Sewing machines

[Luke]

I've never used one and I know very little about them, but I've a couple of projects that require one and I'm keen to learn a new skill.

Should I avoid the cheaper end of the market? I'd sooner buy something decent that will last, but if a £30 argos special will do the same job as an entry level singer at several times the price then I would be open to that.

If I were to go for a higher quality machine, is it worth going for one above the entry level threshold? More advanced machines don't appear to be significantly more expensive.

[Russell]

I shall ask she who sews, watch this space.

[drossall]

My limited knowledge suggests that the cheaper ones won't handle anything thicker than tissue paper, so depends what you're sewing.

[Luke]

Initial projects involve recovering caravan seats and making blinds, both I’d imagine will involve thicker than tissue paper material.

[Kim]

Disclaimer: My sewing skills are best described as 'adequate', and my machine mostly comes out for shortening barakta's sleeves, curtain-fettling, bodging bike luggage, etc.

As a total newbie you can't really go wrong with the 1950/60s vintage Singers of the kind that breed in relatives' spare rooms.  They're functionally limited, but easy to learn on.  Not sure how modern low-end machines compare.  I expect they're less of an electrical hazard, but a bit more cheesy.

My current machine (swapped with MIL for one of the above which was mid-mitosis and had gained a spare motor and pedal) is a fussy plasticy thing from I guess the 1980s, and not a patch on the one my mum taught me to use in the same era.  It does however do zig-zag stitches and have the special foot for sewing zips, both of which are features I actually use.


A lot of features seem to be pointless bling (are you ever going to use umpty decorative stitches?), but if you're likely to be dealing with heavy or stretchy fabrics, feet and stitches designed for those are certainly worth having.  If you're going to be dealing with large pieces of fabric (curtains, upholstery, tents, etc. rather than clothing), things can get a bit cramped in a small machine.

[Paul H]

EDIT Cross posted with Kim and saying some similar stuff.

I like simple hefty machines, though that might be influenced by having learnt on industrial machines sewing marquees and tarpaulins, before they all went plastic.
None of my own projects need anything more complex than straight or zig-zag stitch, I've done some upholstery and canvas work, curtains, bags, minor clothing alterations, tent groundsheets.  50 year old machines with all steel gears and a replaceable bolt-on motor are going to keep going forever.  The best of the bunch is the Singer 201K but they fetch a fair price, for the last few years I've been using this 1952 Pfaff 230, £90 reconditioned with a new motor and pedal, the opening paragraph of the handbook tells me I'm a lucky seamstress!
When I've tried a couple of modern domestics, they've seemed underpowered in comparison, they were mid range £200 models.  The joy of having a powerful motor is not just the weight of material it'll handle, but also it allows the ability to work slower, they thump along rather than whizz.

P1000386 by Paul, on Flickr

 
 

[Russell]

Mrs R says pretty much what Kim is saying.  Avoid cheap one like the plague ditto advanced ones with electronic programmes you'll never use. She suggests you search out a Proper sewing machine shop (not a depatrement in John Lewis), ideally one that repairs and also sells reconditioned ones.  You will be able to sell on a good quality basic machine when the time comes but like a BSO a cheap one couldn't be given away.

[redshift]

I have an entry level Singer (Tempo 20).  It's from the early 90's and only needed servicing a couple of years ago because it had got a bit furred up.  I'm lucky to live in former mill town land, where the rag trade had a shop on every corner, and piece-work is still A Thing.  It means I still have a haberdasher and a sewing machine service centre within walking distance.  Entry level 30 years ago meant it can do everything up to light leathers, lightweight canvas and denim, and nylon or polyester webbing for straps.  However, it's plastic and not as robust as older machines.  For basic outdoor stuff - simple roll top bag with light webbing straps for example, or the odd piece of clothing - it's fine.  Just make sure you get the right needle for the material type you're sewing - leather, knitted, woven all need different tips.

I have a handcrank Singer 66K from about 1926 which will do nearly anything as long as it's not too thick for the foot to go over it, but it only does straight stitch and doesn't reverse. If you want a straight stitch it's the best I've seen, far better than my more modern machine.  It can still be serviced, and you can still get the parts. It's made of cast iron.

