Sewing / Making Clothes

Hi All,

Would appreciate any advice anyone might have on the following. My wife has been talking about making her own clothes and getting a sewing machine. I gather she has done some of this before but it's been a long time.

Her birthday is coming up so I was thinking about getting her a sewing machine and maybe a course that would be practical and useful.

Would anyone be able to recommend something as I have no expertise what so ever. I couldn't re attach a button if I tried...

Many thanks,

Tiriel

Where are you based and what area would the course need to be in?

Based in Dublin - unless it's a one day thing would probably prefer something local enough - preferably south Dublin.

ellejay

Hi Venjur

That's a really really thoughtful gift!!

I've just started sewing myself so may be able to give you an idea of price, if not brand.
My mother gave me her sewing machine, it's about 20years old but the brand is "Brother."
I priced getting it fixed and the three contacts I had all quoted €60.
I thought it would be about €20!!!

Anyway, I couldn't decide on getting it fixed or buying a cheap new one, (eg lidl's for €70/€80.)

The three guys said that it's a false economy, what's the point in buying a cheap machine then paying same amount to get it fixed, better off getting a "good" machine that won't break down.

A "good" machine seems to be Singer brand, according to the "fixers" but that's about the limit of my knowledge.
I've seen it mentioned in other threads too.

Other experienced posters will be able to elaberate more.

Also, just a thought, I understand machine's are a personal preferance so I wonder would you be better off getting a voucher so your wife could pick her own machine?

Not sure either if she'd need classes as she's sewed before.
It's just pratice really that she'll need. She'd probly prefer to use that money on material and patterns.
Don't mean to step on your toes, and sorry for all the assumptions, just a thought really, based on my own mother!!

Hope that's some help to you!!
Regards,
Lj.

Thanks Ellejay,

Thats very sound advice. I've been reading a few older threads and was coming around to the voucher idea as personal preference seems to be pretty important.

There appears to be a store in Wicklow, not sure where else specialises but will keep looking.

The lessons are really just to help her get back into it. I'm not sure how much she has done or if it was something she was tought properly so figured it wouldn't do any harm!

ellejay

Deleted User wrote: »

Thanks Ellejay,

Thats very sound advice. I've been reading a few older threads and was coming around to the voucher idea as personal preference seems to be pretty important.

There appears to be a store in Wicklow, not sure where else specialises but will keep looking.

The lessons are really just to help her get back into it. I'm not sure how much she has done or if it was something she was tought properly so figured it wouldn't do any harm!

I was looking for some classes as I'm a complete novice.
I found a college in bray that does evening classes, but just missed current start up, have to wait til jan now. Not sure if Bray suits, but sure let me know if you want details.

i googled "sewing classes" and quite a few came up, you might find something there.
This seems to be popular http://murphysheehy.com/?page_id=942

looksee

Singer and Brother are both good makes. I have always had Singers and have never had any complaints.

I agree on personal choice, you could buy one with lots of fancy embroidery stitches which she might love, or might never use. You could do a lot of sewing with just a basic swing needle that does a couple of things like buttonholes and hemming.

If she has any background in sewing she will not be likely to need a course, but even here there are differences. Would you get a course in using the machine (which you can figure out yourself) or basic dressmaking? She might prefer one or the other, or neither.

Its a nice idea anyway. I can't imagine not having a sewing machine!

starfish12

ive done a couple of courses in the Grafton academy of dress design, its really brilliant, the beginner classes are very personalised, everyone makes a garment of their choosing and learns how to complete it during the classes, so it allows you go at your own pace, so if your wife has sewn before she might find other beginner classes slow going, whereas on this one if you know one end of a machine from another you can proceed on with your work!!

yellowlabrador

One of the best resources out there to learn how to make clothes is youtube.
Maybe you could put the money into a voucher for fabrics and patterns?
I'm using my mothers' 1950 singer, it's a beast and very temperamental, but its solid and can be repaired when it breaks down. I don't know if the cheap new ones are as easily repairable. Maybe go for a second hand one?

Right - so I'm thinking then that a voucher for a sewing machine specialist and perhaps maybe a voucher or option to chose a course with a dress making school / design course would be the best option?

Where is good value in terms of swing machines. Good advice from staff and a decent selection would also be good. So far I've found a place in Waterford.

Anyone have suggestions?

Thanks for all the help so far.

looksee

If that is Singer in Waterford, that would be a great idea.

I agree that some of the older machines, fully refurbished, are sound work horses. Just make sure it can do zig-zag (swing needle).

wmpdd3

looksee wrote: »

If that is Singer in Waterford, that would be a great idea.

I agree that some of the older machines, fully refurbished, are sound work horses. Just make sure it can do zig-zag (swing needle).

+1 for the Singer shop in Waterford, I got my machine there when I was 11 (!), its been in for a few services at €50 a pop and it is still in tip top condition 20 something years later.

That shop is well worth a trip, the staff are brilliant. There are a few fabric shops around that shop and Waterford, but the best ones are probably in Dublin.

My friend bought one of the Singer machines they had in Aldi Lidl last year. I set it up for her, its fine, a good bit quieter than my machine, if you have kids in bed this would be a consideration.

I cant see anything wrong with the machine at all, does all the usual, straight, ziz-zag, hemming, free form embroidery, button hole.

The only thing that would put me off her one is the max stitches per minute on hers is 1200, mine has 2000. If I was making curtains, mine would be much faster.