Sewing machine recommendation?

[Watchkeys]

I'd like to start making my own clothes. I'm sure it'll be hilarious for a while, until I get good at it. But I would like to be using the right tool for the job from the start, so I'll know that the mistakes are all my own, to be proud of, and not caused by a shonky machine.

What's a good brand/model, and how much should I expect to pay for a decent one? Is second hand a good idea, or is it wiser to buy new?

Janome is a decent brand with good mid-range options. Avoid singer.

Look for a machine with a one-step button hole as that will make your life a lot easier if you want to sew clothes.

Thank you Ace. Avoid Singer?! They must've gone downhill then? Didn't they used to be the pinnacle?

Second Janome or Brother.
They use Janome on the sewing bee program.
Singer has a bad reputation these days - plastic parts that break easily.

I bought a Brother from Argos for about £80 and it's brilliant.

@ArcticBells

Buy Brother LS14s Manual Stitch Sewing Machine - White | Sewing machines | Argos

Is it this one? Anybody else willing to do a critique? Not that I'd doubt your word, Arctic, just that someone may have tried a stunt with it that you haven't, and found a flaw...

Definitely £89 is much less than I thought I'd pay, so I'll be happy if this one gets the MN thumbs up :)

Modern singers are not made to the same standards as old one and have a tendance to break. The exception is their heavy duty model which is actually very good.

Otherwise a mid priced Janome comes in at £500 - £600 and will do a great job.

Low end brothers are shite. Don't get anything from Argos, John Lewis or anywhere other than a specialised sewing shop.

If your budget isn't too high avoid anything computerised. Have a look at preloved machines. Bernina's are beautiful and if you can get an older one for a decent price it will be gold.

What sort of clothes are you wanting to make - will you want to put a zip in, make buttonholes?

For the love of GOD, don't expect to save money making your own clothes. They'll be unique, definitely, but cheaper, almost certainly not.

The normal sized John lewis own brand machine is a really good starter machine and I think is made by jankmme but is a bit cheaper.

@LoveSandbanks

They'll be unique, definitely

Yes. It's hard to find trousers in the shops with one leg 6" shorter than the other ;)

What is 'shite' about a low end Brother? Got a good recommendation upthread so I need to compare in a bit more detail. With regard to what I'll be wanting to make, I'd like a machine that will do everything, so that I can progress and choose freely as I improve, rather than having to buy a new machine to fit new skills as I develop them. I'm a 'buy it once for life' type, rather than a 'disposable and low price' type.

I thought I might save money, but that's not really the appeal. I want some trousers with different coloured legs!

I have a computerised Janome and love it. I started with the cheap brother machine, and sewing with the more expensive machine is easier, it’s a nicer way to spend time and produces better results. Not to say that you need a £600 all the bells and whistles type, but I’d recommend one with speed control and one step buttonhole feature if you can stretch to it.

Then, make sure you have an iron, some spare needles and bobbins, a couple of colours of thread, decent pins (super cheap ones can be rough and snag your fabric), some scissors that are for fabric only, and you’ll be away.

And do come join us on the Stitch and Bitch threads (no bitching really, we’re a friendly bunch).

Ooh thanks @IDontWantToBeAPieIDontLikeGravy , I didn't know there was a 'thread' (I'm sure that's not a brand new pun I thought up all by myself...)

Great username!

I like the sound of getting a beautiful old Bernina. I could almost see myself sitting at one of those tables I've only ever seen in pubs, with a treadle underneath...

I love my Janome 7025 and had great service and advice from John Lewis. Tried various brands and price ranges and it came out as ideal for my needs.

I'm a 'buy it once for life' type, rather than a 'disposable and low price' type.

I've just bought a new Bernina machine, I've sworn to DH that it will be last sewing machine. I'm not putting the price here but I got a very good deal on a Bernini 570. I also have an overlocker which is amazing for stretch fabrics and finishing seams. Next years purchase will be a Babylock coverstitch machine.

Along the way I've had a computerised Janome - brilliant machine, Janomes are really well thought of, I've even heard of a sewing machine dealer who things there on of the, if not the, best brands. Then I had a straight stitch only machine - absolutely great but straight stitch only and I wanted more. Along the way there was a vintage Bernina, which I still have. It makes a beautiful stitch but every time I use it it gives me flash backs to school sewing lessons.

