Help buying a sewing machine please.

[Nana]

I'm looking at 'computerised' sewing machines but wondered if there's one better than another for a beginner. Has anyone got one? WG I'm not sure if I remember you have one? These are the one's for sale on ebay that seem to be the best choices.

1. Brother Innovis 97E. £310 & free p&p. 1yr old & people still bidding.

2. Brother Innovis 950. £417 & £20 p&p. 4yrs old & people still bidding.

3. Brother Innovis 750E. £530 & £28.55 p&p. People still bidding. Seller bought it new in July 2016.

Accessories, extra vary with each one. Some are thousands of pounds. I would really appreciate some help on this one please. Many thanks.

[Plantaholic]

Can't help Nana but I am going to my Embroidery Group meeting tonight and I will ask around.

[Nana]

Thank you so much Plant. As you can imagine it's like stepping into a minefield.😉

[Oma]

I don't do much sewing now Nana , mine is about 12 years old now never had a Computerised one , I have seen them demonstrated on You tube though and they look amazing ,
The ones you have your eye on have you looked to see if there are any demonstrations on youtube ? might give you a idea if they suitable for you xx

[Clover]

Afraid I can’t help. Mine is a bog standard less than £100 type..Of course it is basic but does all I need it to.I wouldn’t mind trying a computerised one though.

[Grauntie Mag]

I have one Nana. Mine is a Bernina I buy my machines from a local dealer as the after sales service is excellent. I also have two Janome machines, they do other things but both computerised. I can recommend this make too. All machines seem to have very good back-up on line, with plenty of YouTube ‘how tos’.
Good luck, and if I can be of more help don’t hesitate to ask.
Please be careful buying second hand on line. The previous owner may have caused damage not noticeable and it may cost to put right.

[Plantaholic]

I think most of the ladies at the Needlework group have Berninas, they do a lot of machine embroidery.

Why do you have 3 machines Grauntie?

[Nanto2girls]

It's a long time since i had a sewing machine. Long before computerised ones were available.

[ZIZI]

I couldn’t use one even at school. I think I managed to hem a hanky once..........

[Grauntie Mag]

Did you do drawn thread work on your hankie Zizi? That would be enough to scare a non sewer to death!
Plant I have a basic do most things Bernina, an overlocker, a cover-pro (for overlocking and hemming at the same time, like on a T shirt) and an embroidery machine which is my latest passion. Happiness is my half of the study where they all live.

[Nana]

Thanks for your help. I'm off to look at the others now online to see prices & what they do. I got my last machine from a sewing machine shop & I use them to service my old sewing machine. I'll go there to buy I think.

It is a lot of money but it might be my last chance I have to treat myself.

[Shemadee]

I bought a basic machine from Lidl and have only used it a couple of times to sew some very wonky hems.

[Daisy]

I'm no help at all! I have actually got a sewing machine - it's a Singer (do they still make them?) and it is electric. It will do zig zag stitching - in different sizes. I have no idea why, but that's what it does.

But I lent it to someone who wanted to make some loose covers for a chair. It came back with a bent needle and not working properly - the tension between the top bit and the bit underneath aren't right, so I'm told. I ought to get it repaired - you never know when I might need it.

Computerised embroidery machines sound like a different world!

Nana - it sounds as though you will really get the best out of whatever machine you choose - so choose the best you can.

[Plantaholic]

Gosh Grauntie you must do a lot of making things to need all those machines

[Grauntie Mag]

I do Plant. I can make something and use at least 3 doing it. Cushion covers at the mo.