The Sewing Room

winniepooh

How annoying........complain in writing

shiprob195

I've had to accept it, as the refund has gone into my bank.
I have ordered from them in the past, with no problems....
Needless to say, I won't be recommending them to anyone.

phoenixsmiles

I have just joined this forum and would like some advice about buying a sewing machine, Many years ago i had a bernina which I loved for making wall hangings mainly free machine embroidery or quilting. I have just returned from 10years vso in asia teaching sewing amongst other things and the machine choice is so confusing. Can anyone advice what is good machine. I am intermedite skills and want to create some fabric artwork to sell if possible. I think i can justify a sound investment to create a new self employed career.

Battleaxe44

I would make my choices between Janome Quilting Companion, Brother V Series and I have seen a new Pfaff with a larger throat if your a quilter.

I have both a Janome and a Brother, after seeing the Pfaff I am very interested in it.

I have just measured my Brother it has a very large throat, didn't realise this until now..DUHHHH.

I suppose it all depends on how much you want to spend on your machine.

phoenixsmiles

Thank you but I really wanted to stay with Bernina.just the choice so overwhelming. I have moved to a quiet village and have no access to dealerships except online . My old bernina was an aciva and computerized but i cant remeber which........definitely not the new embroidery types as i prefer free motion embroidery.

My budget under 1k including feet ie embroidery and quilting.
But i am flexible and open to researching any machines used by serious crafters out there.

Battleaxe44

Pheonixsmiles, I don't know where you live and like most of us have to travel to visit a dealer, In my case it is nearly a three hour trip up there. i also have another dealer closer to me about 25 miles, good for quick repairs but does not offer any classes.

I bought my big Brother embroidery machine on line from a dealer who has given me such good service so I don't mind the trip to see him and he makes sure he is in to fix the problem on the spot for me, I just phone him and make a time and date, so easy. I invariably end up spending more money in his shop.. the closer dealer is a very nice, but I do have to leave the other machine with him and have to wait about a week.

I got my Janome Quilters Companion for under £1000.00, this included the extension table, all the feet and a few other things thrown in.

My smaller Brother embroidery only machine cost £800.00 and had two of the bigger hoops in the deal I had to by the little 2 inch hoop and the mulri positional hoop as extras.

The Brother V3 cost me £1900.00 with an extra £900.00 editing programme thrown into the deal with all the hoops the machine needs.

Have a look at Lords Sewing Centre and see what they6 have regarding a quilting machine.

Oh my Janome has 60 inbuilt embroidery stitches. When I bought it, it had the invaluable walking foot included in the price.

I bet before long the other crafters will pop along with their recommendations.

shiprob195

After venting my anger on here about www.cheapfabrics.co.uk.
I went up town to Leicester market/John Lewis/Fenwicks ...on the hunt for alternative fabric. It didn't take me long to find the perfect fabric. £1 per metre from the Market:j
Off I went to the Button Boutique and chose a Simplicity pattern 2549 (half price at £4)... minutes later I was clutching a zip and thread. I couldn't wait to get home and make a start on the dress.

It took me 6 1/2 hours on Saturday afternoon to complete the dress. I even added a stiff lining to the skirt to make it "stick out" a bit.



All in all I think it came to £9.50.

I am very please with the result. And can't wait to wear it on Saturday for a Charity Cocktail Party :beer:

rufusdog52

Thats beautiful Shiprob. I can sometimes get cheap fabrics if we go into London which isnt that often these days but there is no where near me otherwise where I can buy it. I started making a dress the other day, tried the pattern on my dressmakers dummy first but it still came up a little bit tight and its buttons down the front so I have left it for now to see if I can lose another stone and it might fit me then, and I can finish it off. Dont fancy doing all those buttonholes if it isnt going to fit.

shiprob195

Rufusdog, I hate doing buttonholes. I made a shirt for myself a few weeks ago, and bought a pack of poppers instead. No sew, just a hammer and a block of wood to protect the dining table.

Battleaxe44

Lovely dress shiprob, the fabric looks very nice. Goes to show what you can find when you visit the markets. £9.50 is so well spent..