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"I don't sew. Its girly. Its just not me. Don't wanna you can't make me!"

*sigh*

Turns out that when you get this naked shell of a house that things need a-stitching, and I don't think doing it by hand is a viable option.

I have some choices... and a budget of about $300AUD. Its a working budget... meaning it doesn't exist and can be somewhat adjusted

What brands do people like? Janome? Singer? Brother? Toyota?

What are the essential features? I intend to make clothes and homewares. Don't need quilting or embroidery features really.

How strong do they come in that pricerange? could I stitch pigskin or light canvas or felted wool without killing the machine?

metal gears are a good thing yeah?

What on earth is "up needle down" and why is it a selling point??

Would you go with computerised or mechanical stitch change thingy?

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

I have a Singer and a Pfaff. If you want to sew thicker materials like denim or suede I wouldn't look at a Brother. They tend to be the cheaper machines. Go to a shop where you can sit at the machine, even if you don't buy it there you can see how sturdy the levers and casing are. You will want to be sure there is a sturdy zipper foot as it will be used for any trim or piping. How easy is it to reverse the stitch etc.

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If at first you DO succeed, try not to look astonished.

Definately go to a shop, preferably one that sells more than one brand, tell them what you want to do with it, how much you can spend and go from there. Don't be afraid to purchase a used machine either, many people trade in their machines for models with more functions/accessories etc. A good machine will last you a long time (my Mom has had her Singer for over 30 years).

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I used to be Snow White, but I drifted.
~ Mae West

I grew up on singers, both the old black kind that came in this old wooden box (grandmothers) and a newfangley white one that almost always got me annoyed at it....but I used it anyway (and lots too ).

I'd stick with a singer if I was going to buy one myself, I've often wanted one for around the house, but my place is small and i havent really the room to spare for it, dont have time and yeah cant justify the expense.

I do want to make more of this one skirt I found, it's a pretty straight forward design so it should be easy enough to make.....and I actually look good in it ( or so I think ).

^_^

I would give the swerve to the ones that have lcd and fancy shchmatz. Mine has buttons you push in to select zig-zag and different needle positions. The less fancy they less to go wrong.

I just want forwards, backwards, zig-zag for my quilting and sewing. I haven't needed any of the other stitches it comes with so I am glad I didn't pay extra to get the next model up with 20 extra options.

Got my machine in early 90s and it is still going strong. I do mostly quilting. Dabbled with cloth dolls and a skating skirt here and there. I am not good with garment construciton as a whole but quilting really covers the kms.

Definately tell them you want to work with heavy fabrics. Why should the horses miss out? I saw a quilt someone made for their horse in a quilting magazine. Modelled by the lucky horse of course!

Go to the shops and check out the models and things to look for. Then why not check out the trading post? Make a few calls. Ask why they are getting rid of the machine and pray to find someone who has done similar sewing to you and is upgrading to a fancier machine!

I am very excited for you! I owe you one for the tank refit so if you want a heads up on buying fabric I may be able to workshop it with you

I do want to make more of this one skirt I found, it's a pretty straight forward design so it should be easy enough to make.....

Famous last words. I wish I was brave enough. I should at least try shouldn't I? Maybe I will soon! You have inspired me. Will at least look at some patterns... and velvet

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~~~ My fish blow kisses at me all day long ~~~

I do mostly quilting.

Me too! Or did, I lost the creative urge about 2 years ago . I've got a couple of thousand dollars worth of fabric just sitting in my studio.

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I used to be Snow White, but I drifted.
~ Mae West

I have a wedding dress on the go now for a friend. If I see another sequin I am going to scream. I also have a pair of half finished pinch pleated drapes waiting for me. I make dresses, shorts, nightshirts, curtains, pillows etc.

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If at first you DO succeed, try not to look astonished.

Pinch pleats????

Wedding dresses???

Those things come in packages and on mannequins in stores, you don't make them! geez! I'd go mad! You are one brave lady LB!


OK, so go visiting stores, play with machines, base model is probably all that is needed, but get one that is built a little bit like a tank if possible. I think thats the main bits?

Then I have to come back with my little seamstress-wannabe tail between my legs to find out how to make square cut fabric pieces into rounded collars and what the best fabric is for this shirt etc Ohh its going to be a fun year.

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

If you could get an evening course at a community centre or school that would get you started. Remember start with something easy like pillows. I know it sounds boring but learning to sew a straight line will take time.

___________________________________________

If at first you DO succeed, try not to look astonished.

Okay so the hardest time I ever did was in the costume shop my sophmore year in uni.....they were putting R&J on that year and the costumes were simply ....of course since it was spring and happened to be mid march I was smack dab in the middle of my fasting period....I was working on juliets dress which was silk velvet bodice (velvet makes lots of dusty bits when cut) attached to a skirt of sari silk in a pale pink....not only is it hard to attach reinforced velvet to thin sari silk but it's even harder when it's hot and you can barely breathe and you're throat is so dry you can hardly swallow but you've got all these bits of velvet you keep inhaling.

