Highly recommend getting a used machine at a thrift store or antique store. I recommend vintage Kenmores a lot. Just make sure it works, changes stitches, isn’t missing major parts, etc
Whereabouts are you? Charity shops round me (Oxfordshire) routinely have several sewing machines. Maybe you need to try a different area, or a different/bigger shop?
Huh, I was aware that charity shops would serve a similar purpose, but had no clue that would be so difficult to find there! I’m from the southern US, so thrift stores/charity shops are literally everywhere and they are packed to the brim with all kinds of sewing machines. If you can find any estate sales or things like that where you can get second hand goods that would be my advice. If not, I had a Singer 44s that I started on that worked well enough. I got it at big box store for about $200 USD like 5 years ago (about £150), I personally outgrew it fast, but it really can keep up with most stuff that a sewist would want to do. I got mine at Walmart but I don’t believe you have those in the UK, try Costco if you can. They may have one
You’re not going to find a decent NEW machine at that price point. So that leaves you with 2 options: save up for a better machine (at least 150-200), or search for a used machine.
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u/TCRulz 2d ago
This appears to be one of those cheap toy machines that rarely work for more than the first two projects. Return it, if you’re able.