AJuff Posted May 9, 2009 Share Posted May 9, 2009 I should have kept my mother's very old Singer sewing machine but I gave it to my sister who won't let me have it back. i bought a new Singer, terrible not like the old one. I sent it back and bought a Brother machine. It's been ok for the last 10 years but it has some of the plastic bits broken off it and now it's kaput. I have spent the last hour or so researching machines and it's a mine field. I remember school Janome machines worked very well. I found this one which is a super price and does all that I would like a machine to do plus a hard case. http://www.sewingmachinediscount.co.uk/sewing-machines/janome/simplicity/70-c0-v0.htm However I found this . . . any thoughts? http://www.thesewingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?p=93859&highlight=coopers#post93859 Anyone so delighted with their machine they's recommend? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigmommasally Posted May 9, 2009 Share Posted May 9, 2009 Gosh! I'd steer well clear of Coopers then! I have a basic Singer Melodie 40 that was my mums - I don't know if they still make it but (touching wood) its been great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted May 9, 2009 Share Posted May 9, 2009 OH bought me a Toyota RS2000 for Christmas a couple of years ago - complete shock - but I love it. Very sturdy and easy to use. He got it from this place - http://www.sewingmachinediscount.co.uk He said he would recommend them, they were very good and upgraded the machine he ordered to a better one No idea why?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJuff Posted May 9, 2009 Author Share Posted May 9, 2009 Blimey!!! That website IS Coopers!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emily95 Posted May 9, 2009 Share Posted May 9, 2009 I love my brother sewing machine. Its an ES2020. I got it off this site http://www.sewingmachines.co.uk/?kw=brother%20es2020%20sewing%20machine&fl=71338&gclid=COSc5_j6r5oCFQazsgodCClRcQ And to top it off, the thread pack is fantastic, and the scissors are good too! Emily xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minnie the Moocher Posted May 10, 2009 Share Posted May 10, 2009 I have an older version of this machine: http://www.bernina.co.uk/bernette/bernette82e.html I love it. It is sturdy (metal not plastic), reliable and simple to use. It was a very reasonable price too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJuff Posted May 11, 2009 Author Share Posted May 11, 2009 Love the look of it! Can you buy a quilting foot for it? Does it have a good clearance? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 I have a bernina and the bit on my machine I value most is a needle threader, followed by being able to drop the feed dogs, adjust the presser foot pressure and have a walking foot and needle up and down position. Guess it depends what you are going to use it for but there are so many makes now at so many prices I guess you have to try them. Most do a lot of fancy stitches and to be honest its not so often I stray off straight or zig zag so that part was not important for me. Have you been to a dealer and tried different makes? You can always buy them somewhere cheaper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aunty e Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 In brief, I'd say go for a Janome, they're terribly reliable, and I've always had really good service from Coopers. I can't read that post, as I'm at work, but they've been very helpful with me, and repeatedly fixed my poor battered Brother. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 Er, I have 2 Janomes. One is pretty ancient - and very reliable. The other new one has been a right pain ever since I got it - digital and a Quiltmaster because it has a bigger hole for bigger quilts. My quilt teacher had an ancient Bernina and lots of other ladies recommend them too. My friend has recently bought a Bernina and she is really happy with it. But I guess there may be a rogue somewhere in all types. Whatever you choose I hope it has a long and hardworking life with you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aunty e Posted May 13, 2009 Share Posted May 13, 2009 Maybe I should qualify that with a suggestion that you never ever buy a more complicated machine than necessary. I fell into the trap of getting a computerised Brother, rather than a nice solid workhorse, which is what someone who occasionally sews for fifty or sixty hours in a week (and once for twenty hours solidly) needs. Poor old Hal regularly breaks down, and needs to be serviced, because his delicate machinery can't cope with the hard labour I put him to (but does do beautiful embroidery stitches which I NEVER use). My back up machine is a twenty odd year old Jones, and I also have the Janome sew-mini, which is useful for carting about to theatres and so on. I've done two tours on a £90 janome, whch was brilliant - solid and reliable, and happy to sew through almost anything, including three layers of synthetic leather with my Brother spat out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
