Cheap, basic sewing machine recommendations please!

[whatthefoxsaid]

Hello!
I'm looking for a cheap, basic sewing machine. No imminent rush so I can stalk ebay and Facebook if a particular model fits the bill.
I just want to do some basic stuff, bits of bunting for DD's room, maybe the odd cushion cover or very basic dress. I'm on a very tight budget on mat leave but not sure if the v v cheap new ones are useless.
I haven't used a machine since high school(!) but I'm willing to learn! Thank you

A friend started on a Janome 7025 and said it was good. They're about £200 new though, so might be worth a hunt on eBay. if you can, I'd steer clear of very cheap new machines - my DSD has one (was £50-60 new). Personally, I find it really hard to get a decent result with it, spending the same amount on a better quality second hand machine would get you something with much more versatility. If you have an independent sewing machine shop anywhere close by, they often sell second hand or reconditioned machines which can be good deals and you can try them out to see what suits. My starter machine was a Brother, now I have 7!

The brother LS14 gets good reviews on the seeing group in on, or the singer tradition which is often in Lidl, Aldi also often have a sewing machine in that is supposedly a rebranded singer. Personally I love my vintage hand crank singer and choose that over my fancier janome memory craft 4800.

This is quite a useful basic intro to features - www.craftsy.com/sewing/article/types-of-sewing-machines/

The Janome Jem Gold is supposed to be a good starter machine. There's one on eBay now.

If you only want straight stitch an old Singer (old, as in black with gold trim, not the 60's/70's Touch and Swear Sew) can't be beat and you can probably get one Collection Only for less than £25. Ignore the ones with silly starting prices; everyone thinks Great-Granny's old Singer must be worth £LOTS because it's an antique but they're really common because they just last and last.

Check Gumtree for bargains. If you go to look at one, take some samples of fabrics with you to make sure it sews well. Most machines play nicely with medium/heavy cotton but some can be a bit iffy with lighter-weight fabrics like voiles. A good clean-out and a nice new needle suitable for the fabric can work wonders.

I’ve recently started sewing and had some lessons, at the first couple we used a John Lewis JL110 before moving on to the Janome 525S.

I bought the Janome, but managed to find an ex display one for a good price, however I think the JL110 would be ideal for what you want to do. It’s £99, has a 2 year guarantee and 245 reviews, the vast majority of which give it 4 stars or more.

www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-jl110-sewing-machine-white/p317685

Thank you for the replies! I've got some research to do! I did wonder about the ones Lidl often have, the price seemed a bit too good to be true. Going to have a read of that link now steppingout
The £25 price mark is very tempting, are they the non electric ones? Will set up some saved searches on ebay

I was talking to a sewing machine repair man last year; he said he got a lot of the Aldi/Lidl ones in, and he wouldn’t touch them with a barge pole. Have you got a sewing machine shop nearby? They often have reconditioned models for sale.

Ah thats interesting to hear, maybe better to go for a branded one 2nd hand in that case. There used to be a sewing machine shop in the next town but it closed down about 18m ago; I'll l have a Google and see if I can find another!

Op I’m not a great sewer but I do like to be able to just make stuff myself if I cant buy what I want, I have a mini electric sewing machine that I got from the Works about 8 years ago and have made so much stuff with it.

I have made cushion covers, curtains for ds’ cabin bed, a basic skirt.

I think I paid something stupid like £6 or £7 for it. It is a single setting battery operated model. If you only want it for a few small bits and pieces it’s all you need.

I have attached a photo of curtains made with my teeny tiny bargain machine

Ah brilliant ProudThrilledHappy I'm glad you found something that works! I suppose I need to work out exactly what I intend to use it for. I initially thought I would just get something super cheap to make sure I actually use it and it doesn't just gather dust..

I have a basic Singer and have done dressmaking, patchwork and home furnishings on it. In fact, I think it has less stitches than the one sold in Lidl which I'm sure is also a Singer. I think I have had mine 4 or 5 years and much as I am tempted to get something better, it really does suit most of my needs.

I have an older version of this brother one and it lasted me for a good 10 years before I upgraded it and it still works fine - i got it in Tesco for £40

It seems the brother ls14 has come up a few times so I'll look out for one of those on sale/second hand.
I'm OK at hand sewing but just wanted a machine to do things a bit neater I suppose!

The John Lewis one is under £100 and highly rated. Friend has one and loves it (I think it’s actually Janome, they used to be at least!)

I found a sewing machine repair shop in the next town and have bought myself a janome 1560 for £80! It's got a 12 month warranty and they threw in all sorts of extras, needles/spools/bobbins etc.
Very excited to start sewing

I have one from John Lewis at under £100 and it is brilliant.

I would recommend you not to get the cheapest one. If you are looking on eBay and Facebook, you can get a good sewing machine, but since it is used, the price obviously will be lower. Also, if you are planning to do small decorative works, the regular sewing machine will be enough for you. I personally discovered that there is a difference in the sewing machines' functions, and no wonder I realize some of my ideas with a regular sewing machine. I love to do different things for the interior, and also to remake clothes and make it a bit more personalized. Now, I am looking for a good overlock sewing machine.

Put a request out on Freecycle too - you never know, you might get lucky!