Any sewing machine recommendations?

angeltreats

Adjustable stitches just mean that you have control over the length of your stitches, and if using a zig zag stitch, how wide the zig zags are. You'd use a very long stitch for example if you were tacking pieces together to sew 'properly' at a later stage, or for shirring, and different stitch lengths for different fabrics. A thick fabric would want a longer stitch. There are only pre-set stitches on that Toyota model which is very limiting and you'll quickly outgrow it and want more control. I think most machines have adjustable stitches. Also look for a one step buttonhole which will make your life much easier, and another very nice feature to have is needle up/down, where you can choose to have the needle stay down in the fabric when you take your foot off the pedal - sounds trivial but it's incredibly useful.

I've never bought a machine from ebay or a charity shop but I have seen some fantastic ones in charity shops that I'd have snapped up if I didn't already own three Even if you need to get it serviced, it'll still cost you a lot less than buying a new machine. I inherited my Bernina and I bought my Viking and a vintage Singer from ads on Gumtree.

You might even try Freecycle, there must be tons of people with a sewing machine sitting unused in their loft who would like to find a good home for it.

divorcingjack

Thanks angeltreats, I appreciate the info!

Just been looking on ebay and it seems to be quite hard to find an older one that has a free-arm, which I understand makes hemming trousers and things easier than a large flat bed.

I found this one on ebay and it says it has an alloy body and 1 step buttonhole - is this the kind of thing or should I be thinking older?

dj

angeltreats

I'd be looking for something even older I think. Hang on and I'll have a nosy on ebay and see what there is.

nuttywoman

I have 2 Toyota machines, one of them is 25yrs old and still going strong, its a workhorse lol, my other one is about 6yrs old, a quilter and i love that as well. They both able to cope with thick fabrics etc

angeltreats

This machine would be something I'd buy. It doesn't have a one step buttonhole or anything fancy but it has a stretch stitch (used for sewing stretch fabrics). This will probably end up selling for quite a bit though.

If you wanted a new Janome, I like the look of this one.

divorcingjack

Ahh thanks angletreats! You are a star.

I'm watching that bernina one, it certainly looks solid..

The other Janome is out of my budget I'm afraid, but I have found out that there is a sewing machine shop about 20 minutes from me, so I may go and have a browse around. He is a dealer for Janome and Toyota, so I could actually see them face to face.

I think a second hand one may be the path for me (and my wallet), so if anyone sees any kicking around (I'm in scotland by the way), a heads-up would be great.

This gives me an excuse to go nosing around car boot sales now brilliant! :j

dj

zippychick

Hi DJ:hello:

I have a sewing machine myself but haven't used one since Home Economics (a wee while ago!:eek:)

I would be inclined to pop this over to I wanna later on, after some more OS input. There is a thread about sewing machine recommendations so there may be some interesting discussion in there already. (older sewing machine recs thread here)

I can always merge your thread with the sewing machine recommendations one , or move it over to I wanna as you are asking about specific models.

Please do let me know which you would prefer

Thanks
Zip

Fourcandles_3

I have two Janomes, a singer, a Neechi, two toyota's and couple of Brothers. Go with the Janome.

Having said that material is not cheap. You may get exactly what you want, but you might not save that much. If you going to enjoy it that's great, but if you are going to spend lots and lots of hours swearing, unpicking mistakes and getting stressed it may be better just to buy the furnishings ready made.

kitschy

divorcingjack wrote: »

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

cheers

dj

Hey DJ - sorry, only just got in to check the model!

It's a Janome Decor, Excel II 5024, not sure if it's still made. It has 24 stitches, the reverse button on the front and two dials on the side.

I used it to make all the curtains in my old house (like you had massive windows and Laura Ashley quoted me ££££££s to do them, so I learnt quickly!) and it sailed through the very thick fabric and lining. I also used to make a lot of dance costumes, and lycra is notorious for getting jammed but it was great on these (had to fit a special needle with a bobble on the end of it).

Hope that helps a bit!

divorcingjack

Hi all,

Thanks for all your brilliant responses! I have been away thinking hard about all the options and getting myself more confused than ever!

zippychick - can I stay on OS please? It's scary on other boards!

kitschy - thanks for letting me know. It's so hard to pick between a new and easy to use machine and a scary-no-manual-solid as a rock old machine.

I found a supplier in Sheffield who does reconditioned machines and let me know about a Janome 346 that he has, but including postage and a manual, it would be £90. I'm sure it's good value, but it's more than I was wanting to spend, and I'd be worried about it getting damaged in the post.

Then.. I phoned my local place and spoke to a really helpful guy who was in the middle of telling me that he only had one reconditioned machine in at the minute, but it's a all-metal new home (now janome) machine. He reckons it's about 25 years old, but solid. There's no manual though :eek: BUT - it's only £30!

So, my question is - should I go for it? I'm going to see it on Monday and he said he'd let me have a go, and show me how to thread it. I'm going to come back with the model number and see if any of you have heard of it!

cheers all!

dj