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eeyoreshunny

sewing machine help please

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I spent a lot of time researching new sewing machines when mine gave up. The one you are looking at sews ok but has it's limitations. Because it is lightweight it won't sew heavy fabris very well like denim or any quilting batting. It would be fine for lightweight fabrics like cottons. It depends on what you want to use it for really.

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Janomes usually have a good reputation. I gather this one is used when quilters go travelling because of its size - not for quilting, but for piecing the patches. It will be the basic one and very much as AJuff says. But on the Janome website I can't find it on there which probably means that it is either old stock or one off type. I know my Formula One Janome is almost out of date, as there are much more improved versions after only 3 years!

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thanks for your replies I see what you mean about it not being any good for heavier fabrics,

so i've changed my mind and have been looking at this one http://www.sewingmachines.co.uk/brotherxl2230AG_info.htm

 

I mainly want to try and make some dresses and skirts for my girls and try some patchwork (oh and maybe make some curtains) would this one be suitable for those sort of things? :anxious:

 

thanks

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thanks for your replies I see what you mean about it not being any good for heavier fabrics,

so i've changed my mind and have been looking at this one http://www.sewingmachines.co.uk/brotherxl2230AG_info.htm

 

I mainly want to try and make some dresses and skirts for my girls and try some patchwork (oh and maybe make some curtains) would this one be suitable for those sort of things? :anxious:

 

thanks

 

To be very honest - I have not been impressed with the cheaper Brothers. They are very lightweight, not coping well with heavier fabrics, and because they are very lightweight they tend to drift across the table as you sew :shock: The model you are looking at is very basic. Have a look at this one: http://www.sewingmachines.co.uk/SMD18_info.htm

It is from the same company (I've bought machines from them and their after sales service is brilliant), and it also has a two year guarentee (same as the brother). I would be tempted to try it, mainly because:

It does a one step buttonhole instead of a 4 step (a brilliant feature if doing a lot of buttonholes, such as in dressmaking)

Needlethreader!! (a wonderful invention!)

It is heavier (less table drift)

Easier bobbin winder

More stitch selection - in dressmaking some of those overlocking and satin stitches will come in useful.

Quick release footholder - easy to change the presser foot, for example to add the buttonhole foot, (actually I think the Brother might have this too, but it doesn't say :? )

Easier to control the speed from the foot pedal - I found the brother quite vicious! It was either stop or full speed ahead!

The only downside that I can see to this model is that it is a front loading bobbin rather than the slightly easier top loading bobbin.

Just a few thoughts - sorry if I've confused you further, but if I were going for an entry level machine again, I would definitely try this one (I REALLY didn't like the Brother - it was bought for my friend who really struggled to do patchwork on it, she sent it back and bought a higher spec model second hand)

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I totally agree with Snowy. I haven't been impressed with my old Brother machine. I decided when it packed up I wouldn't bother to repair it. It's like anything, you pay for what you get. Better to pay a bit more for a higher spec than regret it later like I did. You can' t go wrong with a Janome.

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Anyone tried the SMD make that Snowy recommends? My OH has offered to get me a lighter weight machine for workshops and class.

Mine is over 10Kg and feels twice that by the time I've carried it up and down stairs. :D

 

That SMD one looks like it's their own model - might be worth giving them a ring, they are very helpful!

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Have a look at this one: http://www.sewingmachines.co.uk/SMD18_info.htm

It is from the same company (I've bought machines from them and their after sales service is brilliant), and it also has a two year guarentee (same as the brother). I would be tempted to try it, mainly because:

It does a one step buttonhole instead of a 4 step (a brilliant feature if doing a lot of buttonholes, such as in dressmaking)

Needlethreader!! (a wonderful invention!)

It is heavier (less table drift)

Easier bobbin winder

More stitch selection - in dressmaking some of those overlocking and satin stitches will come in useful.

Quick release footholder - easy to change the presser foot, for example to add the buttonhole foot, (actually I think the Brother might have this too, but it doesn't say :? )

Easier to control the speed from the foot pedal - I found the brother quite vicious! It was either stop or full speed ahead!

The only downside that I can see to this model is that it is a front loading bobbin rather than the slightly easier top loading bobbin.

 

Well guess what, I have this machine now as a second machine, Thanks OH :D . It was only £89 and has lots of features I find useful like drops feeddogs, variable presser foot pressure, needle threader, variable stitch width and length, and weighs a lot less than my Bernina so good for taking to workshops and our quilt group. It doesn't have a walking foot so can't quilt but don't need to in those situations and you can't get everything for so little money. Its actually a Frister Rossman machine. :D

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