Sewing machine recommendations please

[JudyN]

After advice in another thread, I'm tempted to invest in a new sewing machine. My current one is a 60-year-old Singer 201K and though it does a beautiful straight stitch, that's pretty much it.

I don't do a lot of sewing, but a zig-zag stitch and something to bind raw edges would be really useful. Beyond that... not sure. Because of shoulder pain (fibromyalgia) I can't sew for long so can't see myself needing really fancy stuff... I might never even put in a zip or sew a buttonhole, but I'm sure these come as standard anyway.

Cost is relatively unimportant - what is important is quality - something that reliably does a lovely stitch and avoids all the gnashing of teeth and wailing that I used to get with the cheapie machine I had before getting my mum's old Singer, mainly because the top stitches were so tight the puckered the fabric and the bottom ones threw great big loops....

I'd quite like to get a preloved one because it's better for the environment, but on the other hand a new one might be better as it would come with a guarantee, maybe backup help, etc., and I'd know it hadn't been misused.

Go on, tempt me.....

[Sewbusy]

You can buy a Zig Zag Attachment and a Binder for the Singer 201K. You can usually find them quite reasonably priced on Ebay or similar selling sites.

These of course do require a certain amount of dexterity to use properly and with good effect.

For your needs and requirements, an older but slightly more modern machine than the 201K may be a more sensible option, a good basic machine with zig-zag facility can be had for very reasonable price, sometimes they are given away free!

Lots of good advice available on here and willing 'helpers'

Good luck

[Helen M]

What was the cheapie machine that drove you nuts @JudyN .  Just so we know what not to recommend!

[JudyN]

What was the cheapie machine that drove you nuts @JudyN .  Just so we know what not to recommend!

Sorry Helen, it was about 35 years ago! (Bought soon after I left home.) It was a Singer, but beyond that I have no idea. And 'user error' could well have been a factor. I was forever fiddling with the tension, but my mum has since told me she never changed the tension on the Singer, she just used a different needle for different fabrics.

Sewbusy, would zig zag/binder attachments on the Singer be as easy to use as a new machine that did them automatically? Because I don't have a lot of dexterity...

[Sewbusy]

@JudyN  Most 'attachments' are fitted onto older machines  by screwing the said attachment to the needlebar,  be they zig zag, binder, zip foot etc. I don't have a great deal of knowledge very modern machines and/or if some are clip on types if available. They are not that difficult to fit, plan your work, attach said item, complete work and detach same. Yes you have to take off and reinstall your usual presser foot for normal straight and zig-zag stitches, but I have attached them (albeit slower than I would like to) depending upon my dexterity on any given day, hence I said plan your work.

An older machine with the capabilities you seem to require shouldn't present any more difficulty dexterity wise to enable you to use attachments than a more modern lighter weight machine.

ETA Buttonholes, depending upon your machine, may require a 'specialised' foot. It depends on your knowledge of your machine and its capabilities. An excellent Satin Stitch and a machine with adjustable zig zag width, you can make a  good straight buttonhole,  a 'keyhole' buttonhole takes some mastering unless it's on a modern machine wit built in buttonhole variations.

For me, it's lifting, shifting and positioning the machines that present problems. If you can leave your machine in situ until you are able to use it, that's a bonus.

 Take all advice offered by members here and practise.... Ask again if you hit a hurdle.

We were all learners once.

[JudyN]

Thanks, Sewbusy - yes, I have a dedicated sewing table in the spare room (now DS2 has left home) - not so much because I expect to spend a lot of time sewing, but because I'm not that strong and the 201 weighs a ton!!

[Sewbusy]

Thanks, Sewbusy - yes, I have a dedicated sewing table in the spare room (now DS2 has left home) - not so much because I expect to spend a lot of time sewing, but because I'm not that strong and the 201 weighs a ton!!

Try moving a Bernina 830 record, my Singer 201K is a lightweight in comparison.

[sewingj]

I`ve got a Janome J3-20 which is very straight forward and includes an automatic buttonhole, several zigzag stitches and stretch stitches and - most important - an automatic needle threader!  It is widely available and seems to be about £200 at the moment.  I`m doing a lot more sewing than I thought I would be when I bought it, but so far it has coped with everything very well.

https://www.sewingmachines.co.uk/browse-machines/sewing-machines/j3-20?gclid=CjwKCAiAxMLvBRBNEiwAKhr-nIo0_Uh6A6XjKWEnyC-ScA1zZiGdb7XVEz7LK3AZeyzHowYVGjUIARoC510QAvD_BwE

[SkoutSews]

You could look at Gumtree to see what is available in your area. I've sold machines that way in the past. You could be lucky and pick up a good one very cheaply, but there's always the element of risk. If you're going to buy secondhand, I'd avoid anything computerised or electronic.

@sewingj has a good suggestion there, a basic, reasonable quality mechanical machine that's easy to operate. If you decide to upgrade after a few years you should still get a fair price for it selling on or trading in.  Try the post-Christmas sales, perhaps?

[Roger]

I've been thinking about selling a Bernina 530-2, its a really cute machine in lovely condition, and I dont deserve it really because I don't love it as much as my 500a. But it is a sweet heart... does a handful of stitches really beautifully, and has all its parts. Drop me a PM if youre interested.

[JudyN]

I have a new sewing machine

I went to Franklins in Salisbury after someone recommended it, and the advisor there suggested a Juki HZL-353Z-a - a mechanical machine, with a good build quality and not too many bells & whistles that I'll never use. I hope you're all going to tell me it's a good choice because it came home with me!

Sadly a tight work deadline means I won't be able to play with it for a few days.

[SkoutSews]

Congratulations! That looks like a great choice. Let us know what you think of the machine when you've had a chance to try it out properly.
I like Franklins, although I have only visited the stand at the Harrogate K&S show, where I found them very helpful. The shops are too far away for me.

[Gernella]

Now that looks like a really good choice.  I started off with an old Singer belonging to my grandmother when I was around 14, had lots of problems but very likely user inexperience.  Got a Brother for my 21st (solid and heavy), then moved up around 25 years later to a computer machine (went into the shop for some thread I think).  It was absolute heaven, although I suspect again the problems with the Brother were also down to me. I set up to sell on Freecycle and after being stood for years it went like a rocket.

Enjoy, Juki have a really good name for reliability.

[BrendaP]

I think you have made an excellent choice.

Though I love my  straight stichers and a 201 is the machine of choice for many things, there are some jobs which need a zig-zag or other utility stitch.  If when my Husqvarna dies I am likely to be looking at Juki for a replacement.

[JudyN]

Thank you both - that's good to hear! Now I just need to learn to drive it... I was amazed to find it can actually sew buttons on, I never imagined that would be possible!