Sewing Machine - Which Make??

markdavey

Hi,

My mum's sewing machine recently died after 25 years of heavy use!!! I would like to buy her a new machine and would like advice as to the best make to buy.

My mum's was a singer but the last time we had it serviced the engineer said that there was a better make out there that had a metal rather than a plastic frame......neither my mum or I can remember the make.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Mark

Joannaclaire

Yes, singers are crap. My parents bought one about 25 years back as the'd had an older (and good reliable) one before. The new one overheated, stalled and basically was useless.

I'm looking into getting a sewing machine myself, so have been researching it.

The cheapest place I've found is this company:
http://sewingmachinesdirect.co.uk/

The brand I'm going with is Janome and the sewing machine I want is the sewist 525s for £139 as it apparently is metal (inside the plastic) and has all the functions I'd need as I want it to last me for 15 years or so. Also that company delivers free the next day, which is fab!

I went along to Allders (who had them 'on sale' for 159!) And had a try out to see if I liked it. Might be worth going with your mum to John lewis etc who sell sewing machines, having a tryout, then buying cheaper online.

Which magazine's reviews are all a bit dated and also tended to focus on the more expensive machines, which do a gazillion fancy stitches etc so not what I'm after for myself, or else the machines they tested are no longer made, as the articel was a bit old I think.

Good luck with it:-)

D&DD

I currently have a brother (industrial),a brother overlocker and a janome quilters companion yes I do a lot of sewing!I had an old jones brother machine for many years which was also very reliable.Like the last poster said you want to go for a machine thats metal rather than plastic but unfortunately most machines are made from plastic mainly now as people want lightweight portable machines.The janome is excellent as it has a drop in bobbin which is easier to use, it also threads up easily and a lot of the new machines have automatic threaders if mums eyes are not so good My two brothers both came from ebay but through an actual sewing/knitting machine shop who I have used for many years locally.What sort of things does your mum use it for?If she makes a lot of heavier items i.e curtains,quilts and such like a Janome might not be tough enough..They do make what they call a semi industrial machine now its a Brother (thinks its zx something or other??)this has a knee lift just like the proper industrials and stitches at a much faster speed than your usual domestic machine.If its speed shes after check out the stitches per minute/motor size when buying.Hope that helps a bit I've been a machinist for 22 years now and would be lost without my 'girls' LOL

D&DD

http://www.jaycotts.co.uk/acatalog/Brother_NX400.html this is the semi industrial one this site is great value although I havent bought a machine from them I do buy lots of thread etc.They have the janome sewist for £129 inc free delivery! My Janome is the qc4800 it does lettering and everything I love it!

markdavey

Thanks All. Bought a Janome 4623 in the end. Good machine for the money.

D&DD

Very swish I like that one bet Mum was delighted Glad to know you got sorted out