Cheapy sewing machines - any good ?

KingL

Hi all

I have never used a sewing machine in my life, but I have a couple of projects that need doing (replace worn out curtain linings and make some covers to protect the arms of sofas where people (tenants) rest their feet on them).

I figure it is cheaper to buy a sewing machine than to pay someone to do the work.

My question is, is buying a small cheapie (like this or this) a waste of time/money? I don't really want to get a full-size one for cost/storage reasons. These small ones look fine to me - I don't need a big "arch" as I will be sewing everything inside out. Mostly the fabric will be quite thin, (although one of the sofa-cover jobs might be in linen (thickness comparable with denim jeans)). I will probably only use it once every ten years!

I just wanted to check I wasn't totally wasting my money on a cheapy machine ....

thanks

teddysmum

I have a 30 year old Singer, which I paid £40 to have repaired, after three repair companies(who could have sold me a new one) told me that new models from the big names are no longer of such good quality , so it's best to keep an old machine going.


If new models from the well established are not very good, I imagine that cheap ones will be even worse.


Have you considered a fully serviced old model from a repair company ?

tooties

if your only planning on using it every 10 years or so then a tenners not a lot to waste on a small machine. Personally i would get a full size basic machine.

regards

jackyann

I have heard good things of them - mostly from students away from home who want to be able to do a bit of sewing, wit no room for a full size BUT the alarm bells ring for "thickness of denim".
The motor in such a machine is just not very powerful. I also think that as you are talking about "tenants" you may find yourself doing such jobs a few times, and then I'd agree with teddysmum.
Talking to a decent size local sewing shop will get you a good simple refurbished machine at a decent price - some of them are not very big either, so I would certainly go and talk to them before buying a "mini".
Sewing is one of those things where a lot of experience is found still "off line", and don't think that they will be trying to sell you something more expensive - they know very well that today's "mini" or "refurbished" buyer may become a long term customer.
If you do decide to give a mini a go, be very careful not to let the fabric drag on the machine - put it on a good size table.

FairyPrincessk

I think you'll struggle to sew more than two layers of anything thicker than a sheet with that. If you can't afford a simple, basic or refurbished model of a full sewing machine or can't store it then you probably are better off paying someone given the cost of replacement needles, thread etc.

pinkladyvenus

I started out with a similar machine to the one you mentioned in your post and found it a waste of time cotton kept snapping even though used suitable thread also found could not get a proper tension adjustment. Would get a full size machine which is what I did in the end. Try freecycle or similar.

theoretica

Depending on where you live it may be possible to hire a sewing machine - either to take home, or bring your cloth to it very cheaply.

gayleygoo

I can't see those machines being up to much of a job, or lasting very long. You'd be better off hand-sewing I think!

My machine is a Lidl "Silvercrest" machine that cost £65 or so. It has a large range of stitches and has stood up to making cloth nappies and repairing jeans, and is easy to use. Not easy to get when they're not instock though. Although if storage is an issue then again I'd probably just go with the hand sewing, or see if you can borrow a machine?

Pollycat

I too think that buying a small machine like those in your link would be a false economy.

Angelina-M

I have a bit of a sewing machine obsession. I have had from the top of the range Bernina that I wasn't keen on so sold it and bought a £5000 Husqvarna Viking. What do I sew on the most? My old Singer 201k that I paid £15 for at a car boot sale! I wouldn't touch those cheapy machines. I'm on forums and read about people having problems with tension, motor straining if you put two layers of anything under it. Why not ask on Freecycle for a vintage machine? Otherwise you can drop on one cheap as chips on ebay. Simple to thread up and usually made of metal so are real workhorses.