New Sewing Machine - stick with the same brand?

[ToBeeOrNot]

I have a Brother sewing machine that's been fantastic but seems to have now seized up. I've given it a good clean which has worked in the past but no joy this time.

I suspect it's fixable, but I've got a number of outstanding projects that really can't wait to be finished so I'm considering purchasing another and relegating the old one to spare (I also live away during the week so having a sewing machine in two places without having to lug it around would be a bonus).

Anyone have any advice on whether it's best to stick to brand you're used to (I also have a number of add ons that will fit all brother machines) or does it not really matter that much?

Any recommendations of machines around the £200 mark. This is my current machine and I want something equivalent really.

Thanks in advance

Do you need or use all sixty stitches?

As a Brother this one looks good value
www.sewingmachines.co.uk/brotherAS40_info.htm but only 40 stitches comes with some extra feet that you may already have.

I know someone who has just bought this one and she is REALLY pleased- but it is a different make and £69 over your budget, but you do get a lot of extras, and maybe some of the difference in price could be made up by you selling off your extras for the Brother??
www.sewingmachines.co.uk/frister681_info.htm

I have an Elna and I like a lot of it- but it doesn't do heavy layers without a tantrum.
Some of it will depend on what you are making.

I would think about whether you use all the stitches too, I only use five or six on my machine.

SMD as linked to above is a good place to buy from. I would add up the value of your feet/extras - if significant and they work on the new Brother machines I would probably stick to Brother.

If you bought another brand you could probably sell the extras on eBay - hopefully not for peanuts - I have given up selling on eBay for now, a couple of PITA buyers put me off.

Just realised I haven't linked to quite the right machine, mine only has 40 stitches and looks like exactly the same 40 stitches as the one Tangerine linked to and they're plenty. So the AS40 looks fairly equivalent to what I've got now and my extra feet (free motion quilting and a walking foot) will work with it so could be a good option.

if you want to stay with Brother this is a good machine www.johnlewis.com/brother-jk4000-sewing-machine/p955264

I like the look of that Brother - JK4000

I actually fixed the original issue with my other machine but created a new one in the process - doh!