Which Sewing Machine ?

i dont know about the budget part u migh look on amazon but my mama inlaw got me a janome for christmas 2 get me started she tells me they r the best and it was pretty easy 2 figure out and im total newb 2 sewing machines anyway i just had a crappy little one that did that same thing so i just did everything by hand b4

Hi Angie

Go to a few specialist shops and find out what functions you really want & need. Compare the prices and see if they have any 'add on' offers like extra attatchments eg gathering bar or zipper feet.

Brother & Singer have interchangable parts and are reasonably cheap to repair. I have 2 of each, but one of my Singer's is mother of pearl decorated, 90 yrs old and still working!!!! I use it for sewing leather.

Try to avoid sewing machines with computer readouts as they are ok if you want all the fancy stitches, you will probably not use them all and if they go wrong its an expensive fix.

Brother have a mid weight machine ref: LS 2125. It's a good starter machine and has a fair range of stitches and a button hole foot. It's really easy to thread & re-fill the spool. The foot control is easy to use and gently increases the speed.

My friend, who wanted to learn to sew, bought one for £50. I taught him the basics in an hour. From threading, tension, spool filling, stitch length and stitch selection. He had never used a sewing machine.

I was so impressed I bought one and all my sewing projects have been made on it.

It was from Sunwin House (sort of co-op). The instruction book isn't brilliant but it does have pictures.

Good luck x

Ps If your thread is snapping it could be the tension is too tight, the machine is miss threaded or the cotton isn't strong enough. Try using guttermann thread. It's more expensive but worth it

Thanks you two !
I sorta had " I have to have it now " moment and I got a Brother BC 2100. I am really pleased with it but not entirely sure what i'm doing at the moment also it seems to have gone a bit funny since i tried to sew some velcro onto some fake fur fabric , it's computerised and keeps flashing E6 at me which apparently means the thread is tangled so i will be spending most of the day trying to untangle that i think ! also my thread is snapping so i will look at the tension - Shelia i think you were right about computerised ones !
xxx

I have a Brother with about 40 decorative stitches. I use it all the time and I love it.

Mine has lots too but i have only used 3 so far i do love it though !