Sewing Machines

[McBinkers]

Any sewers out there that can recommend a nice, reasonably (cheap) priced model for someone who has very modest sewing skills? I used to do it in school and did a bit over the weekend at my mums and I want to get back into it, handy for curtain trimming, hemming etc...

Looking at Brother and Singer models, but if any of you have any recommendations I would be grateful

What is your budget? Janome are very good and easy to use.

I have an Elna that I'm very happy with. Bought it about 9 years ago when I was fed up with my mum's machine getting stuck all the time. It paid for itself just making one set of blinds.

All the dials are mechanical rather than electronic ( less to go wrong in my opinion but things might have changed now). I'm not interested in fancy stitches but I did want something strong enough to deal with multiple layers ( amazing how many layers you sometimes need to sew through with folded seams etc) also with lightweight fabric.

Keep it somewhere accessible so you use it. This week I have made velvet padded hot water bottle covers, adjusted 2 cushion covers to fit smaller cushions.

I am very happy with my 99£ John lewis one. They are actually Janome one's. I even managed to do a king size quilt on it!

IKEA has a cheap one but I have heard bad things about it qualitywise.

First check what your friends and relations have kicking around in their attics. If you get lucky, get it serviced before you plug it in. £100 on fixing a vintage bernina, elna or Viking will leave you with a much better machine than £100 on something new.

But new machines are fun too. I'd probably choose elna or janome for a budget machine, but if you've got a proper sewing machine shop within reach, get in there and try them out (decide what you can afford first, or you'll be seduced by 1001 decorative stitches, which you'll never actually use)

Features you NEED: straight stitch, zigzag, some sort of buttonhole function, interchangeable presser feet, bobbin winder, light, reverse stitch

Nice to have: free arm, dedicated overlooking stitch and foot, up/down feed dogs, one step buttonhole

Fun, but frivolous: all other stitches, automatic needle threader, auto needle up/down.

Thanks for the tips everyone, esp you BSS! Was looking at aronud £100, so lots to think about.

BSS, my mum has inherited my grannys, 40+ years on it's still going strong, it's fab - think it's a viking.

Will let you know what I get, will check out a few in John Lewis and Argos, and keep an eye out for an older second hand