missuscluck Posted March 26, 2008 Share Posted March 26, 2008 My sewing machine has broken again today. I really think it has had its last chance now. Its a VERY old singer that my mum bought me about 15 years ago second hand from an old lady. I have had it repaired a few times now. Last time was only 6 months ago and it cost me 50 quid Think its time to move on Was very sad and my hubbie felt really sorry for me and has told me I can have a new one I have found a Singer one for £99.00 reduced from £150 in Dunelm mill. Think I may go for this as I know the make. The other option was Janome, not one I am familiar with. Have any of you got one of these? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted March 26, 2008 Share Posted March 26, 2008 Sorry, no. I've got a basic Brother that I got from tesco for £40. I only do school play costumes, very basic alterations and sewing badges onto karate or beaver uniforms so it's adequate for my needs. Sorry to hear your old machine has died. Singer must be good - they've obviously been going for years, we had them at school. I'm sure Janome are a very good make - our sewing machine shop has lots and they are very expensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hilda-and-evadne Posted March 26, 2008 Share Posted March 26, 2008 I have found a Singer one for £99.00 reduced from £150 in Dunelm mill. Think I may go for this as I know the make. The other option was Janome, not one I am familiar with. Have any of you got one of these? I still have my mother's Singer sewing machine in the loft but I got frustrated by what it couldn't do (although the ancient buttonholer gadget produced amazingly perfect buttonholes). I bought a new one about 20 years ago and am thinking now about replacing it - but probably with a Janome this time. If you look at the 20 or so models on the John Lewis department store web site, http://www.johnlewis.com/Electrical+Appliances/Sewing/Sewing/+Sewing+Machines/516/0/0/ProductType.aspx you can compare them, up to a point. When I can afford it, I won't buy the most "feature-rich" but I would like a machine that could do more than half a dozen different stitches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted March 26, 2008 Share Posted March 26, 2008 OMG - at first I thought it might have been Snowy's marvellous, mechanical mending machine that had broken / died! Mine is a singer & I've had it since I was 10...I'm now 333! Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted March 26, 2008 Share Posted March 26, 2008 OMG - at first I thought it might have been Snowy's marvellous, mechanical mending machine that had broken / died! Mine is a singer & I've had it since I was 10...I'm now 333! Emma.x I've seen your photos, you are NOT as old as Yoda OR Joan Collins!! Love the bagpuss reference, I can hear charliemouse saying it now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 26, 2008 Share Posted March 26, 2008 Mines a Brother too. Lent it to my sister about 2 years ago! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted March 26, 2008 Share Posted March 26, 2008 Mine is a singer & I've had it since I was 10...I'm now 333! Did you get a telegram from the Queen? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairy&cake Posted March 26, 2008 Share Posted March 26, 2008 Just a quick message with insider knowledge. Janome are good, very famous actually . Up and coming. Theres a company called Joys Sewing machines, [google them] , their websites a bit ammature, but every schoo i know has them, and college. And they are VERY cheap as theres no middle men They offer great service. And they are mostly all the same as Brother sewing machines. She used to suuply to the Trade, now she has this website and is one of the biggest UK sellers, if not global. xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddie Posted March 26, 2008 Share Posted March 26, 2008 Try yr recycle centre. When my mum died, she left a lovely old singer, and no-one wanted it, esp as the charity shops wont take electrical.Luckily a friend of a friend was looking for one, so it went to a good home. I count bear to chuck it, and I already have an ancient one of my own that cost £15 to be "electrified" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedusA Posted March 27, 2008 Share Posted March 27, 2008 No good asking me about new fangled electric sewing machines. My (used to be my Mum's) trusty old turn-the-handle Sunbeam still does the business for me (with a bit of sweet-talking and the odd bash). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missuscluck Posted March 27, 2008 Author Share Posted March 27, 2008 Thanks so much for all the advice Mulled over the pros and cons of spending a little or a lot! To be honest I could do with not spending much. My old one only did straght and zig zag in 3 sizes so anything would be an improvement. Cnat see me using any other features on the expensive ones. Just need a good solid one that goes in a straght line. I could do with it doing heavy fabric though as I do make curtains on it. I have had a cruse round the web (thanks hilda n co. for the john lewis link) I think I will go to Dunelm today and ask to have a go at the two £100 ones and check out whats in the box. I think the singer said it would cope with upholstery not sure about the Janome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted March 27, 2008 Share Posted March 27, 2008 Mine is a basic Brother and is very good and sturdy but basic it does sraight, zigzag and buttonhole and that is it My main criteria when buying one was how easy is it to thread from memory at school I didn't want a singer as I could never get the thread to pick up from the bobbin Most department stores have an assistant that will let you try before you buy so you can actually see how you get on with them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aunty e Posted March 27, 2008 Share Posted March 27, 2008 Could be here all day! I make a LOT of things on my Brother. I went for a pretty darn expensive model, which has broken at least twice a year since I bought it. Admittedly, this could be because I use it for around 10 hours a week on average and it travels to theatres a lot. I absolutely love it, but wouldn't have bought it if I had known how temperamental it was going to be. My old Jones is 22, and still works perfectly. I think they're now owned by Singer. I have used Janomes and I really like them, the basic models are very good value for money and they're sturdy little things. I just had a look at the Joys site. They have what is essentially my sewing machine for only £170. Where were they five years ago when I was setting up? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missuscluck Posted March 27, 2008 Author Share Posted March 27, 2008 We have been up to Dunelms again and have bought the Janome. The lady in the shop was very helpfull and we had both machines side by side to compare them. It was a tough decision but the conrtrols on the Janome seamed a lot clearer and easy to use. It goes like a dream and is really easy to thread. Should have done it ages ago, its so easy compared to using the old one. My 10 year old daughter is using it at the moment and is doing really well. Ill have her knocking up curtains soon!! I have been making these today. We have bees and these little bags are for christmas to put honey and candles in for presents. The sewing machine sewed the hessian no problem. My old machine would have had a hissy fit! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keanie Bean Posted March 27, 2008 Share Posted March 27, 2008 Lovely bags. My sewing machine is a Frister Rossman and it was my grandads. Well actually it belonged to my gran who bought it from new in the late 60's but she always got my grandad to do the sewing. She was a sneaky old bag like that. Bless her Sarah.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted March 27, 2008 Share Posted March 27, 2008 Lovely bags.My sewing machine is a Frister Rossman and it was my grandads. Well actually it belonged to my gran who bought it from new in the late 60's but she always got my grandad to do the sewing. She was a sneaky old bag like that. Bless her Sarah.x I have a Frister Rossman too. My mum bought it for me as a graduation present It's nearly 40 years old still works fine, the only problem if you do a LOT of sewing the vibrations tend to loosen all the parts and you have to spend time tightening them all up again Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...