Complete beginner looking for a sewing machine to do alterations.

[PinkBlossomTree]

I wonder if anyone can help me.

Last year I lost weight and bought loads of new clothes. This year I decided to loose a bit more and my clothes seem to be swamping me.

Instead of having to restart my wardrobe from scratch again I'd love to buy a sewing machine to alter them myself and improve the fit.

I'm finding most of the high street clothes quite boxy in shape and I'm a hourglass so finding clothes that fit and are flattering is a utter nightmare.

I've seen this machine in Tesco and wonder if it would be upto the job to take in tops cardis and jumpers?

I would also love to be able to make dog jumpers and coats for my boy out of what looks like knitted fabric but it's not actually knitted it has a slight stretch in it (apologies I have no idea what this fabric is called)

So a machine that could do that would be excellent.

Would this machine be upto the job?

www.tesco.com/direct/tesco-ej09-electric-sewing-machine-white/206-0145.prd?skuId=206-0145

I would personally say you would be better spending the extra £39 and getting one of the singers advertised underneath.

However I got this machine as a beginner and it was really easy to use.
www.amazon.co.uk/Brother-L14-Sewing-Machine/dp/B00CI7IMOY/ref=sr_1_2?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1505981726&sr=1-2&refinements=p_n_feature_keywords_browse-bin%3A1225193031&tag=mumsnetforum-21

It is available about £10 cheaper away from Amazon but delivery might add that back on again.

If you are new to sewing it might be worth seeing if there are any dressmaking courses running nearby. I set off wanting to make alterations but I now just make a lot of my own clothes loosely based on stuff I like on the high street but I know won't fit properly (also an hourglass with a large bust!) I got sick of having to buy clothes that were too big for me just to fit round my boobs.

Thanks so much for your reply.

That machine looks good and it's got some great reviews.

A very close friend of mine is actually a seamstress. She has offered to lend me a machine of hers before I commit to getting one. DH have said if I get on with it I can get a machine for Xmas. I think he's doubting me.

Making clothes would be amazing.

I'm happy to start with a scarf and a basic dog coat and see how it goes.

Good luck with your new machine! If you are going to be sewing knit/jersey/stretch fabric, you'll need to buy a special needle for the machine - look for a pack of sewing machine needles labelled ballpoint, knit, jersey or stretch.

To me the Tesco one looks fine and a good price. Enjoy!
Best bit of advice I give is get a decent quick un pick and remember to change your needles when they get blunt.