Hi @AnthonyExmouth and welcome to the forum.

What a lovely idea to get your mum a better sewing machine. You mention that your Mum gets flustered by anything new so rather than try to pick a machine for her, she might like to try a few and see what she likes. Going by your user name, Exeter Sewing Machine Company may not be too far from you. (I’ve found them very good when I’ve ordered threads and other supplies, but I’ve not bought a machine from them.)
https://www.exetersewing.co.uk/

I’m sure other forum members may know of other shops in your area. If you are able to get to a shop, they will be able to go through the features of the machines with your mum. Shops may also have second hand machines that they have taken in as part exchange. These are likely to be serviced and can be good value.

Your mum might be familiar with Singer sewing machines, but the current machines don’t have the same reputation as the older models.

@Bill In case of emergency, click below:
https://imagespast.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/singer-201-service-adjusters-manual.pdf

Hi @deetee , welcome to TSP - we like helping people buy sewing machines 

I don't know what price you have found for the A16 or what features you particularly liked about it, but Sewing Machines Direct have a Brother Innov-Is 15 which is very similar and £70 cheaper than their price for the A16.
https://www.sewingmachines.co.uk/browse-machines/sewing-machines/innov-is-15/

Several members have bought machines from SMD and are very happy with the service.

@SewRuthieSews I have a Bernina 600DL and can raise the knife to make access easier. I think the same can be done on the 800DL.
https://www.bernina.com/Bernina/media/Support/Overlocker_Serger/800DL/Documents/EN/Instruction-Manual-700D_800DL_EN_DE_FR_E.pdf

@Kad Thank you for that suggestion. I'd looked to see if there were any online calculators, but not thought of looking for apps

I've installed the Apple version on my iPad and will take a look at it during my lunch hour.

@Deafoldbat The pattern does include the yardage required for the background fabric. The other fabrics are cut from FQs and are more straightforward.

I have been known to “reverse engineer” a quilt design and then work out the yardage and cutting instructions. I often find it easier to understand my own calculations but realise that this is not fair to quilt designers and so I am trying to buy patterns, especially if it is something a bit out of the ordinary or not based on traditional quilt blocks.

However, I have just bought a quilt pattern and am rather disappointed to find limited instructions as to how to cut the background fabric. It just gives the sizes of the pieces and how many are needed.
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I was expecting to get details of how many WOF strips needed and how to sub-cut them, but instead I am going to have to work this out.

Am I expecting too much or is this just lazy pattern writing? The pattern is described as “beginner friendly” so would it be acceptable to email the author for further details?