Sewing Machine

tarotangel

Not 100% sure if this is OS or not.

Thinking about getting a sewing machine. I already darn socks etc but was wondering if it would be worth looking at a sewing machine for mending denim, doing hems etc. My hands can lose strength at times so not always able to physically push the needle through the material.

Was also thinking of picking up materials from charity shops/jumble sales and maybe trying to make clothes for myself from them.

What's folks views?

sairy2010

Couldnt manage without my sewing machine. (I haved two) I use them to alter charity shop and car boot finds which are too big. I also buy fabric from charity shops and car boots (sometimes clothes just for the fabric).
Last year I saw a lovely scarf at a craft fair which I couldnt afford. The next day I saw a jump suit at a car boot in an almost identical fabric. I cut off the legs and sewed the two together. It looks great and I have had many people admire it.
I am currently making a sort of large place mat out of patchwork to go over my conservatory table so it doesnt get scorched in the summer!.
I used to sell sewing machines and I always advised people to go for the best most basic model they could afford if they wern't good at sewing. Buying a machine wont make you a great sewer. Practice will.
I also make some of my own clothes but not often as you can buy clothes so cheap now I find it best to mend my own stuff and alter cheap clothes buy if necessay.

tarotangel

Thank you, going to have a trawl through the sales and see if I can find one.

gibson123

As above, I often alter, remake or upcycle clothes, google these words and you will get lots of great ideas.

Jo_anne_2

It's best if you can try out a machine before you buy, to see how you get on with it. Or if you are not able to do this, look at online reviews. The very cheap machines may cause you more problems than they are worth and put you off sewing for life so go for a known make. The Sewing Forum (http://www.thesewingforum.co.uk/index.php ) has a lot of advice for newcomers to sewing on buying a machine.