Novice buying a sewing machine, advice and recommendations please?

Lidl have got sewing machines at the moment , I can't vouch for the quality. I would second Janome as a reasonable basic model.

I`ve got a Janome - one up from the most basic model and am pleased with it. Janome is a brand used by many sewing schools - it was on at least one series of The Sewing Bee. There are lots of online suppliers - I would steer away from Amazon and go for a specialist supplier who can give you advice.
However, if funds allow, don`t go for a really basic machine as you might find yourself hooked and wish you had something a bit more versatile.
Please consider signing up to "The Sewing Place" forum where you will find lots of very helpful enthusiasts who will be happy to advise you

In the same situation I bought the 'Which' Best Buy, a Janome sewing machine that cost just under £200. That was 5 years ago and I have never regretted my purchase.

I would avoid the very cheap machines. DGD, aged 10, was given a very basic electric sewing machine for her birthday as she enjoys sewing. It came from John Lewis and, while I have no complaints about the quality. It has a lot of limitations.

For example,it only has one fixed foot, so if you want to put a zip in something, you cannot take the standard foot off and replace it with a zip foot. It has only a limited range of stitches, as I remember. After two visits to me with her sewing machine, she now leaves it behind and uses my sewing machine.

I have looked at JL's current 'cheapo'. It is a bit more advanced than DGDs, but still limited.

One feature essential for older sewers is a built in needle threading device. I have an old sewing machine in our holiday home in Normandy. It is also a Janome and very good, but I have to thread the needle by hand and eye. It can sometimes take a very long time.

I had my New Home machine for 40yrs, an 18th birthday present. Initially I couldn't work out why my mother bought it for me. In fact it served me well. I made my bridesmaid's dresses, lots of clothes for my daughter, curtains etc., despite the fact I couldn't sew.
A few years ago, I decided to change it, as although it was still going strong, I couldn't lift it anymore. I bought a Janome (the company used to make New Home machines). I am delighted with it. It is not too fancy, but does the job. It also wasn't too expensive and best of all, I can lift it with one hand.