One Man Banned Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 Part of the restoration of the caravan means I'm going to be getting creative with new seat covers at the very least (the 'van came with the original curtains in a seperate bag that I may yet keep) but the cushion covers are not my style I've made costumes for some competitions and run up a little costume for Molly for Halloween but it's on a tiny fun-sized machine a friend got me at work. I dont need nothing too fancy and certainly don't need it to have all the bells and whistles, just be easy to use under £100 (the cheaper the better to be honest) and that would cope with going through heavy-ish material. Anyone got any ideas? It may be something to suggest as a Christmas present idea A xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 Can't comment much about indivdual machines Andrew, but there are plenty around for under £100 that will do what you want. I can recommend this company http://www.sewingmachines.co.uk/index.htm I bought my last machine from them, the price you see includes delivery and it arrived next day. Excellent service. Plus it came with loads of thread and extras (carry case, scissors pack etc). Mine was a Brother, but there is a Janome for £89 including delivery and extras pack. Well worth the investment if it's only for light, occasional use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rona Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 Do you use your local freecycle site? Perhaps you could as for one on there but you usually have to have offered stuff first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roxanne Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 I've had a Bernina sewing machine for 20 years and make all types of soft furnishings on it. It has only been serviced twice during that time and has more than paid for itself over the years. Worth spending the money on the best you can afford. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisnrob Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 I bought Chris one of the famous Lidl sewing machines for £39.99 in the summer and we later saw it in a specialist sewing machine shop in Warwick for over £100! Chris' mum (who is an experienced 'seamstress') said it was a great little machine for the money with all of the features you'd expect from a much more expensive machine. It crops up every so often in Lidl so you could keep a lookout for it? Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aunty e Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 Try laying your hands on a reconditioned older brother or jones. I have a Jones which is still working twenty two years after it was bought, and is my machine of choice for heavier fabrics, which my £400 bells and whistles Brother machine will NOT sew through. If you're doing heavy stuff, I actually find a more basic machine better. Janome machines can be a little lightweight for my taste, but reliable. I'd hie thee to a sewing machine repair shop and see what they can offer you in the reconditioned line. Sewing machines often come up on Gumtree and Freecycle, and it doesn't cost much to have them serviced, which will keep them working for donkeys years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omletina Kyckling Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 I agree with the above - go to a sewing machine place and try to get your hands on a quality, reconditioned machine. I bought my Husqvarna swedish machine about six years ago - it is an early seventies model, all made in metal, none of your breakable plastics here! It was just over £100 and the lady said it had been in the window for about six months. People would come in, ask about it but when she said it was second hand they'd shun it and buy a plastic monstrosity for £100 which would probably last about two years! The older models were made to last and if they are metal rather than plastic they are unlikely to break! You often see good, older machines on Ebay and in the Friday-Ad mags. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 I bought Chris one of the famous Lidl sewing machines for £39.99 in the summer and we later saw it in a specialist sewing machine shop in Warwick for over £100! Chris' mum (who is an experienced 'seamstress') said it was a great little machine for the money with all of the features you'd expect from a much more expensive machine. It crops up every so often in Lidl so you could keep a lookout for it? Rob I've just had a machine from Aldi and it is great, loads of features and easy to use, it was just under £50.00 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 Can you shout when theyre next in ALDIS I have to specifcally drag dh there. I cureently use my Grans singer (manuel) and have done for years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 Can you shout when theyre next in ALDIS I have to specifcally drag dh there. I cureently use my Grans singer (manuel) and have done for years Bronze, if you go to the Aldi website they will email you a preview of the weeks offers on it. I had been dying for a sewing machine for ages and when this came up Dan went and bought it for me, an early Christmas pressie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 Thanks Debs sorry A. didn't mean to thread steal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 I know what you mean about the older machines. I bought a new Brother from the site above and it is very easy to use, especially if you have to keep swapping threads and changing the presser foot. But I've hung on to my 20 year old Jones - it weighs 10 times more and is far more sturdy than the new one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 There was a very good simple machine on Ideal World shopping channel a while back. It had a handy self threading device. I have an old singer. Had it 23 years now & it's still great! Occassionally Aldi / Lidl have some good sewing machines in too. Good luck with your search! Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 If freecycle doesn't help then try a local search for collection only on Ebay - I've had some fantastic bargains this way! Sewing machines come up quite often. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiltyhen Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 My first Pfaff machine lasted over 25 years! Do you have a local sewing machine shop? They often have second hand reconditioned ones for sale and you can try them out too. If you only want it for heavy duty things like the covers, go for a straight stitch basic (like and old fashioned Singer). Some of the cheaper lightweight machines will not take thick material. Don't forget to get the right needle too, if you're using thicker thread you'll need a larger number needle. Liz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missuscluck Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 I have got a really old singer that my mum bought for me about 15 years ago second hand from a lady out of the local paper and it is still going strong. (mum got fed up with me loaning hers) Dont think it cost much. Its certainly worth looking for an quality make second hand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 I have an old Singer as well and have made all my own curtains with it, cushion covers, bedding, altered net curtain, clothing etc. It is over 45 years old and will cope with most fabrics, and is manual so can be set up anywhere. I prefer manual machines as I can control them stitch by stitch, and there's not much to go wrong either. It weighs a ton though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 I have an old Singer too - it was my nannas and i love it! I also have a very mordern swish one which i bought out of some compensation money when some idiot ran into the back of my car I love that sewing machine too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 Me too Em - my old Singer belonged to my Grandma - when I take it to be serviced, they always say that it was the best model they ever made. I love it to bits and always think of her when I'm using it. In the days when I had more time, I made 4 wedding dresses, 3 bridesmaid dresses, countless clothes for myself, numerous curtains and various soft furnishings. Nowadays it gets used more for quick alterations Ther are some seat covers for my dining room chairs, half made in the attic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairy&cake Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 sewing is my thing! go here! fab service. http://www.joyssewingmachines.co.uk/html/frameset_domestic.html £60 there jut branded different but are the same as Brother Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 Claret my Singer has a foot pedal which i can never get the hang of - i cant get my feet and hands to do what i want! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 I know the one - does it have a wooden frame and an iron foot treadle? My mother used to have one of those.. probably worth a fortune now! Mine is electric, and very solid. One of the last like that before they went computerised and plastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 I know the one - does it have a wooden frame and an iron foot treadle? My mother used to have one of those.. probably worth a fortune now! I wish! I just freecycled my mother's old Singer cabinet style treadle sewing machine, couldn't sell it for love nor money I felt very sentimental about it memories of my Mum making all kinds of wonderful garments with it, but it was soooooo heavy and I never used it, having a electric one,it was just something else to dust The treadle is easy to use, just sort of back and forwards with your feet, a bit like those little platform thingies in aircraft which you are supposed to use on long haul flights to stop you getting blood clots. Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 My Singer looks like a table until you lift the lid this then forms part of the sewing table. The machine then lifts up and you lock it into position so you can sew. To be honest i dont think i would sell it as it looks sooo cool! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 Sounds like it's the same one as my mother had then Emma. Don't sell it - they'll be collectors items one day! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
