Sewing Machines

Bernina 330 Review

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Bernina 330 Review

I am a HUGE fan of Bernina sewing machines and still use one that was made in 1969, the Bernina Record 730. Bernina is still a family run business who build their own quality machines. This is my Bernina 330 review, a domestic sewing machine and part of the Bernina 3 series. It has an array of great features and is also seen on the popular “Great British Sewing Bee” tv programme.

Functions and Features

 

  • Bernina 330 LCD DisplayBright, easy to read LCD Screen.
  • The CB Hook is a patented Bernina system based on the oscillating hook system, great for perfect stitches on all types of fabric and suitable for thicker threads.
  • 97 different stitches to choose from:
  • 15 utility stitches
  • 3 cross stitch programs
  • 23 decorative stitches
  • 3 stitches for quilting
  • 1 one-step buttonhole
  • 1 alphanumeric font
  • 30 memory locations to save your stitch creations. Your favorite or most used combinations of stitches are available at the push of a button.
  • Needle plate has seam guide etched in.
  • Drop feed ideal for free motion quilting and embroidery.
  • Free arm for those awkward places such as cuffs and hems.
  • Bernina 330 automatic needle threaderBuilt in needle threader, a nifty function that will save you time!
  • The stitch length and width are adjustable.
  • 9 different needle positions.
  • Automatic and manual buttonhole and comes with the buttonhole presser foot. Buttonholes are my nemesis and this function, because it is automatically saved means, all your buttonholes are identical!

 

Watch this video and see how easy it is to do a buttonhole on your Bernina B330.

  • Quick reverse button
  • Start/stop button
  • The speed control easily lets you adjust your speed to suit the sewing project you’re doing.
  • Bernina 330 LED light2 spool holders.
  • Thread cutter.
  • Fast 900 stitches per minute.
  • Programme for sewing on buttons.
  • Needle up/down stop positions.
  • Bright LED light.
  • Ability to change the stitch settings while sewing.
  • Bobbin winding can be done while sewing.

 

 

And here is another video to show the simplicity of the Bernina 330 by doing applique.

Standard Accessories

  • 4 metal bobbins
  • 5 Presser feet
    • ThenReverse pattern foot for sewing forward and reverse utility and decorative stitches.
    • The overlock foot lets you overlock seams easily and neatly.
    • The buttonhole foot determines the desired buttonhole length for identical sized buttonholes.
    • The zipper foot with slide with its narrow, centrally positioned toe, it can stitch very close to the zipper coils.
    • The blindstitch foot lets you sew so you can hardly see the stitching from the front.
  • Screwdriver
  • Seam ripper
  • Lint brush
  • Owner’s manual

 

Optional Accessories

There is a range of optional accessories available for the Bernina 330:

  • Embroidery presser foot.
  • Tailor tack presser foot.
  • Jeans presser foot.
  • Darning presser foot.
  • Edgestitch presser foot.
  • Cordonnet presser foot.
  • Bulky overlock presser foot.
  • Straight stitch presser foot.
  • Braiding presser foot.
  • Button presser foot.
  • Free motion presser foot.
  • Appliqué presser foot.
  • Braiding presser foot.
  • Cording presser foot.
  • Gathering presser foot.
  • Pintuck presser foot.
  • Invisible zipper presser foot.
  • Roller presser foot.
  • Piping presser foot.
  • Eyelet embroidery attachment
  • Circular embroidery attachment
  • Plexiglass extension table (included in this package).

 

Cons

As you would expect with a Bernina machine, I struggled to find any.

Including some extra feet given the price bracket would have made it a better purchase. I’d like to have seen the walking foot included, probably one of the more essential items in a sewers armoury!

Perhaps more expensive than some, like the Singer 7258 but you do get the superior quality of the Bernina brand.

Pros

The Bernina 330 produces excellent stitches, hard to find at this price. It’s light enough to be portable, great for taking to sewing groups and friends. I like the all round functionality, the ability to embroider, quilt and dress make. The machine is simple to set up and suitable for beginners through to advanced sewers.

Conclusion

I love this machine and there is that old say “you get what you pay for!” With Bernina you are buying a quality, made to last sewing machine, the pros far outweigh the cons.

If you liked what you’ve read in this Bernina 330 review you can pop over to Amazon!

Buy the Bernina B330 Domestic Sewing Machine + FREE Extension Table!

