Sewing machine advice

[tinkerbell23]

My little one does me for now.

But if i wanted a good quality one that lasts what would you suggest??

I have a little £40 one to see if i stuck my hobbies out, and am hopefully getting my grans old pfaff one going BUT for a new or even second hand one what features would you recommend etc??

Thanks all :) xxx

[woofgang]

That depends on what you are going to do with it. I went for one that does some automatic stitches but not fully programmable. I wanted to be able to sew through anything, vary the speed it runs at and not just by how much pressure is put on the foot, sew fine material and stretchy stuff, do freehand machine embroidery and easy threading with self threading needle. John Lewis is a good place to start,mthey have demo ladies who know what they are doing.

[tinkerbell23]

John lewis....thank you!!!!!

I suppose i want to use it for day to day things, and keep up quilting and possibly a bit of remaking old clothes!?

Im a COMPLETE novice- very helpfull as ever woofgang thanks xxxx

[Rose Maybud]

For day-to-day sewing you won't need a really fancy expensive machine. I bought a Frister Rossman Cub 4 just over 30 years ago and was in the same dilemma last year when it ceased working. When I thought about it, the stitches I need are straight, zigzag and button holes. The Cub 4 does a three-stage button hole and you don't need to turn the work around. The presser feet I use most are just the normal foot and the zip foot.
Research showed that the Frister Rossmans of this vintage were better made than some of the modern ones and are well-regarded even now, and I decided to get the Cub 4 overhauled professionally, although there were a few more internal bits wrong than originally thought and it took longer to fix. In the meantime I bought a second hand Cub 7, same but just 10 years younger to tide me over, so now have the luxury of two machines :) which see to my modest requirements admirably.
I agree that John Lewis is a good place to go. They have a good range of machines in every price bracket to suit every kind of stitching.

[tinkerbell23]

Thank you rose!!

I think what i need to do, is swot up on different stitches and feet, because at present, i sew straight(ish) lines...but if i keep up the quilting ill need something that will go through the quilt.

Ill have fun choosing xxx

[Rose Maybud]

Forgot to say that a machine with a free arm is better than without if you are setting in sleeves or doing hems on trouser legs and similar. x

[boxtops]

I agree - a free arm is really useful. You'll only need something really fancy if you are going to go in for machine embroidery, IMO.

[tinkerbell23]

I need to learn about arms etc then...

Any suggestions where i can read up..idiots guide to sewing machines? Lol xx