Is there a way of going to the first unread post in a thread? I've worked out how to go to the latest post in a thread, but then I have to go back up - and possibly to the previous page - to find all the posts made since the last one I read.

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...

Hi @JudyN just seen your new avatar, now you have my attention. What a gorge hound, tell me about him/her 

Thank you, Snoozi, I'd clocked your lovely dogs too but didn't think I should descend into dog talk too soon....! That's Jasper, my greyhound/deerhound/Beddie/Irish terrier x lurcher, aka Hound of the Basketcases. It's his 10th birthday today!

As mentioned in my intro, I really struggle with tight waistbands - and by tight, I mean 'won't fall down on their own'.

As an example, I have some XL thick tights, pre-stretched by wetting and then drying stretched over a chair - they're comfortable when I'm out and about, but when I'm at home relaxing or working, they feel really uncomfortable. And I'm 5' 0", size 10, and weigh 7.5 stone!

I have a few pairs of leggings, jeggings & tights I'd like to alter. The leggings & jeggings I'm thinking of removing the waistband and creating a new channel (if that's the right term), and threading new elastic through which has ends that can be tied like a drawstring. The tights, I'm wondering if I can simply lower the waistband (as they're so large and I'm short it comes up very high) by taking a horizontal fold of the fabric below the waistband, stitching round, cutting off the excess, and binding the raw edges. If that doesn't work, I can do similar to the leggings.

The problem is, I have a 60-year-old Singer 201K that only does straight stitch, and don't have a zig-zag foot, so not much use for stretchy fabric or finishing edges. I'm wondering whether to try to find a zig-zag foot for it, or whether it's time to treat myself to a new sewing machine. I love my Singer, it used to be my mum's till she 'upgraded', but it does such a beautiful stitch... but it is limiting.

I wonder if I could have your thoughts, please? Would a new machine with zig-zag, something to finish raw edges nicely, and other bells & whistles make my life easier? I don't tend to do a lot of sewing because of shoulder problems, but it would be nice to have the option to do more....

Hello all

I'm not much of a sewer... I am the proud owner of my mum's 60-year-old electric Singer 201K (she 'upgraded' years ago) and I did go through a phase of making clothes, but badly... I can't even stitch in a straight line However... I have sensory sensitivities which mean I can't stand tight waistbands and I have a few stretchy garments (including tights) that I'd like to try altering. But my trusty Singer only does straight stitch and I don't have a zig-zag foot for it so I'm wondering whether to hunt down a zig-zag foot or to take the plunge and buy a new sewing machine.

So that's me - I'll post for advice in the appropriate section later (when I've worked out which the correct section is!)