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Janome Atelier 5 Review

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Janome Atelier 5 Review

Introduction

This Janome Atelier 5 review will give you all the info on the latest from Janome’s computerised sewing machines. The idea behind the design of this machine is to make it suitable for all your sewing needs. There are 3 optional kits you can purchase depending on what you use the machine for, quilting, home furnishings and fashion sewing. It comes with that all-important extra throat and added arm space perfect for larger projects. Let’s take a closer look and see if it’s worth the price tab.

Functions and Features

Comuterised sewing machine The Atelier 5 is fully computerised and can memorise combinations of your stitch and alphabet designs. The video below shows the memory function in action.

 

 

 

 

Maximum speed control sliderThe Maximum Speed Controller lets you set the speed for comfortable sewing. The easy to use slider allows you to easily set a slower speed for more intricate sewing such as applique and a fast speed for straight stitching. Lowest speed is 60 spm and the fastest is 100spm.

A programmable needle down/up feature sets the needle to stop in the up or down position. You can set it in the down position for free motion embroidery and for easy pivoting on corners.

lock sitchThe lock stitch button means you don’t have to use the reverse stitch for securing the ends of the stitch. A press of the button and your ends are secured.

 

 

 

start stop buttonYou can sew without using the foot pedal with the start/stop button. An exclusive feature to Janome is the speed control at the start and end of your sewing. Press and hold to accelerate slowly, press and hold to slow down, then release to stop.

 

 

built in stitchesThe Janome Atelier has a generous 170 built-in stitches including the alphabet and numeric stitches. The width (up to 9mm and length (up to 5mm) of the stitches are variable and there are also 10 buttonhole style.

The lift up lid gives convenient access to all the stitches

automatic button hole footThe buttonholes use an automatic, one-step process. Using a special foot the button is placed into the gauge and the machine’s sensor creates the perfect buttonhole. The included 10 buttonhole styles go up to 9mm wide

A button is placed into the gauge of a special foot for buttonhole formation. The foot works with a sensor on the machine to create a perfectly-sized buttonhole. This creates quick, easy buttonholes of an accurate size for the button of choice. 10 built-in buttonholes, including a 9mm wide style.

thread cutterYour thread cutting is done by the simple push of a button. The auto thread cutter feature is conveniently placed in front of you, no need to reach for the scissors!

 

 

 

One of the most useful features on a sewing machine for me is an automatic tension system.  When selected the tension is adjusted based on the fabric thickness, great for switching between layers and fabric types. If required, you can set your own tension using the tension dial.

bobbin caseThe easy set in bobbin case and cover also features a special design where you don’t need to pull the thread tails up and through when you’re threading the machine. It has built in cutting blades for trimming the thread.

 

 

 

 

7 piece feed dog systemThis model/easyazon_link] comes with a unique 7 piece feed dog system called the “superior Feed system Plus (sFs+).” This feature ensures that the feed dogs always maintain contact with your fabric as it stays parallel when moving up and down. You can use the drop feed function when doing free motion quilting or embroidery.

 

 

Janome ergonomic knee liftThe presser foot can be controlled with the conveniently placed ergonomic knee lift. This means you can keep your hands on your project while raising the presser foot, great for quilting and applique work.
There is also an adjustable foot pressure function, perfect for using with different fabric types and layers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

free armThe free arm feature lets you easily sew cuffs, trouser legs and tubular shapes.

Because the Janome Atelier 5 comes with a horizontal full rotary hook bobbin, you no longer need to worry about the thread jamming. The clear cover lets you see when the bobbin thread is running low.

 

 

 

Another unique feature from Janome is the One Step™ Plate Converter. There are 2 plates included as standard accessories with this model, the normal straight stitch plate and the enhanced stitch plate. The enhanced stitch plate allows you to easily sew a small 1/4 seam. No screwdrivers are required and the internal sensor means you don’t have to worry about breaking a needle.

There are a whopping 91 needle positions with the Atelier, allowing for really fine adjustments in your decorative stitch.
No more headaches from working in dull light with the 6 ultra bright LED lights! These lights mean all areas of your work space are well lit.

The ultra large work space 220mm x 310mm (8.70” x12.25”) with 210mm (8.25”) on the right of the needle, plenty of room for any project. It’s unusual to have such a large work area in this class of machine.

