Buying a Sewing Machine

tawnyowls

**purpleprincess** wrote:

Are sewing machines easy to use (thread etc)? I haven't used one in about 8+ years!! And they were always threaded for us!!

Yes, they are. I bought mine from Aldi for 40 quid, on the grounds that if I never used it, it hadn't cost much. I had horrible memories of sewing class in school - I simply hated it and I just couldn't ever thread the needle, so I approached this with much trepidation. I don't know whether this machine really is easier, or I was under no pressure and could take my time, but it was a doddle - I just followed the diagrams in the book. I also remembered seams going all over the place and never getting a straight line, but I did a few practices on the sample cloth they provided and it seemed OK, so I sewed up a duvet cover that had been ripped, and the line was nearly as straight as the original sewing. Phobia cured, and I'm now happy to do any sort of mending with it - still haven't actually made anything from scratch, though.

tootles_2

If you are wanting to sew a stretchy fabric (jersey) you need a machine with the triple stretch sitch on it as well as a ball point needle, the TSS stretches with the fabric and will not break as a normal stitch will do when put under tension.....basic machines unless they are just straight and zigzag stich should have this stitch on. On the daigramm it looks like a zigzag stitch bit has broken lines, its sometimes called stretch stitch, its for knitted fabrics, which jersey is rather than woven fabrics i.e. cotton polycotton etc.

hobbesy_2

Please no-one shoot me down. But I honestly have neither the space nor pennies for a basic full-size machine, and have a mum and sis-in law both very adept with their own machine for big jobs. I have always wanted to do more little bits and pieces round the house tho and love crafty type things so keep pondering on one of these little compact things they bring out, such as the new JML one.

Would I regret getting one? And if there's anyone who doesn't think i'm mad, any recommendations? If I suddenly take off as seamstress extraordinaire I'm sure i would find the space and money but cannot justify it right now

Keri -x-

jessicamb

hobbesy wrote:

Please no-one shoot me down. But I honestly have neither the space nor pennies for a basic full-size machine, and have a mum and sis-in law both very adept with their own machine for big jobs. I have always wanted to do more little bits and pieces round the house tho and love crafty type things so keep pondering on one of these little compact things they bring out, such as the new JML one.

Would I regret getting one? And if there's anyone who doesn't think i'm mad, any recommendations? If I suddenly take off as seamstress extraordinaire I'm sure i would find the space and money but cannot justify it right now

Keri -x-

I've got the little JML one. I've not got another machine but I would recommend that if you can afford a little more then get a bigger machine - I dont think the JML is very good for anything other than the most basic job.

susank

Purple princess - they are easy to thread and mine even threads the needle for me - wonderful - It means I dont need to find my glasses to thread it!!