Then there are the specialty machines, such as Sergers (overlock stitching machines). If you are a beginner, it can be overwhelming. When you begin to sew, there are a lot of low tech things to learn such as how to cut out material from a pattern, how to handle seam allowances, how to sew straight lines, how to handle pleats, and so forth.
When you begin a hobby, it is difficult to tell whether it is a hobby you will want to continue to do or if it is something that is ultimately not interesting to you. Based on these two factors, the beginner should get a relatively simple sewing machine (not a Serger) for under two hundred dollars. These basic machines have a range of stitches to play with and they are great machines for learning all the foundational techniques of sewing with a machine.
Spend the extra money on books to help you learn these techniques rather than on a machine that gets confusing. If you fall in love with sewing, then pass your beginner’s machine onto another beginner and go get one with all the bells and whistles. By then you should have the skills you will need in order to really enjoy the fancier machine.
You can get a good and versatile machine such as the Brother LS2125I for around $79.95, you get a 10-stitch machine that also has an automatic 4-step buttonholer (buttonholes are my nemesis!). This machine is popular with newbies so it may be an idea to check it out and see more pictures.
Brother LS2125I