Included Accessories

Lint brush
Seam ripper
Screwdriver
Knee lifter
Instructional DVD
Hard Cover
Instruction book
Standard foot
Rolled Hem Foot
Zipper foot
Satin stitch foot
Blind hem foot
Overcast foot
¼” Seam foot
Darning foot
Auto buttonhole foot
Even feed foot
Button sewing foot
Quilting guide bar
Spool holder
Straight stitch needle plate
Touch panel stylus
Spool holder – large
Spool holder – small
Power Cable

Other Information: 

Weight – 16KGs,
Dimensions – 52cm x 32cm
2 years manufacturers warranty

Using the Janome Atelier 5

The video below shows you the Atelier in action. You’ll also get a better idea of the size of the machine and how much space you would need for it in your workroom.

I don’t like

There’s isn’t much I don’t like but think [easyazon_link identifier="B00OLNM9WY" locale="UK" tag="upcybabyclo00-21"] could have done better with the feet, which are plastic. I would have like  to have seen quality metal ones on a machine in this price range. I’m not a fan of plastic bobbins either, but the machine seems to run smoothly enough with them. It’s too bulky to be portable so you won’t taking this out and about to sewing groups and friend’s houses.

I like

Janome Atelier convenient buttonsThere’s a lot to like about this machine, it’s loaded with features and Janome has put great thought into the button placements for ease of use and the location of the ergonomic knee lift.

Even though this is a large machine all areas are well lit due to the 5 LED lights. I also like the unique 7 dog feed system, great if you like experimenting with of different fabrics. I haven’t seen the One Step™ Plate Converter system before and like this addition, much easier to get those tiny seams straight! The 3 optional kits make it a versatile machine.

I haven’t seen the One Step™ Plate Converter system before and like this addition, much easier to get those tiny seams straight! The 3 optional kits make it a versatile machine.

Conclusion

This is a sturdy well built machine with some great features unique to Janome. Janome are well known for building quality machines and the Janome Atelier 5 is no exception. It’s in the higher price bracket but the build reflects that. If it’s out of your price range you might want to look at the Brother cs6000i Computerized Sewing Machine

 Buy the Janome Atelier 5 Computerised Sewing Machine

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Brother cs6000i Computerized Sewing Machine

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After my recent foray into the world of patchwork quilting I decided to see what was on offer in the way of computerized sewing machines that are good for quilting. I found this excellent budget machine from Brother!

Brother cs6000i Computerized Sewing Machine

Functions and Features

 LCD Display:

Easy to see your stitch selection. brother cs6000i computerized sewing machine L

 

 

 

 

 

Adjustable sewing speed:brother cs6000i computerized sewing machine adjustable-sewing-

The stitch speed slide button lets you control the speed at which you want to sew.

 

 

 

Easy threading: brother cs6000i computerized sewing machine easy-threading

With a numbered diagram written on the machine threading is a breeze!

 

 

 

Oversized brother cs6000i computerized sewing machine over sized tabletable:

Perfect for quilts and larger items this oversized table gives you the space you need

 

 

 

Automatic needle threader: brother cs6000i computerized sewing machine automatic needle threader

No more fiddling around trying to thread a needle with this handy function.

 

 

 

Easy bobbin brother cs6000i computerized sewing machine bobbin winderwinding:

Again, there’s an easy to follow diagram.

 

 

 

As well as all the above there is:

  • Superbright work area.
  • Built-in free arm for sewing cuffs and sleeves.
  • 20 decorative stitches.
  • 20 stitches for garment construction.
  • 7 quilting stitches.
  • 6 Heirloom stitches.
  • 7 buttonhole styles. 

brother cs6000i computerized sewing machine stitches   

 Accessories.

The Brother CS6000i Computerized Sewing Machine comes with all the standard accessories as well as some great extras.

• Walking foot.

• Spring action quilting foot.

• Overcasting foot.

• Monogramming foot.

• Zipper foot.

• Zigzag foot.

• Blind stitch foot.

• Buttonhole foot.

• Button fitting foot.

• Seam ripper, needle set, cleaning brush, screwdriver, spool caps (3), spool pin, bobbins (3), eyelet punch.

Conclusion.

This Brother cs6000i Computerized Sewing Machine is suitable for experienced and beginner quilter with the great quilting features. As well as the oversized table the walking foot makes it smoother to feed multiple layers of fabric through the machine. The quilting foot helps you to get more accurate placement of quilting stitches and the quilting guide is for evenly spaced rows of quilting stitches.


Last but not least there is a 25yr limited warranty.

Buy the Brother CS6000i Computerized Sewing Machine here and get crafty!

