Any sewing machine recommendations?

Lillibet_2

Hi

I want to buy myself a sewing machine for basic hemming, replacing zips, maybe the odd bit of other simple sewing but nothing complicated or heavy. I haven't used a sewing machine since I was at school, I was fairly good at the basic stuff but that's 15 years ago now!
I think a 2nd hand one would be fine for what I need (and I like to recycle) but I am so confused with all the other options and extras? Looking to the future I think I would like one that does more than just straight & zigzag stitches and from what I can gather adjustable length is also a good thing to have. Can anyone offer me any more advice, or better still take a look on ebay for me & advise what might be suitable for a hopeful beginner?

Thanks everyone:T

moggins

Lillibet I bought mine from a local dealer who was fantastic and sold me just what I wanted, the perfect machine for a beginner. It's a Toyota and just right for taking me from beginner to more experienced. The dealer was also more than happy to help teach me how to use it.

To me it was worth buying new and paying a little bit more otherwise the machine would probably have sat there because I was to scared to use it without some instruction.

tootles_2

Lillibet, the best thing really is to go to your local dealer and ask to be shown some basic machines, do not make the mistake of buying too basic a one....you will find that you will wish you had bought a slightly better one. I am a fan or Janome, I do not think you can beat them, very easy to use and reliable too........you will need stitches to sew stretchy fabric and an automatic buttonhole.......I will have a look at ebay and PM you.

Zed42

I would "3rd" the local dealer approach ... even if you don't buy from them, from the wealth of experience they can give you 1st hand.

There's nothing like a hands-on go at a machine.

Personally, I'm an Elna fan through and through, but I am biased because that's what my ma has had all her life and it's still going strong .. I do have my own now however (it's not as sturdy as hers though ). The Elna is easy to thread, easy to use, and easy to pack away

pavlovs_dog

just wanted to thank you all for the hints and tips. ive been considering a sewing machine for a while now, and ive decided to treat myself in light of my exam results (sewing machine is one of several possibilities).

ive found all your insights very helpful and informative. any idea where i might find my local specialist - yellow pages perhaps?

nearlyrich

I have a Toyota it's been going strong for over 20 years, I must admit I don't use it as much as I used to when I first got it.

I got a Brother for my Mum a few years ago and that's great too.

You shpuld be able to get a decent machine for £100 new or hopefully less secondhand.

Sallys_Savings

Have you thought about on FREECYCLE...lots of people seem to have them lurking in the cupboard and never use them.

lynsayjane

if getting a machine second hand ensure you have the instructions manual, or you will likely never get the thing to work. i work in a local fabric retailer and could easily advise you on dress/curtain making, but unfortunatly we dont sell actual machines so i'm not so good with that.

there are some amazing machines out there right up to ones you plug into your pc and do some fancy embroidery stuff, which is only something to buy if you are definatly going to use it, your talking in the thousands for these. most standard machines will do the backwards, zig zag and different size stitches. the machine i have is by a company called new home, my mum bought it when i was born so it's near 25 years old and never been for a repair in it's life and it gets some amount of abuse from me using it daily.

Queenie

lynsayjane wrote:

if getting a machine second hand ensure you have the instructions manual, or you will likely never get the thing to work. .

Good point, we have a thread (located via the Mega Index - Craft Section ) Old Sewing Machine Instructions which might be worth checking out if you see a 2nd hand machine in the local paper or free ads.

Local dealers can be found via the Yellow Pages/Thompson Local and those who do machine repairs sometimes even have 2nd hand one's for sale (customers who never claimed their repaired machines )

Another option is to have a browse in WHSmiths at some of the patchwork/quilting magazines, some of them have an ad section where people sell their machines because they are upgrading or whatever ... either use a camera mobile phone to take a photo of the ad so you can call them later, or old fashioned pen and paper and jot down the details, then you aren't committed to buying the magazine!

My mother bought me a sewing machine for my 18th birthday, it was a hand machine. I soon upgraded to an electric (which I have since passed on to my ds's g/f because I then bought a 'spare' ) Now I have a Husqvarna - very swank! - which does all sorts of programmable stuff. My point is, you are quite right to think ahead in terms of what you will use it for! You may *think* you will only use it for a few zips, basic hemming/sewing, but that does tend to lead on to more interesting projects

Just how far you want to go with 'extra's' really will be down to your own personal interests and ambitions though and is a very personal thing.

Visit fabric shops in your area too they may or may not sell machines/have cards offering 2nd hand models.

Wishing you many happy stitching hours of fun! Best of luck in finding/choosing/buying a machine that suits *you*

tootles_2

(the machine i have is by a company called new home, my mum bought it when i was born so it's near 25 years old and never been for a repair in it's life and it gets some amount of abuse from me using it daily.)

New home is now Janome the name of the parent company. I used to sell their machines and for me they were second only to Bernina, Janome now make some of Bernina's machines as well as machines for several other well known names.