Good Basic Sewing Machine?

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Does anyone have a recommendation for a reasonably good quality, basic operation, inexpensive sewing machine?

We bought an Omega at Walmart about 20 years ago for around $100 and it has finally died - however Walmart doesn't carry that brand anymore, just low end Singer and Brother machines.

Anybody who's bought as sewing machine recently - your opinion would be most welcome!

[kellymisty]

For a basic sewing machine, I would recommend a non-computerized Janome machine. Go to a Janome dealer (independent sewing machine store) rather than a department store/big box store. I recently bought my daughter a refurbished mechanical Janome for $179 from our local sewing machine store. These stores often have "trade-ins" that have been serviced, too. If you can get a Janome Jem older model, that is a good reliable machine.

My 20 year-old Janome (computerized) has never required repair, just maintenance. Singer machines, unfortunately, have greatly deteriorated in quality. Some Brother machines perform quite well, though. Sewingpatternreview (http://sewing.patternreview.com/SewingMachine/Reviews) has user reviews of many machines, though quite a few of these are "high end" i.e. expensive.

I am the proud (demented?) owner of fifteen sewing machines, mostly older Singer metal mechanicals rescued from thrift stores. All but three of them do great straight stitching, so that might be another possibility for you.

Good luck.

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Thank-you for your informative reply kellymisty - that sewing forum in particular is a goldmine of information - best wishes with your Singer herd!

:)

[slinger99]

I can also recommend Janome. I've had mine for over 2 years now, sewing every week. They are pretty hardy machines. If you are in the Toronto area contact The Sewing Studio (www.lovesewingtoronto.com). They sell new Janomes machines and their prices were lower than other places that I checked out in Toronto.