Buy from a sewing machine specialist if you can, rather than a craft shop or online, because you will need ongoing support and advice.
If you have a sewing machine engineer nearby, you might pop over for a chat, or ring them and see what they say.
You might as well get to know one right away because all machines benefit from occasional servicing and you'll always need new parts like bulbs and needles.
The engineer will advise you about new machines, or you might be able to pick up a superb used machine from them, all serviced and ready to go, for a great price.
You can then spend the rest of your budget on lovely sharp shears and other notions.
Engineers carry used machines because they sometimes accept them on trade-in deals.
Older machines are often better-made and more solid than newer ones and replacement parts and add-ons are cheaper.
They will do all you need once you've learned to work them!
Online videos will help, and there are sites where you can download the manual if it isn't with the machine. The engineer should carry photocopies of older manuals anyway.
A sewing machine engineer's shop will also sell the haberdashery you need and you can browse it, picking up lovely sewing ideas.
You should be doing basic defluffing and oiling at home but a full service is like having a new machine back.
When I treat my machines to a service they come home PURRING!
I bought two 1980s Toyota machines a couple of years ago from car boot sales and had them serviced, and the engineer nearly cried at their beauty.
The better model went to my daughter for Christmas and the other is a back-up. It fits in a rolling laptop case and can be deployed away from home while the main ones are still set up.
Some further advice:
- Buy some cheap artists' paintbrushes and use them to defluff the visible working parts regularly. This and light oiling (as per the manual) will help the machine to run smoothly.
- Your machine will have a round spool underneath. Memorise whether it goes in clockwise or not.
When you need new spools, take one with you as they come in both metal and plastic and two different sizes. I carry an old bent one on my car keys so I can't get it wrong!
- A good thing to start making is the simple shopping bag. It will teach you to sew in a straight line, which is the most basic skill. You can upcycle old curtains or bedding.
Have fun!