Is it too late?

Good suggestion. I was thinking that.

I have a basic Singer with knobs no fancy buttons. I bought it in lockdown to pass the time but didn't want to learn any 'modern' mechanism. It has served me well and similar to my then 'modern' school machine.

I’m 72 and had never sewed in my life, but then last year I decided to learn. I bought a basic Hobbycraft sewing machine which is very easy to use, although it doesn’t thread itself. The ladies in the shop were really helpful, showing me how to thread it and to refill the bobbin. Then I watched a few YouTube tutorial videos for extra instructions and now I’m making cloth dolls and their clothes, other craft creations, as well as basic repair jobs. It’s become a really rewarding experience and I love my sewing machine. If you’ve got a Hobbycraft near to you, I’m sure they can guide you on what you’re looking for as they have a range of machines to suit different needs, experience and budgets.

Every so often Lidl have a sewing event, I bought a basic machine I think around £75 it’s been invaluable for keeping the grandkids away from my expensive Brother machine whilst fostering their interest in sewing. Please don’t get a childrens machine, the problems they have will send u around the bend.
Janome and Brother have good basic machines, I personally avoid Singer.

Janome here as recommended by repair chap who eventually gave up fixing my elderly Singer. They are the brand used on the BBC sewing program. Very happy with it. Yes it does have a needle threader but quite fiddly to get it right.

I think you should be looking for a machine with a needle threader Cossy if you have arthritic fingers. the rest of the threading up should be doable i would think.
. I don't know which of the less expensive models has this though.
My friend has a basic Janome and has no complaints.

The thing is will you actually get good use out of a sewing machine. Speaking personally not being much of a seamstress I didn't. I can however easily hem trousers, dresses, skirts, cuffs of jackets etc quite easy easily either by using a needle and thread as I am quite tidy at sewing or the 'no sew' tape that can be used to hem clothes. It is pretty cheap. I feel like me you will go to expense and probably not use the machine.

SaxonGrace

Every so often Lidl have a sewing event, I bought a basic machine I think around £75 it’s been invaluable for keeping the grandkids away from my expensive Brother machine whilst fostering their interest in sewing. Please don’t get a childrens machine, the problems they have will send u around the bend.
Janome and Brother have good basic machines, I personally avoid Singer.

Those machines are brilliant. Provided you don’t want to sew upholstery grade material and the like.

I have my 65 year old Singer, only machine I use for hemming, sewing denim. Also a 30 year old Brother that does all the fancy edging stitching. Been serviced once and still going strong. Something to look out for is the weight of the machine if you are going to be lifting on to a table. Some can be quite heavy.

Some garments definitely look better hemmed by hand, particularly dresses and skirts. More casual items, such as jeans come machine stitched, so I always machine them.

Regarding this, I have a sewing machine I bought some 40 years ago a Husqvarna which has been a good little workhorse. I bought it on the recommendation of my daughter who was head of Textiles at Alleynes at the time, having got her degree at Bath. So I thought she ought to know a thing or two about them. I've also got an overlocker, also bought on recommendation from same daughter which I think has been used twice! Total waste of money for me. Now I am getting arthritis in my hands and shoulders I find the machine heavy to lift about, and have wondered about those hand held ones you see on Amazon. Said daughter dismissed them with a sniff, but I wondered if any one had tried them please? I only need it for sleeves and trouser legs. Are they a waste of money also?

My Husqvarna has a needle threading device. Alternatively look online - there are needle auto threaders designed to use with machine needles.

Make sure you use the right needle for the fabric you're sewing and change it regularly. They're not expensive and using a good needle can save a lot of angst. I keep a screw top jar to stick dead needles into.

I used wundaweb and an iron to hem things these days. If you are looking to machine hem trousers you will need one with a removable base for this purpose ( e.g. threadistry.com/blog/free-arm-sewing-machine) and a zigzag or hemming option.

I do have a 40 year old Singer. I thought to upgrade, but my lovely Singer repair man serviced my machine, sold me a new pedal, and told me that a lot of the newer machines have plastic parts and to stick with mine. He said that unless I wanted fancy stuff it was better than newer. He had a range of Husqvarnas which he said were the best of he new ones.