Now I'm a mother I need a sewing machine!

[CantSleepWontSleep]

I can't sew, I'm not arty or crafty, but I won't feel like a properly grown up mother until I get one! Besides which, it's my birthday in a fortnight, and I can't think of anything else that I want!

So, lovely mumsnetters, tell me what features I could/should be looking for, and what makes are particularly good or bad. Doesn't need to be cheap (I deserve a good present!), but don't want to spend thousands!!

Can you get ones that will sew buttons on for you these days?
Do you still have to faff about with bobbins and all that nonsense?
Any sites worth browsing for info?

what are you thinking of making? or have you always secretly hankered for one

I haven't a clue .

If I get one that's good enough to last a few years then no doubt there will be fancy dress costumes and outfits for school plays when DD is older.

Maybe if it can do that fancy embroidery stuff all by itself then I can have some fun making err... whatever you make with fancy embroidery!

I was serious about the button sewing btw .

My antenatal pals (think I have flamesparrow to blame) told me months ago that I have to be able to sew as a mother.

And maybe there's a bit of a hankering too .

i quite fancy getting one too, i broke my mum's when i was about 15 making black clothes , i have no idea what machines do now, hopefully someone else will know a bit more than me !

I like sewing but don't often find the time to do it!! If you decide to get a machine there is a good website:

\link{http://www.sewingmachinesdirect.co.uk/\sewing machines direct

which is where I bought mine - it was about £100 less than John Lewis (I do quilting so I was buying a £400 machine with extra bits for quilting)

Yes, you can sew on flat buttons with some machines now.

sewing machines direct

I still haven't got the hang of this link thingy yet!!

Oh, and the bobbins are pretty easy to load these days - mine just sort of drops in - I have a Janome machine and I've been really pleased with it. Elna are good too.

You need to speak to fiofio she is very knowledgeable about sewing machines. I expect she'll be around tomorrow if not tonight.

You know there's a sewing maching shop in St Albans, don't you?

The site has a buyers guide, too - suggests entry level machines about £150:

buying guide