I made a white graduation dress from a 1950's pattern I found at my grandmothers....kinda close to a wedding dress adamses liked it . Pleats and gathers .

I have no clue how I learned to sew....just happened, dont even know if I really know how to sew ....a lot of the fabric and craft stores also offer classes, so do some of the rec council classes.

^_^

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/4601924/Trail/C%24cip%3D35946.Household%2Bappliances%3EC%24cip%3D35947.Sewing%2Bmachines%2Band%2Baccessories%3EFC%24Brands%3DSinger.Singer.htm


sorry for the very long link.

Can I butt in to this thread and ask what experienced sewing people think of this?
We had a HUGE singer when I was a kid and it fascinated me. I want to sew clothes, rat hammocks(so need to sew through denim)and maybe things like cushion covers and curtins.

this link shows the other machines they sell,
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Browse/catalogId/4501/identifier/7792326/Trail/C%24cip%3D35946%3EC%24cip%3D35947.htm


also found this which has a much better selection
http://www.singerdirect.co.uk/site/productzoom.asp?id=1278


so any suggestions? I would like to avoid computerised ones, the guy I know who can fix them would be able to fix anything TOO complicated.

cheers
GFG

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Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life; define yourself.
Harvey S. Firestone

Callatya,
I have been sewing since I was about ten years old, started out on my mom's old treadle (boy was it fun!). I used to crank that old thing up and have it flying low - who cared what it was sewing....
Currently, I have seven sewing machines of varying ages and types. Whenever I want to sew something heavy weight, I drag out one of the oldtimers - they are made of solid metal and don't slide all over the place like the newer, lighter weight machines. A good example: my husband's granny's 1948 Singer or the 1917 Singer treadle, I won on E-bay, both are great for quilting!
A showroom can tell you what models are currently available for what you need, but go with something simple. There is a machine called "the jeans machine" that is made to sew denium and heavier weight fabric. I am sorry I can't remember who makes it, but it is one to consider / also, a machine made for quilting.
Consider checking out the thrift/second hand stores and the adds in your local newspaper.
When I first learned how to sew, I would draw lines and circles on a plain piece of paper, and try to stay/sew on the lines. It might sound strange, but it works (yes, you can sew on paper - old brown paper bags work well, too). From there, sew something simple like a pillow.
If the fabric is very heavy, you will need a machine needle made for upholstery and a heavier weight thread. You will need to adjust your stitch length to a longer length. The owners manual should help you out on that.
Sewing machines I own:
1883 Wilcox & Gibbs (it sews)
1917 Singer redeye treadle machine
1940 Singer (given to me by a friend - needs repair)
1948 Singer (granny's)
1970's model White (someone was throwing it away and I retrieved it from the dump - only needed a cover for the bobbin case)
1997 Kenmore (the one I use most)
Sergemate serger (a real pain in the butt, but when it works, its wonderful).
I hope this helps.

I use a Brother, but Singers are nice too. I don't use the machine unless Im making a big project. I prefer to handsew.

Inky

I have been sewing a long time and about 6 years ago bought a "manual" model 1031 Bernina. Basically one with out all the bells and whistles and computer components in it. Its my favorite machine ever. I tossed out a new singer that was 8 months old for it. The singer with the "automatic tension adjustment"...yeah right! LOL I had to send it to the closest warranty place twice, which cost me 67 dollars in shipping each time even though the warrenty work itself was covered. The best advice I can give you is find out which company in your neck of the woods has the best reputation for warranty work and general service then go with them. Also never buy the cheapest one in the line. You could ask sewing groups what brands they have and prefer along with how much warranty work and repairs their machines have needed. Good luck and remember that a good sewing machine can really make the difference between enjoyment and a "task".

Calla's gone quiet. She has prolly sewn her finger to a horse blanket and can no longer type.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~ My fish blow kisses at me all day long ~~~

Don't curse her wish!

I just found out that I might be getting a machine of my own in the next bit. A friend of my moms is moving back to montana (or was it north dakota ) and she's leaving behind 3 or 4 machines, one of which is an old singer (read non electric).
I'll be getting one when my sister moves in with me during the summer then she'll keep one and I might get another

^_^

Babelfish,
Hang on to that non-electric. They are becoming harder to find now days, especially if it is in good working condition. If it needs a belt for the treadle, most sewing repair/dealerships still sell them. There are several good websites on restoration, how to properly maintain them (they need a lot of machine oil) and even downloadable owners manuels.

Nono, i'm here, i'm just going through catalogues and checking ebay and grays

And er... learning to knit too. Figured i could tackle another girly craft while I waited for sewing funding

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

Calla wants a sewing machine and they are auditioning for this show: http://www.scifi.com/superhero

*blushes*

You caught me out Troy . I was going to show the world Dishwasygurl, complete with sink strainer earrings and teatowl cape

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett