Old Style Sewers - Help Needed

tootles_2

New Home was the UK name for the machines Janome manufactured in Japan, the name was changed in 1984 (I think) when they brought out their first computerised machine I think it was the Memorycraft 6000, it was a revolutionary machine, I managed to sell 2 before they were actually released for general sale, they retailed at £599.00. I bought one which I had for over 10 years before I upgraded to the Memorycraft 8000CE, I sold that machine this year...... I now have the 6500 which is the machine they made for quilters, with a bigger throat than a normal machine, their latest machine the memorycraft 1100 which also has the big throat plate has just been released........ it really is all singing, bellringing and dancing........but I will not be indulging myself its £3500.00.........

Ticklemouse

I bought my machine in 1984 - it was one of those things I thought all 'ladies' should have I believe to date it has made one dress, (it never got worn as I never did the hand sewing), hemmed 2 pairs of curtains and made 17m of net curtains!! And that's it - shameful isn't it

Savvy_Sue

My machine comes out every September to sew new labels in the boys' uniform! But for a couple of years I had huge problems with it, so got it serviced this year and bliss! it works! Better yet I saw a poster in the local hardware shop, the chap came and picked it up for me and brought it back so I didn't have to cart it into town to the shop!

Mine's a Viking, been very happy with it. But I also have a Spanish hand operated machine with a long bobbin: it has various 'feet' which move the fabric so you can do zigzag and hemming etc. Fortunately the instruction booklet is in English. Beautifully made! Weighs a ton ... Grandad brought it home for Grandma in WW1.

Thrown out of needlework, moggins? If that happened to any of us, we still had to produce the garment for that term! Terrifying teacher! In fact, needlework was compulsory for first 3 years, then after that we all had to produce two garments each year, in our own time. You can imagine the scramble the night before they were due in, and the fight for the sewing machine, one between 24 of us!

But I do like the fact that I know what to do now, it's a bit like riding a bicycle, you never really forget!

Str4berr3

Ticklemouse wrote:

Do you have mill shops near you? Even a Dunelm? They often have various 'fluffy' materials. I couldn't vouch for other haberdashers as I don't frequent them, but know when I've bought my (miles of) curtain material from mill shops,they have had some. Don't know if it's what you want though. You could always ask at your local material supplier - they will tell you or point you in the right direction.

Cant say I have ever heard of a mill shop - what is it?
BTW, I live in London.

chickadee

Never heard of a Mill Shop? Eeee by gum! You can't move for them up here in the frozen North!

I suppose if you don't have any mills you won't have any mill shops?

Seriously though, they aren't that common, even in Lancashire, mill capital of the UK. Apparently, the damp northern climate was ideal for spinning and weaving, especially cotton as the very fine fibres didn't fly around as much if the air was damp. It doesn't do much for your health though.

Just as an aside, my Mum and Dad met when they both worked in a mill in Lancashire and they can both still lip-read too!

Str4berr3

I dont think London does have any Mills

No mill, no mill shop, no curly mohair.

Ticklemouse

str4berr3

have a look at these people : http://www.efabrics.co.uk/

they may have something you want. If you google what you are looking for, then you should be able to find something mail order.

frugalfairy_3

Str4berr3 wrote:

I dont think London does have any Mills

No mill, no mill shop, no curly mohair.

Hi, I don't know whereabouts in London you are but if you can get into the centre, try Borovicks in Berwick Street (off Oxford Street, Tottenham Court Road end) or Soho Silks (can't remember the name of the road they're in but it's one of the side streets off Berwick Street). They both had curly mohairish fabrics there last time I went. Hope this helps. FF

xxbutterflygirlxx

Thanks for that Ticklemouse, I haven't been able to find many decent fabric shops online. I have used http://www.fabricland.co.uk/ and they are great. I'm lucky enough to live near Abakhan ( http://www.abakhanfabrics.co.uk/ ) whick is absolutely brilliant so I usually go there.

Str4berr3

frugalfairy wrote:

Hi, I don't know whereabouts in London you are but if you can get into the centre, try Borovicks in Berwick Street (off Oxford Street, Tottenham Court Road end) or Soho Silks (can't remember the name of the road they're in but it's one of the side streets off Berwick Street). They both had curly mohairish fabrics there last time I went. Hope this helps. FF

Thanx for that, I know whereabouts that one is.

Is it near the Soho Market? I might give up though, as I went to one shop that do short mohair for a whopping 70 Pounds per metre!!!!
But thanx all for advice. I think I might pop into woollies and get a ready made for 20 Pounds......