Sewing Machine Help

[natc]

Hi everyone, wow its been a while since i been on this site!

Just about to buy a sewing machine, to add to my crafty collection! Trouble is ive never ever used a machine....dont even know where to start! lol. Well, i do, i need to buy a machine 1st!

Im an absolute beginner, but want to have a go at making roman blinds, curtains, cushion covers, hemming jeans/trousers, and any other alterations.

Does anyone have a sewing machine they can recommend?

My budget is upto £100 for my 1st machine.

Ive seen these on sewingmachinedirect, they are helpful, heard good things about them so probably going to buy from there.

Janome3816http://www.sewingmachinesdirect.co.uk/J ... 6_info.htm
Brother xl5500 http://www.sewingmachines.co.uk/brotherxl5500_info.htm
SMD own make http://www.sewingmachinesdirect.co.uk/SMD18_info.htm

Sorry if the links dont work, not posted links on here before, not sure how to do it!

I would be very grateful for any comments.

[Busy_B]

Sorry I can't help! I have a very basic one that DH bought me one Christmas.

[wendywombat]

This is a bit more than your budget BUT I cannot recommend the Pfaff highly enough! They are robust and very solid machines!
http://www.pfaffmachines.co.uk/Pfaff/pf ... y_1100.htm" target="_blank

The best thing you can do is find a local supplier and test drive a sewing machine thoroughly before you buy.

The supplier you like has them too.
http://www.sewingmachinesdirect.co.uk/pfaff_sew.htm" target="_blank

[natc]

Busy B, thanks for posting anyway! LOL

Wendy, that looks very sturdy, and solid! Looks like its had a good price reduction, but im afraid my OH wont "let" me get one at that price yet! But youve made me want it now!! hahaha

[Kezzy]

I have a Toyota machine which I've had for about 20 years. It has the same sort of features that the Brother one has that you posted a link to. I have used it to make allsorts, including curtains. There are plenty of stitch options on the ones you have chosen so when you get a bit more adventurous you can use them to add interest to cushions etc. I would be inclined to go for either the Janome or the Brother as they are better known makes - the Brother one looks like it has some good, practical extras too.

Good luck!

[freelady]

I'm still using my 30+ year old New Home which is now Janome. It does button holes and a few fancy stitches. I use it for hemming jeans etc, curtain making, sewing on buttons and general mending. I had it serviced for the first time a couple years ago as it was playing up, but since then it's been fine again.

You want a machine where you 'understand' the controls and it feels comfortable to use.

[natc]

Kezzy, thanks for that, i feel the brother actually looks more sturdier that the other 2, i just seemed to have heard more bad feedback about brothers than janome, but maybe thats on the cheaper models? I spoke to the guy at sewingmachinesdirect, Russell, he said that some of the cheaper models have a certain "ratchett??" (think thats what he said!) which are poor quality, the ones they sell are not the same, so maybe they are better quality.

freelady, thanks for your advice, i do want a simple but sturdy ish machine, that i will be able to understand. I think that I will go for the Brother or Janome, I dont think i would be comfortable in getting their own make machine. from looking at the information on the links, do you all think that teither machine will be good enough for what i want to do? Ive heard that some machines cant handle heavier material sucha s denim or think curtain material?

[natc]

I am going to go into my local sewing machine shop, and check the machines out there. They are very much more expensive to buy there, but i can get a feel for the machines there, and maybe they will give a discount? Or price match? Maybe not!!!

[Mabel Figworthy]

Worth a try though, and it's always nice to be able to see and handle something before you buy!

[natc]

Yes, def worth a try. Would rather buy from a local shop but they are quite a lot more expensive. will give them the opportunity to take my business though

[wendywombat]

Sorry to put temptation in your way!! I will say this though, it's worth taking your time choosing as it's a long term purchase and you want to get it right!! Worth paying a little more to get the right one for you!!!
My Phaff is solid and fuss free.

The advantage of buying locally is also servicing and ease of repair if things go wrong!! The local retailer will give you a chance to try before buying too, Essential!

Don't be persuaded to get something you know is beyond your capabilities, but also don't get a machine so basic that it frustrates the heck out of you!!
When I bought mine I was left to 'play' for about an hour.

