Which sewing machine?

[ChirpyGirl]

Having survived with a 1960's hand powered Singer that only does a (crappy) straight stitch, DH has offered to buy me a new sewing machine for my birthday, or rather to repay me when I go out an dbuy it so he doesn't cock it up!

So, I don't need much, electric, that does a couple of stitches and buttonholes and is fairly idiot proof, so can you help me?

thanks!

anyone?

I am a devotee of Bernina myself. Depends hwo much you want to spend really as to which model - do you have a John Lewis near you? THey are good for demo-ing their machines but I dont think they carry Bernina. If you are near Birmingham i can recommend a brilliant shop...

Mine's a Janome, too. I demoed loads of them before settling on it and I think that demoing is definitely the way to go. I tried John Lewis and a little shop in Leamington that did Bernina.

Even if you don't want much now, you may find that for an extra £50 you get a few more whistles and bells, which may come in if you want to do some more ambitious projects. Unless you demo them, you just don't know! (Love my Janome btw!)

Am in south wales so no John Lewis near here! looking to spend under 100 if I can..

This is dirt cheap, so what's wrong with it!?
Janome one

there's loads of choice though!

(holy shit, DH might pass out if I show him a Bernina one!)

I inherited my Bernina - I LOVE it but yes, they are a bit on the steep side. I also have a little brother that was less than £100 and its excellent - cheap isnt necessarily bad with basic machines imo - definately need to test drive a few though

What about this one?

I really can't demo, can't get anywhere to do it without a trek and would have to take DD's with me, and at 2 (with a fear of motor noises) and 6 months that would not be fun!

Janome has a better name for reliability than Brother, but the Brother you've picked out has plenty of whistles. A top-loading bobbin is so handy! I think, though, I'd still go for the Janome - there's nothing more frustrating than a machine that keeps breaking down and IME, with anything mechanical, if there are two machines the same price but with different specs, the one with the lower spec will be more reliable than the other.

Another vote for Janome. Bernina fantastic but spare/replacement parts horrendously expensive.