Decent, basic sewing machine?

[SnakeyMcBadass]

I'm looking to buy my first sewing machine. It needs to be idiot proof. Any pointers on brands, costs etc?

[bruffin]

I have a John Lewis basic own brand and it's very good and easy to use It is actually made by Janome which is a good make

[SnakeyMcBadass]

Thanks bruffin. It does have excellent reviews

[bryte]

I have a basic John Lewis one too and really like it.

[lavendersun]

Try here:

www.sewingmachines.co.uk/viewallsewmachines.htm

I sew a lot and have a Bernina machine but I bought an overlocker from SMD.

I was considering buying a Bernina overlocker but wasn't sure how much I would use it as I hadn't had one before. I spoke to the owner who told me to go for a lesser machine than the one I was considering (from him), so he advised me to spend less than I planned to.

Next day delivery, free bag and extras and a five year guarantee were included on the overlocker I bought. The overlocker I bought is great and does everything the Bernina one would do for £600 less.

For a basic machine from him I would go with something like this:

www.sewingmachines.co.uk/husqvarnahclassE10.htm

I haven't seen any bad reviews of the seller - everyone on the sewing forum I am on seems v pleased.

[optimistikcolouristik]

Lidl, I think just recently was selling their own brand Silver Crest sewing machine which should be as good as John Lewis'. Also every year Lidl sells Singer sewing machines for about £80.00.

[RaisingSteam]

The £60 sewing machine is in this week's specials at Lidl, came in Monday if you have one near you (or it did in my area anyway). Normally I would say budget £100-£120 for an entry level machine but there again £60 at Lidl buys you what would be £100 anywhere else. If you want a bit better build quality you could look at say an Elna 220.

If you think you will be sewing clothes, a one step buttonhole is nice but all the basic machines should have a no-turn 4 step buttonhole at least.

[SnakeyMcBadass]

Went to John Lewis and Hobbycraft today. The JL janome is very attractive, but Hobbycraft sell it under the janome name in white for a tenner cheaper. Now debating whether the lovely colour is worth the extra tenner....

[JustAShopGirl]

If you do decide to buy from Hobbycraft - join the hobbycraft club online before you go and you get a one off 15% off voucher- even cheaper....

[optimistikcolouristik]

www.lidl.co.uk/en/our-offers-2491.htm?id=396&ar=6

two Singer sewing machines. Great value.

[Missunreasonable]

I'm liking the look of those singer machines at lidl and I'm liking the price even more. Might have to get one.

[Missunreasonable]

Stupid Question coming up......I have always used an older sewing machine with a foot pedal (reliable sturdy toyota model). I'm really tempted to get one of those lidl sewing machines but how do you control the speed without a foot pedal (I'm presuming it doesn't have one with it being made this century)

[littlewoollypervert]

Miss I went through 2 Lidl machines, and both still had foot pedals!

(reason I went through 2 is that I used to do costumes for school plays, and managed to break one sewing sail canvas of all things , I gave the other away when I spent 250 on an ex display Janome that practically makes the tea for me, I love it!)

One tip - DON'T use IKEA thread for machine sewing, it's pants. I threw out 15 reels of it last night as I was sick of it breaking every 3 inches.

[scurryfunge]

I started with a Toyota Super Jeans and I seem to be getting on ok.

[Missunreasonable]

I don't think this one has a foot pedal- it has a stop start button

I gave up using cheap thread a good while back when I realised that it took 3 times as long to make anything due to all the thread breakage and machine jams. I always use guttermann thread now which is way expensive but saves my sanity.

[optimistikcolouristik]

Our from Lidl, bought two or three years ago, does have a foot pedal. The price of it was £79.00. Overlock is a great thing to have but at that time they did not sell one.

[optimistikcolouristik]

And here is the specifications of SINGER Brilliance™ 6180 Sewing Machine on this website www.singerdirect.co.uk/saturday-web-offers/special/singer-6180-ex-display/9244-c137-v0.htm?gclid=CPzdg-zviMECFQsEwwod6T4Axw

[optimistikcolouristik]

It is not made by Lidl and therefore you can find more details about these two Singer sewing machines on the internet.

[Missunreasonable]

I had a look at in on the singer website last night and realised that it does indeed have a foot pedal. DH thinks I should buy it and replace my ancient machine which doesn't have any up to date features, only has 2 presser feet and is very temperamental.
The reviews on it are not great though but I am mindful that most people post reviews when they are unhappy with a product and don't bother when they are happy.

[ByTheWishingWell]

I have this one: www.coopelectricalshop.co.uk/Beldray-BEL0197-12-Stitch-Sewing-Machine-Bundle-in-White/id-BER-SEW-BEL0197-W?gclid=CPq4hZaJicECFSTMtAodVzEATg&gclsrc=aw.ds

Cheap and cheerful, but a bargain for £45. I'm a complete beginner, and only got it for making toys for my daughter and repairing the odd seam. It's been fine so far.

[SnakeyMcBadass]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm dithering.

[Takver]

I'd never thought of a sewing machine not having a foot pedal Sow with that John lewis one linked to, how do you make it go & then vary the speed & stop/start as you move along?

Forgive me - I'm used to a 100 year old Vesta treadle machine which I love dearly but which doesn't do zigzag. I've just borrowed my Mum's 1985 Brother, but it's refusing to change stitch. I have a sneaking suspicion that unless I can fix it myself it would actually cost less to buy a new machine than take it to the sewing machine shop.

(On which note - 5 stars for service - one phonecall to the Brother dealership and a lovely lady found and emailed me the service manual for mum's 30 year old entry level machine.)

[Takver]

So not sow!

[Missunreasonable]

I'd never thought of a sewing machine not having a foot pedal Sow with that John lewis one linked to, how do you make it go & then vary the speed & stop/start as you move along?

It does have a foot pedal. It says on the full description that it has full foot speed control. I made the mistake of thinking the singer one linked to didn't have foot control but when I checked further I realised that it did. It would help if they showed the foot pedal in the main image so that people like me don't go about wondering about how you control the speed. The are some machines that don't have a foot pedal and I'm still confused about how you control the speed on them.

[Takver]

Thanks! Sorry, hadn't read the full description, am really just at the stage of thinking that Mum's machine might be on the way out & realised from this thread that a new one might not be as pricey as I thought :)

[flightywoman]

I am going today to get a Brother from John Lewis - and although I'm a beginner I am choosing a slightly more than very basic model as it's on special offer at £99, has a 3 year guarantee and sews denim and stretch fabrics.