LadyWillow
member
Reged: 04/04/2008
Posts: 287
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I want to buy a sewing machine .. it won't be much used, just for taking up hems, running up light curtains, etc.
Never had one before so don't know what I'm looking for. I don't want to spend much either.
Tesco Direct have some for sale but I don't know what's what ... any recommendations please?
http://direct.tesco.com/q/N.1999649/Nr.9...nResultSort.y=6
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lizalou
member
Reged: 01/02/2008
Posts: 215
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do you mean sewers or drains??? Actually my sewing machine cost lots years ago and still drives me mad if it doesnt work, so I dont think it is something you can economise on. ( we bought a bike from Tesco recently and it is worse than useless) If I was starting again I would go to a proper shop and try some out.-- bikes or sewing machines.
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valaber
member
Reged: 28/03/2008
Posts: 2266
Loc: South Wales
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I'm glad I'm not the only one who was confused...I've got a Husqvarna - got it in a sale. It's brilliant!
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aggie
member
Reged: 16/01/2008
Posts: 618
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Hi Ladywillow - I would go with the Singer 1507 - it's the best known brand and has great reputation, is very easy to use and has all the various stitches you will need, next choice would be the Brother.
I have also used sewing machine's and mine cost £350 5 years ago, I would never pay that much again.
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valaber
member
Reged: 28/03/2008
Posts: 2266
Loc: South Wales
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I'm glad I'm not the only one who was confused...I've got a Husqvarna - got it in a sale. It's brilliant! unlike my drains, which are not.
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Mayday
member
Reged: 19/01/2008
Posts: 788
Loc: Gloucestershire/cotswolds
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My sewers are buried too deep to know wht type they are! Also as is my sewing machine! Haven't used it for ages but it is a Swiss made one which I believe are the best. Try on E-bay or something. I got mine reconditioned at about half price....worth looking around for the offers,
Mayday
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I may not be rich or famous but my Grandchildren ARE Priceless !!
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aggie
member
Reged: 16/01/2008
Posts: 618
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I've got a septic tank is that the same a sewer?
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Foxie
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Reged: 09/08/2007
Posts: 2731
Loc: South London
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I have a Bernina and a Pfaff. The Bernina is a good workhorse machine. The Pfaff I use for fancy stitching and embroidery. Both were expensive, but are solid (and heavy!!). Depends what you want really. I sew lots of different fabrics cotton, silk, denin, leather, synthetics through several layers and I use a lot of different threads too.
I would advise going to an independent shop with samples of what you want to sew and trying the various machines out before buying. If you go to a department store they tend to only stock a few makes and models and it is difficult to get impartial advice.
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Learn from the mistakes of others. You can't live long enough to make all of them yourself. Eleanor Roosevelt
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Joser
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Reged: 12/03/2008
Posts: 73
Loc: N.I.
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Mine is a 25 year old Toyota.
A good solid no nonsense machine. Does what it says in the tin!
Husquavarna, Jones, Bernina and Singer are all good makes also.
I would say dont go too cheap, it'll only bounce all over the place if you get any speed up ( I like to rattle through the curtains at breakneck speed heehee)
Joan.
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ValC
member
Reged: 23/09/2007
Posts: 138
Loc: York
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I've sewn for 40 years but don't do so much now. I bought a Brother 3 years, similar to the XL2130 on the Tesco site, and am really pleased with it. It's fine for the amount of sewing I do. It's fairly light so does tend to move a bit if the fabric is heavy but the plus side of this is it isn't too heavy to lift out of the cupboard.
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wispa
member
Reged: 16/01/2008
Posts: 1268
Loc: Suffolk,
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I've got a Viking (forerunner of a Husqvarna) and I've just realised it's 29 years old.
It can do all kind of fancy embroidery, but never has. These days, it's just used for hems, repairs, etc
..wispa
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debenjane
member
Reged: 11/01/2008
Posts: 548
Loc: suffolk
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We had to divert our sewer when we had the extension.
