Sewing machines.....please point me in the right direction!

[TiredMule]

My lovely dad is going to buy me a sewing machine for christmas, but I have no idea what I need. What features should I be looking for?
I only need a fairly basic one (i think) as I know what i'm doing for basic things. The trouble is I don't want to grow out of it really quickly. At the moment it's just basic crafty stuff i'm making (right now lots and lots of bunting!) but I would like to do more.

So what things does a good machine have to have?
What would be an added bonus?

Any reccomendations for a good machine/shop would be very welcome!

You need one that will do strong stretch zig zag stitches as lots of modern fabric stretches and if you use a straight stitch the seam breaks.
You also need one that does good button holes easily and with the ability to adjust the size of these without a lot of hassle.
One with an overlocking stitch is useful, but while lots of machines have loads of decorative stitches, unless you are into fancy sewing and crafts in a big way, you probably won't use most of them - ditto twin needles.
Make sure it has an automatic needle threader - it saves so much time and fiddling about.
It must have a zipper foot for attaching zips etc, but hemming feet and similar additions are rarely used, though they can be handy and save time if you practise enough to get good at using them.
A thread cutter on the side is handy and saves groping for the scissors under piles of fabric and scraps all the while.
It helps if the instruction manual is not still written mostly in Japanese, unless of course, you speak Japanese...

How much do you want to spend? There is an independent sewing machine shop near me who recommended the Janome DC3050. I got it from John Lewis because it was £70 cheaper there (sorry shop owner) and it is very good - has auto threading, auto tension etc. I don't use it much due to lack of time but it is very easy to use (even for a total sewing dunce like me) and has enough features that it will take you to a reasonably competent/advanced stage (according to the shop).

I looooove my Janome DC3050 - I have even quilting a queen sized quilt on it :)

*quilted

any recommendations for cheaper ones? i want a sewing maching but realistically don't want to spend more than £150... did look at a brother one.

I have heard the John Lewis own brand ones are made by Janome, which is a good make to go for... They have one on the website for £139 but no idea what it can do and never used it.

oh, cheers! the thing about what they can do... problem is that my eyes start swimming. what i want is for a nice lady to say 'buy this one'.

I have the basic john Lewis machine, it is good value for money and easy to use.
It was made by janome as well.

I have the basic john Lewis machine, it is good value for money and easy to use.
It was made by janome as well.

and of course comes from JL with all its attendant guarantees...

Thanks for all your replies, I'm still very confused! I think i'm looking at the 150ish mark....
Has anyone ordered a machine from an online company? My dad is very cautious using a company he hasn't used before if they are only online.....which makes getting more for my his money harder!
I'm like you Aitch-there are too many I just need someone to tell me which one!
Off too have another browse...

IMO (and I'll hastily caveat I'm no expert - but I'm starting to find limits on my machine and have been looking around) £150 can get you a good starter machine, but it can also get you a very good older machine that's been reconditioned. I'm not sure whether the problems I'm having are attributable to me, intrinsic to the machine or indicative of the machine needing a good service - but when a service costs £65 and I can replace the machine for