are there any sewing buffs on here? ( not quite gardening!)

[basketcase]

and I wanted to get the sewing buffs out of their closet.

Back to plumbing then, eh?

[Flummery]

I have 2 Janomes. One is a bigger brute for quilting but the Janome Jem will cost you a fraction and until a couple of years ago was the only machine I owned. They are very reliable and the Jem is a portable.

[Patchninja]

Flum's idea sounds good. I saw this one and thought it looked interesting.
Brother Sewing Machine XL5500 SE Mechanical XL-5500 on eBay (end time 17-Jun-10 10:08:13 BST)

[SlugLobber]

If you want different fabrics, then it would be handy to have variable pressure, which you might struggle to get if you're looking under £60, even second hand.

The one I'm perilously close to splashing out on is the Janome DM2000 (or maybe the 525S). Principally because they practically sew for you and the one step button hole looks soooo coooooool!!! It is £199, though, but I don't expect to buy another one, ever! I doubt you'd get a decent second hand Bernina for under £60. People who have them tend to know what they're worth, unless you find someone doing a house clearance. Good luck!

[Irie Jan]

thanks everyone. to be honest the more i look, the more it seems quite complicated. i am hoping i can find one that was bought by someone who lost interest, and i think that as in many things, the ones that were made years ago, are often better than the ones that are churned out now, and of course the various manufacturers have good models with the occasional model that isnt quite so good, and now i have realized that an older model with computerized workings might be a waste of money if the computerized bit gave up the ghost, and isnt available any more.

needless to say , the sewing that i have put off for ages, is now imperative!!! thats how it goes, isn't it? the only thing i am certain off is that i dont want a singer, and probably not a toyota. ( my sister in law has one whci i borrowed once, and it is a clunky old thing! - mind, it seems to work fairly well)

Your quite rite about the older ones being built to last! Brother is a good make more or less always has been, I used to have an industrial flat-bed brother at home as I worked from home for a few years when the kids were small!
For a domestic one I still have my Bernina, swis make I think same as was used in schools. I have had my Bernina for just over 30 years now. Have not used it much in the last 10 years or so, only ever had it serviced once but it still works fine!

[lindyloo]

thank you everyone. i think i am looking for a bernie, an f&r, a brother, or a janone then. the main thing is reliability, and these are the ones who have that rep. what are my chances on freecycle, i wonder??? mind you- i cant seem to sign in up for membership to my local ones. patchima, have looked at the one you have highlighted on ebay- seems a good deal, and am going to keep it in mind. still looking for cheaper if i can get it. i have contacts in the house clearance world so something might turn up far cheaper still, if i am patient enough.

[Patchninja]

Let us know what you find!

[lindyloo]

i am watching a few on ebay- one is the one you mentioned, but another listing. trying to get some more specific info through google first.

[geoff]

Ask around, or look in the Yellow Pages for a sewing machine shop or repairer I got a reconditioned Janome machine for about 48 pounds a few years ago, and it has been excellent as I repair tents and rucsacs, and other hiking gear. I only needed one which has straight and zigzag stitch, but I'm sure there will be versions which do more
I worked in a charity shop for a while, and we got lots of sewing machines donated, but as there was hardly any demand for them, most of them went to the tip, very sad. So go to your local charity shops and ask if they will keep some for you, or let you have a pick through their stock room. Another reason for not selling them was that the shop was not insured to sell electrical goods, but you might be able to persuade them that you won't kick up a fuss if there is a problem

[binley100]

I've got a Jones which has had a hammering with all the different materials I've used for costumes and techniques on my HND course. When I worked sewing freestyle costumes we used Berninas. There is a website for a shop (sure it's manchester) that has reasonable prices. I'll see if I can find it.

[binley100]

Found it

Save on sewing machines and find great sewing machine offers from Bernina, Singer, Brother, Janome and Husqvarna Viking available online or in store

[minskey]

Got to be a Janome, I sew for a living and have had them since they were 'newhome', nearly 30 years ago.

[lindyloo]

update; i missed a couple of good ones on ebay yesterday, but have my eye on a couple more. so p--d off with myself for forgetting to bid, that i got my machine out and took it apart, after looking at " how to reset timing" on google. i have given it a jolly good , intricate clean, and was amazed at the rubbish i pulled out of it. ( this will teach me not to leave it under the kitchen table for monthes, as it was full of little crumbs). anyhow, i have managed to get it working, all except for one stitch, which i can do without for now. so today, i got the outdoor stuff done early, before it got hot, and have spent the day sewing. caught up on quite a lot of the jobs that i urgently need before summer, so really happy. and i cant help but think what a smooth machine my phaff is- german made, so am putting it on my approved list too, if i can get a heftier model. i am still going to be looking, but at least i have got some of the outstanding sewing done. ( i have to confess, i have also sewn horse rugs on my long suffering phaff- so never again- surprized it has lasted as long as it has!!)

[Patchninja]

Sounds like you've done a really good job on the repairs! Good luck with your hunt.

[lindyloo]

yes, and i made a summery peasant top as well; sewed all day and really enjoyed it. am doing the same today. outdoor jobs done, and a leg injury, so am resting up in a nice cool house.