Sewing Machines!

[Chuckymuffin]

I'm looking to get my first sewing machine. I haven't used one since I was a child and feel inspired to learn a new skill (knitting is out. I've tried and I'm rubbish!).
Could anybody suggest the best make to go for and any specifications that I should be looking out for, please. I've read through many a review and they're so varied I'm more than slightly confused now!
Thank you.

I hadn't thought of Aldi or Lidl or even Ikea. I've looked at the John Lewis website and thought I'd probably go into the big store near us and get a feel for them. I guess it's just for light sewing eg making dressing up clothes for DS or mending bits and bobs rather than curtains etc.
Thank you do much for the advice!

If you've Dunelm Mill near you, they had a good selection very reasonably priced. I bought a cheap one (£35) til I knew Id get good use out of it...its still going strong and used it for loads!

Hobbycraft sell Brother machines which are good. I bought one, but because I am completely emotionally involved with my Singer Serenade 30, I haven't touched it since I got my ol' faithful back from the repair man. It is a decent machine for someone starting out though :)

We've a Dunelm and a Hobbycraft right next to each other. I'll check them both out tomorrow. Thank you so much ladies! I knew I could count on the mumsnetters!

Mine is a Juki. It was quite expensive but a birthday present from both sets of parents and I also added some.

It's fabulous. I wanted a really sturdy, built to last machine and that's what I got. I love it!

If you are going for a brand name machine, or one with more features, check out the prices on here Sewing machines direct - I bought a Janome one from here a couple of years ago and it was about £60 cheaper than John Lewis (was a £300 ish machine). They do more basic models as well, don't know how much of a saving they are on those if any

I would advise (if you can afford it) to go for one with 'automatic tension'.
It's the one thing that used to drive me nuts on previous machines without it.....

And if you have a John Lewis near you.......find out when their sewing machine expert's on hand (or better still, make an appointment) and they'll run through the various options with you. They're very good, with no hard sell.

Good luck!

Thank you all so much!

I went a wandering on the weekend and the ones I liked the look of, I took note and then googled them all to compare prices.
Have ended up getting a Singer, direct from the Singer website - £150 down to £89 (with various discounts!). It's been shipped, along with my 'sewing for beginners' book from Amazon so, watch this space....

Excellent! Good luck! :)