I'm buying a sewing machine, and I could do with some advice.

[Naoko]

I'm a very novice sewer; until now I've been borrowing a friend's machine when she wasn't using it and also taking advantage of her advice to help me learn to sew. I've really enjoyed it and I want my own machine now so I don't have to rely on hers.

I'm hoping to grow into it a bit, so don't want to buy something super basic; at the same time the budget is somewhat limited! I'll mostly be using it to make semi-historical costume, although I'm hoping to get some general household use like taking up jeans or lining curtains out of it as well.

I don't think I need a gazillion fancy stitches, but it does need to be able to handle heavier fabrics or multiple layers of thinner ones. For example, my last project on the borrowed machine was a fleece lined cotton cloak with a fake fur mantle over the top; the borrowed machine spluttered a bit on the fur but eventually handled it with reasonable grace, which is what I'd like to be able to do on whatever I buy. And, of course, as mentioned I'm a novice, so userfriendliness regarding threading/bobbins etc would be great.

What should I be looking for, features wise, and what can I safely ignore? I'm looking to spend about £150-£200; if this was you, what would you buy?

Ikea, about 70quid.
Singer are excellent, perhaps look on Amazon or go to your local sewing machine shop. You could always do lots of research then get one of ebay once you know what you're looking for.
I have an Alpha, about 130pounds. I can't remember the model (am in bad, decadent!), but it's basic: straight stitch, various zigzag stitches, button stitches and zip - it's got a special 'foot' for zips. It's really easy to thread up and use, the manual is very straightforward.
Once you buy one, go through threading and re-threading; I found that after about five goes I could do it blindfold!
I'm not a prifessional sewer, I have used it for: fancy dress, cushion covers, cot bedding, various toys, adapting DS's clothes (mostly personalising t-shirts), taking up trouser hems (including jeans - oh the joy of doing it yourself!),, and other small-ish things. When I was pregnant wih DS I made a boxful of Xmas stuff for our future Christmases (he was a December baby).

Sorry for the waffling!

Thanks for the considered if opposite opinions :o Sadly it's going to have to be an online purchase - the nearest John Lewis is two hours on the train away, and although there's a shop that sells sewing machines in the next village the proprietor is so incredibly rude I refuse to set foot in the place again. I've heard good things about www.sewingmachines.co.uk/ and their prices look good too, so that's probably who I'll go with unless someone comes along to tell me that's a terrible idea!

Id go with Singer, I'm on my 2nd one, which I've had for over 15 years and it runs like a dream. The secret is that just like a car, it needs regular servicing.
I'd suggest something like this www.singerdirect.co.uk/saturday-web-offers/singer/2263/9113-c50-v0.htm or this one if you can stretch the budget www.singerdirect.co.uk/sewing-machines/special/singer-3232/9243-c50-v0.htm

They'd both last you a very long time- the 1 step buttonhole is a fantastic feature, as an experienced sexist, I'd be going for the 2nd one, you'd never. Need to upgrade, and with regular servicing, it would probably last not far short of a lifetime

"an experienced sexist" Shepsparkles ?

FWIW my DM's Singer is still going well, she bought it in 1973. She sadly had to replace it (not sure what with) as the old one was just so damned heavy! She made so much for me and DSis when we were small: clothes, toys, clothes for the toys - even 'sportswear' for my My little Ponies!

I have a brother one which is very good but the model I have is over your budget. Mine is computerised and there are cheaper ones that aren't computerised. I wanted once for general sewing, quilting and machine embroidery and it was what the local sewing machine shop recommended.
Have used Janome machines and they are very good too.

I've been looking at these three machines:

Brother
Elna
Also Elna

Would any/all of them be any good for what I want?

I had Brother,which was horrid (bobbing,blocking etc.).Sorry no sure which model...
Now I have Toyota JFS21,but it can be used for jeans...cost under £100...
But it is great,jus finished my ''Moby'' wrap,with really elastic fabric and it was great.I did couple of other things using jeans,flanette,quite stiff cotton and this machine is a dream.

I said on another thread, my local sewing place has some of the less expensive Elna's and she rated them very highly. Elna has always been a good quality brand (I have two of them), Swiss engineered etc etc, but you might want to try and find a review of the 2800 or 2300 to see what the newer ones are like. (I will have a look on sewingpatternreview)

Both the Elna 2300 and 2800 get good reviews on patternreview, so maybe it's a case of checking out the features.

Thanks very much all :) I think I'm going to go for the 2800, it looks very nice!

Ordered it :o Excited now! Going to be lying in wait for the deliveryman in the next couple of days I suspect, poor man won't know what's hit him...

I'll be interested to hear what you think - I'm about to start researching new machines as I'm finding my lovely old Frister Rossman Cub doesn't do as much as I'd like it to, plus it needs servicing and that will cost more than the machine's worth. Shame, because it works brilliantly.

I've been using my mum's Elna 6005 today - she tells me they've been bought by Janome apparently. My budget is a little higher than yours, around the £250-£300 marks so I'd be interested to hear any thoughts on something at that price range.

my Janome qxl605 is around the 300 mark if you get it without the thread cutting button, and i'm a quilter. it's been brilliant so far, and Janome seem to be a good company - sent mine back as the belt slipped and they were so intrigued about what caused the problem they kept it and gave me a new one! They also have a good community, especially here in east Kent, we have a group that meets once a month for owners of any Janome or New Home etc that they might have taken over..

I like mine from Sewing Machines Direct here. Seems to do the trick. I love mine. I haven't tried quilting on it yet but made cushions, bunting, clothes etc on it with no bother. Next course is quilting in June. Am very excited.

Great, thanks :)

It's here :o

I have no idea what I'm doing. I've had to resort to the drastic action of Reading the Bloody Manual. It's very shiny though! Hoping to have an actual first go on it tonight.

Good luck and have fun!

How are you getting on?