sewing machines

[chocosamurai]

do any of you own one?
what model/brand is it?
how experienced are you at sewing ?

I am very new to sewing and want to make a jacket. I want to be able to wear something I made myself. would a Jacket [long sleeves and collar be a small or big project on a sewing machine? everytime I look at sewing machines [for myself] they say good for beginners and small projects... I do plan to make more intricate and complicated things later but I am determined to make a jacket.. so keen to ask people know more than me about these kind of things

thanks

[faolan]

chocosamurai

would a Jacket [long sleeves and collar be a small or big project on a sewing machine?

Depends. That's not nearly enough information, after all -- lined/unlined? What kind of fabric and how thick? How many parts will you need to be sewing together? I mean, lining adds more thickness, of course, and the kind of material you use is a huge factor, too... imagine the difference between, say, denim and lycra.

Y'know, when I was in eighth grade I took home ec, and we ordered these kits for our sewing projects... hm. I wonder... w00t!!! Haan Crafts, the kits you order have everything you need. I always got stuffed animals, but they do have clothing kits, too.

As for what machine to get, though... *shrug* My mother's... eh, something obscure. And old. And cranky, too -- it hates me, so I hate it back. I crochet and don't need it. xp We had Singers in class, though, which were quite user-friendly. Take a look at machines you can afford and all, read some consumer reviews, things like that. And start small -- if you've never used a sewing machine before, expect your first few projects to be kind of disappointing, before you get comfortable with it. wink

[MemoriesOfGreen]

I have a Bernina. While I haven't used it in a long time, it's still very reliable. The parts inside are not made out of plastic like a lot of cheaper sewing machines have. The model I have is no longer being produced so it wouldn't really help if I told you what it was.

When You get a sewing machine, just start with a simple one. You only need basic stitching options to make garments.

Be sure you research what type of needle to use on your sewing machine with what type of cloth you're going to use too. Also study what type of presser foot to use. It will help your project go much more smoothly if you do. Having the knowledge of what tools to use for each project you make on your sewing machine will help immensely. (I learned this from personal experience after having ripped a hole in a dress I was making.)

[Taivaspoika]

For a beginner, jacket might be a little too tough - though, who am I to say as I run head first into a challenge!
But, seriously, if you don't have anyone advising you, making a blazer -like jacket is really tough. I probably wouldn't have made one on my own at all if I hadn't made one at school first.

As for sewing machine, a basic one. If you want to invest in a good machine, find one with as little plastic parts as possible. My own machine is an older Singer, all metal. Except for the buttons.



When making the jacket, remember regular ironing and be very careful with measurements. Try it on regularly to see it fits the best it could. Don't be afraid to take it apart and sew it back if it doesn't look good. Even professionals do that all the time!

[QuickerPickerUpper]

If you are trying to get a machine to learn on, DO NOT GET A SINGER. They do not make them the way they used to and so they break constantly. If you're going to get a cheaper machine, go with a Brother (they have a variety of models, so whichever one has the features you're attracted to is the ticket) because they are user friendly AND are less finicky than the Singers.

As for the jacket, it might be a little tough especially if you're a beginner to sewing, but I wouldn't let it stop you from trying. Just be careful what materials you use. The Brother machine that I have can handle quite a few layers, but when things get too thick you will have to use an industrial sewing machine to get through it (for things like leather, canvas, too many layers, etc).

You're going to have to be very careful when you do measurements for the coat, if you are working from a pattern then make sure to study it carefully. You're going to mess up a few times no matter what you do, so get practice material.

My advice? Do several mock ups in muslin or a cheap fabric that mimics the material you want to use so you can practice and check what your machine can handle.

[Thawney]

Grandma's old Bernina. From 1965. All metal and weighs accordingly. And works beautifully.

Once in a while it starts running in place; other than that, it's been smooth. One can do so much with just straight and zig.-zag. The buttonholes the machine makes aren't very pretty, but functional.

For a jacket, it becomes a big project the moment you decide to line it.

[sexy_stag]

I use a Brother, but Singer is a nice one too.

I would also advise you stay away from little machines that say they are for small crafts. I've never seen one work, and most of the time, they get returned.

[Cherri en rose]

I use a second hand bernina, which is perfect for beginners... I'm quite experienced sewer now but can't afford to buy a new machine yet. A jacket is a tricky first project, depending on how you want it... when i first began sewing I started off on small accessories and tops... you need to first start sewing with confidence, or else you will waist ur time and fabric if u can't do it. xx

[P a n d a P L 3 A S 3]

yep, i share my mom's seriously old toyota sewing machine. and i'm semi-experienced at sewing with it. I can do curtains/bed sheets and clothes at a push. it's so so so much easier to sew by hand though, i feel.

a jacket would probably be a big project for someone new to sewing with a machine but if you build up to it with smaller projects, it won't be so hard.

[chocosamurai]

faolan

chocosamurai

would a Jacket [long sleeves and collar be a small or big project on a sewing machine?

