Brother A16 ????

[deetee]

I'm looking to do projects for my wildlife photography, such as; beanbags, mats and bags to put camo items in. I'll probably use 7oz Cordura for most of them. As a man I have no experience of using a sewing machine and can just about sew a button on :-).  Will probably try to take up some of my walking trousers too. I was originally looking at the Singer 4423, but the Brother A16 seems to have better functions.  Any advice please?

[WildAtlanticWay]

Yes, that’s a good choice. Personally, I don’t rate the modern Singer machines and I’ve a couple of ladies in my sewing group with the modern Singer ‘Heavy Duty’ machines that I think are marketing pish.


The A16 is a decent beginners/intermediate sewer machine with a really good needle threader. In my opinion, the recent Brother Innov-is range have the best needle threaders on the market. I’ve recently bought the Brother A65 as my portable machine to take to classes.

However…if you’re going to be making bags with many layers where seams meet and fold over, you might want to look at a straight stitch proper heavy duty machine instead. I make bags on my domestic sewing machines but will take it v slowly over very thick layers. I can sew 8 layers of denim on my Brother (I tested it), but you also need to use the right type and size of needle for the job and the correct type of thread too.

If you’re a newby sewer, start with the basics. I’m going to tag @Bill not because he’s a bloke, but because he’s made quite a few bags now and has had a steep learning curve regarding sewing machines… and he’s become very knowledgeable in the process.

[deetee]

Thanks...that was my next question...needles. What would I need to sew that material.  Can just about afford the A16...don't think my pension would stretch to anything else. The bags won't bee too heavy duty anyway.

[StitchinTime]

Hi @deetee , welcome to TSP - we like helping people buy sewing machines 

I don't know what price you have found for the A16 or what features you particularly liked about it, but Sewing Machines Direct have a Brother Innov-Is 15 which is very similar and £70 cheaper than their price for the A16.
https://www.sewingmachines.co.uk/browse-machines/sewing-machines/innov-is-15/

Several members have bought machines from SMD and are very happy with the service.

[deetee]

Hi @deetee , welcome to TSP - we like helping people buy sewing machines 

I don't know what price you have found for the A16 or what features you particularly liked about it, but Sewing Machines Direct have a Brother Innov-Is 15 which is very similar and £70 cheaper than their price for the A16.
https://www.sewingmachines.co.uk/browse-machines/sewing-machines/innov-is-15/

Several members have bought machines from SMD and are very happy with the service.

Can get it for £338.  Like the lock stitch function on it and the easy threading function. The main thing is I can use Paypal Credit and pay about £15 per month which helps a lot.

[Greybird]

Hello and welcome @deetee . Good advice from @WildAtlanticWay . We have several bag makers who will have help to offer. As far as needles are concerned, have a look at the Haberdashery section where you will find a Schmetz pocket guide to needles. Don't buy cheap needles - false economy. Schmetz are very good quality. Same goes for thread - cheap thread will give you nothing but problems. Happy sewing.

[HenriettaMaria]

Shout out here for https://www.empressmills.co.uk/ as a source of thread, wadding and assorted habby.  They sell thread in 1000m and 5000m cops so if you are going to buy some of their specialist thread, it's probably a good idea to buy a neutral shade that will blend with lots of things.  If you call them they will send you, at a modest cost, a wrapped shade card so you can colour-match properly if colour really matters.

They do Schmetz needles - the jeans ones are useful for tougher fabrics.

Sometimes their web site plays up (though they may have fixed it - it's been a while since I ordered anything) but if that happens they are very good at answering the phone and their service level is commendable.

[Bodgeitandscarper]

I'm going to rock the boat a bit and suggest an industrial straight stitch machine if you are going to only be sewing heavy fabrics.  Having bought a Jack H2 recently, I can't believe the difference in sewing layers of stuff, in my case leather.  However, they may not be the best for lighter fabrics such as walking trousers.

My old Elna 3003 was the best domestic machine for thick stuff - I think they are sold as Janome nowadays.  Or see what vintage straight stitch machine you can pick up secondhand - electric means you have both hands free to manipulate, but we did all used to sew with hand crank machines that seemed to go through anything.

[Kwaaked]

I'd recommend a 201 Singer myself for the bags.

[Sara-S]

For heavy-duty sewing, I use a Janome HD.  They are basic on function, but strong enough to go through canvas, leather, upholstery fabric, etc.  They are not unduly costly and not too complicated for a beginner.

[Bill]

I’m going to tag @Bill not because he’s a bloke, but because he’s made quite a few bags now and has had a steep learning curve regarding sewing machines… and he’s become very knowledgeable in the process.

Knowledgeable? Me? 
But yep, I've learnt the hard way what does (sometimes) and doesn't (most of the time) work regarding heavier fabrics.
It would appear that sewing machine manufacturers have over the years swapped durability for pointless extra stitches and gizmos over the years, so don't be dazzled by the A16's extra functions. The needle threaders on brother's I admit are a work of genius.
I wouldn't put too much faith in the locking stitch on its own. It merely stops the thread loosening and popping out. For walking trousers and bags I prefer to use a backstitch and then a lockstitch as it strengthens and spreads out the stress in that area.
The needle you use will very much depend on what material you sew through. I find the bog standard size 80 to 90 universal needles do quite well at almost everything. The denim needles are better when it comes to thicker threads.
I personally like using coats moon thread. Many don't and consider it cheap crap but I've honestly never had a problem with it. A bit fluffy maybe but that's soon sorted with a de fluff every once in a while.
Before you attempt any clothing alteration, practise your sewing on scraps first. Then practice some more. Then keep practicing. You'll soon figure out your machines strengths, weaknesses and quirks and then you can make your camo 3 piece tuxedo and enjoy it. There's little worse than destroying a perfectly good pair of trousers because of rushing in thinking you know it all. Been there done that.
What else.....
YouTube! There's a fair few sewing channels out there that'll save the swear jar from filling too rapidly.

[KayK]

First class advice there @Bill!

[charley]

Great advice from @Bill