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I know this place is the font of the most random knowledge, so worth a punt.
My wife has mentioned on a number of occasions that she is keen to try garment making. She is already a very proficient self taught knitter & crocheter. I'm keen to get her a beginner/entry level sewing machine for Xmas that will be robust and suit her for a few years while she learns and improves.
I wondered if anyone had any recommendations of a good machine, but also other useful accessories and equipment that would help a beginner. I'm clueless.
A quick Google (Mumsnet) recommends either the Janome DMX300 or or John Lewis (Janome) JL110. These can be head around £150. I have an eBay £50 voucher to use by the 24th too.
Thanks
Hobbycraft are very helpful with information.
You really need to know if your wife wants to do buttonholes, overlocking etc. I’m not sure it would be a good present without your wife’s involvement?
Janome and Brother are very good. My wife has more machines than I have bikes.
Two computerised embroidery machines (Janome and Brother), 3 overlockers (Janome), basic Janome 2032 that get's alot of use, then two freehand quilting machines - a Toyota and a new 'American@ Grace Little Rebel (not cheap). Janome also have a UK base for repairs - just so happens to be local to us. Brother has to go via a local main sewing retailer but parts and servicing takes time.
Have a look at the Janome range and pick one up within budget - more money = better motors and lots more stitches (which you never use). Stitch quality does go up with the more expensive machines, as does speed, and reduced noise.
Spare bobbins are useful so they can be loaded with thread for change over when doing a project. Plenty of spare needles too.
The list is endless - just like biking !
Hobbycraft are very helpful with information.
You really need to know if your wife wants to do buttonholes, overlocking etc. I’m not sure it would be a good present without your wife’s involvement?
That's probably a fair observation, a surprise would be a gamble.
I have a Toyota Super jeans which is fab as it can punch a needle through 5 or 6 layers of heavy material.... Which is what I need to repair a boat cover.
Unfortunately Toyota have pulled out of sewing machines. I had to source a motor for MrsF's quiting Toyota Oekaki. Was a fraction slower motor but it fitted. Needed major surgery to get inside.
Mrs Reeksy makes most of her own clothes from designer companies leftovers and offcuts with a Husqvarna Viking (cool name). It was her beginner machine 15 years ago and it's what she still uses.
She says start with easy patterns and learn from there.
If you go old you get alot of machine for your monies.
Very old singers sew everything but are a bit limited. My frister + rossman cub 6 has way more going on and is substantial enough for some pretty heavy work.
If buying new, your budget will only get you a starter machine. Machines at this end of the market have a lot of nylon internals and are not serviceable. They have an intended lifespan of around 12 hours machining. That's actually quite a lot when you think about it, but it won't be a machine for life.
To a certain extent this takes the pressure off you as the present buyer - it's a starter machine for a beginner and if it doesn't get used much it'll function just as well as any other machine gathering dust in the cupboard! If it does get used, she'll quickly know what features she want's and doesn't want and will be much better placed than you are currently to either buy a better new one or know what to look for in a more expensive 2nd hand machine in years to come. When you give it, just explain that you don't expect her to want to keep it forever, just to get started. Don't expect a machine at this end to plough through tough upholstery fabrics without both pain to the user and the machine's longevity.
In that price bracket a simple Janome will do you well. I could do the usual STW and recommend stuff outside of your price bracket, but what's the point.
Top tip - when you don't know what you don't know, cut out the variables. 90% of frustrations people have with setting up sewing machines, with the thread tension being wrong and either looping or getting tangled internally, can be put down to using crap quality thread. Buy Gutermann threads and only Gutermann threads. Throw everything else in the bin to avoid confusion and temptation. And avoid sources which are likely to be knock off Gutermann. Other good brands are available, but there is a reason the ebay bulk buys are so cheap. And never overlay multiple threads on the same bobbin - just buy more bobbins - they are silly cheap. I promise these two simple steps will make an untold difference level to the frustrations of getting started.
Really great advice, thanks all. Appreciated. She's as clueless as me but keen to learn
Mrs_oab started with a nice barely used £300 Brother machine from local shop who also serviced it and covered warranty - and it needed it.
