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Posted by Kate XXXXXX on March 23, 2008, 11:11 am
imaan wrote:
> Hello ladies,
>
> I am new to the world of sewing, not having done much since high school,
> and then only some hemming of scarves.
Welcome! But be careful - we are not all ladies! ;) We do have some
very talented male sewists here too.
>
> I am currently taking sewing classes, and really enjoying them; hubby
> surprised me with a Pfaff 4752 overlocker, and is trying to convince me to
> upgrade my simple Janome M2008 (which is very limited in capabilities) to
> the one the lady at the store reccomended, a Husqvarna Emerald 183.
An excellent choice. But try it first to make sure it fits you...
Buying sewing machines is like buying shoes and bras: try before you buy!
>
> Given the costs involved, is this a feasible choice? Are these machines
> going to last and last?
If you can afford it, it's feasible. Husqvarna and Pfaff are both good
makes and last for ages. My Husqvarna Lily is nearly nine years old,
has been used all that time for sewing professionally as well as for
quilting and home projects. I'm not looking to upgrade or replace yet
awhile! You can see some of the mad projects I've fed through it on my
web site - URL below. (It's quite safe: I don't sell anything through
the web site).
How do I use an overlocker?????
Carefully! It's fast, and it chops off the margin for error! That
said, once you get used to it, you'll never want to be without it. I
make things like this on mine:
>
http://www.diceyhome.free-online.co.uk/KatePages/Sewing_Projects/Chocolate_velour/a_chocolate_coated_kate.htm
And also things like this: >
http://www.diceyhome.free-online.co.uk/KatePages/Sewing_Projects/Weddingallery/finalfrock14.JPG
But if my then 12YO son could learn to use the overlocker, so can you: >
http://www.diceyhome.free-online.co.uk/KatePages/Sewing_Projects/Boy%20stuuf/Jeans/jeans_for_james.htm
(This was last summer. He needs to make some new school trousers now...
;) )
>
> I love the idea of sewing my own clothes, clothes for my toddlers, and
> eventually, maybe graduating on to quilts, and like for the children and
> grandchildren. But at the moment, I cannot even put together a dress!
You will! :) Poke about and get yourself a good sewing manual, some
nice cotton thread and some plain unbleaches calico and practice making
seams and learning to control the machine while you decide what you want
to make first.
>
> what brands are reputed and reliable? which ones are associated with
> expensive upkeep/ maintenance? are the computerised sewing machines worth
> the extra money? will they last?
They are ALL expensive if things go wrong! However, if you treat the
machine with respect and look after it, you'll get many years of
reliable work out of it. Do look at the service schedule, and keep to
it. Modern machines are like cars in that respect: they respond to
regular servicing! Mine get serviced every 9 months to a year as they
get heavy use, but most domestic sewists get away with once every year
to two years.
>
> are the brands I have been quoted reliable, and trustworthy?
About the best there are. The only other in that bracket is Bernina.
The reason I have Bernina and Husqvarna machines is only that Pfaff
don't fir my fingers, which is why you need to try before you buy.
>
> Any advice would be much appreciated. Thank you in advance.
>
> Imaan
--
Kate XXXXXX R.C.T.Q Madame Chef des Trolls
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
http://www.katedicey.co.uk
Click on Kate's Pages and explore!
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