Recommendations Needed for New Sewing Machine

I would buy locally because any internet supplier will usually want your machine back at your cost for servicing etc. I wouldn't recommend the SewCentre based on my daughter's experience although mine was better. If it hadn't been for Pfaff stepping in after a couple of years, she would still be struggling with her machine.
More often than not, a local supplier will give you a run through with your machine to iron things out even before you get it home or you can go back later. That can be extremely useful.

Sewing Machines Direct (North Wales) and Sewing Machine World (Kings Lynn) both highly recommended.

Always buy direct from a dealer never a supermarket or via Amazon or Ebay as you won’t get a back-up service.

Thank you for this information. My Pfaff was brilliant, all my clothes were home-made on it in the 1970s and 80s (including my wedding dress) - and many of DH's clothes. The shop owner came to my house with several machines to demonstrate but seemed determined to sell me a Pfaff although I'd had a Bernina in mind.

Grandmama

This is a useful blog as I keep thinking I'll replace my Pfaff - no-one has mentioned Pfaff. Maybe they are no longer made.I bought mine in the mid-1970s. It used to sew perfectly anything from cheesecloth to tweed but sadly the tension has a problem that doesn't seem able to be fixed but it's fine for weightier fabric

Pfaff are now made by Singer and aren't the high quality machines they once were.

I would o to s upplier or fair/exhibition where you can try a load out

This is a useful blog as I keep thinking I'll replace my Pfaff - no-one has mentioned Pfaff. Maybe they are no longer made.I bought mine in the mid-1970s. It used to sew perfectly anything from cheesecloth to tweed but sadly the tension has a problem that doesn't seem able to be fixed but it's fine for weightier fabric

I am a quilter and have had great use from my Janome 6260 quilter’s companion. It is 20 years old now and still going strong.

I watch a lot of sewing vloggers and several of them rave about David Drummond. He's in business, based in Edinburgh, selling sewing machines, that's true, but he gives a lot of useful advice if you tell him what you want and how much you have to spend. They say his after care is great too. Might be worth contacting him. Just type his name into a search engine. I think he does reconditioned machines as well as new ones.
* I haven't used him myself though.

I’d second a reconditioned Bernina. I bought a Quilters Edition one many years ago and love it still. It doesn’t do embroidery but is equipped for decorative stitches.

Bought my daughter a basic janome for her gcse textiles as recommended by my local sewing machine shop. That was over 30 years ago. It's still going strong. Really easy to thread and no tension issues.

You could consider getting a preloved machine, you'll get a lot more for your money that way. Dealers often have them, and there is a facebook group dedicated to buying and selling sewing machines. I have a Brother V5LE which I bought on Facebook. I also sold a Bernina 570 on Facebook to pay for it. Both deals were done in person for safety, obviously.

I have a Janome which I bought a few years ago and wish I had kept my old Elna which I had owned for ever. The Janome is flimsy by comparison and the needle threader lasted only a few months as did the replacement. The Elna was much more robust but I suppose most makes are plastic these days.

I use a very small Elna machine, I've had it for years and apparently it was actually made in Europe as opposed to the Far East as many of the new machines are. It does basic stitches plus stretch stitch, semi-automatic buttonholes and just a few patterns. I can still get pedals, but don't use it much now. It's seen a lot of use over the years and has proved to be very sturdy, I've done quilting as well as made childrens' clothing and curtains. I found a refurbished second hand one online a couple of years ago, advertised by a specialist company, and bought myself an identical "new" one.
I originally bought it with advice from the department in John Lewis, but last time I was there they had very little stock and there didn't seem to be anyone there with in-depth knowledge.
I'd go to the sites recommended in the posts here, and speak to the experts. Once you've chosen a suitable machine you may well be able to get a reconditioned one, many of the older machines seem to be longer lasting and better made.

vegansrock

Get a reconditioned Bernina.

Excellent choice. I was given one for a wedding present 52 years ago and it's still fantastic. I gave one to my daughter for her 30th birthday having done a lot of research. The great thing about a Bernina is that all the parts are mechanical, not computer-driven so are all replaceable and fixable. Mine's been serviced several times and is still perfect. It's seen a LOT of use, from professional dressmaking for Liberty's to wresting with net and sequins for dance shows and most of the curtains and cushion covers in this house. The only part I've had to replace is the foot pedal and I found the right one on eBay.

Go for the best you can afford. Look out for reconditioned models where you are more likely to find a great machine for a better price. Bernina far outrank the other brands but you will pay for that. The Atelier 3 has a wider throat than most of the others without going for a quilting machine but it retails for about £879. Most manufacturers give good discounts during the sewing shows/exhibitions which usually trickles down to retailers. It is worth seeing when those are so you can look for bargains.

I’ve just looked up the Which? recommendations for sewing machines. Their best buy in Singer4423 Heavy Duty which seems to do everything you want, has automatic threading and button holes but just looks standard size throat. They gave it 82% and said it was liked by all their testers. Price given is £275 from Amazon. The next one is a Janome 2200XT at £189 but a bit more basic. I hope this helps. I have always had Elna ones but then my machine is now over 30 yrs old and still going strong!

I teach and therefore have used many machines. My experience is I found Janome unreliable (in particular the 360DC). John Lewis Machines are actually Janome made for JL on license.
Agree modern day Singer are dreadful.
I have found Brother Machines to be reliable work horses.
We use the Brother FS100WT in my studios and will do all of the requirements you list , Time2 its also well within your budget. Well worth considering.

Recommend Sewing Machines Direct.

I used to sew a lot and always wanted a Bernina but they were very expensive so settled for a John Lewis own brand and 50 yrs later it's still in good working order. Did need to buy a carrier bag for it as it wasn't included.

I've recently replaced my machine. I now have a Brother..Nice machine but my biggest mistake for was buying a machine without build in needle threader..

Everything else about it is fine..I've bought a carry bag for it as the cover is useless .

I suggest a Bernina 328,if you go to a dealer for Bernina they will demonstrate the capabilities of different models. I have had many makes over the years , Jones, Singer, Toyota, Home, John Lewis own make and my absolute fave is Bernina. They are not cheap but worth it if you are a fervent domestic sewer. What do others think?

Grunts???? = friends

One if my grunts strongly recommended a Janome, as it is a Home + ??? When they merged.
She was a costume designer and maker. Her favourite client was George Michael.
I took her advice and got one. I’m very happy with it.

Another fan of The Sewing Studio here. I got my Husqvarna Viking Opal machine from them about 3 years ago.

Hmm! Some interesting thoughts and suggestions. I would very much like to go to a shop to actually try some machines, but my disability means I can't get out very often, so I'm thinking of buying something online. I'll definitely take a look at thesewingstudio.co.uk.

Please keep your thoughts coming ladies.

Oh, and I do appreciate that for £500 I'm not going to get the best machine in the world, and that a large 'throat' is tricky to find in my price bracket. I guess it's just one of those 'nice to have' things, that I can do without as long as the machine has the other things I'd like.

I have noticed that there is a seller locally who is a machine engineer, and sells reconditioned machines, so it might be worth having a chat with him, I must admit that I hadn't thought about the fact that lots of people buy machines with big plans, but then don't really use them much and end up selling them to get them out of the way, so secondhand might be the way to go.

I'm currently liking the look of the Janome 360DC Computerised Sewing Machine on Amazon at £469.00. Has anyone any experience of this?

I'm a little afraid of getting a computerised machine, as I've read that they can be pretty costly for repairs. Again, your thoughts would be appreciated.