Sewing machine - help needed please...

londonman81

I am looking to buy a new sewing machine for someone. Being male, I have no idea about these things..

1. I can't seem to find any decent websites which have reviews of specific models (not even on Which? website). Does anyone know of any good sites?

2. Can anyone recommend a specific model?

3. Amazon.co.uk seems to have almost nothing in the way of sewing machines, whereas it's US website has a choice of many. Why is this? This model for example looks good but isn't available in UK it seems:

www.amazon.com/Brother-CS6000I-60-Stitch-Computerized-Functions/dp/B000JQM1DE/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1237145510&sr=8-2

4. If I order a sewing machine from the US, what will I be liable to pay for import tax, customs, etc when I receive it in the UK?

Thanks!!

maninthestreet

A U.S sewing machine will be designed for 120V, not 230V.

Check out this link:


http://www.thesewingforum.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=81

Sarahjovi

It would depend on wether the person you are buying for is already a Sewer, or a beginner, and what they would be sewing, ie. dress making or Curtains and Upholstry. Some machines do loads of different stitches, which might not get used, some machines do embrodiery, 1 step button holes etc., If you can find out what features the recipiant needs it would also help you.

Could you go to a branch of John Lewis and talk to the sales assistants there. They should be fairly knowlegdable and point you in the right direction.

Have a look at Argos, perhaps not the better brands, but some are not bad for a beginner, or occassional sewer.

Good luck!

Sarah:D

jimmo

Nice idea in theory, but are you sure you want to do this?
The world of sewing machines has a language of its own with various types of stitches etc. My missus has got a sewing machine with all sorts of attachments and she‘s got another machine called an over locker. That uses 4 reels of cotton at the same time. Apparently its wonderful but I haven’t got a clue.
It might spoil any surprise you had planned but you would be much safer taking the person you want to buy for into town and getting her to chose one.

elliep_2

I will second Jimmo, There are so many choices that you might be better off asking the recipient to help choose.

If you really dont want to do that then Janome are a good make because they are fully metal bodied machines so you wont get the weakening with time that comes with a plastic bodied machine.
Saying that, the plastic bodied machines have metal strengthening, are usualy cheaper for the equivalent features, and will still last a very long time. It depends what your priorities are.
Feel free to ask more questions and Ill keep an eye on this thread to see if I can help any more.

littlesos

The machine you need will depend on what you want to do with it.

If you are just after something that will sew up hems/curtains/basic dressmaking stuff, then Janome are a good brand, as are Brother. I have both. Janome also make New Home machines, they are their basic/value range. My New Home was still going strong after 15 years, when I decided to upgrade.

I also have a brother embroidery machine, and a Toyota Overlocker. All are brilliant for the jobs they do.

I second visiting John Lewis, they will be able to show you the machines and their capabilities, then you can order online, although the prices won't be that different. You also might have a local sewing shop that will have machined and reconditioned ones, it might be worth popping into.

frogglet

I agree with what has been said, for a beginner an ordinary machine with zigzag stitch enables you to do a variety of things.
I bought a second hand lightweight Singer 30 years ago and it is still going strong .
I don't think I have ever needed any of the fancy things that some of them do, however an overlocker would have helped from time to time, but I couldn't justify the expense.

positivelymummy

i agree too that you would need to ask the recipient what they need from a sewing machine.
i have had toyota machine years ago and that was good, i got my current one from www.sewingmachinediscount.co.uk its the wimsew one for £95.00, and i use it all the time as i make bags, purses and do a lot of quilting too. for a cheap machine its really sturdy and accurate, no probs at all, easy to understand booklet, came with accessories, spare needles, bobbins, and they had tested all the stitches before sending too. good luck.

craftyfox

give dunelim mill a look they can talk you through the different machines and usually not a bad price

diable

Which part of London are you from then maybe we could point you in the right direction as we need to know what you need form a machine. Cheap machines are cheap and won't last a long time under heavy usage so let us know what you need.

londonman81

diable wrote: »

Which part of London are you from then maybe we could point you in the right direction as we need to know what you need form a machine. Cheap machines are cheap and won't last a long time under heavy usage so let us know what you need.

I'm in NW London.

The trouble I am finding right now is that there are too many sewing machines within my price range (100 to 200 max), and it is too difficult to differentiate between them.

In terms of reliability - does anyone know which brand is considered most reliable? Also does anyone know which brands to avoid?

Is anyone able to recommend a specific model which is reliable and doesn't have too many features?

Thanks!