The Sewing Room

twistedcandyfloss

Hey

I'm new to the forum but i've been lurking around for a while.

I was wondering if you guys would mind helping me?

I'm looking to purchase a sewing machine (from Tesco's with their double up vouchers) but I don't know which to get. I haven't used a sewing machine for about 8 years, so what would your advice be?

Oh I can't post a link to tescos

poppy-glos

hi twisted candy floss, if you go to a larger john lewis you can book an appointment for them to trial their machines for you, this will give you a chance to try their range (incl janome and singer i think) so you can sit down and trial some machines). I had a look on the tesco site and can't see any machines in common so maybe that isn't such a good suggestion...

I've read about paying £30 to return some machines when they need attention, so wherever you get it from i suggest you check who you take to (or if you have to pay for collection) should it need any attention. With john lewis, you deliver back to shop you got it from, and after the guarentee runs out they suggest a local chap to do servicing rather than paying to send it to the manufacturer.

i also found this which may be useful... http://www.which.co.uk/home-and-garden/laundry-and-cleaning/guides/how-to-buy-a-sewing-machine/what-to-look-for-in-a-sewing-machine/

pogie2

Hi guys
Im thinking of asking father christmas for some dressmaking scissors and pinking shears for christmas or possibly a rotary cutter what would you recommend or ot recommend any help would be appreciated so far i have been struggling trying to cut everything with paper scissors which i know is a huge sin.

little_sarah_2

Thank you all for your with choosing wadding, fabric etc. I've just made my first project using your advice, am feeling very proud of myself :j!

There's a picture on my blog if anyone's interested - Flickr is not working tonight!

pollyskettle

Hi all. Steep learning curve today. I made myself a top today from jersey for the first time and wow, that's a barrel of laughs to deal with from cutting right through to sewing, but I finished it and it looks great - I shall try and get a photo of it tomorrow. Planning on maybe using up some purple gingham I have around here somewhere to make a short sleeved shirt tomorrow - might sound a bit odd, but it'll look lovely under my new navy blue jumper and the fabric has been in my stash since time immemorial, so I may as well!

Off to bed now - hope everyone doing well!

Savvy_sewing

pogie2 wrote: »

Hi guys
Im thinking of asking father christmas for some dressmaking scissors and pinking shears for christmas or possibly a rotary cutter what would you recommend or ot recommend any help would be appreciated so far i have been struggling trying to cut everything with paper scissors which i know is a huge sin.

I have friskar orange handled scissors for my sewing, but I use my pinking shears more than anything else. My first pair are getting a bit blunt so I bought some new ones earlier this year on ebay for £8.99.
I have two rotary cutters, (well leant one set out), but I really struggle to get on with them. So after my course next week where they say take them, I will see if its me doing it wrong, or I just cannot get on with them.
I think becuase I dont cut out much thats straight lines is my problem. I dont have a dressmakers curve anymore. Too many house moves and things lost!

A gingam shirt sounds lovely.
I have a sleeveless lilac long line jumper and that sounds like something that would be a good idea.
Raids my stash again! But must make my saddle bag next. Only ordered it in the summer!! eek:eek:

avstar

LittleSarah your quilting is very neat - fab!

Pollyskettle - can't wait to see your top, I love jersey so much I'm thinking of getting an overlocker :eek:

jollymummy

Hi Folks
last year I bought some Christmas patchwork fabric kits based on a recommendation on here. They were gorgeous, I'd really like some more this year but can't find info of the company anywhere!!
So any ideas on where I coud get reasonably priced Christmas fabric from, online please.
many thanks
JM

annie-c

twistedcandyfloss wrote: »

Hey

I'm new to the forum but i've been lurking around for a while.

I was wondering if you guys would mind helping me?

I'm looking to purchase a sewing machine (from Tesco's with their double up vouchers) but I don't know which to get. I haven't used a sewing machine for about 8 years, so what would your advice be?

Oh I can't post a link to tescos

Presumably you are tied to buying at Tesco because you have available clubcard points? Could you post the make and model number of those you are interested in, along with the price range you can afford, and then we can have a look.

Also, can you tell us what it will be used for, eg light or heavy fabrics, quilting, dressmaking etc?

annie-c

pogie2 wrote: »

Hi guys
Im thinking of asking father christmas for some dressmaking scissors and pinking shears for christmas or possibly a rotary cutter what would you recommend or ot recommend any help would be appreciated so far i have been struggling trying to cut everything with paper scissors which i know is a huge sin.

Personally, I would say that a pair of dressmaking shears is your first priority, if you only have paper scissors right now. If you can get to a craft or haberdashery store (or a John Lewis habby dept), you should be able to get a decent mid-range pair for around £10. Fiskars is a good brand, but there are many others. If you use a bricks and mortar sewing/craft store it is likely they will have chosen their suppliers more carefully than a general store.

Poundland have rotary cutters in the DIY section at the moment. They are not made of very sturdy plastic and I am buying them just to take out the blades for my more expensive cutter, but if you can get hold of one, if would give you a feel for what they are like to use. I use a Fiskars ergonomic cutter from John Lewis (available widely elsewhere too) and it is very safe and comfortable to use.

With pinking shears I bought a cheaper pair and have never been happy with them. I will be taking my own advice and going to John Lewis for my next set.