Sewing machine advice

[helpmesew]

I'm looking at buying a new sewing machine. The one I have is great but huge and heavy and I don't really have the space for it.

I'd like it to be electronic and have picked a few Janome and Singer ones I like.

I'm wondering though, if I need to get a heavy duty one.
I don't sew loads, very much an occasional hobby. I am starting to make some clothes and really like wearing denim and corduroy which is what's making me think I might need to get a heavy duty machine.

If I wanted to make a denim dress or even some jeans, would a normal machine cope ok?

There were a couple of independent shops here I could have asked for advice but they've closed so it's just Hobbycraft and John Lewis now so I feel like I won't necessarily get expert advice.

I don't think there is much point getting a heavy duty domestic machine for occasional use, they arent all that different to a normal machine.

If you were doing heavy duty work regularly then an industrial machine would be better anyway.

Swerve singers - they are rubbish.

I would always choose a Brother over a Janome but that is just personal preference. I have the FS210 which handles heavy fabrics with no issue.

A big part of working with those kind of fabrics is less about the machine and more about knowing the tricks of the trade e.g. clipping seams to reduce bulk and using hump jumpers.

There are different wights of denim, and a quality domestic machine should cope with lighter weights.

I really rate Sewing Machines Direct. If you call them they are very knowledgeable and will talk you through the options and help you figure out what machine is best for you. I’ve used them for buying my sewing machine and my overlocker and was very happy with their service and delivery.

What have you got at the moment out of interest?

Brother if you can!

I have a very basic brother which I've had for years and use regularly. I'm just finishing off a denim jacket on it. I've used it for cord too and never had a problem. It's a very reliable workhorse.

Currently I have a 1970s Janome. It's great but if quite like something more modern, less bulky and lighter.

I've lost my sewing table as I needed a desk so I'll be on the dining table for sewing now so can't leave it set up all the time.

Thinking about what I'll mostly be sewing it'll be tops and dresses but I make bags and as I said, might also try jeans and thicker fabrics for dresses/trousers/jackets.

I don't want to get something too flimsy then find I need to upgrade later.

Thanks, it's reassuring that a domestic machine will likely cope fine.

Has anyone used a Husqvarna? I'd never heard of them but noticed crafty pie has a fancy one and they keep popping up on searches.

I bought a Husqvarna about 30 years ago which I still use occasionally.

Re thick denim, I can do this with this machine. I think the presser foot needs too be able to raise high enough for the thickness of the fabric.

I also find that going through extra thick parts eg seams and hems you need to go slow. I found the needle could break, so make sure you use a newish needle which hasn’t been blunted and it’s the correct size for denim.

L14/ LS14?

I bloody loved mine. Only issue was I couldn't adjust the stitch length or drop the feed dogs so I had to upgrade to what I have now.

I was told my Husqnarna didn’t need oiling. I never have. It keeps going.

Obviously my old machine really only does the basics compared to what they can do these days.

I also have a Brother knitting machine which has lasted. If I was looking to renew my sewing machine I’d probably look at those two makes.

I always snip a small section of the seam out on bulky seams anyway so I'm only going through e.g 3 layers rather than 4. It makes a massive difference.

I also use the little black button on my presser foot and a hump jumper if needed as well as adjusting the stitch length etc. The answer for a bulky seam is almost never just to go at it and hope for the best!

Most machines should be able to cope with bulky seams if you approach them in the right way.

Keep your Janome and use it for anything unusually heavy fabric wise that your new machine can't manage. My Toyota (don't bother with them) is good enough for fancy stuff but hates heavy fabrics, so I bought an old janome which manages things easily. I also have a Toyota serger (which is great).

LS14. It's about 8 years old now. Stitch length is a bit annoying, I agree but something I can live with. I have a brother overlocker too. They're great machines.

I have a Janome 5060QDC (I think they use them on the Sewing Bee), and I love it. I've made several pairs of jeans and jackets on it, and it copes very well with thick seams etc.

Just going at it is my usual approach! 😄

I had thought of just bringing my old Janome out for heavy work. It did cope ok when I made a bag of many many layers.

My Brother broke so I using my Grannies hand cranked Singer at the moment. My son is at college studying textiles and they use Janones so I'm thinking of getting one for us both to use. Or I just buy a zig zag attachment, buttonholer or even a motor for my 1939 Singer, I love that I can do all the maintenance myself but it is a workout lifting it and I've just done a pair of curtains with a 3m do b which would have gone a lot quicker with an electric machine!

I have a really old Elna, of the comes in a metal box variety and it worked perfectly will the pedal frazzled. I plan to replace the pedal but will need to hunt one down.
I got the cheapest Husqvarna as a temporary solution and although it is pretty good, the feed dogs are not the best and result in quite a bit of drift when sewing fabrics of different weights.
I watched a lot of youtube thinking about a heavy duty singer, but apparently it is just branding and really the same machine.

Tempted by this one, the reviews are good. I was hoping to actually see some but there's not many in store so I'll have to order online I think.

If this man went their with the goal of giving blood, he could have done so by ticking no. If he had wanted to give blood he would have ticked no.
He wanted to cause a fuss. To highlight the idiocy of the paperwork.
Did anyone at the blood donation site have the ability to change the paperwork? No. If he wanted ot he could have donated blood, and written a stern letter.
Instead he chose to get on his high horse, cause issues for the blood donation team, get a little publicity for himself and his point of view, and not do the thing he supposedly wanted to do. Donate blood. Which would have benefitted others.

Get publicity, fail to achieve your purported goal, not help others and create a media mini frenzy about nothing, or donate blood and raise your concerns about gender/sex lunacy in another way. It was an interesting choice.

This may be the best cross post ever!
Sorry!

I have a Bernina over 50yrs old and still going strong (tho' it is a bit like Triggers broom --new motor and foot pedal)

I looooooove my Bernina. Sews anything like a dream. Bought it from Bogood at a knitting and stitching show
at Alexandra palace years ago. Don’t know where you’re located but it’s really
worth it to go to some kind
of show where all the manufacturers exhibit. Often a good show deal too.

@Cheesedoffandgrumpy there is a Vintage Elna Facebook group they are great for spares, the old "metal box" machines are still running.

OP I would say whichever brand don't get the cheapest machine in the range but go for the £300-£400 range and you should get a reasonably robust machine. Otherwise it will feel light and plastic after your old machine.
I was making a bag last weekend and surprised how well my computerized machine coped with the 8 layers on the folded straps.

If you can find a local brick and mortar sewing machine shop you will be able to see the machines and compare them. If your short of space don't forget to check if they pack up neatly with accessories or is there a bulky dust cover/no storage.

Another thing to think about as well. I use my sewing machine at the same desk I use for work - I have a shelf above the desk that I shift my sewing machine onto when I'm working and my monitor onto when I'm sewing. My laptop goes back in its bag.

It's first and foremost my sewing desk that I also use to work from home from. I love being surrounded by my sewing stuff while on a serious teams convo

I see a lot and would strongly recommend a straight stitch only machine if you want top- stitching on denim. Most all round machines can’t sew a proper straight stitch because the needle mechanism also has to move side to side as well, so they’re always a a slight slant. I have a juki tl 2300 and it’s based on an industrial machine - v good for quilting and top stitching and the foot operated auto thread cutter is phenomenally useful. Before I got it I was v pleased with my Janome horizon - there are various models in that range (not all called horizon iirc). Really good all rounder.