Sewing machines for a beginner

[TicTacTwo]

I'm considering a sewing machine for 17 year old dd. She's a total beginner but the type of person who'd pick it up quickly.

Are the £35-£50 mini machines good enough for a year or two? She's taking a gap year next year and I think she'd like to be able to make some basics.

What extra bits should I add if I buy the machine? I don't want to give a gift that's going to cost her money in extras like fabric

Don't bother with a midi machine, they aren't powerful enough to see anything decent.

www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-partners-jl110-sewing-machine-aqua/p4157122?sku=237524356&s_ppc=2dx92700055674901123&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=CjwKCAiA17P9BRB2EiwAMvwNyN3v8QTP1ydP_pAE6b-5fBgQMrJSP3HdPOmTeibBF8cbmY28ocP6HxoC65QQAvD_BwE

From John Lewis is a respectable beginner machine. It's manufactured by Janome who are very well regarded. It quite often goes on sale. Hobbycraft also sell a brother machine which is good for beginners and around the £80-100 mark.

As for extras:

Decent fabric scissors
Tape measure
Ruler
Pins

Tilly and the buttons have easy patterns for beginners and the books come with patterns.

She'll either need to use fabric she has or purchase some so vouchers for online fabric stores could be useful.

Sewing isn't a cheap hobby, I'm currently debating whether to make Xmas stockings for my DC's or buy some from marks and Spencer - the m&s ones will probably work out cheaper after I buy the fabric, trim and spend a few hours drafting a pattern and sewing(!)

Please don’t buy a mini machine, they’re not worth it.

I’d go for a basic but full sized machine, something like the Brother LS14 or look at the own brand John Lewis ones ( I think that they’re made by Janome). Be warned, lots of people took up sewing in Lockdown so machine availability is more limited than usual.

To go with it, fabric, fabric scissors, clips ( to join fabric instead of pins), a rotary cutter and reasonable sized cutting mat, quick unpick, hem gauge, fabric, patterns, you can go on and on! What is she likely to sew?

What a lovely present!

For a basic machine, you need to look for one that could do straight and zigzag stitches with at least a 4 step buttonhole. Some of the really cheap ones really are cheap but this would have more longevity if the sewing bug really caught her, plus accessories are easy to get hold of.
www.johnlewis.com/brother-lk14s-sewing-machine-white/p3376381

I can second tilly and the buttons books. I've been sewing stuff like these joggers from stretch, as a returner to dressmaking and the instructions are excellent. Make it easy is a good beginner book or merchant and mills do a good basic sewing book with a more edgy vibe to the patterns.

Instead of getting a mini machine I'd keep an eye out for a second hand full sized machine, there's usually some on Facebook marketplace and gumtree for around £30-40. My mam got me a second hand Toyota machine around 10 years ago for £30 and it's still going strong!

To go with it-
Good fabric scissors
Pins and pincushion
Measuring tape
Threads
Replacement needles
Fabric- I like ohsewcrafty, they have a lot of cheap fabric with fun prints

Thank you for the advice. I'm glad that I asked before wasting money on a mini machine