I need some advice please

[Pagan]

My daughter (20 year old) wants a sewing machine for Christmas. I can barely sew a button on, so anything more complicated than that is completely beyond me. I'm looking for some recommendations for a good, basic machine that's not too complicated or expensive. She's looking at making some of her own costumes for work (she's an actress).

thanks in advance.

[Caroleecrafts]

I use a Janome 9000 but also have a Janome Jem which I use for freehand embroidery and basic stitches. The Jem is portable and easy to use so can be taken to fairs etc. Your best bet would be to go to a shop that stocks sewing machines and see what you think is the best buy. The can be expensive.

[Recycled Bag Lady]

This website is highly recommended!
http://www.sewingmachines.co.uk/janome_sew.htm
Some very good offers, particularly on the Janomes, and delivery is superfast. I particularly like the MC4800 - lots of extras, well worth the £399 price tag!

[craftynclothy]

Another vote for Janome here too. I have the Janome 8077. I bought mine locally (got a trade in on a cheap crappy one I bought) and got loads of advice about all the machines so could pick the most suitable one for me.

[goldy1]

As a first time sewer maybe a cheaper machine would do the trick till she decides if she likes it or not. Carboots usauly have one or two machines for next to nothig. I prefer the old metal cased ones, Built to last.
If she is going to sew costumes she will probabley sewing a variety of fabrics. I don't thiink the newer machines can cope with some of the thicker stuff my ancient tredal singer can go through anything.

I also have a 21 stich machine I bought to make my wedding dress. Cost me £150 (15 yeears ago.) I haven't used half the stiches on it, I much prefer my treadle for straight stiches and I would love my mums 1970's jones it sews so well.

Take her to a sewing machine dealers they will demonstrate the machines for her so she can see what they can do. Don't go for all the whistles and bells she probably won't use them.

[Pagan]

Thank you all for your comments - like I said, I wouldn't even know where to start lol.

[matt.chatterley]

As a slight side-track, we have a Mini-Stitch (http://www.inspector-gadget.co.uk/blog_6.shtml), which while probably not appropriate for even moderate use, is a great first machine (got it for the OH, who can't really sew, but keeps meaning to learn - I'm a bit fed up of fixing her clothes!).

We paid about 14.99 for ours - so maybe this is an initial option for you - even if it gets used twice then sold on at a boot sale! Might give your daughter a chance to try her hand at a few things before anyone spends loads of money on a "proper" machine!

[Just Original]

I bought one form Netto for £50 and it was fine to do the basics to get me started, keep an eye in local press for when there are in next!

[buffybaskey]

I bought one form Netto for £50 and it was fine to do the basics to get me started, keep an eye in local press for when there are in next!


they also had one in not long ago for 20 quid i think for a starter it looked fab, ive got an elna which although small is fab and a pfaff for more heavy duty jobs, i also have a singer 740 which i got for 2 quid at a car boot but unfortunaly i think was a bit wet and the motor went bang http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/29/29_1_3.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNman000)





http://www.smileycentral.com/sig.jsp?pc=ZSzeb098&pp=ZNman000 (http://smiley.smileycentral.com/download/index.jhtml?partner=ZSzeb098_ZNman000&utm_id=7926)

[ladyrat]

I have seen some good basic machines in Tesco Extra at around the £100 mark (sometimes they have an offer on)

[pollyanna-patchwork]

I would recommend that if you can, you let her try a few machines first. A good sewing machine shop will let you "play" with the machines to find the right one for you. I bought mine from Jaycotts and they offered me unlimited training with it to be sure that I got the most from it.

But to begin with I used my mum's old frister and rossman (it was ancient) until I was sure that I was going to stick with my latest fad.

After that, I bought the most expensive machine I could afford (Janome MC9500) with all sorts of bells and whistles. I figured that it would probably be the only machine I would buy so I would get the best. My only complaint about it is that as it is a combination machine (it does computerised embroidery and sewing) you can only do one thing at a time. Looking at it now, I would have been better off buying a good sewing only machine and then buying a dedicated embroidery machine so at least I could do both at the same time.

That was my experience anyway for what it is worth. Hope you get what you are looking for and your daughter has fun!

Happy Shopping & Sewing!

Alison

[purplemac]

I've heard good things about the cheapo ones in Lidl. Mum's in the playground have bought them for basic stuff and have raved about them! They cost about 30 quid.

I bought my Necchi 681 cheap on a website, £170 (or there abouts!) and I love it to bits!

Debbie

[sharon]

I can recommend Elna (Swiss made therefore utterly reliable), no servicing or oiling required - John Lewis stock them.

I got mine when I went into professional soft furnishings & it coped with everything.

Sharon

[Critchley]

I have a Brother, cost less than £100 new. Make my quilts on it - does me fine. I don't want any fancy stiching.
I think you have to decide in the first place whether you want a second hand good one or a cheap new one. But I definately agree with everyone else, a few days round the sewing machine shops trying them all out is the way to go.

[Aviya Glass]

Most of what needs saying has been said :D but I will add my tuppence anyways. Your daughter needs to identify what costumes she would be aiming to make. Lots of elasticated items? Thick material? Silky material which is tricky on tension. All have their own requirements.

It would be far better to spend extra money on a robust machine that will cope with those requirements than one with all sorts of functions and stitches she wont use.

I advise making sure it has a good button hole function, nothing worse than well made garment with rubbish button holes!

I haven't used my machines for ages but I have an Elna sewing machine and a Toyota overlocker, both well loved and well used. :)

That said, I saw a nice little basic machine for about £70 in Woolworths that showed potential as a started machine.

[silvermaid]

I have a Toyota - an RS2000 I think. It's really easy to use I have made lots of bags since I had it and no problems. My mum bought one of the £30 one's in Lidl's and it almost the same. She used to do a lot of sewing with Singer machines but when the last one broke she decided that she would just get a cheap one as she doesn't do much sewing now, and she's really pleased with it.
I also have a 4 thread overlocker which is great for doing really neat seams but you can't do any straight sewing with them so you need both.

Melanie

[purplemac]

Oh, I've just thought, if you do get her one, stock up on all the different needles. She might not want them at first but there's nothing that drives me up the wall more than trying to sew stretchy fabric with the wrong needle! A pack of different sizes, 1 stretch, 1 jeans will start her off nicely!

Debbie

[Alexis]

I have an Elna (which is fab but far too many stitch patterns), a Singer and a very old Bernina. I got the Elna from Jaycots - someone mentioned them earlier? Very helpful, very fast delivery(next day) would definately recommend them.
If your daughter is committed to sewing costumes etc then I would splash out and get a Bernina. They last for years and years, metal casing etc and second hand they still comand a good price. I drool over them-they are the machine i learnt on at Uni and they hold a very special place in my heart!
happy hunting
Alexis

[Akeelalbasri]

We are using a company named JBsewing machines Manchester, and they have exelent machines if you visit our website will find our products been made by the machines of JBsewing.
Regards
Akeel

[Pagan]

huge apologies to all of you who answered me, I completely forgot to come back again. We ended up getting her the Janome 8077 and she's delighted with it........once again, many, many thanks to all your comments and advice :D

[loula_]

Mines a toyota all-in-one sewing machine... it does pretty much everything! I think mine was about £200 when i got it about 3 years ago, but im sure it would have gone down in price by now!
It's never broken or anything... very reliable and easy to use :)