John Lewis £59 sewing machine?

[MudAndGlitter]

Is it any good? I'm a beginner and I would like to try making bags and little bits for the DCs.

I think it is more for kids to do sewing rather than a serious machine to keep for a couple of years tbh. They do some for £100 if I remember correctly, only £40 more but much stronger I would assume.

I'm just looking for something cheap in case it turns out that I can't sew!
I've got an old Singer one of my nans and I can't figure it out.

I think that it will be okay for relatively thin / light materials.

I hope so anyway , DH got me one for Christmas. I'll buy a bigger one if I take to it.

My dd is using hers just now. She got it for Christmas from her Granny and Grandad.

It is light so wouldn't do for heavy work such as curtains I wouldn't imagine but she has made: a dress for a teddy, a hat for a teddy, a mobile phone case, appliqued a bag and is currently making a tissue case for my handbag. It seems fine for projects like that.

My only criticism is that it doesn't have a light on it so if you have poor lighting you would need a desk lamp or craft light.

I may be taken in by all the different colours. It's really only for clothing teddies, dolls house furnishings, possibly clothing children and I would like to try a bag.

You can find the manuals for Singer Machines here so have a look for yours and give it a go. Please don't dismiss the machine as I also use a Singer hand machine which is 90+ years old and it is my favourite!

As to the JL machine, it is more than just a child's machine, however I would seriously look at some of their other machines in the sale as there are significant differences - ie, it does not have stitch width or length dials which are rather useful.

JLP do a great video on buying a sewing machine... take a look at that, I am sure it would be really helpful. :)

Thank you. I can't find the manual anywhere which is annoying. It's a 339 and I know I found it online before but it's vanished.

The cheapest I can find it for is £4.95 on [[http://sewingparts.co.uk/instructions/singer-manuals3.html here]

Thank you I found a manual for a similar model and it's working now

That is so clever! £59 saved. Well done once again LatteLady.

Check Aldi website. They are going to sell Singer for £89.99.
www.aldi.co.uk/uk/html/offers/special_buys3_22610.htm

I bought it for my (older) children a couple of years ago. It's fine for simple stitching and I often borrow for mending.

It does say not to use for heavier materials, as someone has mentioned.

That Aldi one looks amazing!

I had one of their own-brand machines (Delta) until recent upgrade, did me a good twelve years of clothes and curtains before it finally started going wonky. Think i paid about £30 for it. Only downside was that I couldn't get it serviced as wasn't a recognised 'brand' but if this one says Singer on it then that would solve that problem too.

Just to say, I have the John Lewis one, in red, and it's ideal for my uses, eg, running up cushion covers, stitching up my cross stitch things, wee repairs. I don't have the confidence to try anything more complicated but if never had a problem with what I ask from it!

Does anyone know if the John Lewis one has an automatic threading thingy (not up on the technical terms sorry! - hope you all know what i mean) I am thinking of buying one for my niece and this feature is a must.

The 59 quid one doesnt.

My singer has and that cost about £150.

The cheap JL one is a nice little, basic machine but it doesnt have any extras.

It took me ages to work out how to use the automatic threader on my machine

thanks for the quick reply.

I have a signer too with an automatic threader, it cost me 65 quid (in Abroadland) I am a bit at UK prices

I am not that bothered about the automatic threader. It was the automatic button holer I was lusting after

yes, you win some you lose some, i havent got one of those of my 65 quider.