Any sewists here? Sewing machine advice please

[KatamariDamacy]

A couple of years ago I was given a cheap sewing machine and began making some clothes. I absolutely love it.

I have a significant birthday approaching and someone lovely has offered to buy me either a more fancy sewing machine, or an overlocker.

I’m not sure if there would be any advantage to having a wazzy sewing machine over my basic model - I haven’t come across anything my machine won’t do yet (although I’m still a beginner). I’d love to learn to sew stretch fabrics - would it be better to have an overlocker? On the other hand, I don’t know the first thing about overlockers and would have to learn to use it.

Any advice would be very welcome :-)

from what i understand (not a sewer myself but my sister is) this one is good for coping with stretchy fabrics. www.tysew.co.uk/sewing-machines/sewing-machines-only/singer-4423-heavy-duty-sewing-machine?language=en&currency=GBP&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7cjm0c_b3QIVF4fVCh2k8Af6EAkYBCABEgKfMPD_BwE all the best

Some of the Arts & Crafts MNers might be able to help, if you re-post in that topic www.mumsnet.com/Talk/arts_and_crafts?

I got a fairly basic sewing machine 3 years ago as my first ever machine. At the time I was only using woven fabrics and it was perfect. I then started trying knit fabrics (cotton Lycra, double brushed poly etc) and although you obviously can use the sewing machine for this I began to do more research and found out about overlockers. I got an overlocker (the Brother one) and it is amazing! The speed, neat finishing and fabulous with knit fabric. And can also be used with woven as well (and finishes the seams at the same time!).

I watched lots of you tube videos and there’s also Facebook groups/forums dedicated to overlockers which give lots of advice. It was a bit intimidating at first as it seems to go so fast but practice on cheap fabric first until you get the hang of it.

There may be some local intro to your overlocker courses too.

In short, go for the overlocker!

I'd go for an overlocker too, if you're otherwise happy with your current machine. I don't have one but a colleague does and she says it's a game changer. Expensive though!

Oh and the stuff she makes looks really professional, I wouldn't know the difference.