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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to give up and buy one myself

39 replies

likesnowflakesinanocean · 01/04/2013 11:45

I like to sew and craft a lot, I make various things by hand for charities to sell and for family. I am relatively new to sewing so have a small selection of things I make that I want to expand on. I really would like to learn how to use a sewing machine before I buy one as I'm worried ill never get the hang of it if I'm not shown. my nan has said she will show me but they are very often away or busy all day and with work/family I rarely see her for long enough. my other nan has my late mums sewing machine that she bought her she won't use it because she has very had hands and it hurts her but she also won't let me use it.. I have asked plenty times and she will say oh you can use it here but only if you know exactly what your doing as I don't want it broken. she won't show me how to use it because she will hurt her hands. should I give up and buy one despite knowing my mums is packed in a corner never to be used.

OP posts:
Original poster
likesnowflakesinanocean · 01/04/2013 12:55

right okay no mini ones will keep searching for 2nd hand

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elQuintoConyo · 01/04/2013 12:59

I second the Ikea one, if you want something reliable and cheap.
Agree you should get a full-size machine if you'll be using it a lot.
I got a basic Alfa (not sure of model, sorry) a couple of years ago for Xmas and it took me about 9 months to pluck up the courage to use it as I hadn't touched on in 20-odd years. Once I did a bit of practice and found my way around it - you now can't keep me off!
Great fun, love making stuff, mostly for me/house and things for kids - toys, fancy dress, drawstring bags etc.

Good luck!

GlaikitHasHerFizzBack · 01/04/2013 13:03

any of these near you?

hophophippidtyhop · 01/04/2013 13:07

Janome are good machines too. I found it's not so much the setting up of the machine that you need to learn, it's the which order of sewing things together that was the learning curve. As others have said, there's masses of tutorials out there on you tube and various forums/blogs. Janome have a great series of them even if you have a different machine. Mine came from sewing machines direct. Find a machine and enjoy!

ChippingInIsEggceptional · 01/04/2013 13:10

It's such a shame your Nan feels that way.

Could you perhaphs do a course to show her that you've learnt how to use a machine and explain to her that you really want your Mum's machine as it would mean a lot to you to use that one and promise to be very careful with it. (They're pretty much impossible to break!!).

That's what I'd do anyway.

But if you don't want to, or it doesn't work out, then think of this as a temp measure till your Nan no longer feels she has to keep it at her house. I'm a very sentimental person myself, so I do understand how she feels, but if you were my Grandaughter (in her 20's!) then I'd want you to be using it, I really don't understand her reluctance :(

Original poster
likesnowflakesinanocean · 01/04/2013 18:30

that's good its a Janome machine that's there. I love to make but really worried to spend a lot then find out I prefer hand sewing. I do wish I could use mums just for that connection but then I feel selfish

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ChippingInIsEggceptional · 01/04/2013 19:28

Love - why do you feel selfish, it's sitting at your Nan's doing nothing. It is your Mum's, you should have IMO. It would be different if your nan were still able to use it (even then she should share it) or if she had any reasonable reason for feeling you'd break it, but she doesn't does she - she's being a bit selfish IMO.

BigBoobiedBertha · 01/04/2013 19:30

You might prefer hand sewing(I do) but having a machine gives you more scope. You probably wouldn't do dressmaking by hand for example or if you were sewing something big like a quilt doing some of the longer seams by machine is prehaps more sensible. I do quilting and wouldn't do all the joining together by hand. There are good reasons for using a machine no matter what method you prefer.

RobotLover68 · 01/04/2013 19:35

I went to a sewing machine shop in East London when I wanted to buy an overlocker. The man spent ages with me going through it and he then delivered it to my house and set it up for me and ran through it again. Then I showed him my sewing machine which is 30 years old and has never been serviced. He quickly ran through it, oiled it and said it didn't need a service. All I paid for was the overlocker. He probably spent 5-6 hours with me. Try a local shop for best service.

Original poster
likesnowflakesinanocean · 01/04/2013 19:38

I suppose because she hasn't been doing so well I feel bad, she won't talk to people. I've had people 5 months down the line asking how she is. when I say she died they will say oh your nan never said. to be honest I've not been doing so good either that's why I'm filling my time, I don't think ill speak to her about it again though she's made it clear she doesn't want me to use it.

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Original poster
likesnowflakesinanocean · 01/04/2013 19:38

I only make small things at the minute would love to progress a bit

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peeriebear · 01/04/2013 19:39

The Ikea one is £60 and extremely straightforward. Every bit of it is pared down to be as simple as possible and the instructions are very clear.

Original poster
likesnowflakesinanocean · 01/04/2013 21:15

having a quick look on ebay and around before i buy a new one but ill bear that one in mind too alot more reasonable than the 140 pound one i was looking at!

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goingupinfumes · 01/04/2013 22:11

We have one going on freecycle in the next week or so if anyone wants one!! PM me

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