Hi all, nice to meet you! I've been sewing in a haphazard way for years but recently decided to learn properly. I'm currently using my mum's vintage 1958 Singer 185k which is semi-industrial straight stitch machine and a bit of a beast. It's aewsome, but I'm finding myself limited with the straight stitch.

My budget for a new one is up to £350 and so far my research has led me to the Husqvarna Emerald 118; or the Necchi Q132a. I've seen many good things written about the Emerald as I believe it's a fairly established model. However the Necchi is a new one released for this year for their anniversary and I've not seen many user reviews, just a couple from shops selling them.

I like the look of both for the simplicity but robustness, they both have metal chassis and no 'frills'. Mainly I'm making clothes but plan to make jeans and probaby home furnishing projects so I want something that can handle multiple layers of heavy fabric. The Janome Sewist 725s is also in my price range but I don't know much about that one, I think it doesn't have the metal chassis.

Any input much appreciated! Thanks