First sewing machine -Toyota, Singer, Brother or Janome?

[gorehaginhellsbum]

Or is it all down to personal preference?

I have been investigating and heard that Janome are good, with Singer you are paying for the brand name, and nothing about Toyotas.

I have £100-150 possibly a tiny bit more to buy my first (and prob last) sewing machine.
Before I go into my local shop and get bamboozled by offers and sales talk I'd really like some honest opinions.
Will I get a decent one for that price? I'm only talking basic sewing and making stuff for home

[craftynclothy]

I absolutely love Janome machines. I have a general machine, a basic quilting one and an overlocker and they're all great.

What I would say is that it's generally down to personal preference but they are popular at the sewing group I go to. I do have another friend though that just doesn't get on with them.

Try them out for yourself and see how you feel.

If it's any use to you the things I find most useful are:
Speed limiter - this is great for doing accurate pivoting and stuff where I'd be tempted to go faster than I should
Needle Up/Down Button - again great for pivoting accurately and useful for quilting if you're thinking of trying that out at any time
Top Loading Bobbin - easy to see if your thread is getting low so you don't run out mid-sewing

I paid a bit more than that for mine but know plenty of people who have the more basic models and are very happy with them. Also bear in mind whether you can get a refubished model - the guy at the place I get mine from has been servicing Janome machines for years and I got a bargain quilting machine recently (£300 off the usual rrp) and it's in fab condition (just check what sort of warranty it has if you go down that route)

[gorehaginhellsbum]

There will be some ex-display and "reboxed" models - whatever they are ans so am not averse to buying one but as you say, I should check the warranty.
They will also price match anything else so will need to do my homework.

Thanks for the tips -
I was a completely obsessed with needlework at school and am so looking forward to reverting back to my spoddy self!

[BabsH]

I have two singer machines which I bought at shows so got some money off, both of which I love to bits and use a lot, my Mum has a Janome top of the range and she really likes them, so think it's really personal choice, I would definetly get the shop to let you use it and see which suits best.

Hope you have a great time with it once you get one :)

[tyler80]

I have a Brother BC2100 which at the time was about £180. I got it on the basis of a which article about best beginner sewing machines which recommended this or a Janome one, I don't remember which model.

I don't really have a lot to compare it with, but whilst being super simple I've not found it lacking in anything I'd need either.

[Littlewhitethings]

Janome, hands down. Work like a dream, rarely if ever go wrong, very well made. I had a Singer which I was never completely happy with, now have a Janome and it's fab. Get the best model you can afford, especially if you are planning on doing lots of sewing or bigger projects such as quilts or blinds. Drop-in bobbins and automatic needle threader features make the job sooooo much easier, so look out for these on a machine.

[bruffin]

John Lwewis own brand are made by Janome as well.

[BubbaAndBump]

Looking at putting one on my Christmas list - my mum has a Brother one which I borrow atm and it's great - but what is it about Janomes that make them so good? I use mine (my mum's) for silly little projects like making bags/blankets for the girls, bunting cushion covers, roman blinds etc - so quite basic stuff and realistically not going to get much more complicated than that (although may, in the future, venture into making skirts etc for the girls?) - so do I need something complicated?

[emptyshell]

I've got a Janome which is fantastic - and idiot-proof (almost)! Just reliable, don't jam, are easy enough to unjam when they do (it's rare) and, from the known destroyer of sewing machines (ask my A-level textiles teacher on that one) that's about as good as I can say about them.

Was a Christmas present a couple of years ago and I've had a good lot of use out of it since - trouble is now everyone in the family brings me everything that they ever need sewing... grrr.

[Littlewhitethings]

I think it's just that they are so reliable Bubba, and well made, and easy to use. I think the workings are high quality and the design is good. Other machines (I have found) are prone to getting tension problems, thread snaps, stitches skip etc, they need servicing and coaxing to work well whereas Janomes are elegant work horses

[RiojaLover75]

Janome owner here too . It's great beginners machine.

[hidinginthecupboard]

I have a Janome too - it was £99 on offer I think and am very happy with it (though I haven't tried to anything complicated with it yet!). I got it from my local sewing shop so I know where to take it if anything goes wrong with it.

[hazchem]

Just a quick vote for ELNA- mine was about 139 and s lovely. it's quite bsic but such a good little sewer

[gorehaginhellsbum]

I've just been to JOhn Lewis expecting to be able to sit and try them out but alas they've had a refurb and don't do the practice machines anymore.
My local shop has a sale on which ends at midnight tonight and then prices go up for Xmas and back down in Jan sales. I can't wait that long though.

The JL was pushing an Elna which I'd never heard of at £200 although she didn't seem too knowledgable.
bruffin And I did ask about JL/Janome and she just laughed and said it wouldn't suprise her!

Mr independent man was saying the Brother 6600 was the best value on the market and I think I trust his judgement as he wasn't pushing for a sale.

Maybe I'll try JL Oxford St too.

Thanks all and any further recommendation gratefully received.

[gorehaginhellsbum]

Bubbaandbump Try Coopers for a price match and a 30 day trial and 15 year guarantees n Brothers.
They have 1700 machines in their Swindon showroom if you are near there.

[BubbaAndBump]

I'm not near Swindon but thanks for the tips

(and apologies to gorehag for my blatant jumping on your bandthreadwagon!)

[MollieO]

Local John Lewis highly recommended Janome to a friend of mine as a good beginner's machine. I've got a Frister Rossman which is 25 years old and still going strong (don't think that make is around any more!).

[Piffpaffpoff]

I've got a Toyota. I'm a complete beginner and I find it really easy to use. I don't do anything too ambitious on it though so can't comment on any technical side of things! It was about £100 I think.

[Niecie]

I also have a Toyota which has been absolutely fine. It does about 10 different stitches, nothing fancy and it was pretty cheap. I got it via an advert in a magazine and there is usually one going cheap in one or other of the home magazines like Ideal Home or House Beautiful.

My patchwork and quilting tutor, when I did an evening class, swore by her Brother but she had an expensive one - I have to say she let us have a go one evening and it terrified me! She wasn't so keen on her Janome but it was a servicable machine and not so scary imo.

I suppose it depends on personal taste.

[gorehaginhellsbum]

The excitement overtook me and I bought one!

If I don't like the Brother XR6600 on trial I can exchange it for the Janome J324.

I have just read that Janome have bought Elna.

[gorehaginhellsbum]

You can still get Fristers at www.sewingmachinesdirect.co.uk

[gorehaginhellsbum]

20% off sewing machines in Sainsbo's at the mo too.

[tyler80]

Husqvarna seems to be a popular choice amongst people I know, but they look pricey to me. I think the fact that we have a Husqvarna shop in Nottingham explains the popularity.

Just looked up the which article

The Janome they recommended for beginners was a Janome Sewist 525s, the Janome J1012 scored well too and is a much cheaper machine.

[SylvanianFamily]

I bought myself a new Frister six months ago. I like it lots - me and Dd have had loads of fun makings things with it. it was recomended to me by the indi sewing machine shop in Roman Road. I was inclined to believe him, since he threw in a good warranty which he would be servicing himself! Not in his interest to see me again and again, ha ha.

[gorehaginhellsbum]

I'll keep those Janomes in mind if I don't get on with the Brother.
I just googled the J1012 and it says it can handle jeans which is good for that price I think (and what I want it for too).

[Flutterbye]

I've got the John Lewis Janome one for heavy weight material/high useage. V. Good so far.

I don't think you can get spares or repairs for Toyota machines, check with your local shop, but that's what I got told by mine a year or so ago.