I also have a cast iron Singer 29K46 Patcher, which is for leather - shoe repairs really - and has facilities you can't find on modern machines at all (360^o rotating foot whilst stitching!), but again it's not for heavy work (max leather is about 5-7mm in it), so collars, belts and handbags I hand stitch.

The questions I would be asking are: what are the jobs, what materials, what threads? If you want to make ordinary stuff such as clothing, then almost any 1950's, 60's or 70's 2nd hand decent machine with a recent service (more bang for your buck) would be my choice.  Singer, Juki, Seiko, Durkopp Adler, Frister and Rossman, Brother will all do fine.  If you're after doing heavier stuff (outdoor gear, canvas, webbing, straps etc) then you'll need a machine that's happy dealing with those materials - the phrase 'heavy duty' actually has meaning here!  Again, I'd look for a 2nd hand heavy duty domestic, or commercial machine with a recent service. Check it has the correct feed for your materials (walking foot? roller foot?) fitted or available as a retrofit. Note that commercial machines frequently have separate motors which often run continuously, requiring you to learn a knee clutch operation.  Other options are available, and modern ones can come with PWM speed controllers and all kinds of gearing.  If you go down that road, you'll need space for the table and foot pedals - probably 1.2m by 60cm floor plan.  I haven't the space...

I don't know where you're based, but AlanSew in Machynlleth have machines and spares on ebay and I've bought parts from them in the past.  I've never bought a machine from them, but they've been around long enough.  If I were buying another machine, I'd be visiting my local shop M&S Sewing and asking his advice - he has new and 2nd hand domestic and commercial machines, and he's my local service centre too.
For 'New' new machines, there's College Sewing in Bury - I've bought spares from them in the past too.

Choice paralysis awaits you...

[nikki]

I can't remember the whys and wherefores, but when I finally reached the point where sewing machine ownership made sense my mum escorted me to Birmingham's sewing machine emporium (https://www.franknutt.co.uk) and I came out with a Janome J3-24. I have a feeling I was steered away from the very cheapest options.

It's coped with jeansy things, random art projects, silnylon and more inner tubes than it was probably designed for.

I'm using things like the variable stitch length and width all the time, along with straight stitch and zig-zags. I've button-holed with it once or twice. IIRC the only thing I end up fudging with it is a zig-zag close to the edge to substitute for overlocking a hem. The needle threader is a thing of wonder.

If you're ever likely to be sewing waterproof fabrics then one where you can drop the feed dogs may be prudent. Being able to tweak the thread tension for different fabrics is useful too.

I've not really got anything else to compare it to, but it feels like it was pitched at the appropriate sort of level for me if that helps!

[Wombat]

EDIT Cross posted with Kim and saying some similar stuff.

I like simple hefty machines, though that might be influenced by having learnt on industrial machines sewing marquees and tarpaulins, before they all went plastic.
None of my own projects need anything more complex than straight or zig-zag stitch, I've done some upholstery and canvas work, curtains, bags, minor clothing alterations, tent groundsheets.  50 year old machines with all steel gears and a replaceable bolt-on motor are going to keep going forever.  The best of the bunch is the Singer 201K but they fetch a fair price, for the last few years I've been using this 1952 Pfaff 230, £90 reconditioned with a new motor and pedal, the opening paragraph of the handbook tells me I'm a lucky seamstress!
When I've tried a couple of modern domestics, they've seemed underpowered in comparison, they were mid range £200 models.  The joy of having a powerful motor is not just the weight of material it'll handle, but also it allows the ability to work slower, they thump along rather than whizz.

P1000386 by Paul, on Flickr

 
 

Older Pfaffs are wonderful things.  Modern electronic ones are unreliable Chinese crap, even if some of them cost up to £13,000!  Our £1400 one is a disaster, with repeated electronics board failures, and Pfaff are rubbish at customer care.  We've had an inherited Pfaff about 30 years old, followed by a new mechanical one 27 years ago, which was replaced by me as a 25th wedding anniversary present 2 years ago with the electronic disaster.  Should have kept the old one...

[BFC]

I use a mature hand wound Singer (with multiplier gear handle), manufactured 1920. With full accessory set and 1915 instruction manual (written in English/Amercan with line drawings that are very clear).

For small jobs and learning a hand wound machine gives feedback that you will never get from an electric variant. The Singer mechanics will take on heavy duty materials - like attaching velcro to multi layer hems on canvas.

