No — you do not need to buy an expensive sewing machine to learn, and to do our course you don't need to buy any machine at all, because everything is provided in class. But if you do want a machine of your own — and most students eventually do — the good news is there's a right option at every budget, and we'll help you choose it.
Let's clear up the fear first. Beginners often believe they must invest in a fancy, feature-packed machine before they can even start, and the prices are intimidating. The truth is that most sewing, especially while learning, only needs a few core functions — a straight stitch, a zigzag, a buttonhole.
And on the Handicraft Sewer course, the question disappears entirely while you learn: we provide every machine and overlocker, all your fabric, tools and materials, for the whole 20 weeks. You learn on professional equipment at your own workstation, spending nothing on gear, and get to discover whether you love sewing before buying anything.
When you want your own, here's how we'd guide you
- 💰A beginner on a budget. You want a solid, reliable machine that can take the ‘roughhousing’ of the learning phase — the stops, starts and mistakes every beginner makes — without falling apart. You don't need to overspend. As authorised Brother dealers, we'll point you to the machine that's genuinely right for you (and there are interest-free plans like PayJustNow / PayFlex if you'd like to spread the cost).
- ✨Someone who wants a truly seamless experience. Our premium machines are typically computerised — think of them like an automatic car: quiet (none of that loud clatter), guiding you as you sew, practically hands-free, even threading themselves. They do the fiddly work so you can simply create. For a lot of people, that smooth, almost effortless way to sew is well worth it.
If the cost of a machine has been the thing holding you back — let it go entirely. You need nothing to start with us, you learn on our professional machines, and you get to find out whether you love it first. When you are ready for your own, come and talk to us; there's a perfect fit for your budget and your goals, and we'll help you find it.
The Handicraft Sewer course
You start with zero equipment — every machine, overlocker, tool and material provided for the full 20 weeks — so you learn on professional gear, spend nothing, and discover whether you love sewing before buying a thing. And when you want your own, we'll help you choose it.
Everything is provided — every machine, all the fabric, tools and patterns — because your only job here is to learn.
Has the cost of a machine held you back? Ask below — you need nothing to start here.
Join the conversation
Worried you need an expensive machine before you can start? Ask us anything — we reply to every comment.
whats the difference really between a basic machine and the computerised premium ones?
Good question, Thandi — a basic machine does the job well with the core stitches, while a computerised one is like an automatic car: quieter, guides you, practically hands-free, even threads itself, so there's far less fiddling. Message us and we'll show you both and help you weigh it up for your goals.
loved trying it first. bought a solid budget brother through them at the end on a payment plan, still going strong
i genuinely thought i had to drop thousands on a fancy machine before i could even learn 😅 huge relief that its all provided
That fear stops so many people, Mbali — and it's completely unfounded. You learn on our professional machines for the full course, spend nothing on gear, and only think about your own machine once you know you love it. No barrier at all. 🌿