I need a sewing machine

[Girlinstripedpyjamas]

Didn’t know what board to put this on but I can spend no more than £100 and “only” want to make curtains and cushion covers. Can I get anything that’ll do that at this budget and does anyone have a good guide or YouTube link? I did s class years ago so can sew a bit but haven’t touched a machine since then! Thank you!

Free cycle, gumtree, ebay and charity shops are good in this instance. You could resell or re donate when you finish if you have no further need of it.

I’ll have a look but if it’s anything like my sofa search there’ll be none the week I decide , having previously seen loads! On another note, Is £100 too little then? For anything decent I mean?

I had a brother L14S (I think its the most basic one they do), I found it a bit plasticky and cheap feeling to use - although fine for the price and I was only using it for little odd jobs.
Depending how often you want to be using it, it might do the trick but I would use quality needles and threads for your projects if you're using heavier upholstery fabric.

I upgraded to a Singer 4411, pricey but having used it once so far, I think it was worth it. Equally easy to use as the simple brother machine, but feels completely different to use.

It could be worth looking for a quality second hand one?

My grandmother's industrial machine is still fine after 50 years of almost daily use - I wish they still made them like that!

Just remembered that Aldi and Lidl usually have them in store in the summer. THought I’d see what the price was last year Aldi have them online read the reviews and see if you think it fits the bill for your requirements www.aldi.co.uk/so-crafty-sewing-machine/p/097142268317000?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqbXZuI-K4QIVhOF3Ch2j5whdEAQYASABEgKcO_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds#product-reviews

I always recommend janome sewing machine, solid work horses that get the job done.

You don't need much beyond straight and zig zag stitch for curtains and cushions but you do need a machine that can handle heavier fabric without breaking and with a liftable foot for when you have several layers. Automatic threader is good too as it stops the process of setting the machine up becoming too frustrating.

I have a John Lewis own brand machine which retails for below £100. I have a tiny bit of knowledge of sewing but am not by anyone’s standards an expert. I have used it for making curtains and cushion covers as you mention & it is perfectly serviceable and very easy to use. It’s handy. I’d recommend looking at one of them!

Also the JL feels heavy and substantial even though it is plastic encased rather than coated metal as my mother’s is. She is an excellent seamstress and has a Bernina. Much much more expensive those though & for my needs I’d never spend that kind of money as it doesn’t get the use.

For curtains especially, I would not get a cheap machine. You need a good, heavy, solid machine if you're working with lots of thick fabric. Definitely look at good quality used ones rather than cheap new ones. You don't need fancy stitches or computerisation or whatever.

Do NOT buy one of the cheap ‘mini’ machines available in JL or hobby craft (often brightly coloured and aimed at beginners). They will not cope with curtain weight fabric and are a nightmare to use, leading to much frustration for beginners who assume they’re doing something wrong. You’re not, you just get what you pay for!

I’d recommend a Janome, or maybe a brother though I don’t have experience of those. Get one of their base models. My machine (janome) was £200 and does lots of stitch types, is very reliable and I have used it fairly heavily over the past 5 years on all sorts of fabric.

There’s lots of Facebook groups for various types of sewing which you can join to ask for advice on something specific :)

If you want to see how you go, take a look for sewing cafes where you can use their machines and have support on hand. We have one in Leicester city centre and i know of a couple more in neighbouring cities

Our sewing cafe closed. I loved going there too. I will case Facebook etc
Thanks for all your replies. I’ve got my grandma’s in the loft but it started smoking last time I turned it on 😕

Just for clarity mine isn’t a cheap mini machine from JL, it’s a full size! I wouldn’t recommend a mini one at all!

I have a very basic Brother which cost about £80 in the sale and that included deliver, I only use 2 stitches, the straight and zigzag. I get all the feet and gubbins on Ebay.
Many new machines come with an instruction DVD, and you can sometimes buy them on Ebay;

Don't be tempted by the ones that claim to have a million different stitches and patterns and fancy auto threading and so on. Get a good solid basic one. You only need to be able to go forward and backwards, and maybe a zigzag and buttonhole, and you want a good solid mechanism and needle assembly. Try picking them up - you don't want it to feel all flimsy.

I'm another one with a good basic Janome.

Find a local sewing machine shop that sells refurbished machines & does repairs. You'll pick up a solid old work horse of a machine for between £50 & £75 depending on where you live

The old heavy basic machines are much better to work with, especially with things like cushions & curtains where you can get up some speed without it bouncing across the table. There's less to go wrong with them too & you'll get a guarantee with it. 60s/70s Jones, Pfaff, Fristar, Janone are all good as are some singers. Bernina better still, but usually quite a bit more expensive. It's my profession, I have a collection of semi domestic & industrial machine, & I much prefer heavy old basic machines

Oh & you only need flat stitch, zig zag & maybe button hole at the most. You'll never use any of the other stitches& will want an overlocker etc if you progress & want to finish seams better

I bought a 1960s Bernina. Honestly it would sew through about 6 layers of thick curtain fabric (but also your finger if you're not careful). Weighs a tonne though.

I had a cheap second hand Brother and it broke sewing a French seam on a t-shirt. Just too many layers for it to cope with and as it was mostly plastic it wasn't repairable.

I've heard the John Lewis ones are good. Possibly are a re-labelled Janome. Maybe do some Googling around it?

Ikea used to sell one

www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-partners-jl110-sewing-machine-peppermint/p3489315

I've got this. I have made curtains and taken a few dresses in with it. Super easy to use and sews well.

My Silver Viscount machine was more than £100, but my hand cranked semi-industrial Singer 201K was well under that, and it's what I use for curtains and upholstery work- it will also sew leather. They are only available second-hand, but well worth seeking out. I got mine on eBay.

I’ve got a brother one that was less than £100 new a couple of years ago. I’ve made many cushion covers and curtains on it and it does the job well.

I would say initially ask around and see if anyone you know has one to loan or purchase - ask for someone you know as you will know history of machine. As a beginner and for lightweight curtains and furnishings basic or a couple up from that is enough. I was at NEC this weekend and looking at sewing machines for myself - I have a 26 yr old Janome that still works but is getting tired - I will be keeping for DD as she is starting to get interested, I just bought a Brother computerised one which is one up from the baseline and am waiting for its arrival it was 299 plus a quilting kit thrown in (the walking foot and table are good for curtain sewing so assist material through and give a good working surface.

The main thing is it needs to cope with the thickness of fabrics in curtains if you are doing anything more than light curtaining you may want something a bit meatier. Metal cogs rather than nylon for e.g. I loved the Juki but it was just too much at nearly 700 I think they missed the price point.

I got mine though Frank Knut in Kings Heath and I understand they do a whole range of different brands as well - maybe worth a call to someone similar local to you to talk through what you need

Features I would recommend - one step button hole, quick reverse or auto finishing or on button press. stitches - straight and zig zag and I find the faux overlock ok as well for smaller items.

Sorry spelt name wrong www.franknutt.co.uk/special-offers

Couple there for £99

This is what I ordered (can't wait) www.franknutt.co.uk/brother-innovis-27se but it had a show price and gift with it. Might be worth asking for a best price if you do call up and ask etc

Just to say be wary about british sewing centre - I know people who have bought and are pleased but have also heard stories of bad experiences so I was thinking of getting there but decided against int he end as want to be able to return if nec etc

I got a full size Singer for £90 on Amazon. Seems pretty solid.