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OH wants to try one, ideally something simple/cheap/2nd hand
John Lewis do a fifty quid one. All their stuff is decent.
Failing that, get a second hand one for bugger all. They all work on the same principles, and the most basic and ancient machine will stitch things together well. The more expensive machines tend to have 500 patterns of stitch etc.
what tron said. 2nd hand, go to the local WI and ask, there's always some there.
Just make sure theres an instruction manual with it. The Mrs used to crack on it was like a black art using the sewing machine, then we got a new one [i]with a manual[/i], and all of a sudden its easy as pie.
The bottom end jenome models are about as cheap as I'd go - reliable operation and spares available. It's worth getting it serviced regularly too - nothing worse that a misfiring sewing machine especially if you are new/inept and don't know if it's you or the machine.
As soon as you have a sewing machine in your house you will start devising all sorts of "manly" things you want to do with one (bivvy bags, tarps, fixing rucksacks, all sorts of outdoor products). Sadly cheap ones can't handle heavier duty materials. Do yourself a favour and buy something a bit better 2nd hand (earning some brownie points) which might also give you some potential for future projects if you feel the urge.