Brother CS6000i 60-Stitch Computerized Sewing Machine

 

 

 

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Singer 7258 sewing machine

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Singer 7258 sewing machine

As you can see by the picture the Singer 7258 sewing machine is an award-winning product by one of the most well known and respected sewing machine manufacturers. It is suitable for basic sewing as well as quilting and embroidery. The array of features is impressive for this price range:

 

  • 100 built in stitches.
  • 10 Presser Feet Included.
  • Automatic 1-Step Buttonholes.
  • Speed Control with Start / Stop Button.
  • LED Display Screen with Automatic Stitch Length and Width.
  • Easy-to-Load Top Drop-In Bobbin System.
  • Automatic Tension.
  • Easy Threading System with Automatic Needle Threader.
  • Electronic Auto Pilot (allows you to sew without the foot pedal).
  • Drop feed dog.
  • Built in light.
  • Sturdy metal frame.
  • Ready, Set, Sew! DVD Included.

 

LOTS OF STITCHES TO CHOOSE FROM!

 

With such a large selection of stitches you know you’re going to have great fun designing and making your project.

Singer 7258 Built In Stitches

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TEN SINGER PRESSER FEET INCLUDED

Singer 7258 Sewing machine presser feet

This Singer 7258 sewing machine has a good selection of feet gives it the versatility to suit all your sewing needs.There are ten Singer presser feet included in the price, something I rarely see, they are usually “optional extras”.

  • Zipper Foot.
  • Buttonhole Foot.
  • Blind Hem Foot.
  • Satin Stitch Foot.
  • Overcasting Foot.
  • Darning / Freehand Embroidery Foot.
  • Gathering Foot.
  • Narrow Rolled Hem Foot.
  • Quarter Inch Foot.

 

Automatic TensionSinger 7258 sewing machine automatic tension

One feature I love is the automatic tension. How many times have you spent precious time fiddling with the tension to get the perfect stitch? It is designed to give the perfect stitch over all fabric types.

The LED display is another Singer 7258 sewing machine led displayuseful feature. It displays selected stitch and stitch length & width settings. The stitches are automatically set but you can be creative and override these easily with the control buttons.

 

 

We all want our sewing machines Singer 7258 sewing machine automatic button holesto do 1 step buttonholes so how about 6 different styles to choose from!

 

 

 

Other features include:

 

  • 5-Minute Start –TheQuick Start Guide takes you through the basics and will have you ready to sew in 5 minutes.
  • Auto Tie-Off Function for Straight Stitch – Tie-off straight stitches with the push of a button. Reinforcing the seam and prevents unraveling.
  • On-Board Storage – The storage is in the Free Arm Storage Area keeping accessories  handy.
  • Sewing Speed – A maximum sewing speed of 750 stitches-per-minute means projects can be sewn quickly.
  • Automatic Presser Foot Pressure – You don’t need to make making presser foot adjustments, it’s all done for you.
  • Extra-High Presser Foot Lifter – There are two heights to the presser foot lifter great for quilting or bulky fabric.
  • Six-Segment Feeding System – A specially designed feed dog that makes sure the fabric is picked up and supported from the front of the presser foot to the rear.
  • Twin Needle Capability – Twin needle stitching creates two parallel rows, adding a decorative touch.
  • 13 Needle Positions – Needle position can be changed for individual projects, such as inserting zippers or cording and topstitching.
  • Snap-On Presser Feet- No need for fiddling with a screwdriver to change feet!

The Singer 7258 sewing machine isn’t a huge machine so easily portable for taking to sewing classes. The dimensions are 14.5” length x 7.5” width x 12” height. The machine weighs 14.6 pounds.

The official You Tube video gives you a feel for the true size, always good when choosing what to buy.

CONCLUSION

The Singer 7258 sewing machine is packed full of features and built to last. I particularly like the extra high-pressure foot lift, the automatic tension and the snap on presser feet. The older Singer machines didn’t have this feature! It gets excellent reviews, from beginners right through to experienced sewers which you can check out at Amazon. A great machine for a great price!

Buy SINGER 7258 Stylist Award-Winning 100-Stitch Computerized Sewing Machine

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Compact Sewing Machine

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Compact Sewing Machine

 Who is it suitable for?

My friend is a complete sewing novice and wanted a basic compact sewing machine on a very low budget so bought this one.

It is what it says on the box, a basic machine suitable for beginners or, if you want a portable sewing machine to take to classes, a sewing group or friends house.

Functions and Features:

  • 8 stitch patterns.
  • Can be used with batteries (very nifty!).
  • Dual speed.
  • Built in light.
  • Spool drawer.
  • Lightweight and compact.
  • Hand switch or foot pedal.
  • Thread cutter.

