You can never have enough...

[Mica]

Welcome Olive,

I would look at Janome or Juki machines. Good value for money come with lots of feet. I would recommend going to a dealer if possible to try machines out as what suits me might not suit you a bit like shopping for a car.
Personally I would avoid buying at Spotlight.
I still have my first machine circa 1974 Elna SU still sews well I get her out 2-3 times a year.
You need to think about what features you would like eg needle up/down, scissors, knee lift, variety of auto buttonholes walking foot( built in or as attachable foot) size of harp(important if you quilt)
If you live lower North Island there is a good sewing group that meets in Palmerston North every month.
Have fun looking

[Lilith7]

Overdid things in the garden again - did back lawn this morning & it didn't take that long since there' snot been as much growth with cooler temperatures. So like an idiot I tackled the ivy on the dead tree this afternoon, which took far longer than I'd expected.
Not doing anything else today except perhaps a swift look at painting, won't be doing much to it.

[Oh_hunnihunni]

Hello everyone.  Forgive me for intruding without invitation; I am thinking of buying a sewing machine and am in need of advice, this seems like a forum with many sewing experts.

I used to sew a lot but gave my sewing machine (an Elna) and other equipment away about 25 years ago and apart from the occasional button haven't done any sewing since.  The Great British Sewing Bee has revived my interest in up-cycling second hand clothing but I don't know where to start.

Can anyone recommend a sewing machine or sewing machine brand for me to look into?  I wouldn't be attempting anything ambitious, most likely just hems, darts and repairs.

I have a forty year old Husqvarna that I love dearly, but it blew a transistor or something a while back and repairing it has been a step too far budgetwise, since. It is on my to do list as soon as other things are sorted. So, I too wanted to revive that part of my sewing expertise so I bought a very retro Singer, which has a good maintenance history and it runs like a dream - $80 on Trademe from a seller with perfect feedback. And he delivered for free. Lovely man. It is very basic, but all I really need. While I was looking, I found a seller with good feedback who offers a warranty on his reconditioned machines. He would be worth checking out too.
It depends on what you want it to do and your budget. I go for basic, bulletproof, and cheap, and I am very happy with my funny little flowerpower Singer. Built like a wee tank it is too, not at all like some of today's lightweight creatures...

Weird thing though - since having a working machine, I have developed a real pleasure in handsewing. Typical contrariness!

Good luck!

[popeye333]

Home Safe and well..

Totally enjoyed my day..

Tell you more tomorrow lol

[Lilith7]

I think I mentioned a while ago that I'd bought a sock putter-on-er for when I get older & putting on socks becomes difficult. It turned up the other day, & proved to need putting together.
Oh bugger! I'm famous in the family for having no technical skills whatever but thought I'd give it a bash, despite there being no instructions, just a photo of how it should look.
A short three hours later, I'd managed to get two bits put together but could I get the remaining two done, could I hell. had to ask sweetie darling how to do it.

He managed not to actually laugh as he explained that those bits were for pulling the socks on & didn't join onto the rest of it. Oh.
Bugger...

[JanW]

Hello everyone.  Forgive me for intruding without invitation; I am thinking of buying a sewing machine and am in need of advice, this seems like a forum with many sewing experts.

I used to sew a lot but gave my sewing machine (an Elna) and other equipment away about 25 years ago and apart from the occasional button haven't done any sewing since.  The Great British Sewing Bee has revived my interest in up-cycling second hand clothing but I don't know where to start.

Can anyone recommend a sewing machine or sewing machine brand for me to look into?  I wouldn't be attempting anything ambitious, most likely just hems, darts and repairs.

I have a 20 year old Elna - probably the same as you gave away .If you are going to buy a new one donÔÇÖt buy from Spotlight but buy from a sewing machine shop so you can get it serviced easily.If you find a model you like - look online at the product reviews of the model - just key in your search engine - Product review Janome whatever model it is - or Bernina. I look at the online product reviews before I buy anything in the appliance line - nearly made the mistake of buying a Bodum milk frother - they were half price Bodum┬á┬áis a good brand so thought I had found a bargain but looked at the product reviews and saw I was about to buy a dud .Good luck with getting into sewing again - donÔÇÖt be a stranger on here let us know how you get on

[kiwimade64]

morning ladies Welcome Olive! No invitation needed to join in

I also have a Janome and learned to sew on the sturdy bullet proof Berninas at school many moons ago. Mica gave great advice, try before you buy. And I second don't buy from Spotlight. A specialist shop has far more knowledge and will be able to answer your questions confidently. I would also suggest you buy 'up a step' as I wasn't planning on learning how to quilt and then decided that would be fun to do. My machine isn't really geared up for quilting so I may have to replace it in the future.