She now has a £1.5k Pfaff machine and it's much, much better, barely has any issues and 3 years in gets near daily use....
I wish we had bought the better machine second hand from day 1.
Mrs_oab does quilting which I think is harder on a machine.
Edit: I'm corrected that it was a Husqvarna, was £400, and lasted 4 years. Which was 3.5 years longer than the neighbour's £150 plastic Janome....
And she needs a machine with overlooking and buttonholes..
Such great advice above, especially regarding having extra spool cases and the quality of threads.
I can't really add much as my machines are industrial and only used for upholstery weigh fabrics, meaning I don't know much about domestic sewing machines.
However as with everything, buy the best you can afford. Scissors will be a must and these need to be top quality. A good pair of shears will last a very long time and even a little pair of snippers for the tiny jobs need to be very sharp and of good quality. I've never used the 'roller' type of cutters such as the type they use on The GB sewing bee so can't comment on those. Also if you have room for a big (even fold away) table this makes cutting out and sewing garments easier. It's amazing how much room this hobby takes up and how far you will spread out.
I'm in the process of semi retiring and clearing out my workroom stock, meaning I'm selling items such as brand new 'Prym 130/705 sewing machine needles (at cost to you guys), if anyone's interested please get in touch. Whoops sorry for cheeky hijack.
Scissors will be a must and these need to be top quality. A good pair of shears will last a very long time and even a little pair of snippers for the tiny jobs need to be very sharp and of good quality.
Forgot that bit! Aside from cutting the fabric, trying to thread a machine needle with a thread that has been cut with anything other that the sharpest of sheers(scissors) will lead you to insanity at an alarming rate. And if anyone even looks like they might be about to use your fabrics scissors to cut a bit paper, even once, I think it's probably reasonable grounds for divorce. I've got a nice pair of Fiskars scissors - not massively high end (about £25 I think), but have done me proud for a few years.
Overlocker comments above are interesting. Whilst domestic machines can have an 'overlocker-esque' stitch pattern, it's not really overlocking. An actual overlocker quickly goes on the wish list of most folk who have had access to one.
Oh....and whilst you are buying it for your wife.....I guarantee you'll be looking at it and thinking 'hmm, I reckon I could make my own bikepacking/saddlebag/random outdoorys thing' before you know. It's quite addictive.
I've just got a New Home machine(forget the model number)
I think its just a basic machine, probably got about 6 'programs' as well as stitch length/width
Straight, ZZ, Tricote ZZ(whatever that is)buttonhole,blind hem and stretch.
I've used mine for lightweight upholstery, usual fabrics-cotton, tweed etc, and even leather, though it was split and quite thin.
Whatever you get her, make sure it can do leather and has a piping foot
Cor!! love a piping foot 😍
Oh....and whilst you are buying it for your wife.....I guarantee you'll be looking at it and thinking 'hmm, I reckon I could make my own bikepacking/saddlebag/random outdoorys thing' before you know. It's quite addictive.
I'm definitely just a hobbyist - a friend's mum passed away and he was getting rid of her stuff, so I ended up with an older Singer model, fairly basic but very functional.
Started off just fixing some old clothes that I otherwise would have thrown out, then moved on to modifying some outdoor gear and then made myself a rolltop frame bag and other bits for my new bike. When I found myself going into town specifically to buy a bobbin box, I thought "OK, I guess I'm into sewing now..." 😂
It's been interesting to learn and is a great thing for a rainy weekend when you don't fancy going out. As above, getting the right accessories makes everything so much easier!
Cor!! love a piping foot
I do a lot of piping in my line of work, however, always with a zipper foot. I've just never been able to get the 'piping foot' around 90o angle corners.
A top tip - when making piping, make it separately (in a long strip) then sew it onto the garment/article. If you try and sew it directly onto the fabric it pulls, puckers and never really saves time.
I have no real knowledge regarding sewing machines but do have a Singer machine (+ accessories) that needs to find a new home.
Drop me a PM if it would be of interest to you.
Bought mine in John Lewis. Forgot the model but it was about £150. It’s fun. I practice in old tea towels and use it for basic hemming and repairs. Making stuff is a step too far. Threading the thing takes an age the first few times. Mrs TiRed has no interest.