Depends. That's not nearly enough information, after all -- lined/unlined? What kind of fabric and how thick? How many parts will you need to be sewing together? I mean, lining adds more thickness, of course, and the kind of material you use is a huge factor, too... imagine the difference between, say, denim and lycra.

Y'know, when I was in eighth grade I took home ec, and we ordered these kits for our sewing projects... hm. I wonder... w00t!!! Haan Crafts, the kits you order have everything you need. I always got stuffed animals, but they do have clothing kits, too.

As for what machine to get, though... *shrug* My mother's... eh, something obscure. And old. And cranky, too -- it hates me, so I hate it back. I crochet and don't need it. xp We had Singers in class, though, which were quite user-friendly. Take a look at machines you can afford and all, read some consumer reviews, things like that. And start small -- if you've never used a sewing machine before, expect your first few projects to be kind of disappointing, before you get comfortable with it. wink

thanks for your input. reviews, yea thats a good start.
you got me thinking. I didn't think about thickness but I just put that to what type of sewing machine can handle certain types of projects/materials... I don't even know if it needs lining... that sounds like it would get very complicated...

[chocosamurai]

MemoriesOfGreen

I have a Bernina. While I haven't used it in a long time, it's still very reliable. The parts inside are not made out of plastic like a lot of cheaper sewing machines have. The model I have is no longer being produced so it wouldn't really help if I told you what it was.

When You get a sewing machine, just start with a simple one. You only need basic stitching options to make garments.

Be sure you research what type of needle to use on your sewing machine with what type of cloth you're going to use too. Also study what type of presser foot to use. It will help your project go much more smoothly if you do. Having the knowledge of what tools to use for each project you make on your sewing machine will help immensely. (I learned this from personal experience after having ripped a hole in a dress I was making.)

Thanks green
I see. ones that do basic stitching can do any sized garment ?

Thanks for tips about needles smile do all sewing machines take all sorts of needles then? I can imagine there would be heaps of sizes but can all machines take all of them or do certain machines tailored to handle certain types of needles?

thanks for the advice

[chocosamurai]

Taivaspoika

For a beginner, jacket might be a little too tough - though, who am I to say as I run head first into a challenge!
But, seriously, if you don't have anyone advising you, making a blazer -like jacket is really tough. I probably wouldn't have made one on my own at all if I hadn't made one at school first.

As for sewing machine, a basic one. If you want to invest in a good machine, find one with as little plastic parts as possible. My own machine is an older Singer, all metal. Except for the buttons.



When making the jacket, remember regular ironing and be very careful with measurements. Try it on regularly to see it fits the best it could. Don't be afraid to take it apart and sew it back if it doesn't look good. Even professionals do that all the time!

good advice. I will make sure to iron. and definitely measure every step.

might sound stupid... if its sewn together by sewing machine how do you take it apart [without damaging the material]?

cheers

[chocosamurai]

QuickerPickerUpper

If you are trying to get a machine to learn on, DO NOT GET A SINGER. They do not make them the way they used to and so they break constantly. If you're going to get a cheaper machine, go with a Brother (they have a variety of models, so whichever one has the features you're attracted to is the ticket) because they are user friendly AND are less finicky than the Singers.

As for the jacket, it might be a little tough especially if you're a beginner to sewing, but I wouldn't let it stop you from trying. Just be careful what materials you use. The Brother machine that I have can handle quite a few layers, but when things get too thick you will have to use an industrial sewing machine to get through it (for things like leather, canvas, too many layers, etc).

You're going to have to be very careful when you do measurements for the coat, if you are working from a pattern then make sure to study it carefully. You're going to mess up a few times no matter what you do, so get practice material.

My advice? Do several mock ups in muslin or a cheap fabric that mimics the material you want to use so you can practice and check what your machine can handle.

I see. have you used a number of sewing brands?
I am probably sounding naive that I don't have a pattern... but I am looking at the local store for patterns that are close to the design I intend to make. Though I was also thinking of taking apart some of my old tops to use as a base pattern.. but measurements are a worry here.

once i get a sewing machine I will probably try sewing different materials to get the feel of how it works and how it handles different material. cheers QuickerPickerUpper

[chocosamurai]

Thawney

Grandma's old Bernina. From 1965. All metal and weighs accordingly. And works beautifully.

Once in a while it starts running in place; other than that, it's been smooth. One can do so much with just straight and zig.-zag. The buttonholes the machine makes aren't very pretty, but functional.

For a jacket, it becomes a big project the moment you decide to line it.

well it seems 2 votes for bernina I will check these out. though older sewing machines sound like they might be better than newer cheap plastic ones...

o I don't think I will line it. That will make this project much more complex than it already is xp

thanks Thawney

[chocosamurai]

sexy_stag

I use a Brother, but Singer is a nice one too.

I would also advise you stay away from little machines that say they are for small crafts. I've never seen one work, and most of the time, they get returned.

Anyone else agree?

That is why I asked for some advise here. I was looking at those but wondering whether they would handle what I would like to make with them... thanks Sexy stag