand? Share your thoughts in the comments!