I need a sewing machine and have no idea where to look or what to buy.....help please!

[Orchide]

Need a sewing machine.
Something fairly straight forward...not too many bells and whistles as I havent used one in years and dont need it to do anything too fancy. Have about £100 to spend, cept I dont really know what I'm looking for........

Can anyone give me some tips on decent makes , id like it to last a while despite prob intermittent use, functions that would be useful and what to avoid?

Are these any good?

brother

singer

I bought one from Woolworths, it was on special offer at £79, and it's excellent. It's a Toyota. I bought it because a friend recommended it, and it's simple to use, in fact my 14yo dd threaded it & uses it no probs, (she does needlework at school) although there is an instruction booklet, with pictures!

Thanks stepfords, was it this one?

here

I've just been given this for Christmas, haven't had a chance to use it yet but looks fab!

forkhandles - fab for absolute beginners too?

I would think so. It does a few things that I wouldn't need, like twin needle sewing (what's that for?) and button holes. It looks like it easy to adjust etc, and it says on the box 'perfect first machine, light portable and easy to use'. Lets hope so!!

Yes, that looks like it. I've only used one of the 21 stitches - I'm sure it's all I'll ever need! It is quite lightweight too, compared to my mum's old machine which weighs a ton. To be honest, I would think the ones of a similar price are all much of a muchness.

Worth having a look at this website as their prices are usually good - don't know what to advise re starter models, I bought a flashy Janome one for quilting/decorative stitching and their price was £100 less than John Lewis - they do have various makes under £100.

Sewing Machines Direct

stepford - the only experience i have had with sewing machines was also one belonging to my mum...also weighed a ton!
housemum- thanks for link, able to compare some exact models to those on JL and yours def. seems cheaper.

If you are going to be doing dress making I'd buy a the most expensive simple machine you can afford - i.e. one that goes forwards, backwards, zig zags and does button holes. I find you don't use all the fancy stitches but a reliable sturdy machine will last forever. My MIL just told me that Brother only keep parts for their machines for 5 years - which is a bit crap (and I have one too booo).

I think this looks good.

Benson, will be doing little if any dress making... I like clothes shopping too much! Will be mostly stuff like curtains, maybe some quilting.
Never heard of that make, though to b fair there aren't many makes I have heard of! How much do brands matter?

The Toyota one does backwards as well (you just hold down a lever to make it reverse)and defo does zigzag, don't know about buttonholes - haven't got that far!