Can you recommend a good sewing machine?

[Moosy]

Mine is 3rd or 4th hand and about 30+ years old and really needs replacing but I have no idea where to start looking or what I should be looking for.

It'll be mostly used for mending/adjusting DH's trousers and I don't want to spend a fortune. Can you recommend any good makes/models?

the best maker is Brother

if you are looking at the cheaper end of the market, say below £250, go for janome. have to say, ime, brother are not very good, toyota just as bad, pfaff not as good as they used to be, husqvarna and bernina are the best but pricey. hth

oh and if you can. buy from a localish small sewing centre, not from places like john lewis, argos etc. you will get much better follow up service.

The cheaper end is under £250?! I was thinking of spending not much more than £100! Eek!

I think I'll go and have a look in town and see if the little shop is still there then come back and ask your opinion on their stock...

can you still get singer sewing machines?

janomes start at about that price, some here, basic model is £129

you can still get singers, but again, not as well made as they used to be.

I got a 'Silver' one today, I've never heard of them but the man in the little shop said it's as good as the Husqvarna viking one which was £199, I paid £139.

You were right about going to a little shop rather than Argos etc, the man was like someone from a history book, and really nice and helpful, he even said if I get stuck then I can go in for unlimited lessons

I've taken up one pair of DH's trousers already, and now that I have a machine that works I want to make things!