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Original poster

Sewing machine recommendations please

12 replies

LifeAbove · 30/05/2013 10:30

Hi all, DP would like to buy me a sewing machine for my birthday, which I'm very pleased about. Smile
Budget is between £200-£250. Does anyone have any recommendations? I've always had second hand, family hand downs before, so brand new is very exciting!

TIA

OP posts:
Original poster
LifeAbove · 30/05/2013 20:30

Hopeful bump?

OP posts:
Throughgrittedteeth · 30/05/2013 20:41

Oh yes I'm jumping on this too, I'm looking for a new one too. Sorry OP Grin

Original poster
LifeAbove · 30/05/2013 20:55

Feel free teeth! The more the merrier. Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
LifeAbove · 02/06/2013 17:50

Another hopeful bump! Any advice gratefully received Smile

OP posts:
pillow1999 · 02/06/2013 19:55

bump....... I have £100 to spend...

NumTumDeDum · 02/06/2013 20:00

I have a Singer which is a good basic machine. My mum has something a bit snazzier think it's a Janone or something like that. I guess it depends what you want to do with it and how many stitches and other functions you want. Hopefully someone with more experience will be along soon, I've only ever had this machine so I've nothing to compare it to!

Elkieb · 02/06/2013 20:03

I have an Elna which is lovely, has a drop foot for quilting and is easy and lovely to use.

Original poster
LifeAbove · 02/06/2013 20:10

Thanks, I'm looking at those now. Am tempted by the computer style ones, but thinking this might be more things to go wrong?

OP posts:
Elkieb · 02/06/2013 20:34

Probably more complicated than you need. My mum has an electronic one but she sews at an almost professional level. I would avoid the John Lewis ones as they seem plasticky. Have you got a shop near you?

Original poster
LifeAbove · 03/06/2013 06:30

No elkieb, have been looking online. I'm definitely not to a professional level, so think you might be right in avoiding these.

OP posts:
SarahBeenysBumblingApprentice · 03/06/2013 06:49

I have a husqvana emerald 116. It was £200 from Coles sewing centre in Nottingham. I wanted a solid machine and wasn't too worried about bells and whistles and it seems to fit the bill! It also came with loads of feet and Coles do a free 1 day course to get to know your sewing machine if you buy one from them.

The machine itself has got the usual stitches, a one step buttonhole and you can drop the feed dog teeth ( sorry if that's not the right terminology, I always forget)!

I have also seen bernina s recommended online - it has to be said that this is my first sewing machine so I only have my mums 40 year old elna to compare it with!

LeFlaneur · 03/06/2013 13:24

Hi, I have a Husqvarna H Class 100Q, also bought online from Coles Sewing Centre. It was £299 but came with a set of quilting feet, including a walking foot, and some thread. It's computerised and has some useful features like a speed selector, needle up/down (which I find useful for sewing curved seams) and a thread cutter. The only thing that annoys me is that there isn't much 'throat' space so if you were looking to sew larger quilts you might find it tricky. I have only been sewing for a few months but have made a quilted cushion cover and a dress for DD and I was really happy with both.

I used to have a cheap Singer but it bust and cost me £45 to have it repaired. The woman in the sewing shop told me to avoid buying machines from places like Tesco and Argos as they are mostly made of plastic and easily broken.

I dream of a computerised Bernina...

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