Help me choose a sewing machine please.

[nettie]

I have a fantastic Bernina 1030 that I have had since the dark ages, it does everything I need it to do except a one step buttonhole. I love it, have no intention of getting rid of it, but really want to be able to make buttonholes easier.

So, can you recommend a machine that is good for buttonholes and cheap(ish!). Compact would be good as well, storage is an issue, my lovely sewing/craft room only exists in head (until the DSs move out ).

I would go for a vintage machine with a buttonholer - a 221K is very cute (£150 ish) and does better button holes than my Bernina, which is no reflection on my Bernina at all.

But then I love old machines, you may not, you could leave it set up for buttonholes.

Like this

www.helenhowes-sewingmachines.co.uk/bigatts.html#buttonholers

Thanks, would like a vintage machine, but think a modern one would better in the circumstances as it will be easier to get up and down stairs, vintage machine tend be on the hefty side don't they?

A featherweight is tiny and about 3 kg nettie. But it doesn't sound like you want an old one. I have no idea about new ones, my newest one is a Bernina 1008, so an old fashioned one but only 2 years old.

I have never had a 1 step!

the Janome DC3050 has 3 great 1 step buttong holes and the Janome Decor Excel 30 has 6. Both very good machines, if you just want a basic buttong hole the Janome 5024 is brilliant - still has an exterior metal frame too.

I have a brother DS-140 and i think its brilliant. its got 5 different button hole types plus a slew of other stitches. It never lets me down