Sewing machine recommendations

I have a Janome, it is OK, I bought it about 8 years ago. The needle threader broke twice and I have not replaced it. I find it very flimsy compared with my old Elna which my DIL has inherited and says it is still going strong at 45 years old! I would, as others have said, get her old one serviced. I find newer machines less robust and able to cope with thick fabrics. My Elna would go through anything!

I agree with Annifrance re World of Sewing in Tunbridge Wells, I haven’t bought from them but have machines serviced by them and have been very pleased with the service and advice.

Also ask your daughter what machine she wants but stay away from today’s Singers but be prepared to pay at least in the region of £500 or more for a machine if she uses it for commercial work. It might be worth looking at industrial machines both second hand and new.

Budget and space is key here. I wouldn't entertain going to a department shop JL or Hobbycraft first, if you can - go to one of the sewing/quilt festivals, they all have stands there and you can try them out and also usually they discount the machines. If you can't get to one of those, look up sewing machine shops on google maps and you will see what you have nearby. I sew a lot, clothes making, friends alterations, curtains, blinds, cushions and recently quilting. Not as a job just a hobby. My current machines are Janome Aterlier 7; Bernina 700; Bernina Overlocker 1150MDA; Juki Coverstitich. On paper all good brands. I started with a treadle and hand turn models at school but in my last year they had a new Bernina (this is in the 70's), and I have always coveted one but new ones are expensive. After giving up work I returned to sewing and in 2010, still in semi lock down, as a treat I went out to buy a Bernina but bumped into the Janome rep and ended up buying the Janome Atelier 7 - she assured me it had all the features I mentioned and would take bulky fabrics and had intergrated dual feed etc. This was not entirely accurate, it doesn't really like thicker fabrics. For anything thicker than 2-4 pieces of cotton, I have to go really slow or work around the problem. I rarely need or use the fancy stitches, the Pro machines are more solid in any brand and usually are straight stich only. I regret my purchase but at £1700 I can't just let it go. It is ok, I use it but sadly I don't and have never loved it. The small work area to the right (throat )where you push bulky items through is far too narrow- it is frustrating me no end. So what I have done, I bought an old Bernina 700, one of the originals - took a gamble at £49 online, had it serviced and PAT tested and I love it, don't get me wrong, there is no auto anything but it doesn't mind what I put through it. It's like an old soldier, just keeps going. I had thought of part exchange but the Janome is now out of the 5 year warranty (had no issues at all to be fair) so that doesn't seem a possibility. If I had my time again, I'd think about the Juki DDL 8700 - it is a straight stitch only machine, wide throat area (good for pushing big curtains through), you need the table it comes with, hence the space issue- I could have got one for about the same price as my Janome had I known. If space is limited then look for something small in the Juki range especially if she's more into upholstery than clothes. I think even the domestic Juki is better due to their dual feed system. If she's more into clothes, then sure then any of the swiss made machine are good. Janome and Elna are made in the same factory. Good luck. PS. not sponsered in any shape or form but I've used most makes:-)

Elna.

I bought Brother 1700 sewing machine last October from Amazon..
I'm yet to use it properly.

It's driven me potty. I'm about to give it to my great grandaughter to see what she can do with it.

But, my biggest mistake was not buying a machine with a self threading needle attachment.

I'm a professional couturiere, I have three very old Berninas. They are metal and heavy but I would never swap them for a new machine. We bought my 10 yr old granddaughter a Hobby craft machine. It was rubbish and broke down in less than a year. We got a full refund. We then went to the World of Sewing in Tunbridge wells and talked to the technician there. He's very good at giving advice. I have talked to him from France for advice for my sewing students on what to buy. He was very helpful despite not selling machines to them!! On his advice we bought my granddaughter the 2nd up Janome on offer with a good extras packet. I've just used it and it's very good for the money. Wherever you are try to get advice from a proper technician who services machines.

I've also had good advice via telephone from Sew Essential in Hebden Bridge. They have a good website and vlog. They recommend Babylock.

Spend as much as you possibly afford, don't buy cheap, you will be disappointed and put you off sewing so it's a false economy. Good luck in your search.

For furnishings I find the main feature needed is capacity to deal with a thick amount of materials. I have a couple of "modern" do all machines but for thick materials I use my 65 year old Singer. Only machinee I feel confident will hold material in place.Definitely would recommend being able to trial machines somewhere that specialises in them. A good do it all machine will not be cheap.

