Crafty Threads 'n' Yarns

pictish · Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2009 10:39 am Post subject: Sewing machine recommendations

I am wondering about maybe getting a new sewing machine possibly for Christmas. I have a really old (about 30 years old) one but haven't used it for ages as my mum 'borrowed' it about 25 years ago and I only recently got it back Laughing

I'm concerned it might be rusted or whatever Confused

I really just need a basic one I think and have been looking at some in Dunelm for about £100 or a bit less. But have also seen someone using a machine on a blog to do incredible embroidery (see on this blog here - scroll down to the towels ) and am a bit intrigued with that and wondering if you can get ones that link to your computer to pick up images or whether they have quite sophisticated chips or something built in these days to do more complicated stitching.

Any advice appreciated Wink

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Ali xxx

knittingnanny · Joined: 16 Oct 2007 Posts: 969 Location: Glasgow

I've just got a new Necchi one from Argos for around that price, Ali and it has 22 embroidery stitches built in, but nothing like the towels Shocked

I have to admit that I haven't unpacked all the bits or read the manual yet - but it's got to be better than my old one!!

John Lewis in Glasgow have a range of machines that do emroidery like that - I think there's lots built in, but also PC linkable.
Some are 600 - 800 though Shocked

I'll just be happy to be able to use mine, when it eventually is set up Embarassed

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pictish · Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2009 12:35 pm Post subject:

Oh my goodness Linda ROFL

That's not likely then!!! I would probably never use that bit I just thought it was amazing - I had no idea you could do that with a machine - I actually really just want it for simple clothes, bags, cushions, curtains etc so yours sounds just what I need. I'll take a look at the Argos site too thanks Razz

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Ali xxx

cazzie · Joined: 27 Dec 2006 Posts: 4792 Location: Northants

I think if you go to John Lewis - they will let you have a go on their machines and give you a bit of a tutorial Very Happy

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Cazzie

Sprite64 · Joined: 28 Dec 2006 Posts: 2879

Some of the machines are amazing eh! I'd love a really fancy one with all the cool embroidery - just because it's so cool!

My OH bought me a Janome 525s a few years ago and I've been really pleased with it. It's a very good machine - does automatic button holes and it's got quite a few different stitches too. I'm lucky enough to have an overlocker too which my Dad bought me for Xmas a couple of years ago. That's a Bernina - they seem really good quality too. I'm hoping to sort out a better set up for my sewing stuff soon as it's all packed away in cupboards so I don't tend to get it out so much - and I really want to do more sewing.
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Sharon

pictish · Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2009 2:05 pm Post subject:

Thanks!!!

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Ali xxx

melody yarns · Site Admin Joined: 03 Nov 2006 Posts: 8688 Location: UK

Well I've got a Singer that I would say is a mid range machine in that it does straight stitch, automatic buttonholes (I wouldn't be without that for making wearables tbh) and some fancy stitches. Mine doesn't do embroidery but mum has one that does and it does all sorts of fancy stuff. She hasn't used the embroidery function in ages though, but used it a LOT when the boys were nippers.
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Ravelry name ~ melodyyarns
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pictish · Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2009 3:29 pm Post subject:

My mum used to have one of those really old black & gold Singers Debs probably 1950s or earlier Laughing

- lasted absolutely ages. I think the one I saw in Dunelm might have been a Singer too.

Ta!!
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Ali xxx

melody yarns · Site Admin Joined: 03 Nov 2006 Posts: 8688 Location: UK

Mum's current machine is a Janome Ali Very Happy

I had her old Singer when I was 21 and it was still in perfect condition when I had this current machine of mine. I almost wish I'd never got the new machine Sad

as the old one was far better! I gave the old Singer to John's mum who used it for a while but sent it back when she downsized into a bungalow, and then one of mum's neighbours bought the old Singer for £50 several years ago. It was still working then too Very Happy

and had a lovely walnut cabinet that it slid into when it wasn't in use.

Sometimes we regret having new things in favour of old don't we?? Sad

I know I do with this Sad

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Melody's blog
Ravelry name ~ melodyyarns
22 out of 24 completed in 2009 - only 3 to go!

pictish · Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2009 3:46 pm Post subject:

Oh I know!!! Mum's folded into a beautiful cabinet too and you pressed a lever with your knee to sew - my gran had one of the old treadle ones when I was little Laughing

These older machines were really built to last Confused

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Ali xxx