Sew its come to this...

[Chew]

The stitcing on my shorts has warn through again, so i need them fixing. Usually its a few quid to get someone to fix them, but thinking on getting a sewing machine so i can just do it myself, and mess about with any other alterations i might need to do over the years, so....

Any opinions on sewing machines?

[Bearbonesnorm]

We got a Singer 2250 Serenade ... think it was about £80. Dee thinks there was something similar in Aldi last week, they might still have some.

[Ray Young]

You can pay £50 or £500 and you generally get what you pay for. Having said that I bought an Argos very basic model and I find it OK. The more you pay the more it will do but most people won't use anywhere near all the functions available. If you want to make outdoor gear make sure it has an overlock stitch. I also read that some cheap modern machines find it difficult to handle fine slippery materials but I think this could be down to operator error as i've had no problem. Second hand machines are worth looking at and good models seem to hold their prices well. If you do get one then like anything you get better with practice. I haven't had my machine long and most of this info was gleaned from my mum and the internet.

[Ian]

Older machines are usually better than the modern stuff - we have three machines here, the oldest of which over over 100 years and still gets regular use for certain tasks

Anyway, not suggesting you go quite that far back, but a quick look on eBay revealed this, which has a good range of stitch options: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Singer-sewing ... 27cf60c645

or this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SINGER-MODEL- ... 3a7e1d50a2

Both within 25 miles of Leeds.

[adjustablewench]

I would be careful buying older or obscure makes second hand as sourcing bobbins etc be tricky.

just go for a well known brand with enough power in its motor that can do the basic stitches (including overlocking) but ignore all machines that embroider (unless you are after your own logo ....)

some machines have extra attachments to act as guides whilst overlocking which can be handy and give a better finish.

Always find out what the best needle is for the fabric your doing will make the world of difference when doing fine slippery stuff and heavy duty/thick items.

Oh and another thing to watch, if you buy second hand off be careful if its from an asian family - not being racist its just they do put them to a lot of use!!

[adjustablewench]

and out of the two that ian posted the bottom one has a removable bed section, which when taken off makes fidly awkward shapes easier to sew - hard to describe but its handy

[Zippy]

I'm impressed with the knowledge on sewing machines here. There's a Juki sewing machine upstairs, I can just about thread the thing and have cack-handedly managed to rescue a few pairs of bib shorts, but that's the limit.

Everyone here seems very proficcient, I'll remember to ask here next time something needs sewing :D

[gairym]

Older machines are usually better than the modern stuff - we have three machines here, the oldest of which over over 100 years and still gets regular use for certain tasks

Too right Ian!!!

Here's ours:



Is useless for many applications but it's coolness way outweighs it's stitch limitations.