Sewing machine advice please

[thaegumathteth]

dd (15) has asked for a sewing machine for Xmas and I don’t really want to spend more that £60 as she does have a tendency to be all in on a hobby and then forget about it.

Does anyone have any recommendations?

Also what’s best to go with it eg material, thread, books etc???

as you can tell I am clueless so please help!!!

This is the machine I have. I use it a lot and have had it for probably 20 years. I doubt you will get a reasonable machine new for £60. ebay.us/m/R60v75

If you can stretch to £140ish or find a second hand one, John Lewis’s basic sewing machine is a great place to start. I learned on that and only got something more expensive when I started getting into quilting.

I agree you need to go second hand for that budget. If you go for a cheap crappy one it’s likely to be harder to use and likely to end up being a waste.
I tend to think of a sewing machine as a useful tool every household will use occasionally rather than something only for keen hobbyists- if she stays enthusiastic for long enough to learn how to use it it she will then have the option in the future of taking up hems, running up the odd basic fancy dress outfit etc - it will still be useful even if she doesn’t become a regular dressmaker.

Re thread and fabric- as a minimum I would suggest a reel of a neutral colour like dark grey, some pins and a few ‘fat quarters’, which are quarter yard pieces of patchwork cotton, say 2 plain and 2 patterned. Also some basic dressmaking scissors if you don’t have some in the house already.

Thanks all - I’m thinking maybe I’ll get grandparents to club together for the JL one…

does anyone know if it’s usually reduced in Black Friday?

Brother LS14 currently £89.00 on Amazon, maybe cheaper elsewhere? I have 5 yes 5 machines, most over £200 -400 but the Brother is my favourite.
It's so simple to use, yet capable of nearly everything. I wouldn't get second hand unless it was given to me. I'd prefer a guarantee.

I would recommend buying a good quality machine second hand rather than a cheap one brand new. Brother machines are great.

Bare essentials:
Fabric- poly cotton is cheap and easy to learn with. You can pick it up for a couple of quid per metre.
Thread
Fabric scissors
Pins
Ideally some thread snips

I wouldn't bother with books as YouTube is fantastic but I would buy a very basic sewing pattern.

Buy Brother LS14s Manual Stitch Sewing Machine - White | Sewing machines | Argos I've not used it, but the reviews look OK.

Lidl and Aldi sometimes have sewing machines.

Thanks so much

Gumtree? ebay?

@thaegumathteth , you could try freecycle and freegle. They come up every now and then and you might find a newish one being decluttered before Christmas.
You might find fabrics and patterns too.

Something else you will need is a tape measure. Sewing patterns generally use different sizes to shops, so check before cutting the pattern.
Start with sewing patterns that are suitable for beginners.

(I probably don't need to say it but be polite and specific if you post a Wanted, or reply to an Offer. Please and thank you make a difference )

If you are in the UK then hobbycraft do a good entry level sewing machine for around £90.

I started on something very similar.

Hobbycraft are also good for inexpensive fabrics and all haberdashery (lovely word) needs. If your DD does take up the hobby then there are lots of online stores.

The traditional starting project is a tote bag. There are lots of youtube videos and no patterns needed. Other things to try are cushion covers, again no patterns needed.

These types of project are a good starting point as they are pretty quick and mean your DD gets something to show for her efforts.

Simplicity patterns are good in that they have decent instructions (for sewing patterns!). As a pp said, use measurements rather than sizes. I am a Simplicity size 28 and a Next size 24.

Read the reviews before buying, and look at the reviews that aren't 5 stars* *or 4 stars.

