Sewing machine for DD—will do heavy fabric

[Ineedcoffeenow]

DD is very arty and has asked for a sewing machine for Christmas. She wants something that will handle heavy fabrics. (Eg denim). This will be her first machine so I’m looking for something that’s good for beginners, but also something that will last her when she gets more experience. We have a budget of around £250-£300, possibly a bit higher if it’s worth it. I really don’t know what I’m looking for—-there are so many!

The Singer Heavy Duty machine will do the trick. It’s really good and easy to use too.

The Singer Heavy Duty machines have a really poor reputation.

Most sewing machines in that price range should be able to handle heavy fabric with the correct needle.

I'd look at pfaff, bernina/bernette, brother and janome before I'd ever consider a modern singer though.

Get her to have a think what she will be using it for - e.g. is having a 1 step buttonhole function important, variety of stitches/stitch lengths, assisted threading, ability to drop the feed dogs for free motion sewing etc. Computerised or non computerised?

This is like a different language 😀She’s a complete beginner so I don’t think she really knows what she wants—just that she mentioned denim and making clothes. So I guess an all-rounder would be best (I don’t know)?

There are SO MANY QUESTIONS as @pastabestsays. What does she envision, has she used one before, how old, what does she want to do with it, and on and on.

My theory if she’s newish, is a normal Janome. Not too fancy, not too cheap, not too complicated. She can graduate to a fancy one as she gets better.

She’s 15, almost 16. Very creative, likes to make her own costumes for comic-cons (which she has made by hand so far). She’s never used a sewing machine at all.

OK so new to machines but not to sewing. Maybe not totally simple then!

Can you ask her what she’s thinking about doing with the machine? Like first projects. Has she looked at any online videos?

Get a basic second hand Bernina It will go forwards, backwards and do a zigzag. She doesn’t need anything else until she has the skills. Think there’s one that is used in college , maybe number 1008? Not sure but easy to research. They are absolute workhorses and great for learning on.
I got one for my daughter at a similar age when she wanted to make her clothes and it did the job. Really good foundation level get to know your sewing machine.

A good source might be to find your local Bernina service man. He may well have a few to sell.

My 20 and 15 year olds both have the Brother machine Argos sell for £89 and its been great for all projects they have done- recommended to a friend and shes very pleased with it

If I was buying my first machine knowing what I know now (as the owner of several sewing machines, two overlockers and a coverstitch machine)

my non negotiables would be a built in needle threader and a one step buttonhole function.

I've had a look at what I would buy with that budget as a beginner and this would probably meet everything I would want

Buy Brother HF37 Strong & Tough Sewing Machine https://share.google/GsIc2ORtrF2FFQ9nk

My first machine was a brother L14 (now called an L14s or LS14) and it was a really good starter machine but I grew out of it very quickly due to lack of functions. Absolute workhorse of a machine though for basic stitching.

That's the machine I started with and it's a great machine for basic sewing and learning on but you can't adjust the stitch length beyond the basic built in stitches so it's not great for e.g. gathering, or top stitching thicker fabrics etc. It became too basic very quickly.

Just to say the Brother one linked above can be bought quite a bit cheaper from other places than from the place I linked!! Definitely shop around.

I’ve just spoken with her—she basicallly wants to make her own costumes. I don’t think she’ll be sewing leather or anything really heavy—denim/heavy canvas is the furthest it will go.

The Singer heavy duty machines have a very poor reputation. For your price point I’d strongly suggest a second hand machine. Something like this would go everything she needs. https://ebay.us/m/lvwo6r

There aren’t many modern machines that cope too well with several layers of denim. My “back up” machine is a vintage Bernina and that came out when I was sewing jeans.

something like the above is also almost bullet proof, mine was made in the 1970’s and still works perfectly.

this is a thing of beauty, I’m almost tempted to bid on it myself https://ebay.us/m/l4y5w3

make sure that whatever you get can do a zig zag stitch. Otherwise she’ll not really be able to do anything with stretch fabrics.

Mine is fantastic, I’m not sure why you think they have a poor reputation. It’s a good basic machine in terms of functionality & it has everything a beginner and advanced machinist could want. Very reasonable price, I make all sorts on mine and had no hassle with it at all.

If you look for a sewing machine retailer they may also do sewing lessons or sewing events.

This could help with familiarisation of the machine and tips.

Could you push the budget to £500? Maybe with a contribution from your DD if she get any cash for Xmas?

The link is to the machine used on the Sewing Bee. The website also has a quiz to match you (DD) with the right machine.

www.thesewingstudio.co.uk/products/janome-5060-qdc-sewing-machine?gad_campaignid=21390864872&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD74v_vv-PwbjxQADXBmRglHCiVvB&gclid=CjwKCAiA86_JBhAIEiwA4i9JuxRuGHoAjkSUNfKYfQyc8yHk0cwM3snbtx_Ec20rfHrWV7-GORSTCBoC6QYQAvD_BwE&tw_adid=783790105105&tw_campaign=21390864872&tw_kwdid=kwd-1173533304449&tw_source=google

I have the janome version of the John Lewis machine and it will handle denim and canvas.

It is a very good little machine although I agree that if you want something else, a 1step button hole and automatic needle threader are the things to look for.

They have one for £100 at the moment https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-jl111-heirloom-ditsy-print-sewing-machine-white-multi/p5556068

Janome HD2200 gets good reviews, it's the current model of a machine which was often used in schools and has a metal body. You sometimes see older versions - they all have the dials in the same places. https://ebay.us/m/WKUR6o

A good shop will let you test a few out- take some thick fabric with you.

I don't have any recommendations for machines but make sure she knows to research needle sizes suitable for different fabrics.

Janome or Bernette

Probably out of your budget but the Brother A65 will do very thick fabric,

https://www.thesewingstudio.co.uk/products/brother-innov-is-a65-sewing-machine

https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=a1a9d55a62f2d284&rlz=1C1GCEA_enGB903GB903&sxsrf=AE3TifO6tTC9UALZyKecqvkq_g0akdKdeQ:1764857521538&udm=7&fbs=AIIjpHxU7SXXniUZfeShr2fp4giZjSkgYzz5-5RrRWAIniWd7oS2acQmjlbnmSjnfgHYYvTUBHcHTgOHUT-4czafcOf4N95csg9NM54gqjarjK8MmYjKrjtdlNS-jUHG-ZbGk3vTOjG_OMf2yJXDv316U9c1Wu01CZUt34J6N26sAKwaDMxTY_6F4_emgWZ-XGQIiWhw1SLSDyoKz9LjkRbDjcNyrq9CNA&q=a65+brother&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjr55nNjqSRAxVLZkEAHfqXEdEQtKgLegQIFBAB&biw=1575&bih=725&dpr=1.22#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:e3c8242d,vid:qRANyffF5Ek,st:0

Does multiple layers of denim

I just bought this machine and love it!