Any sewing machine recommendations?

[Deleted User]

Dear Dragon Soup,

The best advice I can give you is to take your time with this one. I had my machine for 18 years before swapping it and finding a new one. The process was a real eye opener. Some of the machines were truly dreadful and if you're used to the quality of a thirty year old machine you will think some of the new machines are toys and not for serious sewing!

I went and tested lots of machines. I took a whole load of prepared samples from fine chiffon to thick wool and asked to do buttonholes, seams and loads of test samples. Only then did the well honed skills of the demonstator fail as buttonholes went askew and machines jammed!

I found that the quality of the buttonhole did it for me. I mainly make clothes so this is an important feature for me. Might not be what you want to use your machine for.
Every machine seemed to have a different mechanism for doing buttonholes and some I thought were just too fiddly.

So my advice is work out first what you want to use your machine for mainly, and on what fabrics. Take loads of sample fabrics with you to the shop and try them all out and take your time. Take someone with you if you want protection from the sales person! Sewing machines are very personal so don't get bossed around into buying something that's not you. It's a bit like choosing a car....what you want is quite different from your neighbour.

I eventually bought a Bernina after hankering after one for over 20 years, but never being able to afford one! I went to David Drummond (Scotland) mail order and he lets you pay in installments, supposedly interest free. Much cheaper than the shop. I am on cloud nine....no problems whatsoever, excellent, brilliant, never fails.......need I say more.

I looked at buying a secondhand Bernina on Ebay but they were still going for 400 pounds. If you do decide to buy a secondhand electronic bernina be very careful. Speed controller circuit boards can set you back 200 pounds for a new one. There could be up to 5 circuit boards, costing anywhere between 80 - 200 pounds each, in one machine. Need I say more! I believe there is a Bernina forum on Yahoo that has everthing you ever need to know about these machines. Cheaper Bernina's are no longer made in Switzerland so the quality is rumoured to not be as good.

Have fun testing all those machines. Hope you find one you're happy with. Just remember a sewing machine is a very personal choice. Make sure you're happy with it.......any doubts and leave it behind. Afterall you could be living with it for the next 20 years!

Good luck & happy hunting

dragonsoup

Thanks Killmymortgage, I am going to have to do the rounds I think.

Unfortunately each sewing shop around here seems to stock only one brand so this could be a long job!! I learned to sew on Berninas so I have a soft spot for them but I agree they are expensive.

meadowcat

killmymortgage wrote:

I went and tested lots of machines. I took a whole load of prepared samples from fine chiffon to thick wool and asked to do buttonholes, seams and loads of test samples. Only then did the well honed skills of the demonstator fail as buttonholes went askew and machines jammed!

I found that the quality of the buttonhole did it for me. I mainly make clothes so this is an important feature for me. Might not be what you want to use your machine for.

I looked at buying a secondhand Bernina on Ebay but they were still going for 400 pounds. If you do decide to buy a secondhand electronic bernina be very careful. Speed controller circuit boards can set you back 200 pounds for a new one. There could be up to 5 circuit boards, costing anywhere between 80 - 200 pounds each, in one machine.


/QUOTE]


Kill, that is all excellent advice. I particularly liked the idea of bringing your own fabric. That must have really annoyed them. Buttonholes are the decision maker, don't you think? I was never that happy with buttonholes until I got my Husqvarna.

Definitely advise caution buying on eBay or even from someone who is not a main dealer. These computerised machines can't be repaired by everybody. Check out how long your manufacturer's guarantee is. Husqvarna is 5 years.

I have heard David Drummond is highly recommended.

Ooohhh..... I wish I was looking at new sewing machines. :snow_laug

meadowcat

Dragon, Could you tell me what your signature means. I tried babelfish, but I don't even know what language it is.
Vos vestros servate, meos mihi linquite mores ????

dragonsoup

Of course! Its a Latin quote attributed to Petrarch and translates as "You cling to your own ways and leave mine to me."!

catherineblack

Hi all!
I have my mum's old sewing machine - it's very heavy and not reliable for stretchy fabrics. I'm thinking about buying a new one - so what features should I look for? Any particular features that are essential or extra-helpful?
I've seen this one at Tesco's on offer http://www.tesco.com/electrical/product.aspx?R=8160424
I also like the look of the Brother machine from Tesco's (mainly because it's a brand I recognise).
Hope you can help!
Cat x

tootles_2

There was a thread a while back about sewing machines, I have had several Janomes and been very pleased with them, mind you I did work for them at one time.

You need to go to a good machine retailer and look at the machines, try them, take samples of the fabrics you are going to want to use and try them on the mchine, make sure you get something that suits you and your pocket. Do not be too blinkered buy something that has more on than you think you will use because sure as heck you will find yourself wishing that you had bought a different machine.

Janome have a page on the web....https://www.janome.co.uk I think they have a list of retailers on there.

Rikki

There are loads of ideas and comments on here. http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=78162&highlight=sewing+machines

catherineblack

thanks will take a wee look!

Joannaclaire

I just (today) bought a Janome from this website. Next day delivery and the machine I wanted was cheaper than the 'sale' price in Allders!

I got the 525s, which is not computerised, and is one of the sturdier (alloy rather than plastic) machines in the low-medium end of the product range. It has lots of features that I hope to use in the future, and enough for me to use at the moment.

I did a bit of research - Which unfortunately reviews expensive or long gone models, so scouted about a bit online- lots of american sewing sites where members review machines. But again they're mainly quilters and professionals, so often are refering to the super-duper sophistocated machines worth several thousand pounds.

Also went along to the shops and tried one out (Allders) before I decided...

Also has a five year warrenty :-) So am hoping it will last me 20 years or so for making curtains etc as well as the odd skirt etc.

http://sewingmachinesdirect.co.uk/