The lawn seed is down in the main part but the patches on the lawn need more seed. Next person to go into town will pay a visit to Mitre10. I've also widened a skinny garden where the tree roots have pushed the edging up and out. It was a tad more than I thought it would be *looks innocent*.

Housework today and watering the garden. All this lovely sunshine is drying everything out and the lawn seed needs to be kept damp over the next few days. Still no work on my falcon, so frustrating at times but I'll get there.

Time to get cracking. Let us know how things go, Olive

Happy crafting

[Mica]

Morning all
Another stunning day

Spent afternoon tracing off a dress pattern, tired of super casual stuff want something comfy but smart casual to wear to dinner etc. Might be dressing up at home lol

Hope you get a good strike for your gass seed KM

K9s currently stretched out in sunny patches so might sneak out to hunt for food DH can walk the  today

Have to pop over to DD first to drop off some of my quilting threads she is doing some applique and needs a rainbow of colour matches and now it would seem some background fabric as well shopping in Mums stash   it like when they were younger and flatting and shopping in our pantry.

Have a fun day everyone

[Oh_hunnihunni]

I have a gentleman in my flat this morning. It is an unusual event but I needed a couple of windows freed up so I can open and close them. Too stiff for arthritic hands. So I have a man in. And he is doing his best, but he apparently is a painter by trade and really has no idea...

Ahhhh the joys of property management companies.

After he has gone I shall get out the WD40... Again. And clean the insides to match the now sparkly outsides. A wonan's work...

[popeye333]

Morning everyone

And Welcome Olive...

I agree with Kiwimade, try before you buy and look at a step up from basic too. Also consider second hand, from a proper sewing machine shop.. I've had my second hand Janome for around 25ish years and its still going strong.. It had been traded in on another machine and had a good service history.

And dont forget to get a decent pair of scissors while your shopping.

Ill never forget getting to sewing classes in "Form 3" when we started college. Had to start on sewing lines on paper.. and then our project was a 3 layered frilled skirt. I did mine and my friends one... She got higher marks than I did lol. But we were both top of the class. Id been sewing since I was very young, before my father died so younger than 9 anyway.

OHH you lucky thing lol.. not . Some people have no idea how to do these sorts of repairs but think cos they are a man they can do it better than a woman lol...... I have always asked and learnt to prepare myself for the time when I dont have a bloke around... like Now lol... But My Stepfather taught me and then MrP.

I had the Best day ever yesterday... OMG the changes to the big suburb they are building at Paerata is massive.. I need to go through again but Not driving so I can take it all in. Soo many 2 story town houses popping up everywhere.

I went on a Cat food Crawl, not as much fun as an oppy crawl or pub crawl lol.. And only managed to get Missy's Kisses. But she is happy with that.

I was in and out from the mammogram an hour before my appointment... and in and out of the cardiologist 30 minutes before my appointment lol.
The Cardiologist was Very happy with me, Ive lost 17 kilos since my heart attack.. Woohoo..!!!! and I doo feel great.. he was a little annoyed tho that it has been nearly 10 months since the heart attack and I should have been seen much sooner... but I now have a year off lol...

I did ask him about using some anti-inflammatories for my arthritis, he said I could use the cream but would need to test my bloods every couple of days. Being that driving to the lab hurts my knee I've decided that's a bit of a catch 22 and wont bother.

Was sitting last night with a Hot hot water bottle on my back and a cold one on my knee lol... Nuts but it helped lol

Got home in time to eat and call MrP at our normal time. His pain was back again... He didn't have a follow up visit from the Dr and they haven't done the bloods yet... Ill be asking at the desk on my way in this morning.

