Sewing machine help please

[janeite]

Dd1, 13, would really like a sewing machine for Christmas. She's used one before at school, although that was with supervision from somebody competent (ie: not me!). Could anybody recommend a machine that is reasonably priced and fairly idiot-proof please? One that, ideally, her 11 year old sister and useless mother will also be able to dabble with?

I see that John Lewis have a very cute red one on their website.

TIA

The mini red one looks good, tho if she wants to make clothes then the £89 one would be better.

Thanks Mat. Can anybody else help too please? Less than £100 certainly and even less than that if at all possible. I don't think they will need many fancy features.

Someone linked a while back to one tesco were doing- it was about 79 i think... worth a quick check on their site.

Thanks EachPeach. I do try to avoid Tesco, if at all possible, as I think they are evil (!) but will put aside my principals and have a look!

Can anybody tell me the basics I should be looking out for?

Principles even - oops! Have spent the morning reading Yr 11 coursework, complete with many spelling mistakes, and my brain is mangled!

I have no idea what features it does, I think it will be basics but Netto are selling a sewing machine atm for £19.99.

It was featured on Hot Uk Deals and alot of people were raving about them.

well- thats even better... though where is a netto near us?

Check the Netto website and it should have a list of stores.
Its only there until Wednesday I think.

Thanks NBG - and Each Peach.

Would prefer to buy online if poss; the JL one is so cute but I really need an expert to comment! Apologies to either of you if you are experts; didn't mean to sound ungrateful.

I am far from expert!
Surprised someone crafty hasn't been on to comment!
Maybe email Miaou?

Really - is she an expert? I will put a thread out for her - thanks again!

I've just had a look at the JL one.
I think that would be perfect for your dd.

The only thing I would say and its probably not even a valid factor atm, but if she keeps up this hobby, I would say that she'd want a more technical machine.
But as it is, I think this would do her really well.

The red one is fine if she wants to do mainly craft projects ie small light pieces/cushion covers etc, or if you think she may be going through a sewing phase. I admit it looks cute!

If she seems quite serious and is planning on making clothes I would recommend the next model up (£89). It is better to have a basic full size than a basic mini for clothes as they are bigger/heavier, if she was making a dress, say. It will last her a bit longer before she would need to upgrade, if she continues with her hobby.

For a first machine the features on both are fine. The free arm on the J1012 is handy as it means that she can do cuffs/sleeves/small tricky things more easily.

It really depends on if you think she would be more encouraged to sew by the cuteness of the red one or if she would appreciate functionality. What do you think your DD would prefer?

Oh and another point - the Janome one is guaranteed 2 years and the ladies in the sewing department at John Lewis are only on the other end of the phone/in store to help if things go wrong or you need advice.

Plus all the accessories such as needles, feet and bobbins can be bought from JL if you get the machine from there. When I had a Singer there was only one shop miles away that sold the bits which was very inconvenient. I presume you can get them on the internet these days tho, so maybe not as much of a problem.

You said she has used one in school? Ask her supervisory professor. They would know what her capabilities are and also the safety factors for a girl her age.
I have an associates degree for fashion merchandising. I know how dangerous and how much fun sewing can be. I wasn't much older than your child when I found a love of creating my own clothes and for others.
You might also see if there is an upgrade program (one where you can buy a machine and then trade it for a better one later...also lessons offered as sewing machines are different from one another.
Good luck with this as it is a wonderful thoughtful gift.

you might be able to get on fo freecycle for free. it is worth asking and giving details as to why you would like one.

if she really likes sewing then i would go for the best you can afford and something with a variety of stiches especially something to do jersey and stretch fabrics.

i would say tho that sewing is a very rewarding hobby. i have been making my own clothes for over 20years now and still get complements on them.

I got a great sewing machine on Ebay - brand new, good spec.

The Ebayer who sold them had that as her business, and the price points of the various machines went up by £10 a time. I got a very high spec machine for under £100, and next day delivery.

The business name was Jay / Jay's.

I bought one for my DS (then aged 10) last Christmas. The independent retailer who recommended it didn't sell it herself, so I took that as an honest and good recommendation. It's by Janome (don't know the model number), and it cost adout £50.
It's fairly basic, with straight and zig-zag stitches of a few different sizes, but performs well for her needs, although it doesn't have a light.

wehaveallbeenthere - out of interest, what safety factors would do you think should be considered, apart from the fact that sewing machines have a needle, which is protected by a guard? I am genuinely curious.

at the "dangers" of sewing tho - makes it sound like an extreme sport
(or an extreme hobby!!)

sometimes you can find a great one, recon, in a shop that sells materials - curtain stuff etc.

that's where i got my first - cost me £50 over 20 years ago, still works (apart from the fact that my friend has the foot pedal)

also, I saw a fab one in woolworths a few weeks ago, £300 reduced to under £80.

Wow - thank you so much everybody. This is really helpful.

i'd reccomend going for a JL one - its worth it for the aftercare you get.

You must have a place to sew that isn't going to have distractions, or items that may get in the way.
If she is a sewing student get her a large (really large as she is young) pin cushion for her needles (the pins that she will be using to keep her sections together) and have her count the pins before and after.
Also a presser foot or machine that has a slow and fast speed. I have known other students (yes two years in college of sewing will have a lot of stories to tell) of women that have sewn themselves into their work. We had one girl that was listening to anothers conversation and pushed her fingernail under the needle.
You will also have to get her acquainted with the type of needles needed for what fabric she is sewing. Your machine will either take a round head (the part that goes up into the machine or a flat sided head) because there will be broken needles.
Lessons are always good to make sure all the feet and plates are correct for her project...etc.
Moving parts are always a concern whether it be tools, appliances or a sewing machine. Make sure she reads and UNDERSTANDS the manual that comes with your machine and that there is a number if you have questions that aren't addressed in the manual.

Depending on her familiarity with sewing should decide what kind of machine applications you should look into.
A basic (for beginners) only needs a zigzag and straight stitch. Later she can get a machine with lots of embroidery stitches (you can make a lot of those if you are patient and have been around a machine for a long time) with just a regular machine or actually do many of the stitches by hand.
I have 7 machines (various types) here but I still use only two regularly. One is a serger (for edges) and the other a straight stitch/zigzag for basic sewing and reinforcing.