My sewing machine is a Janome and is brill. I even had it properly serviced cos it was 30 years old and I thought it could do with an MOT. Wow I didn't know it was so silent and quick.Worth the price of a service.
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annemari
member
Reged: 07/03/2008
Posts: 1216
Loc: Gloucestershire.
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I've got a Singer that I have had for 25 years,its o.k. but although it does a lot,I.m not comfortable with it. I have also got a Brother which does much the same,but is considerably lighter.
However,twenty years ago my Mum died,and I inherited her.....WAIT FOR IT.......TREADLE MACHINE,and for basic sewing,it goes like the wind. OH says I should have a licence for it,just so that I can get a speeding fine.Bloomin'cheek!!  
This one below is like mum's,oh the memories it conjurs.
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 Yoo Hoo Mum,I've found a friend on the forum as well.Love Eric xx
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Hazel_2008
member
Reged: 03/02/2008
Posts: 14
Loc: Cheltenham, Glos, UK
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Husqvarna is the way to go
H
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pinkannie
member
Reged: 16/09/2007
Posts: 1038
Loc: switzerland
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Another vote for Husqvarna. Have had my simple basic model (Vanessa) for over 30 years, running like a sewer in full flow, and got daughter a second hand one, ditto. They are the best!
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Pinkannie
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lulubells
member
Reged: 13/01/2008
Posts: 403
Loc: Sheffield
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Hiya Ladywillow, I've got a Brother which is fab as well as a Singer, reccommend them both. Do you have any big department stores near you, ie. John Lewis, cause they will be more than willing to give you demonstrations on their machines, without having to buy! Or a sewing shop, our local one give free demo's for those who are looking for a good machine, let us know what your decide and how you get on...
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valaber
member
Reged: 28/03/2008
Posts: 2266
Loc: South Wales
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Annemari - I do envy you - I would love to have a treadle sewing machine!(As long as I could keep my Husqvarna too!)
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feathers
member
Reged: 20/05/2007
Posts: 460
Loc: Tyneside
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I have just replaced my 40 year old Jones with a 2nd hand but barely used New Home Memory Craft 7000. It is a dream - press one of the computerised buttons and it does any one of dozens of fancy stitches, a variety of hems, alphabet, a buttonhole etc. This company is Janome now - a current comparable machine would be high hundreds. I'd look at ebay for a good deal with a warranty on what you fancy. My first machine in my teens was my gran's Singer treadle.
My Jones is up for grabs (free) if you pay for a courier (under £10). It does straight and zig zag stitches, goes back and forth. NOt much to go wrong.
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Rosey46
member
Reged: 08/01/2008
Posts: 84
Loc: cornwall
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Hi Ladywillow
I bought a sewing machine from Argos about 5 years ago, sorry can't say which brand for sure but it was a mid range price at that time, I also took out an insurance with argos so that if it went wrong, I could send it away and get it fixed for free. When it did develop a fault(wouldn't complete buttonholes properly) I did send it away and was amazed to recieve a cheque for the full cost of the machine as they apparently couldn't fix it! I then bought a cheaper machine which is very hardy, from a company which,at the time, supplied my husband's school.
I've had Singers and Toyota's over the years. For me, the less that can go wrong, the better!
Ask yourself what you want out of a machine - fancy stitches are all fine, but I need stretch stich and a machine which can make button holes!
Good luck
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ChrissiFi
member
Reged: 28/06/2006
Posts: 772
Loc: Somerset
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We don't mention sewers in this house (2 years ago the main sewer in the road flooded into ours and our neighbours gardens and garages)...
As for sewing machines I've got a singer (it was about £350 about 14 years ago). It's got far more functions than I'll ever need so should have gone for a more basic model (so long as you've got adjustable length straight stitch and zigzag you should be ok but mine does all sorts - it is good for button holes though). If I had to replace it I'd go for a singer or a brother. Think John Lewis might still do sewing machines, they don't tend to sell anything that's poor quality and are always good if there's a problem.
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