MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
Mrs Monsta would like one for Christmas. Fine by me - I'm sure she's got every intention of mending my fashionable clothes when they get holes in them. I know nothing about sewing machines and was hoping someone here may have knowledge of a good entry-level machine. Not too twitchy - something that handles the straight lines easily enough but doesn't mind pushing the boundaries a bit.
I use needle and thread. The needle was made by a man with a beard. In a shed. It is a totally revolutionary niche-needle.
How much are you looking to spend? I got a machine earlier this year, it was recommended for beginners in which. It's a brother (don't recall the number) and it was around 180 from argos. Might still have the article that reviews them in my email, will see if i can dig it out later. There was also a Janome that was recommended for beginners.
Yeah I've been recommended the Brother as well - might be the same one? £180 sounds about right - currently reduced to £150 in Argos.
Just checked and mine is the BC2100
Review here
[url= https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B1xeMkk3GH3ZOGY4MjY4ZjgtMTAwOS00ZjQ5LWE2ODUtNmVjOGY4Y2U1ZjE1&hl=en ]Sew Easy Article[/url]
I've got a Janome and had it for 17yrs, is a basic machine so not too much to go wrong. I'd advise going to a sewing machine shop, usually independently owned so good service and they show you how to use. Service and problem solving is always a good thing to have. Ask your wife what she wants it for, ok, sewing I know, but would an overlocker be better for her use. They cost only slightly more but if she's decorating cushions, for eg., or making clothes then the edge is neatened instantly. I'm looking into one now as machines that applique cost loads more and are technically too advanced for me. I do quite a lot of sewing but don't do the craft embroidery stuff, I make panto costumes, clothes, curtains etc.
John Lewis have a good dept. for machines and
www.thesewingstudio.co.uk is an excellent (imho) place.
The machine i have has some decorative and applique stitches [url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/ebygomm/3975570806/ ]decorative stitch example [/url]
Mrs Ratadog is the sewing machine user in this household ( as in uses for both business and hobby ). She has 3 Janome machines and they seem fine albeit two of them are at the semi industrial end of the range and the third is an overlocker.
Having been in the position of hunting for a machine for my spouse, with the added fun of knowing that intended user knew what she was doing, I would completely agree that your best bet is to get as good an idea as you can of what use it will have and then find a good local independent dealer. It may or may not cost you an extra 10-20ukp but it'll save you money in the long run and good dealers do their own servicing and will provide an excellent quality of service. It's not unlike biking, think LSMS instead of LBS but the premium you pay won't be anywhere near as great.