Beginning sewing machine?

[DivaSkyChick]

Hello ladies,

I would like to take up sewing and need advice to buy a sewing machine. I don't know how to thread a machine nor even what a bobbin is, so I need a very simple, straight forward machine. Compact would also be good as we live in a rather small flat.

Any ideas or thoughts to share with me? In my mind's eye, I'm going to be quite a crafty creative mum once the baby comes. In truth the machine might end up as a door jam so I'd better not spend too much to start with...

Thanks!

One thing to bear in mind is the more that's on a machine the more there is to go wrong. I have a basic bernina it's brilliant and a real work horse of a machine. That isn't the cheapest option though. If you're not to sure how you will get on how about getting a second hand one? Your local sewing shop will probally have ads for people selling them. I know that I used mine alot more before ds arrived!

I got a simple one in John Lewis (own brand) which has been fab. It came with a very good instruction manual which shows you the basics. I think it cost about £90, but they do do one cheaper than that I think. The sales assistants are always very helpful too.

Sorry quick hi-jack<

Jane, do you actually have an Austin Allegro?

woolies have a basic one for £59 at the moment and there is also a slightly more advanced one for £79- would have got one but was hoodwinked into spending a fortune on the promise that it would do everything for me and so far i've used two of its 80 stitches!

lol no!

i wanted a new nickname, i had just finished reading Sense & Sensibility for the fifth time and dh came up with this - i think he's been watching too much Life on Mars

ROFL, of course the Jane Austen bit didn't click with me!

Muminfife, what's a lidl? That price sounds great to me!

Thanks everyone!