Have a fab day everyone

[Praktica]

Hi there Olive - back in the 1970s we bought a Husquvarna machine. We had it serviced a couple of years ago, and it's working fine. One way into sewing machines, is to buy a used all mechanical machine, like ours, and get it serviced. This will work out a lot less than buying new.
Hunni - the problem with your Husquvarna is probably a blown suppression capacitor in the foot switch. This can be replaced by the use of a screwdriver - no soldering required. I can give you the part number of a suitable part that you could order online, and put up some photos showing how to replace the part, if you wish.

[Oh_hunnihunni]

I remember you telling me that, why my brain cannot grasp the word capacitor instead of transistor I have no idea, but it used to annoy the poop out of my engineer husband too, lol. So, not an age thing...

But I would be intrigued to try that repair, only I don't think it was the foot control. The machine motor 'popped' and there was a puff of evil smelling grey smoke, so I stopped sewing, pulled the plug and put it outside just in case. No flames emerged so it was packed away in the cupboard and has been there ever since. I think it probably needs a serious bit of doctoring.

And popeye, it is a shame you cannot use nsaids. Without their magic I simply cannot move without screeching. They enable me to live a fairly normal life, albeit a well planned sensibly quiet one.

This morning I have pea and ham soup on the stove, and have planted up a rescued very dehydrated orchid into my big goldfish bowl, with some gorgeous big chunks of real cork bark, spag moss and tea leaves, supported by some very interesting bits of dragon stone left over from my aquascaping days. I am hoping the very few live roots will appreciate the care and the leaves enjoy the humidity the bowl provides so they can fatten back up over the cooler months. They can be tricky things orchids, but it is worth a shot.

The bowl orginally held my pothos jungle vines, growing in very murky water and were overdue for a sort out. When I did I discovered a very unattractive large fat black caterpillar amongst the leaves, not a species I had ever seen before. A bit of research suggests it is - or was an armyworm larva. The last thing I need in the garden, in or out. Seems climate change is supporting the spread of that pest, so I will look out for more among my vegies. They can be an awful thing to get rid of...

[Roma]

Good morning all.

The sun is starting to come out after a decidedly cooler morning!

It's great how the old reliable sewing machines have stood the test of time .... my Bernina is still going strong after 40 odd years.

OHH the army worm you mentioned was on Stuff News yesterday https://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/300567063/alarming-armyworm-pest-found-on-outskirts-of-hamilton  
I pulled out my perpetual spinach yesterday after it was looking more hole than leaf. I found those caterpillars on the plants ... first time I've ever had it eaten by anything, such an easy to grow/long lasting vegetable plant - annoying because I pick it all the time for salads and in hot meals. I suppose that pest is something else to now contend with 

Time for coffee and get some jobs done before I need to pick up son/dog while his car is repaired.

Enjoy the day.

[Olive]

Good morning, and thank you all for your very helpful advice. I need to have a big think now, particularly about whether I would actually use a machine enough to warrant not only the cost but the need to rearrange my studio to make space for one. Also, of course, the cost of the accessories like good shears, thread and other haberdashery. I think if I go ahead I will look for a reconditioned machine as I wouldn't be interested in fancy stitches apart from stretch stitches.

I really regret giving away my sewing gear - I gave it all to my troubled teenage step-daughter in the hope that her interest in clothes might spur her into learning to sew. She didn't.

[Oh_hunnihunni]

Then seriously look at a second hand or reconditioned machine. I am very very happy with my $80 investment, it will keep me going till I get the Husqi fixed!

This winter I plan on swapping out jigsaw puzzle time with a bit of machining. I have the fabric to make several pairs of simple cotton loose pants to keep me cool next summer. They will make a change from my regular summer uniform, white capris and a range of loose shirts.

Change is good for the soul.

[Lilith7]

I do hope you let him go when you'd finished with him, Hunni...?


Popeye, I'm sure your cat is well pleased with the results of your 'cat food crawl'.

Thought I'd sort out my dance costumes the other day as third eldest granddaughter has bagsed them eventually & came across a skirt I can only very vaguely remember buying & can't for the life of me remember if I ever wore it for dance. It looks unworn & quite new but must be at least 10 -ish years old since I only stopped dance after the quakes.

