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Sewing Machine....handheld / portable?

rchddap1
rchddap1 Posts: 5,926 Forumite
in Old style MoneySaving
This may seem like a daft question but please bear with me. My step daughter has a thing for 'modifying' her clothes. Me and my bright spark brain have come up with the idea of a cheap sewing machine and some material / patterns for Xmas.

However, there is no point in getting her a 'proper' machine...as they cost a bomb and it will only end up getting trashed at her house. So I'm wondering if anyone knows of any cheap small sewing machines that would be okay for a 16 year old, who lives in an 'open house' type environment where things walk....like mobile phones :mad:

Also looking for any website that have some free printable patters (if they exist that is).

I hope this all makes sense.

Thanks folks.

P.S. She's 16.
Baby Year 1: Oh dear...on the move

Lily contracted Strep B Meningitis Dec 2006 :eek: Now seemingly a normal little monster. :beer:
Love to my two angels that I will never forget.
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Comments

  • nabowla
    nabowla Posts: 567 Forumite
    Have you had a look at Ebay? There's a little handheld Remington that's due to close in the next half hour and is only 99p at the moment. No idea whether it's any good or not but someone here is bound to know. There are also quite a few 'proper' secondhand Singer sewing machines on Ebay for under 50 pounds (many between 10-30 pounds). If you pick one of the older models (say late 70's) it'll be fairly cheap and won't look at all desirable to other people in the house (unlike mobile phones!).

    It might also be worth having a look on Freecycle to see whether anyone's getting rid of a machine - that wouldn't cost you a penny!
  • rchddap1
    rchddap1 Posts: 5,926 Forumite
    Thanks for pointing me to the ebay auction, but it looks as if someone desperately wants it.
    Baby Year 1: Oh dear...on the move

    Lily contracted Strep B Meningitis Dec 2006 :eek: Now seemingly a normal little monster. :beer:
    Love to my two angels that I will never forget.
  • zodiac
    zodiac Posts: 1,255 Forumite
    It may not be much help but Superdrug do a small basic sewing machine for under £15 (not sure of the exact price but is under £15). It seems that every time they have them instock they get brought up in bulk at my local so you might have to be quick (im not quick so ive never got my hands on one :mad: )

    O/T: Just to add they have handbag size rechargeable hair straghters in stock at the moment, they work really well to sort out hair after the tube to work ;)
    I remember when this was just a little website! :money:
  • nanamags
    nanamags Posts: 313 Forumite
    Tesco on-line have an electric sewing machine for £44.99 [reduced from £79.99]. Delivery is free and you get points. : :cool:
    :hello: N:hello:A :hello:N :hello:A :hello:M :hello:A :hello:G :hello:S :hello:
  • calleyw
    calleyw Posts: 9,896 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper I've been Money Tipped!
    Woolies, pound stretchers and even homebase do a JML one is £19.99 think it might be battery powered and is very little so can be stored somewhere easily.

    Here is a picture.


    Hope that helps.


    Yours

    Calley
    Hope for everything and expect nothing!!!

    Good enough is almost always good enough -Prof Barry Schwartz

    If it scares you, it might be a good thing to try -Seth Godin
  • squeaky
    squeaky Posts: 14,129 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    That link is to a frame - if you want to see the picture use the word sewing in the search box top right hand side of the page that loads in the link.

    I'm hoping that does lead to the right picture calley?
    Hi, I'm a Board Guide on the Old Style and the Consumer Rights boards which means I'm a volunteer to help the boards run smoothly and can move and merge posts there. Board guides are not moderators and don't read every post. If you spot an inappropriate or illegal post then please report it to forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. It is not part of my role to deal with reportable posts. Any views are mine and are not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.
    Never ascribe to malice that which is adequately explained by incompetence.
    DTFAC: Y.T.D = £5.20 Apr £0.50
  • raeble
    raeble Posts: 911 Forumite
    This is the Tesco's one that was mentioned earlier in the thread. It is £45 and benefits from a 1 yr warranty. Unlike some of those machines on ebay. Watch out for the second hand machines a lot of them cost more than new ones. I can understand it with makes like Berina but not with makes like Toyota. I don't understand why people have to be so greedy.

    Also try car boot sales (this was recommended to me) apparently loads of machines are around for little and nothing at those places.

    btw I really doubt a sewing machine would be particularly attractive to go walkabout - the weight for one thing. A handheld one might be more likely to disappear.
  • calleyw
    calleyw Posts: 9,896 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper I've been Money Tipped!
    squeaky wrote:
    That link is to a frame - if you want to see the picture use the word sewing in the search box top right hand side of the page that loads in the link.

    I'm hoping that does lead to the right picture calley?


    Squeaky,

    You are. Typical the one time I don't check a link :rolleyes:


    Yours


    Calley
    Hope for everything and expect nothing!!!

    Good enough is almost always good enough -Prof Barry Schwartz

    If it scares you, it might be a good thing to try -Seth Godin
  • rchddap1
    rchddap1 Posts: 5,926 Forumite
    Lots of suggestions...and lots of thanks back. I will have to take a look through, and eventually come to a decision. Not sure if I want to spend £45 when some of the other kids she lives with may do some damage to it. One of step daughter's brothers set off a fire in the house once. The whole house had to be re plastered, painted etc....

    Certainly lots to think about.
    Baby Year 1: Oh dear...on the move

    Lily contracted Strep B Meningitis Dec 2006 :eek: Now seemingly a normal little monster. :beer:
    Love to my two angels that I will never forget.
  • squeaky
    squeaky Posts: 14,129 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    calleyw wrote:
    Squeaky,

    You are. Typical the one time I don't check a link :rolleyes:


    Yours


    Calley
    Heh heh :)

    It's so nice to be right. Makes such a refreshing change :)
    Hi, I'm a Board Guide on the Old Style and the Consumer Rights boards which means I'm a volunteer to help the boards run smoothly and can move and merge posts there. Board guides are not moderators and don't read every post. If you spot an inappropriate or illegal post then please report it to forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. It is not part of my role to deal with reportable posts. Any views are mine and are not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.
    Never ascribe to malice that which is adequately explained by incompetence.
    DTFAC: Y.T.D = £5.20 Apr £0.50
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