Any recommendations for a sewing machine?

[Luckie]

I'm looking to buy a sewing machine and being a complete novice I have no idea what to look for or which machines are easiest to use (I borrowed one recently and ended up ruining a curtain).
Does anyone have one that they would recommend?

[zippitippitoads]

Bernina is the best make but not the cheapest but i highly recommend

[Berries]

I've got a Janome - again, not the cheapest but seems v good. Mainly use it for curtaines etc. Had a v cheap brother (I think) before that - about £100. Did the job at the time, but eventually just gave up the ghost. Don't think the motor was really up to the stuff I was using it for (heavy, lined curtains). This ones much better, but was about £300 so should be. TBH bought one iwth extra fancy bits & don't use them.

[Jayzmummy]

I bought a cheapy one from Argos and its been fine....cost about £80.

[sarahlou123]

i have an elna 2005 which my nan gave me when she bought her singer, seems pretty good to me but i've only ever used one other one and i cant remember the name of it.

[hi5]

Just saw on another link that there is a sewing machine for sale in Lidl - this week or next £39 I think. I'll come back with the link - or look on the arts and crafts threads mentioning Lidl yesterday.

[hi5]

here's the machine - it compares it to one in Argos for £89

[snailspace]

Message withdrawn

[UCM]

I bought a cheap Brother one from Argos. It wasn't the cheapest but the basic. It was 110.00. the ones from Lidls are NO GOOD unless you know what you are doing. My neighbour (made her own wedding dress, albeit 20 years ago) bought one and they are for experienced seamstresses). My SIL is one and when she came down last christmas had to show NDN how to use.

Don't go for one with too many stitches (imho)

[UCM]

Forgot to add, I have never made anyting. But made tab top curtians for DS & Dining room. Nothing else though.

[MrsFrostgetful]

there's one in lidl from mon...£40
may be a good 'cheap' one to start u off

[MrsFrostgetful]

oops! just read this thread properly...and seen that lidl has already been mentioned