Decided I'd probably get some wear out of it in summer, as its just a plain one so then decided to find the skirt I did used to wear to add to the costumes.
It took a while but eventually I came across it & added it to the costumes - so I now have another skirt for hot weather which will be useful.

[Outsider]

OHH the army worm you mentioned was on Stuff News yesterday https://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/300567063/alarming-armyworm-pest-found-on-outskirts-of-hamilton  
I pulled out my perpetual spinach yesterday after it was looking more hole than leaf. I found those caterpillars on the plants ... first time I've ever had it eaten by anything, such an easy to grow/long lasting vegetable plant - annoying because I pick it all the time for salads and in hot meals. I suppose that pest is something else to now contend with 

 OMG! I wonder if we have it on the North Shore? Maybe because the weather has been so hot and humid.

We've been wondering what could have caused the demise of the vegies we'd planted - Silverbeet, Spinach and beetroot.
We went out one day and they had all just suddenly collapsed (after doing so well for several weeks) and had great big holes in them.
Not only that, but 5 rhubarb plants next to them had holes in the leaves and were in a bad way also - they were well established plants and I've never seen anything like it!
I thought nothing would eat rhubarb leaves - aren't they toxic?

I can't see any caterpillars though - do they come out during the day or only at night? Does anyone know?

I need to know if they are still around as they also feed on lawns and we're paying a lot of money to have a new lawn (Woolgro) installed.

I can't imagine what else could have caused such sudden damage to everything.

[JanW]

Good morning, and thank you all for your very helpful advice.  I need to have a big think now, particularly about whether I would actually use a machine enough to warrant not only the cost but the need to rearrange my studio to make space for one.  Also, of course, the cost of the accessories like good shears, thread and other haberdashery.  I think if I go ahead I will look for a reconditioned machine as I wouldn't be interested in fancy stitches apart from stretch stitches.

I really regret giving away my sewing gear - I gave it all to my troubled teenage step-daughter in the hope that her interest in clothes might spur her into learning to sew.  She didn't.

Olive just keep your eye out for second hand stuff - you could pick up a basic machine cheaply - estate sales are great as sadly all the sewing equipment is often more or less chucked out - itÔÇÖs annoying┬áwhen you give something away and it doesnÔÇÖt get used but I am sure you will enjoy getting back into sewing especially if you can get a bargain to get you going .I gave my granddaughters a whole lot of kitchen stuff and they boxed it up and returned it when they shifted to Oz recently - not sure how long they expect me to store it for

[Praktica]

Jan - it's not just basic machines that are cheap. A couple of years ago I saw a Husqvarna 2000, with a full set of cams (this was top of the line in the 1970s) in an op shop for $80. Get it serviced (around $100) and it would be as good as new.

[Oh_hunnihunni]

OHH the army worm you mentioned was on Stuff News yesterday https://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/300567063/alarming-armyworm-pest-found-on-outskirts-of-hamilton  
I pulled out my perpetual spinach yesterday after it was looking more hole than leaf. I found those caterpillars on the plants ... first time I've ever had it eaten by anything, such an easy to grow/long lasting vegetable plant - annoying because I pick it all the time for salads and in hot meals. I suppose that pest is something else to now contend with 

 OMG! I wonder if we have it on the North Shore? Maybe because the weather has been so hot and humid.

We've been wondering what could have caused the demise of the vegies we'd planted - Silverbeet, Spinach and beetroot.
We went out one day and they had all just suddenly collapsed (after doing so well for several weeks) and had great big holes in them.
Not only that, but 5 rhubarb plants next to them had holes in the leaves and were in a bad way also - they were well established plants and I've never seen anything like it!
I thought nothing would eat rhubarb leaves - aren't they toxic?

I can't see any caterpillars though - do they come out during the day or only at night? Does anyone know?

I need to know if they are still around as they also feed on lawns and we're paying a lot of money to have a new lawn (Woolgro) installed.

I can't imagine what else could have caused such sudden damage to everything.

I am in Narrowneck, so they are definitely here. I think mine came from an open door in the evening on one of our hot nights. I had a couple of big moths flying around, much to herself's delight, one of them might well have laid on my indoor plants.
None in the vegies so far. The slugs and snails are doing enough damage though, they need no help. Roll on the cooler weather...