Any sewing machine recommendations?

TylerD

i would get an old style singer, they look awesome and are really reliable!!

shelley_crow

forumfan wrote: »

There is a sewing machine on Ebay today as their Deal of the Day. It is being sold by Littlewoods and it is £49.99 (reduced from £119.99)

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150431146938

It has mixed reviews here...

http://www.littlewoods.com/reviews/pwr/product-reviews/2233/Appliances/sewing/sewing-machines/JMB/p/504426748-sewing-machine-JMSM1030.html

Thanks for posting those reviews, was thinking of investing but it's definately put me off buying one!

shelley_crow

Has anyone used a Janome 555 240v model? I'm a newbie to sewing but I've found one at a good price. I would prob only be using it for basic things to start with.

mardatha

I want it to take up Ikea curtains and hem skirts, possibly make nice cushion covers, that's all. In the dim & distant past I did have a Singer treadle, it was temperamental but I loved it - if I see any at a good price I would buy another one yes.

divorcingjack

Hello all you lovely OS'ers,

I'm after some advice on realistic expectations .. (and sewing machines)

Myself and my partner are trying to renovate an old cottage on virtually no money. Unfortunately, we are getting to the stage of soft furnishings and the prices for blinds/curtains/cushions are making me feel faint.

We have enormous windows all over the house - is it completely mad to think that I would be able to make passable blinds and curtains? I must admit that I am not remotely crafty at all, although I can sew buttons on. I also confess to hemming my too-long trousers with duct tape :eek:

Should I shell out for a sewing machine (I have never used one before), or should I resort to nailing blankets to the window frames?

I've read over the sewing machine threads and have narrowed it down to a Toyota or Janome. Would the cheapest one of each of these be able to cope with curtain material? I have found a Toyota (ex display) for £85 delivered, but the cheapest Janome will be over £120! I've looked on ebay, but to be honest I don't know what I need? I drive a Toyota and love it, but are they good machines?

Help! Any advice from wiser heads much appreciated!

dj

angeltreats

My first machine was a Toyota and I wouldn't recommend it at all. The one I had was this. It was very flimsy and if you tried to sew denim on it, it'd walk across the table! It was useless for any sort of heavyweight fabric. It also didn't have adjustable stitch length and width and you really need this.

I have a Janome overlocker and it's very good, never used one of their sewing machines but I have heard good things about them. However if I were you I'd look for a second hand machine at a boot sale or charity shop, something old and heavyweight. Modern machines use a lot of plastic parts and a lot of them struggle on anything heavier than a lightweight cotton. Older machines were all metal and built to last. The machine I have now is a Bernina from 1961 and I know it'll outlive me, and it will sew absolutely anything. I also have a Viking from the 80s that weighs an absolute ton, does all sorts of fancy stuff and would have cost a fortune in its time - I paid about £100 for it second hand a few years ago and it is infinitely better than any modern machine you could buy for the same money.

kitschy

I have a Janome which I've had for 10 years and 99% of the time it's fab - the only time I had trouble was doing a very heavy fabric but after switching to a leather needle it was fine. When I bought it the lady in John Lewis told me that Janome make the insides for some other makes as well.

I must admit though, like angeltreats, I covet my Mum's 1960's machine because it's a trojan! I have a very old (and VERY heavy) manual Singer machine which I also adore.

I might see if my Mum wants to swap........:rotfl:

flissh

I have an old dinosaur from a boot sale. It cost me four pounds about five years ago. It is a bit of a leap of faith, because you never know if it will work when you get home. I was lucky and the one i got did.

I have thought about replacing it, but to be honest, when I have looked at new ones in shops, even decent ones, they seem so 'plasticky'.

Mine would benefit from an mot now, and I think I'll settle for that instead of replace it.

divorcingjack

Morning all,

Thanks for all the info!

Angletreats - that was one of the Toyota models I was looking at! :eek: Thanks for the warning.

Adjustable stitch length and width - would this be in the specs of a machine? Why do I need it?

The consensus seems to be a second-hand older one. I am going to an auction on Wedesday, so I could have a look there. Has anyone had any luck in charity shops? Ebay - or is it too much of a risk, bearing in mind the fact that I know nothing about sewing machines, so instructions and working bits are a must!

dj

divorcingjack

forgot to ask - kitschy - what model of Janome do you have? Is it OK with curtain material and denim then?

cheers

dj