The Sewing Room

PootleFlump_3

amanda_S_ wrote: »

Hi everyone,

I wonder if you could help me. My sister is turning 21 very soon and I want to get her a sewing machine as she wants to start making dresses and so on. Could I please have some advice on the best machine to buy for someone who has a small amount of experience on a sewing machine?

Also she was mentioning something about a machine with patterns already on...I am not sure what she means by this so if anyone could help decipher this I would really appreacite it.

I am looking for a good quality machine which will last. I really don't mind about price I just want to make sure she is happy.

Thank you all for your help!



Amanda

I think she is maybe talking about embroidery patterns. If thats the case then you should maybe look at an embroidery and sewing machine combined (I dont know anything about them so cant recommend anything Im afraid.)

If you are looking for a standard sewing machine I can highly recommend the one I have. Its a Brother Innovis 20.

If I were you I would definately try and get one with a front loading bobbin, automatic needle threader, free arm and one that allows you to lower the feed dogs.

What a lovely sister you are! :T

rufusdog52

Tamster150 wrote: »

I did a search in google IMAGES for "denim rag quilt" and found lots of links

I did see one on display at a craft fair, they had got a square of denim & a square of fleece. Sewn the squares together so all the raw edges were on the denim side (so the fleece side was just neat squares) Not sure if that makes sense?

I have too many unfinished quilts to be starting anymore - but they look really good!

I am collecting jeans for one of these too (actually I need to make 4!!). Do you mean they used the fleece for alternate squares?, would probs make the seams less thick so be able to sew easier.

[Deleted User]

amanda_S_ wrote: »

Hi everyone,

I wonder if you could help me. My sister is turning 21 very soon and I want to get her a sewing machine as she wants to start making dresses and so on. Could I please have some advice on the best machine to buy for someone who has a small amount of experience on a sewing machine?

Also she was mentioning something about a machine with patterns already on...I am not sure what she means by this so if anyone could help decipher this I would really appreacite it.

I am looking for a good quality machine which will last. I really don't mind about price I just want to make sure she is happy.

Thank you all for your help!



Amanda

There are a couple of sites that have guides to buying a machine which would give you information on the sort of things to look for in

http://www.johnlewis.com/magazine/feature.aspx?id=7

If you are near a John Lewis they do have all sorts of machines and I find that they are usually quite helpful

http://www.which.co.uk/home-and-garden/laundry-and-cleaning/guides/how-to-buy-a-sewing-machine/



Also this forum http://www.thesewingforum.co.uk/ has many postings about machines and sellers so could also be worth checking if you have a particular machine in mind


I think that your sister wwould like a machine with build in embroidery patterns which many machines have. More expensive machines are often better at sewing thicker fabric which is something to check before you buy a machine.

hart44

Hi everyone , Im back after a long absence (gosh it was way back in Oct since I last posted ). It is lovely to see new sewers and the good old ones still here

I have been sewing but time just has not been on my side.
I have been asked by work friends to do a stall in March so loads of things to do (my head is full of things I want to sew lol) I am taking a week off work at beginning of Feb so will get loads done then .
Ive just popped in to say I picked up a fantastic bargain from my local C.S. 20 yards of red and glold star fabric for £15.00.
I need to make a curtain for the front of a cupbord and I will make some bags with it too
Im now off to update my blog

Keiss_21

amanda_S_ wrote: »

Hi everyone,

I wonder if you could help me. My sister is turning 21 very soon and I want to get her a sewing machine as she wants to start making dresses and so on. Could I please have some advice on the best machine to buy for someone who has a small amount of experience on a sewing machine?

Also she was mentioning something about a machine with patterns already on...I am not sure what she means by this so if anyone could help decipher this I would really appreacite it.

I am looking for a good quality machine which will last. I really don't mind about price I just want to make sure she is happy.

Thank you all for your help!



Amanda

Hya Amanda, other folk will be along with more ideas...but try this site:

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

A few people here have got their machines from ths site...and if I ever win the Lottery, I'll be off there for a fancy new machine!!

As it is I have a Lewenstein I got in Holland in 1986 (a replacement for my Granny's 40 year-old Singer, (which my Sis-IL still has for the odd bit of sewing!). I have used mine a lot and it is still going strong...so I can't justify getting a fancier one...I'd love a computerised one...the possibilities are endless, as are the costs of the machines !!!

It is best to check with your sister what she means by pre-loaded pattern...it probably is a computerised embroidery one...that can get into high £££ territory though!! Might be an idea to get her to choose one, then she will love it forever. My parents got my sister a sewing machine for her 21st...but she didn't get on with it and had to get it changed....she does still have (and still uses) the replacement one though...27 years ago!! A good machine will last for years, so best ot get it right! You will get plenty of advice here to help you.

Sorry for the ramble...not feeling great, so here on MSE to distract me...it's working well!

hmo

i suppose it also depends on how much you want to pay.

i am not an expert but i would think a machine that sews and does embrodiery would be faily expensive.

i bought a new machine last year and love it its a Brother MS6NT its electronic so you dont have to use a foot pedal, if you dont want which i dont.

it has a stop and start button and a speed slider so you can go at what ever pace you like.

one thing i would say is a must is an automatic button hole which mine does in other words you put the button hole foot on, slide your button into a slot on the back and hit start and it makes the button hole the correct size every time.

alot of machines have whats called a 4 step button hole that is not as precise you have to do more phaffing with that kind.

also an autonmatic needle threader is a boom especially if you cannot thread a needle because of poor eyesight.

drop in bobbin also you dont have to do the wheel turning bit to pull thread though.

tyring to think of all the other features i love about my machine.

i am sure other people will have other thougts

Tamster150

rufusd!!!2 wrote: »

I am collecting jeans for one of these too (actually I need to make 4!!). Do you mean they used the fleece for alternate squares?, would probs make the seams less thick so be able to sew easier.

no it was double layer, so the fleece side looked like a normal patchwork blanket but the denim side was raggerdy.

Would probably be awkward to sew but then you wouldnt need any backing and it would be much softer & cozier than just denim.

shellysue

the denim raggy quilts are quite easy to do,
backing fabric of whatever choice, say fleece,
place denim on top, where you want denim raggy bits, could be all over if you wanted, or spaced out to leave fleece squares
sew in lines across the denim, then cut the denim between the sewing lines.
make sure you use a short stitch to sew with:T

rufusdog52

shellysue wrote: »

the denim raggy quilts are quite easy to do,
backing fabric of whatever choice, say fleece,
place denim on top, where you want denim raggy bits, could be all over if you wanted, or spaced out to leave fleece squares
sew in lines across the denim, then cut the denim between the sewing lines.
make sure you use a short stitch to sew with:T

Thanks for this shellysue, I think have got a picture in my head of what you mean. Sounds easier than trying to sew through four thickness of denim. I will look out for some cheap fleece blankets or see if I can find the fabric on sale somewhere cheap enough. i want to make a fleece hoody for my Grandson too so need quite a bit altogether but not all the same colours/patterns.

hart44

Hi everyone ,
Just popped in to say I would love a denim patchwork cover and show you the yellow and green pachwork quilt I started in September, I managed to finish it just before xmas it took me far longer than the others I have done as work keeps getting in the way of my sewing

Anyway it stared like this and now this is it on my bed

It was mostly made of sheets and duvets cut into 5'' squares that I have had lurking about the house for ages

I put a pale green binding around the edge