Talk to me about sewing machines etc

[edanna]

I haven't touched a sewing machine since home economics in the 80s but now I have a strange urge to make stuff, not that I have the time of course. So, do you think I can buy a cheap machine and a Teach yourself sewing book and work out alone how to make basic cushion covers, curtains etc? Any books you'd recommend? And will a cheap machine (john lewis do one for ?59) be rubbish? Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

[mima08]

hiya, I am by no means an expert but I found the cheap sewing machines I have owned very annoying and difficult to use. Bizarrely, I find sewing easier now that I have bough a mid-range machine (John Lewis, ?180) although I am not very experienced and have not much time since LO arrived. I think it is easier due to more robust way the foot holds the fabric, the way the fabric is moved and other "control" features which means my seams are a lot more straight :). The sales staff in John Lewis are really helpful and they hold advisory sessions sometimes - I recommend speak to them. Also, there is a sewing cafe in Clapham "sew it over" which has just opened and runs lots of classes, they might be good to advise (though I have not tried it myself yet). As for a book - sorry no suggestion, I was given some basic learn to sew books from the 50s!

[edanna]

Thank you! The classes look really good.

[Pickle]

There's also a local business - The Scarlet Peacock, who run sewing classes. I've been to their knitting & crochet classes and highly recommend them.

http://www.thescarletpeacock.co.uk/

I think their classes are due to start again around September.

[pebbles]

I would also like to rave about Scarlet Peacock. I learnt from them and am now a reasonable sewer (have made teepee for kids, kids clothes, lots and lots of cushions etc). You can learn on their machines (to make sure you like it before you buy) or you can take your machine along.

[The Nappy Lady]

Agree re Scarlet Peacock & I have a John Lewis machine - about ?200 and it is great.

[mima08]

Oh, I didn't know about Charlotte Peacock - will definitely check them out in September! In the meantime, I might try something at the cafe - will report back (all childcare dependent ;-)

[TheScarletPeacock]

Thanks very much for your kind recommendations ladies!

We are just slowly coming out of the fog of new-babyness and almost ready to sew again without running the needles through our fingers....

Classes will be starting back at All Fired Up on East Dulwich Road in September. Knitting and Crochet for beginners are already online to book, and the beginners sewing classes will be on shortly. We will definitely have lots of cushion classes - envelope style for the absolute beginner, and invisible zipped cushions for those that fancy tackling something a little more technical (but not that hard!) in very small groups (5 max, with two teachers).

If you are desperate to learn in the meantime, we also do private classes at a time to suit you.

We use Brother sewing machines, which we have found great for our beginners. They do everything we need them to, without being overly complicated and scary. We also hire them out from ?10 (?20 for a long weekend) so you can try them out and see if it you would use it enough to invest in one (we get lots of people coming to class with "sewing machine under the bed syndrome"!)

You can find out more info on all of this on our website here:

The Scarlet Peacock Website

or feel free to drop us an email on [email protected]

Thanks

Mel & Zoe

[edanna]

Thanks so much for all your very helpful responses. Good old family room! I'm feeling really excited about it now.

[Timo]

Hi there,

I can thoroughly recommend any Toyota sewing machines. I have used them for 13 years now and still going strong! I bought a second hand one on ebay a few years back for ?50 which has seen many a wedding dress pass through its feeder. I also have a Toyota overlocker which is equally good. As for sewing books....check out Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_23?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=basic+sewing+techniques&x=0&y=0&sprefix=basic+sewing+techniques

Good luck!

Tim

[millie42]

I use a really old 1950s Harris machine which is wonderful. If you are looking for a machine, I would recommend the sewing machine shop in Orpington. They are great and have a really good selection of new and SH machines and all the parts/bits! They are on the high street and also service and do repairs!

Good luck.

M

[millie42]

Ps for a sewing book, I would recommend Simplicity Simply the best sewing book which I am sure you will be able to get from Amazon

[hpsaucey]

I have a Brother Innovis-10 - basically a sewing machine for dummies - bought because I am, as you might have guessed not particularly gifted at sewing. About 200 quid but it is fantastic. It numbers the points on the machine in order of where you need to thread it, has an automatic buttonhole maker; automatic guide to hold the material straight if you need. Can't fault it - its been brilliant. Got given a copy of a really straightforward but inspirational sewing book too. Its this - cheap on AMAZon at the minute:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sewing-Book-Alison-Smith/dp/1405335556