Any sewing machine recommendations?

purpleivy

skylight wrote: »

Hello there.

Reading this thread and looking at different machines, which of the two would you buy? My budget is only £100 or so and I only need a simple machine really and buttonholes. Both these have been mentioned on this thread, but which of the two would you chose?

http://www.johnlewis.com/230472538/Product.aspx?SearchTerm=RecentlyViewedList
http://www.sewingmachinediscount.co.uk/friday-tele-sale/toyota/jeans-machine/9124-c0-v0.htm

I know one or two that have had a Toyota, but I know loads of people that have Janomes and happy with them! I would also find a local sewing machine shop if that is possible for you. A Janome stockist will have the equivalent machine, as I believe John Lewis have some badged as their own. Let the local shop know that you would like it price matched if possible.

I have to say, building a relationship with your local supplier is a good thing, as:-

-they're usually there for you when you have a problem.

-THey often offer discounts if you have purchased a machine there.

-You can also try the machine before you buy and get advice about whether it is the right machine for you

-They might have a reconditioned second hand machine from someone who is upgrading their machine...that's what sewers do! You can get a lot more for your money that way. I think I would rather have a good quality second hand machine than a so-so new one.

I feel that all this is worth paying an extra few quid for.

Recently I had a rush job on with some sewing and my buttonhole foot was broken. Thursday night. I called the shop at 4.40 to see if they had one in and they did. I asked what time they closed. She said 5pm and that she would wait for me to get there. It would normally take 15 minutes absolute max to get there. I phoned at 5 to say I was stuck in traffic. "Not to worry was the reply". John Lewis wouldn't do that for you! Thanks to her kindness and customer service I was able to complete my job and get it in the post for the weekend.

I have nothing to do with this shop, not related to the person or involved in any way. It's J & P sewing Machines in Warrington.

Burp_2

I can highly recommend Janome as a make of machine :T

I did have a Singer but never really got on with it, it was heavy, clumbersome, tempermental and would have a paddy, breaking threads left right and center and chewing up fabric!

I have since bought a Janome and it's a dream to use, easy to work with, very robust (it will sew through any material) and will produce the nicest of garments possible

Burp x

skylight

There really isn't a local stockist of sewing machines here at all. Except Argos.....
Even the nearest decent department store is miles away in the next town. There is a "local" serviceman but he is still 10 miles away. More research on that one though.

So its not really possible to sit and try it unless I travel a bit; and I just don't have the time and the trips not simple either (I am a hater of traffic!!).

More votes on the Janome though - at least I can get that one with John Lewis and they have a great customer service too.

flea72

dont know if you have one near you, but lidl are currently selling a singer sewing machine for £79.99

http://www.lidl.co.uk/uk/home.nsf/pages/c.o.20091130.p.Sewing_Machine.ar2

for the money, it looks a good machine

F

purpleivy

flea72 wrote: »

dont know if you have one near you, but lidl are currently selling a singer sewing machine for £79.99

http://www.lidl.co.uk/uk/home.nsf/pages/c.o.20091130.p.Sewing_Machine.ar2

for the money, it looks a good machine

F

I'm afraid I wouldn't want to make a major purchase like a sewing machine without trying it.

flea72

for a base end sewing machine, you would not notice any difference between the named brands, so giving them a test run would only confuse a sewing newbie even more

maybe if investing £300+ it would be worthwhile comparing twiddles, and maybe having a test run, as you would have more of an idea about what you needed from a machine

also, you will find that most machine dealers, dont sell machines in the lower price bracket, because they just cant compete with the likes of places like argos and supermarkets

you can buy a machine from any high street store, give it a try, and take it back if it doesnt do what you want. so you would get the same customer service buying a machine in argos as you would at JLP - espec if bought over internet, due to DSR

F

vicpick

hi, I'm new to the site and am puzzled over what sewing machine to get for xmas, i'm 15 and doing a btec course in fashion and textiles i was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for a good strong sewing machine as it is my first machine and so am still learning. My parents are looking to spend a maximum of 200 pounds, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks Vic

purpleivy

vicpick wrote: »

hi, I'm new to the site and am puzzled over what sewing machine to get for xmas, i'm 15 and doing a btec course in fashion and textiles i was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for a good strong sewing machine as it is my first machine and so am still learning. My parents are looking to spend a maximum of 200 pounds, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks Vic

Hi Vic, that's a great course to be doing. I'm an LSA and supported a student doing that course a couple of years ago. It was very sad that her eyesight was going, so I sat with her at the machine and threaded for her etc, or did any close cutting etc that she needed help with.

I would suggest that you get in touch with your local friendly supplier and see if they have any second hand reconditioned machines in stock. People with a 'sewing habit' tend to upgrade their machines and sometimes part ex their old one. You will get a machine that does 'more for your money' or get a better quality one.

THe other advantage of getting from a local retailer rather than saving a few quid on the internet (I wrote about this in another thread, I'll try and find a link http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1472421&page=2 post no 55 on page two.) is that you will end up getting a better service and possibly a discount off further purchases. I get 10% off everything I get at the shop I bought my overlocker from.

there's another forum you could search on for information. www.thesewingforum.co.uk . Lots of sewing peeps there. I use the same username.

Good luck in your hunt. I have a Janome, old but a good one. I have used lower specification Janomes in the shop that I have done courses at and never had any problem. I know quite a lot of people that would recommend them.

vicpick

Thanks for you post i have mainly been looking at janome's and so am pretty set on getting a janome, i have also looked at john lewis but would like to have a try on one in a shop before i get it. Thanks for your advice i may just have to nip on thesewing forum now!

Penelope_Penguin

I have a Janome and love it :j

As this has fallen from the front page of OS, I'll add it to the existing thread to give you more ideas

Penny. x