I like "real wood" that lasts but it seems it doesn't exist these days for sewing room furniture. I am sure it could be handmade but at a prohibitive cost. So there's Ikea . . .

http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/products/desks/desk-computer-desks/malm-desk-with-pull-out-panel-white-art-70214192/

Now that my sewing room is finally taking shape and I have a lovely new Bernina 570qe, the next thing is an overlocker/serger. I've been out of commission as regards sewing for about ten years so I am not up to date on brands. However, For the last 30 years I have only used Bernina sergers and sewing machines. My dealer recommends a Babylock but I really don't want to spend a wad of money for a Babylock even if it means I have to continue to thread a serger. Once I got used to the sergers I have owned in the past they weren't that bad to thread. I'd get a Bernina but the newer ones made by Jaguar are supposed to be not as good as the former Bernina models which were made by Juki. i know some newer models don't have a free arm but that's a feature I quite like. It's good for adding cuffs on knits, although rib knit cuffs may have gone out of style now.

I'd like to get a good quality one that will last so I would really appreciate some suggestions - but I don't want to pay £1,000 for it!

Note: I was originally thinking of the Bernina 1150mda (made by Juki) but it doesn't seem to be available anywhere.

I talked to a quilt shop today about taking classes and they advised me to buy a 1/4 inch foot. (I have a Bernina 570qe.) Is that the number 57 foot? I think there's a 37, too, so it's confusing.

America has tons of knit fabric in the stores but normally decent stuff is bought online at places recommended by other online sewers. I don't see much knit fabrics in the UK? It's more cottons and tweed and wools. Where can you buy decent knit fabric in the UK? (Or is it not the trend to sew as many knits here?)

I've been trying to find a photo of my very first sewing machine. My mother bought it for me some time around 1970. It was a Singer Merritt 187. (I am guessing about the 187 part but it's the closest I can find that has the knobs in the right place, only I could have sworn mine had a plastic base and not wood). Scroll down a bit and you will see the 187.

http://www.singersewinginfo.co.uk/gallery_machines/

How I'd love to find one of these again! It was a wonderful machine and I sewed up a storm!

What was your first machine?