Any sewing machine recommendations?

purpleivy

Get yourself over to http://www.thesewingforum.co.uk/index.php tons of help on specific topics with a knowledgeable bunch of people. Well some of them are....I'm there too!

Larumbelle

Congratulations Rebekah :beer:

I second Nurgle's post - you really want to visit a few sewing machine shops and have a chat with the experts there. For example, where I live there is a Singer shop and an independent sewing machine centre, I visited both before I made a decision. Hats off to both of them because both told me that I didn't need the all-singing all-dancing one I wanted originally (this was pre-MSE!). The independent one also lets you 'trial run' your machine and will give you a free one-hour lesson and can arrange further lessons or classes if you want them. And better yet, their prices were extremely competitive!
If you post roughly where you are people might be able to recommend somewhere, you might well find there's a little gem near you!

minxtress

My mum bought one at the charity shop to practice on to get her method right and just generally learn about them, she practiced every night and now makes alsorts.
The machine was so good the woman down the street who said she would give her pointers as she does a bit of sewing herself said it was better than hers! She only paid a fiver for it and now makes alsorts for us.

jammy_dodger

i can recommend the brother sewing machine in sale at costco bought one for my daughter who had never used one before and shes wel away am sure that machine would cope with your needs and it comes with excellent instructions including a dvd .and costs under £80 inc vat hth

picklepick

ive seen sewing machines occasionally on freecycle. might be worth putting on a wanted notice and hopefully you'll have something to get practicing on.

i use my grandmas very old machine and its brilliant. cant fault it! newer isnt necessarily better!

Hawthorn

Can I just add also, if this is your first time using a sewing machine, when you get one, practice on thin paper (tracing is fine) with no thread. Keep going until you can follow straight lines, curves, corners, with accuracy

RebekahR

Gosh you guys are awesome!!! Thank you so much. I don't know if I am kidding myself with wanting this project or not lol. I keep thinking maybe it will be cheaper just to buy a dress? Especially for a first time project. I feel like an idiot for even thinking about it really.
We are not oficially engaged as yet. I am just waiting for him to do the deed - poor guy says he doesnt know how to do it!But are pretty much definatley getting married and already looking into venues etc with a view to next summer. So of course with me thinking of such a project as this I want to think about it early! I am in central Hampshire. Not sure that I know any shops down here but i'm sure you guys will point me in the right direction.

rev229

I have a basic brother machine that I bought from Tesco sbout 3 yrs ago cost just under 60.00. Only ever used a sewing machine at school but knew the basics ie, how to thread, bobbin etc. It has plenty of stitch choice. I have saved loads of money from mending allsorts over the years. I am no way experience but being able to make a nice table cloth for xmas just the right size for my extended table keeps me happy and was a lot cheaper than ready made. I also make beds for my doggy, an old duvet and some cheap fleeces keep her happy. I think from what I remember pattersn are fairly easi to follow, you could use an old bed sheet for the practice run!. John lewis always have good advice on sewing machines might be worth a visit there first before you buy elsewhere. I saw on IdealworldTV last week a machine that looked quite easy to use, but TV makes anything look easy!. For me the worst thing is getting the bobbin to thread but I get there in the end.

Rikki

Does anyone else sew their own clothes The mse sewing thread.

Rikki

RebekahR wrote: »

Gosh you guys are awesome!!! Thank you so much. I don't know if I am kidding myself with wanting this project or not lol. I keep thinking maybe it will be cheaper just to buy a dress? Especially for a first time project. I feel like an idiot for even thinking about it really.
We are not oficially engaged as yet. I am just waiting for him to do the deed - poor guy says he doesnt know how to do it!But are pretty much definatley getting married and already looking into venues etc with a view to next summer. So of course with me thinking of such a project as this I want to think about it early! I am in central Hampshire. Not sure that I know any shops down here but i'm sure you guys will point me in the right direction.

When you do decide to make your dress, I suggest you make it up first off from cheap fabric or an old sheet and get the fit right before you start cutting expensive material.