Sewing machine recommendation

[alloutofcareunits]

Hi, after a bit of advice regarding buying a new sewing machine, I got mine out of the loft at the weekend, it was my 21st birthday present over 30 years ago! I made a couple of things but have decided to upgrade to something newer with more features. I’ve looked at the Janome 8100hc sold at Hobbycraft which I think is the same as the 3100 sold in John Lewis. Has anyone used this machine or can recommend me something not too complicated, no plans to make anything fancy but want something that does button holes well and has a few embroidery stitches. Thanks in advance 😊

I have a Janome (not sure of model, it’s nothing fancy) it’s brilliant and has a needle threading device on it which doesn’t sound like much but invaluable ! does auto buttonholes, lots of stitches very easy to use.
it’s lightweight and quiet I’ve always been really pleased with it

What is your budget?

On the Sewing Bee they use the Janome 5060 QDC, looks like a nice all-rounder!

I think mine is the J3-18

Thanks @TwoMonthsOff @CuteOrangeElephant I'll look at them both. The one I mentioned is around £300 but I'd pay a bit more, maybe up to £500?

I would imagine you would get a very top spec one for £500!

I have the one mentioned above, that they use on the Sewing Bee, and it's a dream. I love it.

If you can, get to a local shop and try some out. What suits one person won't suit another. I tried some Brother machines, some Bernina ones and a Pfaff (sp?!) before sitting at the Janome.

If you're spending that much money, it's worth a test drive.

@TwoMonthsOff 500 is small change in the world of luxury sewing machines! I have a Janome atelier 5 and that was 800 pounds. The really really nice ones are more like 2-5k up to 8k 😅.

For around 300-500 you can get really nice ones to set you up for your sewing journey. I would just go to a physical shop and try some out.

I know but OP wasn’t after luxury !

I got a Janome m100 on eBay. I LOVE it. I had a basic machine for years but my janome is fabulous. I probably will never use half the stitches but I am tremendously pleased that I could if I wanted to!