The Sewing Annexe

mrbrightside842

Oh this one looks even better, if the brand is good? http://www.sewingmachines.co.uk/SMD761_info.htm

newleaf

I would encourage you to have a chat with Russell or one of his employees. Tell him what you want your machine for and your budget and he will advise accordingly, and you can be sure you won't be sold a dud. It's Freephone, so you've nothing to lose. He will be able to tell you what company has made those SMD machines, I don't know myself.

Janome machines seem to be very good.
This is the one I got - http://www.sewingmachines.co.uk/JanomeSMD3000_info.htm and it's marvellous, although I realise it might be too much money for a first machine, it's my replacement for the old Singer machine I got when I was 21!
There's this one, which is nearer to your original budget - http://www.sewingmachines.co.uk/JanomeSMD500_info.htm I believe the 'SMD Janome' machines are models which have been discontinued by Janome and re-badged for sale by SMD, but Russell will tell you what's what.

newleaf

mrbrightside842 wrote: »

Oh this one looks even better, if the brand is good? http://www.sewingmachines.co.uk/SMD761_info.htm

This one does look like a very good buy to me.

miffy257

Hi there Janomes are fab machines. Have just bought a 6260Quilter's companion and I love it. Lots of schools and clubs use Janomes.
Happy Sewing all

mrbrightside842

Thanks, I'm so excited to get one but I don't want to jump in and regret it! Have emailed them to see what they recommend.

Georgiegirl2012

jpscloud wrote: »

Glad you had a good time miffy! I will keep an eye out for quilt shows/exhibitions/fairs near me. Although I can't afford fabrics! Do you buy 100% cotton? I have a few bits of fabric that are polycotton, 50/50 - part of me wants to be a purist but part of me is too thrifty to avoid using them with cotton!

My take on this would be consistent. If you want to use polycotton, then make sure all fabrics are polycotton and the same weight, certainly to start with, and polyester thread.

If you use cotton fabric, then use it throughout with cotton thread.

There are some fabulous quilts out there which use a mixture of cotton, velvet, cordurouy, silk etc, and embroidered as well but unlikely to be made as a first piece, unless of course you are doing it as part of an art degree.

Quilting was originally all about being thrifty and using the fabrics you had, and in the pioneer days they would not have had manmade fibres. If they did, I'm sure they would have used them as well.

newleaf

mrbrightside842 wrote: »

Thanks, I'm so excited to get one but I don't want to jump in and regret it! Have emailed them to see what they recommend.

I hope you got some useful advice to help you make a decision, and I'm dying to know what you chose in the end?

mrbrightside842

mrbrightside842 wrote: »

Oh this one looks even better, if the brand is good? http://www.sewingmachines.co.uk/SMD761_info.htm

newleaf wrote: »

I hope you got some useful advice to help you make a decision, and I'm dying to know what you chose in the end?

Yes, they were great when they emailed back, thanks! I went with the SMD one. It arrives tomorrow, very excited! I'm trying to get some fabric to sew with, but finding it really expensive. Are there any decent places to look for fabrics on?

joedenise

I find a very good source of material is charity shops. I tend to buy curtains, bedding etc and then either use them as intended or cut up to make dresses, skirts, tops etc depending on fabric.

Denise

newleaf

Pleased you got sorted out, happy sewing!
Here are a few favourite links for fabrics.
http://www.cheapfabrics.co.uk/thestore/index.php
http://www.croftmill.co.uk/
http://www.myfabrics.co.uk/
http://www.remnanthouse.co.uk/index.php
I've used all of these for various types of fabric and they are all reliable with good quick service.
Also recommend you joinn the sewing forum if you have time, lots of experienced sewists to get advice and help from, and they are very friendly.
http://www.thesewingforum.co.uk/index.php