Sewing machine geeks....any?

[lurkerspeaks]

Looking to finally buy my own machine. Learnt on a treadle and have never really got to grips with electric but have done some fairly big projects - curtains/ blinds and a bit of clothing.

Went to a basic sewing machine class today to try to conquer my machine fear and used a machine with a speed limiter. My problems are solved. I can slow the bloody thing right down and feel like I'm in control not it!

Model-wise it was a Janome clx301. JL don't sell it but recommended the slightly more expensive but fuller functioned (apparently) dc3050.

This price point is ok (300quid-ish) but more isn't really feasible.

If is go anywhere else with sewing I thinkit will be patchwork but I don't know that for sure.

Any thoughts?

Try Dunelm, my sewing machine is a Janome something or other, that's where we got mine from and there prices are very reasonable I'd say plus, they have all the little bits you'd need too.

I have a Janome with a speed limiter, it was from Sewing Machines Direct, it comes with a 5 year guarantee too and they would collect it if it ever had a problem.

I bought from them as they specialise in sewing machines and overlockers and it comes with a load of thread and scissors. And no I definitely don't work for them

This is mine I like the needle down option, so it stops with the needle in the fabric and speed limiter is fab for going slow through lots of layers or coming to a turn. And it is £250.

SMD3000 looks like a great machine (I read on one of the sewing forums that it is the same as the one I mentioned above, just cheaper!)

Is the speed limiter variable or does it just do slow/medium/ fast out of interest?

It works on two things, the slider bar limits the speed you can achieve but you can vary that with the presser foot.

So if the slider bar is on the fastest it can go, you can still sew slower as the presser foot allows you to press down a bit or a lot. On the slowest setting, you can literally sew one stitch at a time, you just press the presser foot once and take your foot off. Or you can stitch at a slow speed.

If it was a car (hopefully you drive) imagine setting the maximum speed of the car at 20mph, but by pressing the accelerator you can achieve 2 mile an hour up to 20, you could put your foot all the way to the floor and still only do 20.

Does that help?

I went on a sewing course recently to learn to sew lingerie and I could hear other people's machines doing something mine never does, ie when you put your foot down and it makes a noise and yet the needle doesn't move, then you put your foot down harder and the machine springs into life but a bit too quickly? The Janome, doesn't do that, you put your foot down and it goes. I flipping love it.

There are two threads I can post this on so apologies in advance for the repetition. It seems to me that sewing machines come in "basic", "more stich options", "computerised". I clearly know nothing. Correct me!

Take your shoes off. It's much easier to control an electric machine in stocking feet.

(speed limiters are far too modern, my machine is the one DM replaced with her 25th wedding anniversary present. It's their 50th wedding anniversary this year) I recon it must be about 36 years old.

OP, I have the Janome DC3050 and can say that it is a lovely machine to use, very easy and very clear instructions. It has a fair amount of stitches to chose from.

One thing about the speed...it's not that fast so I don't think you need be worried about that...if that is your primary concern? My previous machine went like the speed of light and I didn't like it at all, far to quick for me. This one is a little slow but more suitable for a beginner or someone who needs more time to control what they are doing.

As an aside, I bought mine from JL - the ease of being able to take it back made that a deciding factor for me. And the sales lady who helped me said that in the 20 odd years she's worked in JL Haberdashery she has rarely seen a Janome returned for repair.