Sewing machine for dd

[Polgara2]

Posted this in Christmas but was suggested I put it in here as well:

DD1 could do with a sewing machine now she is doing her textiles gcse. Anyone got any suggestions on a good one. I can't afford an expensive one so it needs to be cheap good value but not useless iyswim!

I am useless at sewing and so have absolutely no idea what features etc I should be looking for.

Many thanks

Can her teacher give guidance as what to get as the teacher will know how the sewing will progress.

I have the Ej09 from tesco. usual retail price is something like £90 but it was discounted to £50 when I bought it.

It is a very good basic machine. I have been using it for 9 months and am very happy. very simple, very straightforward, reliable and easy to maintain/fix. It has a freearm, 19 stitches and just works. You can read reviews here :

[http://www.dooyoo.co.uk/irons-sewing-machines/tesco-ej09-sewing-machine/ here]

(I'm going to out myself and say that I wrote the 'historywitch' review)

and its currently discounted to £69

[http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.206-0145.aspx]

But agree with claricebeansmum, it does depend on what she will need it for. I have used mine for clothes, bedlinen, sofa covers and curtains so it does what I need it to.

damn

co-ej09-sewing-machine/ here

direct.tesco.com/q/R.206-0145.aspx

oh ffs bloody linebreak on the first link

here

If you have a John Lewis pop in there and they will give you good, impartial advice (ime)
We bought sewing machines for DD1 and DD2 as 18th birthday presents and paid a bit more so that they'll have a machine that can tackle upholstery fabric and denim, and hopefully last a verylong time.

I am a complete non starter at sewing but JL were very helpful

Last time I was in JL they had some funky coloured ones for £50, they seemed OK... Just checked and they are on the website.

I have one of the £50 JL ones. I wouldn't trust it with thick denim, but for normal bits and bobs it is fine.

freecycle??

yes i would try freecycle and explain what you want it for.

I would go the John Lewis route and try and get a demo. Start with a basic machine that does zig-zag, stretch stitch (for jersey fabrics) and automatic buttonholes. You don't need all the fancy stitches when you start out and you don't need to spend more than £120 really.

Claricesmum gave good advice - ask the teacher as she/he will know what the coursework involves.

I still have my faithful Frister & Rossman from my 18th and that was decades ago!

Wow lots of thoughts!

Thanks to all - will go off and have a mooch and get back if anything's not clear.

I would go for a very old hand operated one - much easier for a learner I reckon! You can pick them up at car boots etc for a tenner, loads of guidance online for how to fix etc.

Only problem is you only get straight lockstitch with a hand-operated - she's probably need zig-zag and buttonhole too.