Been inspired to get a sewing machine, haven't the foggiest where to start. O'wise mners, I need your help.

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title says it all really. would really like a sewing machine, would love to make my own curtains, cushions etc but don't know what type to get, how much to spend and where to start. total novice, so any advice greatly appreciated.

Bump. My sewing machine was my Granny's, circa nineteen oatcake and it only does one type of stitch.
The Good Housekeeping magazine online does 'Tried and Tested' reviews on some machines.

get a 2nd hand one to begin with, try local ads in paper

lessons often advertised there too

thank you. do you sew often?

Whereabouts are you? I bought my first sewing maching from John Lewis. The lady was very helpful and asked me questions about what I wanted to use it for and gave me a demo of several machines that would suit. I bought a Janome which was sturdy and useful.

I bought my second machine from the knitting and stitching show at Ally Pally. I just went around all the sewing machine stands and made up my mind from that. You would probably already have to know a bit about machines and what you really want to do that as the advice is obviously not impartial.

Dunelm Mill sewing machines
Yes, I sew a lot but mainly mending or curtains.

im in Shropshire. found this which looks quite good. mil used to sew a lot so i was going to ask her for some tips.

Good Housekeeping Tried and Tested reviews 2006

thank you!

lol, have also been inspired to take up cross stitch again.

how does the one i linked to look?

Just come home & picked up Which from the doormat & it has a report on sewing machines!

They suggest "If you're a beginner who's not sure if you'll take to sewing, consider the Janome J1012 £89) or the John Lewis JL125 (£99). They're around £100 cheaper than the Best Buy Brother BC2100 (£196), and though they don't score as highly, they're reasonable machines with a good straight stitch"

There's a link to their advice page

thank you rusty!

Sewing Machines Direct are great to buy from - I got my overlocker from them, and they often have good deals.

If you're going to make cushions and stuff to start with, you really just need a straight stitch, and possibly a zig-zag for finishing raw edges. I had a very simple machine for about 8 years before I traded up, and I sew all sorts of things (I went for a Janome in the end and she's lovely). Also note that Janome make John Lewis machines, as well as Elna, so the JL machines are really good quality. (Not available at SMD sadly...) For curtains a blind hem foot is good for that invisibly hemmed look, and you might want to think about buttonholes too, just in case you're fastening cushions with them