Any sewing machine recommendations?

[bluewisteria]

I have a Pfaff, and it really is. I want to sell it and buy a more user friendly and ergonomic one. Can anyone make any recommendations or advise of any to steer clear of?
Thanking you

I had (still have) an exceedingly ancient Elna which I had to upgrade because you can't get the parts any more (at least here in the back of beyond). Can't get Elnas any more because they were bought out by Janome so I looked at those and ended up getting a Janome 2522LE which sounded on paper like it would be perfect.

But having used it for a couple of years now, I get less and less happy with it, and when I have some money, I'll replace it with something else - don't know what yet though.

The presser foot doesn't raise very high (despite the blurb in the brochure), the pseudo-serger stitches have no give in them, I'm convinced that the free arm is bigger in diameter than my Elna, I can't start stitching from the edge of the fabric because the needle just stuffs the fabric through the foot plate thingy, and (again despite brochure blurb) I can't sew multiple layers of heavy fabrics.

Can't give you any specific recommendations but what I will do next time is try to get a machine on loan or something to see how I like it before I commit. The Janome machine was bought solely on the basis of the brochure blurb and I think that was my mistake.

I got an elna a few years ago- it was about £130 and is great- I quilt and it handles layers of thick fabric easily.

You can still buy them, according to john Lewis- this is the machine I have m.johnlewis.com/mt/www.johnlewis.com/elna-explore-240-sewing-machine/p231433788?kpid=231433788&s_kenid=51677130-859d-7569-6a8d-00002403883a&s_kwcid=106x64738&tmad=c&tmcampid=73&kpid=231433788#page_loaded

Ooh! might have to have a look at that. £130 sounds pretty good, my Janome cost much more (which increases the disappointment I feel in it). Thanks for the link.

I got this recently on the advice of people on here:

www.sewingmachines.co.uk/JanomeSMD3000_info.htm

I've been really pleased with it - I've made my first quilt, some appliqué cushions, mending round the house etc. It is pretty simple to use (but I did got to a class where I got introduced to it's branded sibling the Janome CLX 301).

For me the variable speed control was the decider - I can't control the machine very well with my foot and being able to set the maximum speed via the slider on the front has revolutionised the things I can do.

I have a new Bernina (bought last year), the mechanical one 1008s or something like that.

I like it - basic (I don't need fancy electronic stitches etc.). Sturdy simple workhorse of a machine.

Ooh thank you! Lots to start researching

The Janome looks amazing

I bought an overlocker from Sewing Machines Direct and phoned up for advice, they were really helpful (think I spoke to the owner), told me not to waste my money on the more expensive one I had thought about buying.

Came the next day with a five year warranty, bag and lots of extras so I would recommend SMD as a retailer.