The Garden Fence - help and support in tough times

mardatha

Hester you need to do a Grand Tour! not entirely sure how yer goin to manage to reach the Forth & Clyde Canal but when you do I'll get up there to wave!

ivyleaf

Hester What lovely news I don't think you'll ever end up on our stretch of the Thames though, much too near the estuary,

nursemaggie Goodness, poor dog :eek: She must have been in agony.

silva Glad the funeral went as well as possible. What a long time to have to wait though, it must have been very hard for her family.


I am going to have to bite the bullet and get a new sewing machine. I used to sew a lot, then after I got M.E. I didn't do much because it was exhausting even thinking about leaning over the table to cut things out. I'd really like to get back into sewing again now I'm feeling better, but following my recent surgery I will not dare risk lifting my heavy machine on and off the table in future.
It's a high quality one - a Pfaff which was made in Germany before they moved production to Taiwan - but no longer suitable for me, not just because of its weight but also because I now need an LED sewing light and there isn't an LED bulb available for this one.
But I am at a bit of a loss where to start when it comes to choosing a new one. I need something a bit smaller and a lot lighter. I've looked at loads on the internet, to get an idea of what's available these days, but they all have pros and cons!

There's a shop I can go to at some distance which stocks 4 different brands, so I will see about going there is a few more weeks and try some out. And hope I fall in love with one that's in my price range

ETA In a few more weeks, even!

elona

ivyleaf

Sometimes Aldi and Lidl sell sewing or knitting machines so it might be worth looking on their website.

Hester

I doubt you could sail to Tadcaster but I would be happy to get the bus to Leeds or York to wave you on your happy way :j

ancientofdays

Ivy leaf, my mum got a sewing machine from
L*dL and that was quite light, lighter than mine whicH is a Frustrating and Rossman. Not frustrating Frister.

It does all the fancy things.

ivyleaf

Thanks ladies I'd really like another Pfaff if I can, but we'll see.

I have to buy it from a shop where I can look at one that's not in a box, because I need to be sure I can see the controls easily. Which in turn reminds me that I am going to have to get some new glasses this Spring (should have got some last year, but have an expensive prescription so decided to make do), so the sewing machine may have to wait in any case.

ETA Have had a look at Lidl and Aldi websites but no sewing studd atm. I'll keep an eye out though and when they come in I'll see if I can coax an assistant to get one out of its box for me

Floss

Ivy, John Lewis sell sewing machines too, if that helps.

I'm also the victim of a new optical prescription - am having my current frames reglazed as they were rather expensive! Will be getting some new prescription sunnies too, but need to have a look around for some nice frames first, and am also going to take advantage of the free contact lens trial too.

Just spent a happy 1h14m watching Sir Andy win another title in Dubai, now about to go & relax in a hot bath while DH watches his beloved LFC on TV.

nursemaggie

Ivyleaf I have one of those tiny ones. I have never used it. I'm sure I never will. You could have that. I know it will not be best for you but while you can't lift I am sure you could use it for simple jobs. I will PM you.

While I am giving something away I have something else. It was cheaper to buy a big set of pans than just one. I have 4 brand new stainless steel pans I don't need and don't don't have any where to put them.

Free Pans

1, frying pan with glass lid, 2, stewpot with glass lid just the right size for making lots of soup or batch cooking. 3, two 14in and 16 inch pans all but the frying pan has have caserole handles. The frying pan has the usual long handles.

karcher

Floss wrote: »

Ivy, John Lewis sell sewing machines too, if that helps.

I'm also the victim of a new optical prescription - am having my current frames reglazed as they were rather expensive! Will be getting some new prescription sunnies too, but need to have a look around for some nice frames first, and am also going to take advantage of the free contact lens trial too.

.

Hi Floss.

Would you mind telling me how you get on with prescription sunglasses? I always think they must be such a faff, sunny one minute, not the next or you go indoors and can no longer see with them on!! That's why I've avoided them as I would have to carry a clear pair with me as well.

Currently I have varifocals with reaction lenses but after a very recent eye test, the optician advised me a pair of prescription sunglasses may be a good idea as there is a history of macular (sp?) degeneration in the family.

Thanks in advance

Floss

Karcher, I've had a couple of pairs - initially for driving only, then with my first varifocal lenses. I've found them really good, DH has some too. I went reactolite last time but they're not as good for driving, and I didn't like the photos from DS2's wedding in September as the lenses were an off colour . It's a bit of a pain to carry them around at first, but it's less bother to change them than wait for reactolite lenses to go clear again when you go inside!

MMF007

Karcher, hope u don't mind me delurking, re prescription sunnies.
I have a pair in the car and they are very useful. If the weather is changeable I can quickly swap to my clear glasses because my sunnies are on strings so I just drop them down. No faffing to put them away. And they are there handy for when the sun comes back out

I finally caved in this year and took my prescription sunnies to the beach on my wintersun hols as well (usually make do with cheap sunnies but i missing too much nowadays!).

My biggest complaint is that I also benefit from reading glasses so that's 3 pairs to pack if going away!!

PS - I don't care if glasses on strings make me look old :rotfl: