Novice buying a sewing machine, advice and recommendations please?

In 2016, I asked for a fancy sewing machine for a holiday and my husband took me shopping (awww, isn’t he sweet?). I figured that because I used my sewing machine so much, I should invest in an expensive machine. I purchased a fancy Husqvarna Opal 690Q. I took the classes that came with it. It had lots of fancy stitches and all the bells and whistles.

I hated it.

If only someone had explained to me how to choose a sewing machine that met my needs– not theirs.
Buying the most expensive sewing machine with new-fangled features is not necessarily the best move you can make. Before buying a machine, always ask yourself what you’re going to use it for, whether or not you need all the extra features or if they are something you can live without, given the kind of tasks you intend to do with your machine. Also consider what future use you may have for the sewing machine. For instance, if you aren’t doing embroidery stitches now but you are planning to do so in the near future, then getting in a machine that can handle embroidery might be a good idea.
The best advice I can give is to look on Amazon (I know I know...local dealers are great too but the choice between machines is not the same). On Amazon you can kind read the reviews, and even test the machine during an entire month. Look at the ones I've selected for you on Amazon : goo.gl/rTs7j2

I must admit to buying a machine some time ago but have hardly used it. However I did have a lesson on it at the time to ensure it was right for me and my needs and that was excellent. I would certainly recommend having a tryout before purchase and a lesson afterwards. Mine was part of the deal so no additional cost.

I would buy a good quality machine secondhand. I have a Bernina 830. Its solid metal construction and stitches like a dream - smooth and even. It does basic embroidery, stretch stitching, zig-zag, etc, etc. It's extremely easy to use - has speed control, etc and will last a lifetime - I bought it from an old lady who was going into a home - she used it semi-professionally. It came in its own Horn sewing unit and I paid around £300 for it. I did have a modern machine but it was all plastic and wasn't a patch on the Bernina.

If you want to do curtains and soft furnishing you need something capable of sewing heavy fabrics. My machine stitches anything and everything, including canvas.

sorry - zig-zag stitch!

must check before posting

Thank you spottysocks

Well, DH (and I as technical adviser) spent this morning doing a 'service' on my old Singer. I had paid for a service quite a while ago and not used it much since, but it was full of fluff and DH said very dry - didn't look as if it had been oiled for years.
I have tried it out since and made something very simple and it was much quieter unless I used the zig-zag thread.

Good old DH - as an engineer he won't be defeated especially if it means saving a few hundred pounds!
However, I have the promise of a new one at Christmas .
I will go into JL and try out the machines, no I don't need one that does a lot of technical stuff and I no longer make clothes for myself, probably would just make little dresses for the DGD or for charity.

Thanks again!

I would not buy a cheap machine. DD2 bought one from Aldi and as I was the one who purchased it to take to her flat I tried it out. It was OK but very loud.

I have a 20 year old Bernina which sews very fast and quietly, and that is what you need to sew curtains especially if they are floor length. I don't know this Janome make, but when so many think it is a decent sewing machine for the price why not check it out?

Hi Jalima1108 I bought John Lewis own make of sewing machine (hope this was ok to mention ) Apparently all the Janome assessories will fit their machines) just to let you know mine didn't come supplied with a zipper foot.

I booked an appointment within their sewing department and an assistant helped me thread up and use whatever machine I wanted to try. I tried out about three all very different machines that i could afford and made my choice. As it happens the most expensive one (within my budget) was the machine with the needle threader which I found too fiddly for me. I actually found it easier without. Of course it all depends on what you want a sewing machine for, there's not much point buying one with all the bells and whistles if it's just going to be used for making the odd cushion cover, a good basic one would do the job just as well. In my opinion I would stick to a branded name like Singer, Jamone, Brother or JL (not the mini machine, although it's probably ok for minor repairs as the reveiws are quite good) Hope this helps

I am very happy with my Janome machine . It was £150 a couple of years ago . I would avoid a cheap one if possible .

