Best sewing machine for a clueless absolute beginner

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Could anyone recommend a good machine for someone just starting out? I'd like to teach myself to sew as I'd enjoy making things for around the house. I know very little about sewing machines however and don't want to make a potentially expensive mistake. I'd rather buy something that will last, rather than something basic that I'd need to upgrade down the line. Thanks

Hopeful evening bump!

Someone else better informed will doubtless be along in a moment, but until then , I've heard good things about Janome. Can't comment personally though, as I have a Toyota and an old Bernina.....both basic but fine for my purposes and very reliable. Basic can be perfectly OK if it has the range of functions you're going to need.

If you have a local John Lewis, or even better, an independent sewing shop, it would be worth going along and talking to them, and maybe trying a few models.

Thanks, there is a independent shop not too far away, so as you say I may be best popping along to them for advice and maybe try a few options out.

I just bought one from john Lewis. Very helpful and so easy to set up and use. Plus £30 off so it was just under £70 which is I thought was a bargain. I'm new to sewing too and so far not has gin wrong!

Something basic is fine, you'll only really need straight and zigzag stitch. I love my janome machine but I have also heard good things about John lewis ones

Buy a make that your local shop stocks because they will be able to help you when you get stuck (and servicing etc. will be easier). I have a Husqvarna because my local sewing shop is a Husqvarna specialist and I know I can just wander down there any time and they'd happily demonstrate any feature for me -- also they do classes there, obviously on Husqvarna machines, so if I ever took one of those it would be easier to transfer the techniques back to my home machine.

I have a Jaguar Hello Kitty machine. I know that sounds ridiculous but when I was starting my seamstress friend said it is the absolute best machine for beginners.

I have to say it's been fantastic! I am thinking about trading up soon tho :)

I have a John Lewis mini and it is fine. The John Lewis 110 is on clearance in blue and looks like a good value -- especially as John lewis will help you set up the machine if you have one local.

I bought this John Lewis one for ds and I've been impressed at how good it is. Definitely a good solid machine to start on. Janome make all the John Lewis own brand machines.

Don't spend lots on your first machine, I have made so much with cheap as chips machine and I'm now ready to trade up. Because I only spent a little bit on it I feel justified in trading up.

The one thing I love about mine is it has a gadget that helps thread the needle.

I went to a beginner's sewing class yesterday and we were discussing this. The John Lewis one was recommended - it is made by Janome apparently (it does look a bit like the more advanced Janome one I used in the class yesterday) and the JL site says it is compatible with Janome accessories, as you would expect.

That said, good things were also said about a Brother one which is about 79 from Argos I think - someone in the class had got it for 69 with some offer or other.

I am currently dithering over that JL one though.

So far ds has used the JL one I linked to sew fleece and jersey material (separately) as well as cotton. It coped well with all even though the fleece was quite thick.

Thank you for the recommendations, I found them useful. :)

I have the Janome 2032, I'm a beginner and only got it in October, it's fab and I've done quite a lot with it :)

Aldi, currently have some machines in that are great for a beginner and work well as a back up machine when yours breaks/goes for it's annual big service.

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