Yes to Simplicity patterns.
(I'm not keen on the patterns that are 'free' with magazines - they look promising but the finished garment will have been made by someone very skilled not a beginner, the garment will be on a tall slim model, the photo shoot will have a stylist etc.
I've never tried using a Burda pattern, my mother said they were too difficult).
Some charity shops are good for haberdashery, there's one near me that often has buttons, remnants, interfacing, patterns etc

When your DD is ready to start using patterns be prepared to provide moral support. Even the best instructions are an exercise in compact writing. There will be lots of terms which your DD may not know eg:

• basting
• stay stitching
• top stitching
• under stitching

She doesnt need to know them straight away but encourage her to look them up as she comes across them as they will help to achieve a good finish.

Youtube videos can be good but encourage her to watch them through before attempting to copy the youtuber. If she finds an explanation doesnt make sense then try a different one.

John Lewis machines were made by Janome (I am not aware of that changing but it might be worth checking that's still the case). Janome is a great make and all th accessories are available everywhere.

That is why the JL sewing machines are such reliable work horses at entry level. I love mine. It can't cope with heavy duty fabric like thick denim but is great for everything else.

If you did decide to get a second hand machine I would recommend getting it serviced. That will cost around £30-£50 depending on where you are. However, it means an older machine runs like an absolute dream afterwards. It's really worth it.

Thanks everyone really appreciate you taking the time.

@GnomeDePlume yeah that worries me a bit as she’s dyslexic

@PastaAllaNormawhere does one get a machine vs serviced?

Thanks again

@thaegumathteth the thing with sewing instructions is that they dont waste a single word. A single sentence can contain 30 minutes of work or more.

Sewing can be an amazing hobby because it isnt one thing. Some people specialise: making quilts, bags, clothes, soft furnishings. Some people do a bit of everything.

She doesn’t have to use patterns if she doesn’t get on with them. There are a lot of simple things she could make to begin with by instinct, copying things, watching YouTube videos.
Once she has learned the basics some people like designing their own clothes by draping on a dressmaker’s dummy rather than following patterns. This is a long way down the road, obviously, but no need to worry about the pattern issue, there are other approaches.

@thaegumathteth , the first garment I made was a skirt with an elasticated waist. It was just a rectangle of fabric.
I've also made culottes/split skirts without a pattern.

Jaycotts do servicing.Jaycotts - Your number 1 for Sewing Supplies! — jaycotts.co.uk - Sewing Supplies

I thought they were nationwide, the Chester store might not be local to you.

https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-jl111-sketchy-dog-print-sewing-machine-light-blue/p5548485?s_ppc=2dx_mixed_home_BAU&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22439628441&gbraid=0AAAAAD2el1z2RGB4x5Z0JxV4LuvYXjrA6

is this any good does anyone think?

Always buy good quality thread, I swear by Gutermanns (? sp?) it makes such a difference! Also having plenty of bobbins so that you can pair threads with a ready filled bobbin so you're ready to sew 😊

The Brother store on Amazon have Black Friday deals at the moment, I have a second hand LS14, and it is basic but decent. currently £90 on amazon. They also seem to have a kids model for £80

I’ve shared a Brand Store on Amazon with you. www.amazon.co.uk/stores/BrotherUK/page/88C21506-D697-4FE8-BC6B-5E974FD08F4E?lp_context_asin=B07B6KL7VZ&ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_ast_store_AP8FS1QN2775Y4BBYXP3

It has good reviews which is helpful.

If you have an non chain sewing shop near you it's worth having a chat to see if anyone is selling. I bought a Klindo in Spain from Carrefour to make cockpit cushions - it was great for E69. I also have two others, one of which was second hand and a bargain. But starting as a beginner I'd advise you buy a simple straightforward machine. Providing it has straight, zigzag, and buttonhole stitches it should be fine.

YouTube is her friend!

There's a JL machine for £79 on sale - I'd say it's perfect.

Yes. The John Lewis one will be perfect.

I would also vote for the John Lewis one. It's a good starter machine and looks like Janome are making them. Janome is a good sewing machine brand.

That was the type of machine I started with and it lasted me for a number of years.

It will allow your DD to work out if she enjoys sewing without the machine itself being the issue.

Be warned though, sewing can become addictive.