Only negative of the hand wound machines is the winding ties up one hand that you may need to control the workpiece, may want to borrow a Singer treadle table from a local pub if I ever do anything more involved.

[numbnuts]

I inherited a New Home 551 (electic) off my mother, it must be 45 years old at least and still going strong.
Made quite a few things on it including two sails for my kayak and shortened loads of things and umpteen webbing straps for various projects, to be honest I get quite a kick out of making things on the machine

[Luke]

Thanks for the input guys. 

Earlier today I went down to our local haberdashery shop, which has been around for longer than I have been alive. They had a good selection of machines, and a very knowledgeable and patient lady talked me through some of the options, and even let me try some out. 

I’ve come home with a lovely new singer 4432. I had initially dismissed it as an option as I was worried the high stitch speed would be too much for me as a complete beginner, but after having a go found it very easy to use. It also has a needle threader which the 4411 didn’t, otherwise I’d have likely chosen that instead.

[Paul H]

Have fun, I'm sure you will, it can be very satisfying. 
A needle threader is the one thing I'd like but don't have.

[iandusud]

I needed a sewing machine for a project a couple of years ago and looked on Freecycle. Found a Brother machine just around the corner. When I got it home it wouldn't work so I stripped it down and discovered that some of the mechanism has seized, probably due to long term storage. Soon had it up and running. It has since had plenty of use by me and other members of my family. Definitely worth looking on Freecycle, Gumtree etc

[Cudzoziemiec]

I maintain my envy of anyone who has sewing skills.

[Pickled Onion]

I used to make all my own clothes. Men's clothes are hard, so it helps if you're prepared to walk round looking like a bit of a hippie. I picked up an 1800s sewing machine at a jumble sale and got it working with some spares from a shop in Deptford. My mate Dodo had an overlocker which I went and used to finish stuff off with, until I learnt how to do French seams.

The machine's still going strong, and I use it for cushion covers and curtains now. Easy to do, probably not cheaper than off-the-shelf but if you have odd sized windows and cushions definitely cheaper than made-to-measure.

[numbnuts]

I maintain my envy of anyone who has sewing skills.

Hi it's not that hard, OK to make dresses suits ect you need to know a lot, but for straight line sewing it is very easy and if you get stuck there is always youtube to put you right.

[hellymedic]

Going free on Facebook Marketplace, in Dollis Hill
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/777263790375685/?ref=browse_tab&referral_code=marketplace_top_picks&referral_story_type=top_picks

[Luke]

First job finished. One more cushion then onto the seat bases.


Cushion recover. by Luke Hayes, on Flickr

[Moleman76]

congratulations, Luke.

For anyone else thinking about getting a basic machine, I will mention the Necchi BU.  I bought a used one in 1971, about 20 years old at that point, and it's done very well with the various bags I've fed through it.  Straight stitch and zig-zag.  Zig-zag is very useful for reinforcing and terminating stitches.

There are a variety of useful accessories, supplies, and tools.  I will mention one, using the brand name in the US - Fray Check.  Basically, glue to drip onto start or stop of stitches, to keep things from unravelling.  Very handy for the back of buttons, to keep them from falling off.

[BrianI]

You want a 1963 Singer 411G  

Still going well despite being 59 years old!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMNs8NU13MU

[geraldc]

A few years ago after I hand sewed an 8 ft giant monster costume, I got a sewing machine, thinking of all the things I'd do with it. Only I didn't. I also backed the wrong horse, going for a Toyota, and they've since pulled out of the sewing machine market.

For the blokey type products I'd envisioned doing (webbing, leather, canvas etc), I actually need a speedy stitcher sewing awl, or a cobblers sewing machine (surprisingly cheap on Amazon), however as I don't have a garage or in fact any spare room, a speedy stitcher is on order...

[Paul H]

You want a 1963 Singer 411G  

Still going well despite being 59 years old!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMNs8NU13MU

Thanks for that.  In the way Youtube does, that led to something else which led it this, which is someone bringing the same machine I have back to life from being seized and rusty, despite them knowing little about sewing machines, though with a lot of mechanical knowledge:
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYLJsrOlQf4&t=19s

[De Sisti]

P1000386 by Paul, on Flickr

I like this one.