What features do I need in a sewing machine? Can you recommend one please?

[Flossyfloof]

I can't really see myself making garments.
I am on a beginners sewing course and am really enjoying it. ( I used to make my own clothes but wanted a refresher really)
I think I will be making crafty things, bags, stuffed hanging hearts, strings of birds - nothing very complicated I don't think.
I might do a bit of quilting in the future, I don't know.
I have been told that you need a machine with an automatic buttonholer.
Anything else you would recommend?
Should it be computerised?
I am happy to spend around £300 or even a bit more but I think that going into the realms of £600-700 would be a bit ridiculous really.
If you can offer any advice I would really welcome it please.

I think it's a personal thing. I make quilts, cushions, curtains/blinds, make and repair clothes etc, and for all of that, and for all the years decades I've used it, I've only ever used the straight stitch, reverse, and zigzag stitches on my machine.
I've just bought a new one, again with minimal choice of stitching, and I have had a play with the button hole stitch, but that's about it.

So I would say think about what you want to make, if you want to decorate it with fancy machine stitching, or a bit of hand embroidery, and decide from there. If you're attending a beginners sewing class, then have a chat with the tutor - that's what they're there for.

My new one cost around £130 (I think), and it's a little smasher. Does what it says on the tin, has a really good tension to it (very important), Is NOT computerised, and am hoping it will last as long as my old one did.

Flossy, I have a Bernina 1008 which I love, I make everything from clothes to heavy canvas bags and camping gear. It sews anything from silk to leather, really well.

Not that I am suggesting that you spend £700 but ime you don't need a million stitches (that most people never use) or functions (likewise).

I prefer a metal bodied mechanical machine, bit of a traditionalist though tbh.

My mother, who "has given up sewing', after sewing all her life has one of these machines these days for the very little she does now.

It is a nice machine, capable and simple. Will go on forever I reckon

www.sewingmachines.co.uk/products/husqvarna-eden-rose-250m/177

I would go one step further and recommend a 1 step automatic buttonhole feature. You slip your button into the back of the buttonhole foot and that sets how big the buttonhole stitching has to be.

The alternative is a 4 step buttonhole. Personally I hated the machine that had that type, a real faff to use.

For £300 you will have a lot to choice from. A computerised machine is not necessary. I currently have a Brother Star 3 which is about 18 years old and still going strong.

Have a read of the www.sewingforum.co.uk for reviews and recommendations.

Thanks very much, am at sewing this morning so I will ask but I think their skills lie more with design and craft rather than machine expertise. I am tempted to buy a cheapest one but I don't want to find a year down the line that it doesn't do enough. Equally I don't feel like spending thousands on bells and whistles to find that I go off it!
I am the least creative person ever so I can't see me doing embroidery stitches unless the machine did it all for me.

We're looking for a decent sewing machine for DD and the one that a few people recommended was the Pfaff Passport which is around £350.

It would suit her because it's quite compact and lightweight so can be stored away easily between uses. It's apparently popular with people doing sewing classes who have to take their machines with them - is that the case for you?

Actually not, some people do but if you don't have one they will provide one, I have a Bernina which is pretty old abandoned very heavy and I am not sure how reliable it is, so I use one of theirs, they mostly have Janomes. I am off there in a minute, I will see what they say, thanks.

I would get your Bernina serviced Flossy tbh from what you say you are doing with it.

My mum donated her Bernina to me and it sits here as a spare because I already have one. She then decided that she needed a machine to do small alterations (is quite a skilled dressmaker/sewer, not a sewer though, someone who sews!) and bought the Eden Rose I linked to. She says it is not as solid as her Bernina but she can lift it .

Which one do you have? If you had it serviced it would probably go for almost as much as a new one on eBay - quite sought after.

Of course if you want a new, pretty and shiny one that is fine too .

Thanks everyone. I have been and gone and ordered one.
I saw one on Amazon, an ex demo model, Janome 500. Reduced to £200. I then looked at the shop's website and saw the they were selling the same model, same price, 5 year warranty for deposit plus interest free for a few months.
It is coming today! Whoopee!

Anyone want a Bernina?

It's here! It's here! Ordered about 1- ish yesterday and it was here by 9am. I am on my way out and can't try it until later but I am soooooo excited!

I love a Janome (have the DKS30). Have fun with it!

Hi Flossy, which exact model did you get and what was the website? Ps, how are you getting on with it?

Website was Gursewingmachines.com.

Model is Gur500. My sewing lady said to make sure it had an automatic buttonholed and I definitely wanted an automatic needle threader. I don't know what I do but I unthread all the time! So annoying!
It says it is good for patchwork, quilting etc so I thought for £199 it was fine for me.
Very light, easy to set up and take down.
I paid £140 then I think it is something like £14.99 for 4 months.
I wasn't looking for interest free but it was a bonus!

I was a bit disappointed yesterday when my zigzag looked more like blanket stitch but I gave found out that you need to alter the tension when doing zig zag so it is better now.

Thanks Flossy, so you are pleased overall? I am thinking I might take a sewing course first to see if I can get on with it, as I have never used a sewing machine in my life!

Yes but I really am no expert! The only thing I miss from my Mums old Pfaff is the thread cutter, I still go to use it even thought I haven't used the machine for 30 years!
Although as machines go it was not dear, I think a sewing course would be good, so that you can have a think about what you might want to make and if it would be worth it. I have learned a lot on my beginners course and am starting Improvers in January. My course was £80 for 6 lessons. Fabric not included except for the first class. She is happy for you to buy fabric from her or to bring your own. Apparently lots of classes insist you buy fabric from them. I have almost always bought from her as I haven't found the time to go fabric shopping, although for the final lesson we are making a bag and I did go elsewhere for that fabric because it isn't really the kind of weight she stocks much of.

Thanks for the advice Flossy, I really appreciate it. You got fantastic value for money for your course at £80! Where I live (London), a beginners course of 4x3 hour sessions is £180, and you have to bring your own fabric! John Lewis are doing some through a company called The Makery, you can get an intro 3 hour lesson - covers setting up the sewing machine and make a simple cushion cover for £40, I may start with that as £180 is a lot of money to find in one go before Christmas!

In an ideal world, I would like to:

• make my own curtains and roman blinds
• take up or mend a hem, ideally on jeans
• shorten a sleeve (I am very short!)
• make simple projects such as a zipped make up bag, cotton bag, simple toys, cushions.
• add linings to knitted or crochet projects - though I think that this may still have to be done by hand as it is very stretchy fabric.

TheFurryMenace

I take sewing courses in London for a lot less than £180 for 4 sessions and muslin material and some other supplies are provided.

PM for details if you are interested.