Want to buy sewing machine...help!

[greedygoose]

Have seen mini one for £50 in John Lewis, or do I need full size. Not planning huge projects just nametapes and mending. Is E-Bay an option? Grateful for help!

Check out the threads in the arts and crafts section on this subject.

I bought one (a Brother) before Xmas and decided against the JL mini one as think it would need upgrading as doesn't cope well with things like jeans.

Lots here recommend basic Janomes, which you can get much cheaper from specialist sewing machine shops than JL.

Janome is the best. I dont do as much sewing as I'd love to but you do get what you pay for. I paid £250 and its amazing. Lots of auto programmes, even threading and automatically adjusts to thickness of fabrics so you dont have to.

I was going to buy via e-bay second hand but I needed to be sure of the condition plus the p&p additional cost - new prices are no better than what you can get on the high street. I went to a prof sewing machine shop and they were so helpful plus I made them through in some freebies! I needed to make sure what model I needed and she showed me how to use it and I had some trials so I would recommend doing this.

You may not be doing much now but as you get more confidfent youll want to venture into soft furnishing etc and then you'll find the £50 mini machine isnt up to the job. I dont think its worth the bother.

Mine was £40 in Lidl. They do them as special offers. I have made many curtains and cushion covers, done a bit of dressmaking and mending on it with no probs at all. A bargain!