£100(ish) to buy a sewing machine in John Lewis

[3birthdaybunnies]

My old one inherited from DM is on it's last legs and she always said it wasn't very good. I have a voucher for John Lewis and want to put it towards a new machine. I would love to spend more, but can't. I want it for making toys, gifts etc. I would ideally like to be able to use it for heavy material too, I have been known to make curtains (though at a push I might be able to keep the old one which can now only do a straight stitch), definitely want to be able to sew two bits of towel together and use zig zag stitch for hoodie towels. Thinking probably the Brother XN1700 as it has rotary hook and is electronic. Any recommendations?

That looks a good straight forward machine.

The only reservation I would have is how much room there is between needle and machine for moving around bulky fabric - especially for curtain making.

That's a good point, might have to go in and look at it. Although my current one doesn't have loads of space, I had to just make sure I started at the right end iykwim. I am hoping to get it and use it to make some pressies then repackage it for Christmas day!