Follow the Yellow Brick Road 2023

SandyShores

I've been thinking about buying one for years now @Fortune_Smiles, and I've decided that the time is nearly here   

Fortune_Smiles

SandyShores said:

I've been thinking about buying one for years now @Fortune_Smiles, and I've decided that the time is nearly here   

I've just bought one SS and I love it 😁  Wish I'd bought one years ago.  Are you an experienced stitcher or a newbie like me?

Fortune x

SandyShores

I'm far from experienced but I've done a few basic alterations such as shortening hems esp. charity shop finds.  I've made about three blinds as well, far from perfect but its really enjoyable.  My machine was a budget one from Argos a long time ago and it doesn't have a very good finish.  Glad you love yours, which machine did you get @Fortune_Smiles?  I'm thinking of a Bernina or Singer,  hopefully not too expensive, but a bit more robust than the one I have now.

savingholmes

Great news on the sale and the planned use for the money.

SandyShores

Thanks @savingholmes, I've just donated some to charity, it feels only right to share.  But I've hopefully got another couple of things to sell as well.

Payday has come early this month, and I've managed to make a £1k overpayment today.  According to my mortgage account I owed £1015 less than I did yesterday.  Crikey that is a good saving.  The only thing is I remembered something about the bank might take less of a mortgage payment if I pay extra before payment day.  I'll keep an eye on that one as I may need to top it up - it should then recalculate the end date to September 2038 woohoo!  Getting closer to hitting the £100,000s on the mortgage part.  It great to see it come down.

Moneyfordreams

That's a great overpayment

savingholmes

Lovely OP.

KajiKita

Excellent OP 👏🎉🎊

KK

Fortune_Smiles

SandyShores said:

I'm far from experienced but I've done a few basic alterations such as shortening hems esp. charity shop finds.  I've made about three blinds as well, far from perfect but its really enjoyable.  My machine was a budget one from Argos a long time ago and it doesn't have a very good finish.  Glad you love yours, which machine did you get @Fortune_Smiles?  I'm thinking of a Bernina or Singer,  hopefully not too expensive, but a bit more robust than the one I have now.

I took advice from all the lovely ladies of the WI @SandyShores.  They recommended Janome.  I went for mechanical (electric) rather than electronic because the mechanical model had everything I needed, there's less to go wrong with them and they are more easily repaired.  Plus it was about £100 cheaper!  This is the one I got.  Not the cheapest but will take me from beginner to intermediate.  It's the updated version of the one they used on S£wing B££.  I bought from JL because I had some vouchers.  I'm really happy with it.

Sounds as though you are more experienced than me - I'm a complete novice 😊  I got this book for my birthday which has really helped - it covers everything 😁  You can get it on the Bay for about £5.

Fortune x

SandyShores

Thanks @Fortune_Smiles, that looks a great machine.  Mechanical suits me perfectly and thats a good price.  I should be able to afford that one and get my car serviced this month.  That book - it looks very similar to one I already have - I think its the earlier edition.  I'll have a look in the morning

edit - and if its good enough for sewingbee it will be good enough for me !

These are the two I've also been looking at:  https://singeroutlet.co.uk/products/singer-heavy-duty-4411-sewing-machine
and
https://singeroutlet.co.uk/products/bernette-by-bernina-b35-sewing-machine-3-dial-controls-drop-feed-for-free-motion-embroidery-auto-threader-sale-price-outlet-recommended-buy

Thanks Moneyfordreams, savingholmes and Kajikita

ps @Fortune_Smiles how did you show the URL as 'This' - this used to be an option on the old MSE but when I click the link button now there's nowhere to put the name?