Janome here as rec by my repair guy. They are ones used on BBC sewing programm and in schools. No need for fancy stuff except a zig zag option.

fancyflowers

Bernina sewing machines are good. On their website they have machines starting at £199. They also have far more expensive machines. It depends on how much you want to pay.

I have had my Bernina since 1973. Still going strong. Just a service and check up every 10 years or so.

Can I just say that while asking what features she would actually like on a new sewing machine, it might be worth asking if she would actually prefer an overlocker, as depending on what she likes to make, she might find that her old machine together with an overlocker would suit her better. Just a suggestion. Oh, and my vote if buying new is Brother, although I paid just under £500 for mine which I bought in December, so far I absolutely love it!

The modern Singers get very poor reviews, so don't go there! As others have said it may well be that her old machine is better than many new ones, especially if she is sewing any heavy fabrics for curtains etc.
Definitely check with her what she'd like!

Definitely check with your daughter. It’s her specialty so she’ll know.

Dodo43

Pfaff for me. I bought an Expression 715 about 6 months ago. A bit more expensive than the one it replaced, but so fantastic. I am in love with it!

At over £2500 I'd think that would be outside most people's budget. The OP's daughter would have to make a lot of curtains and cushion covers to justify that expense.

I have a Janome which also suits my needs making garments and home furnishings. I do think though that a sewing machine is a bit like buying jewellery - personal to the individual taste
You mentioned North but not whereabouts. I have attached a link below for sewing shows - the next one is in Doncaster. Your daughter would be able to see demos of lots of machines and even try before you flash your credit card. At least you'd know then that it would be one she'd like. You could even make it part of a day out but to be honest, you can spend all day at these shows and a fortune

www.creativecraftshow.co.uk/

Pfaff for me. I bought an Expression 715 about 6 months ago. A bit more expensive than the one it replaced, but so fantastic. I am in love with it!

You can’t beat a Bernina for a long term investment.

Definitely Janome!

Please don’t buy it without consulting her. There may be features your daughter needs, especially if she’s wanting to expand her skills. I bought my DD a ‘surprise’ new sewing machine and she didn’t like it so it had to go back. I also bought myself a fairly basic (easy) sewing machine a couple of years ago and I sat in the shop for a few hours trying different machines with the salesperson before I settled on a Brother which was around £250. I still love it. Do ask her first of all if she wants a new sewing machine and then get her to go to a store to try them out. Tell her your budget and she’ll have a great time choosing her new machine.

Go to your nearest independent sewing machine shop rather than JL or Hobbycraft, we have an excellent one in Kings Lynn and I’m sure there are many others round the country, unfortunately many big names aren’t as good now as they were , a good independent shop will take time to show you models and advise.

I bought a Janome from John Lewis about 8 years ago.
Not a fancy one but it does what I need including automatic button holes .
It's never ever let me down .
I even took it all the way from Northumberland to Brighton for a sewing retreat rather than use their super duper Pffaf.
The chap who services my machine says he loves a Janome for simplicity, reliability and longevity.
I also now have a Brother overlock which I bought second hand ... It's been very good as well

eddiecat78

Just to say that her "ancient" machine may well be better quality than a new one. I'd start by offering to pay for her to have her existing machine serviced - that can make a huge difference. Also, an experienced engineer will be able to advise which brands are most reliable and might be able to supply a good secondhand machine

My Singer is 50 years old. I took it to the local sewing machine shop for a service and with the idea I might trade it in.
After a discussion and options, he told me the same - that new ones are not as good and unless I wanted some of the newer features, I could do no better

As a sewer myself I would definitely recommend you to speak to your daughter first to find out what functions she needs. There are so many different functions and types of machines so better to know that first before selecting a make and model. You could also end up spending too much money for features she’ll never use

I just checked Which.co.uk and they recommend the Singer Heavy Duty 4423 Sewing Machine.

I agree that her ancient machine may well be better than a new one. I have a very old Elna which dealers tell me was made in Switzerland and is wonderful quality compared with new models which are not even made in Europe.

Just to say that her "ancient" machine may well be better quality than a new one. I'd start by offering to pay for her to have her existing machine serviced - that can make a huge difference. Also, an experienced engineer will be able to advise which brands are most reliable and might be able to supply a good secondhand machine