sewing machines

[miggy]

Anyone know anything about these? Its my mums bday on monday and I would like to buy her one, up to about £150-bit more if needed. Need something reliable but easy to use. Am totally confused by choice as am not a "sewing person"
Any help would be really appreciated-thanks !

I love my 2nd hand benina - really solid good but I think they might cost more than £150 - Toyota are supposed to be good out of the modern ones - just don't get anything fancy on them all you need is 3 stiches and a buttonhole operation.

You can buy some really good new ones in John Lewis for around the price you are asking. Some have up to 15 differing stitch patterns so it depends on how expert your mother is as a sewer. If she was really good thought I suppose she would already have a good machine and an overlocker too so if she just wants it to run things up etc then a cheaper version with a variety of stitches and a button hole operations as miggy said would be good enough.

I know Elna and Benina are both fantastic brands and would recommend either of these.

Another vote for Benina and Toyota. We had Toyotas at school and they coped with continual abuse (not suggesting your mum would do that, just an indication of their reliabilty)

Had a quick look on John Lewis web site and their mid-range Elna & Brother machines look good buys. The Brother has a 'free arm/flat bed convertible sewing surface' which is really useful for doing sleeves etc. What an anorak I am..

Another vote for John Lewis, when I was looking for one they were very helpful. One thing to beware of. I nearly bought a nice little portable because it was ...well...portable! I only needed basic stitches, not interested in embroidery etc. At the last minute the lady asked me what i needed it for, and when I suggested curtains, and turning up jeans, she said the motor wasn't strong enough, it could only cope with light dress fabrics. So make sure it's strong enough for her needs.
My Mum has an old Elna, fantastic, but the old ones were made in Switzerland, and the modern ones in the far east, so apparently the quality has declined.
Mines a Janina, cheap, but very good, no problems.

whoops that was a Janome, not a Janina!