The Sewing Room

rosalie-lavender

I am not familiar with what a level 1 or level 2 dressmaking course would cover so I think you would need to ask about course content to make sure it is relevent to you. I think I would be inclined to get the machine, learn the basics and get used to it and then do a course after that. I would think you would get more out of the course that way.

Perhaps you could also get some books from the library and then buy any that you find particularly helpful.

trixietoes

babyboysmommy wrote: »

Thank you. I'm fairly sure the Janome is the machine for me.

I've been looking for classes. My local Adult Education centre does a dressmaking level 1 & 2 course, is it worth taking something like that? My mum can teach me the basics but I can't help but wonder if I'd benefit from taking a class as well. Or can I learn as easily from books/web sites? I want to use it for craft type things, doll making & fancy dress costumes for DS. Many thanks

I have bought .. just 1 week ago the Janome DM2000 a bit cheaper than the one you mentioned.

IT IS GREAT! I LOVE it!

I made a list of things I wanted from a machine - top loading bobbin as they are supposed to be quieter (it is quieter than my last front loader), 1 step button holes, needle threader (my new fav thing on it) and adjustible foot pressure, and this came out on top re price and functionality etc

I bought it from the same place you mentioned and they are wonderful. I ordered in Monday morning and it was with me in Poland by Thursday morning!!

(the free gift is great too)

23rdspiral

humph, not really done any crafting today. Other half has man flu, and i went to the shops for goceries, accidentially via a nice friendly new craft shop in my little town...
and i only bought a set of emroidery bobbins for 1.50p. I'd not seen them before (other than last weekend on my first visit there, and i've been obsessing over them ever since! ). They are plastic with a hole in them, and they came with a large metal ring they can dangle from - so no more knotted embroidery threads for me! woop! oh, the small pleasures in life! :rotfl:

Margaret54

Hi everyone:) just on to say that i was looking for my dressmaking scissors and in same box i found a book i had bought a while ago from Banana Books fr only £2.50 I had forgotton all about it and am so pleased to find it. It is called learn to SEW and it is by Chris Jeffreys. It is a beginner's guide with step by step techniques and 14 easy projects. The price says £12.99 on the inside but it was only £2.50 when I bought it, so not sure if they still have it in stock. It is brand new as well. It will be ideal for those like me who are only learning. Thought some of you might be interested in it.:)

danables

flossie217 wrote: »

Each arm is made using 2 pieces of fabric, so -
If you double the material then you will need to draw around your template twice. This will give you 2 arms each comprising of 2 pieces of fabric.
If you don't double the fabric then you will need to cut 4 arm pieces and then put two pieces together to form one arm, and the same with the remaining two pieces for the second arm.

It took me a while to work that out when I made my bunny from the Springtime book. Hope we get a piccie when shes finished.

ah I see so its just if you choose not to double up on the fabric, I thought that might be the case-thankyou flossie - yes i will definitely post it up once Iv finished it x

flossie217

babyboysmommy wrote: »

I went to the sewing machine shop today. They were really helpful. At the moment my I'm swaying towards this one although it's more than I was planning on spending

http://www.sewingmachines.co.uk/Janome525_info.htm

This machine was recommended to me as a good, solid, ideal beginners model by a member of the sewing forum. She is a school teacher and said that this machine takes anything the students throw at it. I think it won 'best buy' in Which 2009.
I didn't buy it as I was lucky in finding a little extra and going for a different Janome machine but if I hadn't found the difference I would have chosen this one .

Have a look at this one and compare the two. http://www.sewingmachines.co.uk/JanomeDM2000_info.htm If your local shop hasn't got one in store for you to look at but you decide it might be just as good he will probably order one for you.

Sunshine12

I bought my machine late this afternoon (Rosalie lavendar thanks for your feedback.) Previously had my head stuck on a Janome but the one i got is fantastic. It practically does everything for you and is soooo easy to use. I love the fact its computerised with stitch settings, stitch lengths and tells you which foot to use for each stitch setting etc. Also got extras plus one hour free one to one tuition with it so sure that as well as my night classes will help me loads as Im pretty clueless at the moment. Cant wait to get started!! Thanks again Rosalie. Much appreciated.

babyboysmommy

Sunshine12 wrote: »

I bought my machine late this afternoon (Rosalie lavendar thanks for your feedback.) Previously had my head stuck on a Janome but the one i got is fantastic. It practically does everything for you and is soooo easy to use. I love the fact its computerised with stitch settings, stitch lengths and tells you which foot to use for each stitch setting etc. Also got extras plus one hour free one to one tuition with it so sure that as well as my night classes will help me loads as Im pretty clueless at the moment. Cant wait to get started!! Thanks again Rosalie. Much appreciated.

Which one did you get?

Sunshine12

babyboysmommy wrote: »

Which one did you get?

I got this one.

I had a go with it yesterday and i was shocked at how easy to use it is. Im a total beginner but was using it within 10 minutes of taking it out the box. Have you decided what you going for yet?

babyboysmommy

Sunshine12 wrote: »

I got this one.

I had a go with it yesterday and i was shocked at how easy to use it is. Im a total beginner but was using it within 10 minutes of taking it out the box. Have you decided what you going for yet?

Looks like a fab machine!

I'm 99% sure I'm going for the Janome 525, I've heard lots of good things about it. Apparently it's out of stock though as it's selling really well after winning the Which 2009 top award. I'll find out more after half term. I'm trying to get a cross stitch done finished for a present so have enough to keep me busy at the moment.