Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[Purplemaniacs]

Years ago I used to make some of my clothes and was reasonable on a sewing machine but have not used my machine for years a Frister Rossmann, it now needs repairing or servicing or has passed it .

 

Now DD is looking at getting a machine, so we have thought about getting one for both of us to use but I now feel out of touch

 

Things have moved on since I last sewed

 

We have a budget of £250 to £300 what should we look for in a machine?

 

DD would like to make a quilted blanket and I would like to do general sewing.

 

Any advice would be brilliant.

 

Thanks Chrissie

[Olly]

Take a look at this thread and this one for some helpful tips.

 

It may be worth using part of your budget to get the Frister & Rossman serviced, if it's a good machine and you're used to it. It's always useful to have two machines! especially if DD is interested in sewing as well.

[Plum]

Yes because if you are like me you mess up a machine at an important point. I sewed over a zip and knocked the timing out.

 

The sort of things I think you should look for if you are quilting is

to be able to drop the feed dogs,

use a walking foot

needle up and needle down for pivoting

an indicator for stitch length and tension and an essential for me in my old age, a needle threader.

 

I'd also look at the weight. A heavy machine is great but if you are taking it to workshops or have back problems you're probably best going for one under 6-7kg.

 

Another lesson I learnt the hard way is to choose one that has a dealer for servicing within reasonable area from you and then buy the cheapest on line.

 

You can go to a shop and try them out first, you might want to consider the look of the stitch, how smooth it sews or the noise

[craftyhunnypie]

I bought the TOyota Quilt master. Plum said it was a decent enough machine, as it does everything she would want for doing quilting. No regrets here. I love it!

 

Emma.x