Those of you that sew

[whatsallthehullaballoo]

Is it easy to use a sewing machine? I tend to hand sew but it is not as professional looking and dreadfully slow so am thinking of getting a sewing machine. Are they easy to get the hang of and to set up etc??

Any suggestions for a first timer?

[seaweedhead]

Yes very easy once you get the hang of it, especially if its just sewing in straight lines; zips and button holes are a bit tricky though. Gets a bit frustrating if there's a problem with your machine- mine sometimes has a habit of snagging, trying to eat the fabric etc. Most problems are to do with the wrong tension so its advisable to do a test run on a scrap of fabric until you're sure you've got it right.

[whatsallthehullaballoo]

Thank you seaweed head

[LatteLady]

Like anything, the more you do it the better you get.

Yes, they are easy to use, just think how many of us on here do it. Buy one and book yourself on a beginners course and let yourself fly!

[nickelbabe]

yes, it's so easy.
:)

I hardly hand sew anything - it's jsut so much quicker to do it on the machine.

(you have to practise to get the hang of it, though - when I did my HND, they made us sew lines down paper (no thread in) to practise - good plan, actually, cos it saves lots of fabric and thread!)

[whatsallthehullaballoo]

I am on the look out for a second hand machine now as I want to make some seat pads for my kitchen chairs, thank you for the advice !

[nickelbabe]

My mum picked up a good one from a charity shop (actually, my first machine came form a charity shop too)
She got it serviced, just to check it was all fine and dandy, and she's been using it as her main machine for about 4 years now.
(it is a basic Jones, though, and only has straight stitch, but my chirty-shop-machine had zigzag too)

[stealthsquiggle]

If you can find an independent shop, they might well run classes you could go to - and might help you find a machine as well.

I have rheumaticy hands and would never make anything if I had to handsew. I had a cheapy Argos machine for 10+ years until DH bought me my lovely all singing all dancing Janome for my 40th