I would look at the craft channels on TV (Hochanda and Create and Craft) if you are thinking of buying and don't know what you want/need.

You get 14 days to try the machine. If you go to a shop you will only get a limited amount of time, sometimes them demonstrating rather than you trying, and you are not relaxed. I have bought two sewing machines - not well known names - (one mechanical the other computerised) and a Brother embroidery machine this way. I did try a Toyota before I bought my second sewing machine and know people who swear they are the best for them but it wasn't for me so it went back. You can often spread the purchase price too (the maximum they offer is four months I believe - sometime two or three) which is a consideration for anyone buying up and spending more.

I would certainly do this if I was buying an over-locker as there seems a really big difference between the user-friendliness of the basic machines and the more advanced ones with these.

Aw that sucks, regarding Lidl. Another idea is to visit a specialist shop and try some machines. They often have second hand reconditioned ones which will mean you get a bit more for your money, if that makes sense.

What make is it spottysocks
(if you are allowed to say on here)

No sewing machines in our Lidl and a rather rude assistant who told DH (no muesli, no sea salt either apparently. )

I have replaced my old and extremely heavy sewing machine of thirty years with a new one from JL and I love it. It's very easy to thread up and does the job from cushion covers to zip repairs, it hasn't got all the bells and whistles from maybe a more expensive model but the stitches are lovely and even for around £100. If it were possible I would try out a few before buying and making your choice.

Lidl machines are good, if basic. I was given one as a Christmas present and had never sewn a stitch (i was so novice that i didnt know that a sewing machine has a top thread and a bottom thread - now THAT is being a novice) I used it almost daily for about three years and it is still going strong, I upgraded to a Bernina and am very happy with it - the Lidl one is still going strong, and is used by my 10 yr old daughter.
I also bought a singer overlocker from Lidl and it is ok - probably not the best buy, but it is workable. Neither of the Lidl machines cost more than sixty pounds, I believe.
On the other hand, I have heard very good things bout Brother machines.

You could always just use the zig zag stitch to overlock

Sewing machine....

I bought a brilliant sawing nachine for £39 from aldi. Very happy with it.

Our Lidl are selling Singer sewing machines at the moment.

No you'd have to get a separate machine if you want an overlocker. I sew everyday and have a fantastic Bernina, which I love, but that's after several upgrades. Buy the best machine you can afford. You do get what you pay for. Don't get a cheap overlocker btw, more hassle than they're worth. Took me 3 machines to get a good one.

Many thanks everyone. I have a good starting point with Janine and am going to check on eBay.

Do they have built in overlockers?

I would certainly go for a computerised machine. It may sound more complicated but it is actually easier to use. Also buy the best you can. Don't think you won't need those feet or the extra stitches - you may well soon grow into them

I thought of trying out machine quilting so, if I enjoy it, a new machine could get more use.

I am finding this thread interesting because I may buy a new sewing machine, although I don't do a lot of sewing these days so I don't want to spend too much.

My present machine is a 40+ year old Singer and it has always been fairly reliable but when I used it recently to do some mending it is making a loud thumping noise when I sew. It's also very heavy and as I don't keep it out all the time a new machine needs to be light enough to put away at the back of the understairs cupboard, but sturdy enough not to move around in use.

I have a 36 year old Brother machine, still going well, but heavy. They were made of sturdy metal in those days!
I have bought a lighter one, a Janome from JL. It is just as good as the older one and light enough to take to sewing groups.

I've used and given lessons on many different machines and I couldn't honestly say that any one of the well known manufacturers is better than another. I think if you stick to Brother,Singer, Janome or Bernina you can't go far wrong.

If you have not done any sewing for a while you might even want to consider a computerised machine as they have a speed control.

Like Marydoll, my old machine is a 'New Home'. It is the same as the one we bought DD at the age of 13 as a legacy gift from her grandmother. She is now a very skilled and talented needlewoman with embroidery machines and other attachments but her New Home machine is still her constantly-used sewing machine.

That is three votes for Janome!