Sewing Machines

Daisy · Sewing Machines

Hello,

I think you have a wonderful forum here and love reading the threads so have taken the plunge and registered as I now have a question I would like to ask.

Does anyone recommend a sewing machine? I have an old Newhome (27 years) and it is probably past its best. I would like to replace it as my daughter is using it too now so it is getting quite a hammering. She makes medieval re-enactment clothes and has even sown her big canvas tent on it when I was away! Shocked

I need zigzag and button holes but that is all I think. I would rather buy a good basic one than one with lots of fancy stitches. I have looked but am not sure what makes are good these days.

Thank you for reading.

Daisy

Libby

Hi Daisy and a warm welcome to our forum!

Kathy is the one who always picks up sewing machines at auctions. I suppose it really depends on how much you want to spend. I have 2 singers, one hand and one electric and one Bernina. all second hand. The singers are basic, backwards and forwards the bernina does zig zag and other stuff I don't use alot but all are good machines Very Happy

Lizzie

Hello Daisy

I've got a Toyota something-or-other which is pretty good - it does buttonholes and zigzag and has a zipper foot which is handy, but that's about it as far as bell and whistles go.... It's a few years old now and I can't remember the model, but I think Toyota have a fairly good reputation.

Welcome to the forum too Very Happy

Daisy

Wow, thank you for replying so quickly and your welcoming posts. Smile

Daisy

Kathy

Hello Daisy. Very Happy

I've been working all day and getting dragged out to a shop opening night in about 5 mns!
I know there was one in Lidls recently which got really good reviews and was apparently a snip at £40 but, think it would struggle with canvas and heavy materials though.
The first question I have to ask is what is your budget?

janowl

I have a Toyota and it has served me for years. It does all sorts of things.

Kathy

Which model Janowl?
Lovely to "see" you again by the way. Very Happy

Daisy

Thank you so much for all your replies, I have been looking and I had thought about £150 would be fine, I was amazed to see the price of some machines - I wish..... I think the most would be £200 if my daughter and I mount a campaign of persuasion. Wink

Mind you I make all my own curtains etc as well as clothes, so I am sure I can soon save enough money by getting full use of the machine to make it worthwhile.

Thanks

Daisy

alison

I bought a Janome, online, from the sewing machine centre, I think it was called. The website was easy to use, and the prices were very keen.
In fact, the service was excellent, with next day delivery.

I have been really pleased with it.

I will be on curtains this winter, for the whole of the B&B and the static caravan!

Kathy

I bought a modern Singer but have to say I was disappointed with the quality, I didn't push it too hard but it was a struggle getting thicker cloths through it. I ended up donating it to the school after I got my old, good quality machine from auction! Have a look at this page http://www.sewingmachine-sales.co.uk/pfaff_sewing_machines.html, they still make quality machines.

You might want to think about second hand, more for your bucks but no warranty of course. All my machines are old but everyone of them is better than the modern one I paid nearly £300 for.

What I do before I buy any new item is look for reviews on the web or, if you have a shop in your area take in some fabric samples and try some machines. If you're going to be using it for canvas then take some of that in too.
Let us know how you get on, any more questions just ask. Smile

Bovey Belle

I have, ahem, just bought another hand Singer from the car boot sale (£5) - it is in perfect working order and the handle is SO light and free in its spin. I am thrilled to bits with it, and although I said I was getting it for the girls to use, I think they can have one of my other hand sewing machines instead!

Kathy

Naughty Bovey!! I do understand though, you couldn't really pass it up could you? Laughing