[coffee_freak]

my mom got me a brother for christmas. it was a cheaper one, under 100 USD, but does a lot of different stitches and comes w/ a lot of attachments. It's easy to use, and haven't had issues with it....tote bags,pillows,my ornaments, I've used it for a lot!

I would love one with a lot of bells and whistles but I know I wouldn't use all of them. I love my simple machine.

[Kezzy]

With regard to denim/thick curtain material, you usually get some spare needles when you buy a machine - I know mine came with some and at least one was meant for more heavy duty material. The foot on the machines usally have some allowance for thicker material too.

As a couple of the others have said, it is worth going to have a play with one before you buy

[natc]

Yes, thanks everyone, will definately have a look first in the local. I tend to be one of these who look for something for ages, then just buy something out of the blue and not totally happy with it! I was going to just buy a machine off the net, SMD, and have done with it. But i can still do that, just check the model out first in the shop, and may even buy from the shop at the time, if they offer a discount!!!

You know, i posted a message like this on "the sewing forum", dont mean to offend anyone, if you go on there , but ive had more response and helpful advice on here, more quickly than that forum! Thanks very much

[wendywombat]

I've been reading up on the machines you first looked at and liked.
The Brother http://www.sewingmachines.co.uk/brotherxl5500_info.htm" target="_blank
looks like a good all round starter machine and I like the 4 step buttonholer. I've found that the 'automatic' ones don't give the same tension on each side of the buttonhole!

The SMS machine http://www.sewingmachinesdirect.co.uk/SMD18_info.htm" target="_blank has an alloy body very much like my Phaff and that will give it good stability when sewing heavier fabrics.

A solid cover is much preferable to a soft case, as in the Janome. My daughter has one of these and the cover is just very thin plastic! Doesn't stop the machine sewing well though!!

All more for you to digest and confuse I think!
At the end of the day ...It's up to you and how a machine works for you!

Glad that we've been able to help ......and muddle!

[natc]

Oh no Wendy! I though i had chosen Janome in my head!!! Hahahaha. The brother xl5500, would be my first choice, just on the look of the machine from the pics, it looks sturdier to me than the other 2, but from what ppl have said to me about brother has put me off, and everyone seems to like janome! omg, never thought, in a million years, how hard it would be to choose a machine!

I will get their in the end.

I am def going to the sewing machine shop on sat!!! Cant wait, but they will be fed up of me fiddling with them all!

[plumstone]

Think about the things you want the machine to do and find the model that has those features. e.g lots of fancy stitches or just a few. Simple clutch action (for bobin winding, Hold down reverse or switch. Auto buttonhole (if you do lots), drop feed for quilting/ embroidery. drop in bobbin (easier to fit), Auto stop position (up or down), built in needle threader. The list could go on. Be aware that different needles are needed for denim, leather etc. Keep it clean and oiled. Dont sew over pins (blunts the needle). I think all of the above are more important than the actual model unless you will be using it all day, every day.

[natc]

very well said plumstone, totally agree with you there. I actually still havent bought one! My OHs auntie has lent me hers for the time being to learn with for a bit,, but still looking out for one. Ive decided not to get one from my local shop. Me and OH went in on Sat, the owner was awful! Really pushy and bullyish, arrogant and not very helpful, was really uncomfortable actually. OH more or less marched me out of there!!! lol Wont be going back.

[SusanF]

Dont sew over pins (blunts the needle).

I know I shouldn't, but it's so much quicker (until you break a needle of course)

Have you got a John Lewis close by? They are quite good at explaining the different machines and helping you figure out what you will need. It might be worth waiting a bit too (now that you've got one on loan) and then looking at one slightly more expensive. It's not something you are likely to go out and buy again very often (mine is a 30 year old Frister Rossman and I still love it ) so buying a mid-range machine that will last a long, long time might be cheaper in the long run.

[wendywombat]

Ive decided not to get one from my local shop. Me and OH went in on Sat, the owner was awful! Really pushy and bullyish, arrogant and not very helpful, was really uncomfortable actually. OH more or less marched me out of there!!! lol Wont be going back.

I bet that was the same one my daughter went to in Huddersfield!! I saw you are from W Yorkshire!
She knew what she wanted and was given the same short bullish behaver!
(no need to mention names here!! We know who you are Mr Grumpy!!)

I hope you can get sorted soon with a machine you like, meanwhile have fun with the borrowed one!