Sewing machines

[Nefertari]

Can anyone suggest a good machine for a beginner. I finally got fed-up of hand-sewing and want to save time by making repairs/alteration/new clothes a little quicker. Ideally not too pricey (and if it's got auto-buttonholing that would be great).

Thanks very much.

ask on freecycle its cheaper that way. otherwise another option is ebay.

anything at the lower end of the market is going to have some plastic parts and be made in china. these are fine for occasional sewing. if you find you want to sew more get a janome. they are very nice.

janome 525s. This is the one my sewing teacher uses for her classes. She recommends it as it does everything you need including an easy buttonhole. I had to use my own for my classes as i already had mine before the class, but i would get this one if i'd known.

The John Lewis 50 quid one does not do buttonholes but is a good basic one. I've made work clothes for me and dresses for DD successfully on it for a year now.

Thank you all for your replies.

Lidl are advertising a Singer machine for £50. No idea what it's like though.

Get a hand operated singer - they;re the best for little jobs! I got mine for less than a tenner at a charity shop.