Sewing machine recommendation?

[Watchkeys]

I'd like to start making my own clothes. I'm sure it'll be hilarious for a while, until I get good at it. But I would like to be using the right tool for the job from the start, so I'll know that the mistakes are all my own, to be proud of, and not caused by a shonky machine.

What's a good brand/model, and how much should I expect to pay for a decent one? Is second hand a good idea, or is it wiser to buy new?

Oh, this is brilliant! Thanks everyone, you're an education!

I've got a decent sewing machine shop about 20 miles away that I can visit. I'm thinking Janome or Bernina from there, I'll go in and talk to them about it. They've got one for £13999 which might not be the one I go for. Bloody hell. I didn't even know they made them that expensive!

I'm going to be the outsider and recommend Husqvarna, mine is about 18yrs old. I have also have an older Singer, which is from the time when they started to go tits up, it's not reliable.
DD has a basic Brother machine which we bought her as a teenager. She is always clamouring to use mine, the Brother is fine - but they are a bit like cars - You are pootling to town and back in a basic Kia, it's reliable, gets you there and you don't know any different - until you drive something far better.
The sewing is smoother on the Husqvarna, very few tension snags and hiccups - mine can select the tension for you, although tbh I don't use it . One step button holes is a also plus.

It's worth taking lessons at a sewing shop to help you work out what you will need, you have to try stuff to realise what things are non negotiable. Mine has a range of fancy stitches - I'll use the invisible hemming, lettering and other practical stitches. But I've no use for ribbons, leaves and scallops! Love the needle threader (more so now I'm older!). Also I have foot free sewing which can be handy as I sometimes sew sat on the floor 🤦‍♀️

As for saving money, I've saved a fortune making curtains and various upholstery over the years. I always thought I'd make my kids clothes, but it never seemed worth the effort.

That's very true from a PP about thread. Cheap thread is never worth it - it breaks, tangles up in the machine, makes your garment weaker etc. Gutermann all the way for me, and they do lots of options - the main line is polyester but you can get cotton, extra-strong, silk etc.

I recently replaced my elderly Singer machine with a Bernette B05 Academy. Bernette is a sister brand to Bernina - less expensive but good quality. I don't need anything fancy or hi-tech so this suits me very well! https://www.bernette.com/en-UK/models/bernette-05-academy

I have a new Bernina which is a thing of beauty & a joy to work on.
My DH bought it for me as an update for my ancient Novum which I’ve had for forty years. The only reason I’d considered having a newer one is that the old one doesn’t do one step buttonholes or stretch stitch other than a zigzag. But it’s totally bombproof, weighs a ton as it’s solid metal, never needed a repairin all the years I’ve had it. I also own an overlocker, it’s a Lidl’s best as I didn’t want to splash out as not sure how much use I’d get or even like one till I’d tried. But it’s proving so good I haven’t considered replacing it yet.

I have a new Bernina which is a thing of beauty & a joy to work on.

Aren't they just. A adore mine, wrestled making a dress with this very slinky jersey, got near the end and realised what I really needed was a walking foot, then I remembered that my new machine had dual feed built in 😏

I'm using a rather vintage Janome New Home 525, from the 1980s!

A hand me down from my Mother which I keep meaning to upgrade but it's an absolute workhorse and does everything I need it to. So until it falters I'll keep going with it.