5 February 2011

I've got a question to ask today....

Hi everyone hope you are all having a lovely weekend.  No cards today :o( but I do have a question for your advice.....

I'm thinking of buying a sewing machine - primarily to use in crafting (I do have a tiny £10 machine thats battery operated and not that great really).  So I thought I would ask my blogging buddies for their advice (as most of you use them on your cards).

What key features should I look out for?

Are there any particular makes that would be better for paper crafting?

I know that the more I spend the better the machine, but for a first time machine - do you have a particular model you would recommend?

John Lewis have a machine for £50 (I know its the cheapest one!!!) in bright red and it does say its for a novice crafter  here

So anyway I would love to have some of your advice before I make my mind up - all your comments would be so VERY welcome and much appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Tina
XXXX

11 comments:

  1. I have the John Lewis one in purple and it's good for paper and even light fabrics. I got it as I have a Brother machine I use for quilting etc and I didn't want to use it. If you think you want to vwenture into fabric then the John Lewis one at £95 in red might be an option otherwise the little one is good.

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  2. I can only really advise one a one to use on fabric but I would agree with you that cheaper is not always the best. Just don't get one with lots of extra stitches you wont use cos that would juat be a waste of money.
    A x

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  3. Hi Tina....I bought the red one from John Lewis and it went straight back didn't like it..just couldn't get the tension right. I now have the Janome J1012 which at £99 was an absolute steal...straight stitch and zig zag and good enough for normal sewing too.
    hope this helps....hugs kath xxx

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  4. I bought my sewing machine years ago and that's the one I use for my cards now. We've got a small sewing machine/haberdashery shop in town and I'm sure they and other shops like it have reconditioned ones for sale - probably from part exchanges when people have wanted to upgrade on a more simple machine. Worth having a look and a chat perhaps if you've got one near you.

    Love Lynda xxx

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  5. Hi Tina check this thread out from the Hero Arts Flickr Group, it might help.
    http://www.flickr.com/groups/heroarts/discuss/72157624464295413/?search=sewing+machines
    Sallyx

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  6. Although I dont use it often, my main priority when buying my sewing machine was the choice of different stitches, it can get pretty boring with just straight stitch x Leigh x

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  7. Do you want it for sewing on card as I have heard a lot of bad reports from many people about different machines?

    Hope I am well enough to see you Tuesday at club.

    Hugs
    Cathy
    xxxx

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  8. Mmmmmm can't help you there but I will be checking in to see what the verdict is...would quite fancy getting one too for using on my cards!

    I have a little award for you over on my blog Tina!x

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  9. Thanks so much everyone for your advice re sewing machines - so very much appreciated. I think I will look at the Janome one as it seems a few people have got this brand.... will let you all know what I eventually get..

    Tina
    X

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  10. Hi Tina thanks for the lovely comment on my blog x I would love the freebies you mentioned in your clearout x my email address is: charitycrafter@yahoo.co.uk if you would like to email me I will send you my address x thanks again for thinking of me, it is really kind x Let us know what sewing machine you end up getting x Leigh x

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  11. Hi Tina

    My sewing machine has antique value but was a good one at the time. It does lots of stitches etc but all you really need is straight stitch and zig zag for most things.

    I love doing straight stitch most on my cards and must admit if I saw an old cheap singer sewing machine I would go for that. (But these only do straight stitch).

    Hope you had a good weekend.

    Love Jules xx

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Hi thank you so much for visiting my blog and for leaving me a comment - I appreciated them all so very, very much.

Hugs

Tina