Which sewing machine and why?

January20

After spending a good part of my afternoon getting very stressed with my very old (25+ yo) sewing machine, I have decided that it may be a good idea to look for a new one. I had entertained the idea of getting it repaired if possible but I could do with a less basic piece of equipment.

I use my sewing machine for mending and making clothes and household items such as curtains. I also use it for patchwork sometimes although the last one I did, I completed by hand. I can't deny that I am limited by the machine I have at the moment.

I've started some research but would like some opinions/ recommendations, etc. I haven't set myself a budget yet, but I don't thing I would spend over £250-300.
Thanks

susan42

I know very little about sewing machines but when I wanted one I asked the girls on the sewing thread and they were ace. they really helped me and I ended up with one that was £129 .

I told them what I wanted to do with it and they made suggestions . they a great gang of guys and girls

Hermia

I have one of the Janome QC machines which I love and adore. I think it cost £320 and the company I bought if from had a special offer on and I got a lot of free stuff with it. I think it's just a question of working out what you need from a machine. My machine had slightly more features than I needed when I bought it, but I knew I was going to advance in my quilting so I wanted a machine that had some advanced features.

January20

Thanks to both of you. I'm a bit like you Hermia, I know I want to advance in my quilting and really have my sewing as a proper past time, not something I do when I can be bothered to fight with my machine!!

Susan, I'll put a post on the sewing thread. Thanks! There are so many models! Choosing and buying a car would be easier lol!

MichH

Hi January,

I have a Janome that I bought from these guys, after lots of deliberation and discussions about different machines:

http://www.direct-sewingmachines.co.uk/

They are extremely helpful and I cannot recommend them highly enough!

flowerofscotland

This Which guide is quite helpful but the best advice I can give is to visit a sewing machine shop where you will get advice and be able to try out different machines.
I would also recommend buying a brand such as Brother, Janome, Toyota, Bernina, Pfaff etc as it is easier to get addtional accessories or spares for these and also easier to trade up if you get to the stage where you know you want and can justify the expense of a better machine.
I quite agree it is not easy deciding what to buy as mchines can cost anything from £50 to £5000

sethsgran

Mine is a Janome, bought it last year. I love it. It was around £600 so out of price range but just wanted to say how great Janome are

psychopathbabble

I've just been given a Singer Confidence 7463 for my birthday, it's around £200 which was more than we wanted to spend, but it was visibly better than the others on offer in the place we got it from.

I'm only just starting out so don't know what I want from a sewing machine, but it seems to do nearly anything you would want from it.

January20

Thank you all very much for taking the time to reply to me! It's very useful!

PootleFlump_3

Im not sure if you have bought one yet but I have a Brother Innovis LE 20 which I absolutely love. Its really easy to use (computerised), has an automatic needle threader (not essential but handy), you can lower the feed dogs (great if you decide to quilt), has a free arm (in my opinion a must), top loading bobbing (very easy). I was £299 for mine. x

http://www.brothersewingmachines.gur.co.uk/brother_innov_is_nv20le-5467

January20

No, I haven't bought one yet. I want to do quite a bit of research first and I have been so busy at work I haven't had a chance. I will go and have a look at yours now! Thanks for the link!