Sewing machines.... advice/ info please

**applejack** · 29-11-2011, 04:11pm

I'm getting a sewing machine for Christmas. I'm a complete beginner, haven't sewn since I was 12 and even then it was just in school and I don't remember anything about sewing machines.

Please can someone let me know if this is a good machine for a beginner who wants to do basic sewing and mending.

My Mum mentioned something about is the bobbin easy to load? Aparantly it can be really fiddly, but this one says it's 'front loading' so does that mean it will be easy to do?

Thanks

x x

Would help if I added the link! Here it is http://www.singermachines.co.uk/sewi...ng-machine.htm

**Dr Spouse** · 29-11-2011, 04:23pm

I really wouldn't buy a sewing machine without test driving it... you can usually do that at John Lewis or your local sewing machine shop.

**applejack** · 29-11-2011, 04:32pm

Thanks Dr Spouse. We have no JL anywhere near here, and no sewing machine shop either. Being a complete beginner I'm hoping that which ever machine I get, as long as it's good quality (which im assuming Singer would be) then to me having never used a machine before it will just be what I get used to if that makes any sense at all?? Would want to get one that is the easiest to operate and understand as possible though. Thanks again xx

**Dynamo** · 29-11-2011, 04:35pm

I would say try and go for the most robust sewing machine you can afford - this after I went through 2 machines (ahem, denim hems) before finally buying my John Lewis one which is just a workshorse.

Machines are not so scary, so don't worry too much about "fiddly bits". There are plenty of video tutorials on the internet which can patiently show you how to do just about anything.

**redhed** · 29-11-2011, 04:38pm

Top loading bobbin is easier than front-loading: front-loading is fiddly till you get used to it.

ETA - why singer?

ETA II - imho, "lightweight" and "built to last" are mutually exclusive

**Dr Spouse** · 29-11-2011, 04:44pm

If you have never ever used a sewing machine before, have a go on someone else's before having a go on one in a shop (and there is probably one near you that you don't know about... there are more than you think around!)

I haven't really noticed front loading being more difficult but I am reasonably experienced.

**applejack** · 29-11-2011, 04:47pm

Thanks ladies. Red, no real reason, just what I remember as a reputable company, a nd what came up when I googled. It's a present from my parents so I don't want to ask for anything too expensive but at the same time they would want me to get something that was worth the money! So I need to look out for top loading.

The reviews of the one I linked to are good. I will have another look around on line and see what else comes up.

Is 'brother' a good brand ?

**Dr Spouse** · 29-11-2011, 04:59pm

Brother and Bernina are both well-respected brands, so are Janome and Elna (I have a feeling some of them are really the same company though!)

Singer is the classic machine from the 19th century but I don't know what they are like now.

**Dynamo** · 29-11-2011, 05:01pm

John Lewis brand are apparently Janome

**Samba** · 29-11-2011, 08:04pm

There's a wee article in Style at Home this month on sewing machines, think there's a URL with a useful website link ... I'll post it when I go downstairs and get it later :lazy:

**Katiekipper** · 29-11-2011, 09:34pm

I got the cheapest Janome after a long chat with the lovely lady in our local sewing machine shop. It was £99 and does all the basic stitches and so far I've found it copes well with everything I've asked of it.
It's not self threading and it's a side load bobbin so that's probably one reason why it's cheaper. It's also not at all digital.
I just told her what I'd be making and she said it would be an absolute waste of money spending more and that in a few years if I find I'm sewing all the time and pushing the boundaries of what my machine can do then I could just part exchange it which I totally agree with.

**Samba** · 29-11-2011, 11:41pm

Magazine link turned out just to be an advert.

I have an old brother machine, which I got second hand about 20 years ago, it does me fine, i would recommend the make as solid

**applejack** · 30-11-2011, 01:21pm

Thank you all very much for replying. I will have a look at the other brands that you posted Dr Spouse. My friend has a sewing machine (brother I think) so I'll ask her if I can have a whizz on it at some point.

**Gemiloch** · 30-11-2011, 07:56pm

I just got a Husqvarna for my birthday

The man in my local shop said that Singer's aren't good quality anymore. He sells them as some people are really brand loyal but he would never recommend them.