My friend brought the machine to me for some tuition. The last time she used a machine was at school (many moons ago). I gave her the minimum guidance, the best way to find out if a sewing machine is suitable for beginners!

It is very light and easily portable. We ran it from the mains but tried the battery function and it worked just as well on this setting.

She managed to thread it without any help just by following the instructions.  Tensioning can be tricky on some budget sewing machines (Low / High) 8 built-in stitch pattern that don’t have automatic tensioning, my friend had no problems.

The light is well angled and Compact sewing machine Accessory drawerthe little storage drawer a handy feature

 

 

 

 

 

Her first task was turning up a ompact sewing machine 8 Stitcheshem which it did very well. The stitches are neat on the slow speed. At this point, my friend became more confident and tried the faster speed with the other stitches. She found this easy with the turn of a dial.

She was delighted with the results and impressed with the results for such a low priced and compact sewing machine.

 

The Negatives

  • It was a little noisy.
  • Not suitable for thicker fabrics.
Conclusion

This compact sewing machine is ideal for someone just starting out and on a tight budget. I liked it and would be happy to buy it as a present for someone.

Buy the Compact Sewing MachineSewing with 8 built-in stitch patterns

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Sewing Machine for Kids

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sewing machine for kidsKids are quite capable of using a sewing machine from an early age, my Granddaughter was 8 when I taught her on my Singer Featherweight! It’s hard to find a suitable sewing machine for kids that actually sews effectively but I’ve managed to find 2, both on a special offer, perfect for a kids Christmas or birthday present.

 

Janome Sew Mini 140M Sewing MachineJanome kids sewing machine

Website: Hobbycraft
Price: £49

 

Features

  • 8 built in stitches: Straight and Zigzag for general sewing tasks.
  • Create Buttonholes: Easy to do with the adjustable zigzag stitch.
  • Single selector dial: Easy for children to understand and use.
  • Adjustable tension: There is a tension dial for fine tuning stitches.
  • Portable: Very lightweight at only 2.5kg. Easy to take out, set up and put away, great for kids who don’t want to wait for your help.
  • Reverse stitching: Lock off seam ends by simply depressing the reverse button.
  • Free arm: For those fiddly areas like cuffs or trouser bottoms.
  • Dimensions: Size (H)23cm, (W)27cm, (D)13cm, neat and portable.

This nifty little machine comes complete with two bobbins, a needle, a needle threader, an adapter and an instruction book. It’s operated with a single dial making it suitable for kids 8yrs and up. It can be a little noisy but for the price it’s a good buy.


 

Pink kids sewing machineBeldray 12 Stitch Sewing Machine with Accessories, Pink

 

Website: AMAZON
Price: £50

 

Features

  • 12 Built in stitch patterns: Simple to use for general sewing.
  • Reverse stitch: Great for finishing off seams.
  • Automatic thread rewind: Easy to rewind the thread.
  • Includes 200 piece sewing kit with carry case: Great if you’re just starting out and don’t have any sewing accessories.
  • Includes nylon storage bag for machine: Useful for keeping the machine protected and clean.
  • Includes a drawer: handy for storing bobbins and essential tools.
  • Built in sewing light: makes it easier to keep sewing lines on track.
  • Built in thread cutter: handy especially if scissors are out of reach.
  • Size: 27 cm x 11 cm x 26 cm: Compact for easy transport.
  • Weight: 1.9 kg: Lightweight for portability.

A cute girly pink machine which is suitable for beginners. This sewing machine for kids is great for beginners. It includes a sewing Bundle comprising of 200 pieces, all the essentials to help you get started. The accessories come in a neat carry case plus you get a handy storage bag for the machine.

Conclusion

These are both useful machines Janome Sew Mini 140M Sewing Machine chartand easy for kids to use. The Janome would be my 1st choice due to the price point and Amazon customer reviews.

 

 

 

 

 

The Beldray is a good deal with   Roll over image to zoom in        Beldray 12 Stitch Sewing Machine chartthe extra accessories and the pink colour is cute but it’s not as robust as the Janome.

 

 

 

 

 

The comparison charts and reviews will help you make your own mind up which kids sewing machine to choose.

You can buy either one by clicking the links below
Janome Sew Mini 140M Sewing Machine

Beldray 12 Stitch Sewing Machine with Accessories, Pink

HAPPY SEWING!

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