ali-s Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 One of my goals for this year is to learn how to machine sew. I have seen a sewing machine on offer at Lidl for £29.00 This seems like a good buy and if I find the whole sewing malarky too difficult I haven't wasted too much of Andy's hard earned cash The machine is a free arm sewing machine with upper thread tension. Sewing pedal with variable pressure setting, finger protection , built in storage box with accessories. It comes with a 3 year warranty. What features should I be looking for on a sewing machine? Has any one ever bought a machine from Lidl? and would you recomend them? thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miffy Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 Hi, no idea about the Lidl machine I'm afraid. But I wondered if you had considered a doing a couse at a local school/college they may have machines there you could use. Then if you enjoyed it you could buy one. I bought my basic singer machine in 1980, I go through phases of using it. Recently I took it to a shop as I couldnt sort the tension out ( I was using the wrong bobbin ) They loved my machine told me how a lot of the newer plastic ones have plastic parts that dont last long. I'm not very arty crafty, but do like to dabble, over the years I have made cutains, clothes for myself and the family, fancy dress costumes, not to mention running repairs on various clothing and household items. Good luck with what ever you deceide....let us know how you get on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 I would recommend any from Aldi or Lidl. They are usually German made & ooze quality. They also usually come with a 3 year no quibble money back guarantee. I'd certainly buy one - try it & Lidl & Aldi will always take anything back with a receipt. Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-s Posted February 8, 2009 Author Share Posted February 8, 2009 I've mentioned the sewing machine to Andy. It's our wedding anniversary on Wednesday, 20 years . I've told him that the gift for a 20th anniversary is sewing/needlework A good idea about a college course I will have to look into that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A chickychickychick-ENN!! Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 Adult ed courses, or sewing machine shops wil normally be happy to give you advice. These days I'd be looking for some special stitches on machines. Mine is old and only does plain stitch and I think zigzag. But a lot of modern ones do overlocking and quilting stitches and different width stitches. If it's for basic projects and basic clothes you can't go wrong for £30 for a starter machine. There are also a plethora of crafting blogs out there by people who sew. Great for inspiration. Try: http://whipup.net/ http://veronicadarling.blogspot.com/ http://vintagericrac.blogspot.com/ http://aliciapaulson.com/ for starters. Inspiration rather than practical tips, but lovely nonetheless! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-s Posted February 8, 2009 Author Share Posted February 8, 2009 Andy has said yes as long as I use it Well he has lots of power tools in his workshop (shed ) that he has used only once. I can't get into town before 7pm on weekdays and I often miss out on the Lidl special I am intrested in, so tomorrow I am going to see if I can swap my shift at work and work Saturday or Sunday instead of Thursday. I think Andy has visions of me making all my own clothes where as I am thinking more basic sewing such as repairs to hems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A chickychickychick-ENN!! Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 WOOH! Fingers crossed... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 I've heard from other sewers that the basic Lidl/Aldi ones are very good value for money. They are basic, but sound and do the job. Perfect to learn on, and then if you do want a fancier machine later on, you haven't wasted too much money! Go for it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A chickychickychick-ENN!! Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 Snowy is THE sewing lady. If she says go for it, it would be very rude not to! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 Snowy is THE sewing lady. If she says go for it, it would be very rude not to! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aunty e Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 I've heard they're very reliable (unlike my £400 monster) I'd go for it My hot tip is that the more sewing you do, the better you get at it. Just have a go and don't worry if it doesn't turn out perfectly, everything is a learning experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prudance Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 Go for it, as long as it sews straight, zig-zag, and it will also go in reverse it sounds like a bargain. Also, most others at that price are aimed at young children and definitely wouldn't come with a nice guarantee. As Miffy said, if you can, try to go on an adult sewing course. I started on one about 8 years ago, with no machine and no experience and three years in made my own wedding dress! (Got a lot of help from my tutor mind!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-s Posted February 13, 2009 Author Share Posted February 13, 2009 I didn't get one I couldn't get a shift swap, and even though I went to the store straight from work I was too late. Never mind, one will come my way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A chickychickychick-ENN!! Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 Bah. That's a pity. But there's the preloved and freecycle websites. You never know what they'll turn up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 What a shame Keep your eyes peeled though, they seem to have them in quite regularly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Webmuppet Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 I noticed they had some small, cheap sewing machines in Tescos last night. Can't remember how much they were but I recall them being under £50. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-s Posted February 14, 2009 Author Share Posted February 14, 2009 Couldn't wait until the sewing machines were on offer at Lidl again. Argos to the rescue I also went browsing in a seconhand book shop and bought the Readers Digest Complete Guide to Sewing. The book was printed in 1978 so the sewing projects are vintage , however the rest of the book looks good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 Couldn't wait until the sewing machines were on offer at Lidl again. Argos to the rescue I also went browsing in a seconhand book shop and bought the Readers Digest Complete Guide to Sewing. The book was printed in 1978 so the sewing projects are vintage , however the rest of the book looks good Well done - and that's a great book! I'm sure I still have that in the loft somewhere, it was my reference book for many years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A chickychickychick-ENN!! Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 Cool! We watch and wait for pics of your sewing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miffy Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 I still have that book somewhere..... Its brilliant!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-s Posted February 15, 2009 Author Share Posted February 15, 2009 I have been playing with my machine this morning An old pillowcase was used for practicing the different stitches. The machine has 22 different types of stitches. Oh and I got the machine to go in reverse I managed a passable straight line. My next task is to have a go at filling a bobbin. There was one in the machine filled and ready to go. The machine came with a few accessories, including some oil. I can't find out where I am supposed to put the oil or how often I should be oiling. There are a few instructions how to clean the different parts of the machine but nothing about oiling. I will take a look about machine maintenance in the RD sewing book. I have a pair of bedroom curtains that need shortening, they will be my first project when I have bought some matching thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 I wouldn't worry about oiling just yet Ali. Main things are to use the little brush to clean around the needle and bobbin regularly to remove fluff, and change needles after a major project Have fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 Andy has said yes as long as I use it Well he has lots of power tools in his workshop (shed ) that he has used only once. Wonder why they are like that. I guess it's because they don't use them and therefore see no value in spending money on such an item. I remember trying to get the cheapest sewing machine which actually had some functions on it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lost-sheep Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 i started sewing a while ago with a £2 sewing machine from a car boot im yet to finish anything more succesful than my school bag that fell apart... but i think thats more because of the amount i have to put in it than my rubbish sewing skills... .. at least thats my excuse this site is useful for free sewing patterns, it covers most things and is updated every monday with a new pattern http://www.burdastyle.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 I have got that Readers Digest book, had it from new! It's brilliant, as you say the projects are a bit dated but the information still holds good. I bought the new, updated copy for my niece for Christmas (I don't think she will ever open it, but it's what she asked for!) and was interested to see that apart from the projects and photos, not much had changed. Well done for starting with your sewing machine. I'm going to post a picture of mine on here if I can get round to it. It's very, very old! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