Go to a shop, try a few, see which you like. Buy the machine that you love, that you think looks pretty and that you'll stroke as you walk past

@Watchkeys I've made curtains, altered clothing and even mended horse rugs with it.

I used to have a very elderly Bernina until I started making swimwear (it didn't have suitable stitches apart from faking it with adjusting zig zag) and DH bought me a lovely Janome. It is brilliant, and I adore the automatic buttonhole making in particular.
I don't save any money, but the freedom to adjust patterns to fit me or my preferences makes all the difference. I've been making a running top today which I changed the collar on, lengthened by 7cm, and added thumbhole cuffs so its just what I wanted

@Watchkeys there’s an old treadle singer machine in my family. I had a go and found it so hard to use. I’d stick with a modern electric machine if I were you 😂

The entry-level John Lewis machines are made by Janome. I've had mine 12 years; it's a sturdy workhorse and very easy to use.

The brother ls14 (the £89 one) is, in fact, not shite. It’s a brilliant machine for the price, highly recommended on the sewing groups I’m in. It doesn’t handle things like leather well, but a lot of general purpose machines don’t. I had it as my first machine - I’d get one of those and see how you get on with sewing then look to upgrade once you know if you like sewing or not.

it really is a fantastic machine for the price. Very easy to use and get to grips with too

I've got a 45 year old Bernina which is a joy to use but started to show its age so I went to the very best sewing machine shop that I could find within a days travel. Took the most difficult bit of sewing that I had (a half made fancy backpack). Tried half a dozen different machines in the shop and bought pretty much the new version of my old Bernina. It was expensive but I do make some fairly complicated stuff. My Daughter in law picked up a really nice beginners machine for £40, she makes her own and her children's clothes, curtains and soft furnishings with it, no problem and I'm guessing will inherit mine one day.

I will go against the grain and recommend buying a simple vintage one. Even one that's not electric. The quality will be excellent compared to what you'd get for the same price new - they were built to last and can sew through almost anything. Simpler to troubleshoot, too.

There aren't very many features you really need - you might find that straight stitch and zigzag pretty much meet your needs (they pretty much can for dressmaking), or you might decide that sewing's not for you after all, or you might get so into it that you eventually cash it in for a fancy modern machine.

Bear in mind that sewing machine repairs can be expensive, and even if covered by warranty they can be a pain to arrange. That can be off-putting as a beginner. So reliability and sturdiness are important.

And yes, I absolutely add my voice to the "it won't save money" chorus... But it sounds like you have some fun plans making the two-colour trousers! (If I were attempting that, I'd buy a second-hand pair in one colour, then cut off one leg and make a new leg to attach in new colour... Unless you want it to be divided all the way up? I am a wimp when it comes to advanced stuff, so the thought of waistbands, zips and pockets is making me flinch 😅)

I would not go for the Brother if you want a machine to grow into. It's a good starter machine and very simple , but you may soon want more control over stitches, and features.

I have an old machine I bought second hand in the 90s but it was a good brand with a range of features that kept me going for the next 30 years. I would try and go to a sewing shop with a budget of £300-400, and test some out. (If you can't test then it's not a good shop).
Or look for a well looked after second hand model of at least that price range RRP.

Features useful for dressmaking

• independent stitch length/ width adjustment
• speed control
• 1 step buttonhole
• stretch stitches
• can take twin needle/ walking foot
• can deal with reasonable thickness eg denim but also adjust to fine fabric
• choice of overlock/blind hem type stitches

@NotMeNoNo

Thank you, that's helpful. I don't know what half of it means, but I'll learn!

Another vote for Janome. They are excellent.

I’ve got a Brother JK2500 which I got about 3 years ago. Hadn’t sewn for years and fancied starting again as I have a local class. It wasn’t particularly expensive (about £180 I think) and has been great. I’ve made blinds, tweed items, dresses, shirts and all sorts and so far very reliable. My fellow class sewers mostly have brother or Janome. I don’t need anything too complex like embroidery. Happy sewing!