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Brother X5 Sewing Machine
by MikeBorry
~*~*~ Brother X5 Sewing Machine ~*~*~
~ What is it? ~
This is of course a sewing machine by Brother. It's called the X5 and it is a decently priced machine.
~ Why I bought it ~
I have wanted a sewing machine for a while despite not having any experience is using a machine apart from brief ... lessons back in high school but still I really wanted one, and after checking numerous reviews online I very nearly bought a different sewing machine that ended up being a very poor machine which I found out from further research. I checked out a few online reviews on this machine after seeing it on offer in Argos and this machine seemingly (excuse the pun!) seemed to fit the bill.
~ Features ~
This is a decent sized sewing machine for a starter, it's not big but it isn't too small either. It is operated via a foot pedal, the foot pedal feels quite flimsy in my hand but in actual fact when on the floor it feels sturdy and fine.
The machine is mainly white in colour, apart from the blue and white plate on the front. It is this that holds all the relevant information as to where the dial needs to be turned for the machine to perform a certain action.
It also comes with a very detailed instruction manual that I have found incredibly useful over the last few months.
The machine is able to do 14 different stitches. It can make button holes, and it comes with the following accessories -
Zig zag foot
Buttonhole foot
Zipper insertion foot
Button sewing foot
Screwdriver
3 bobbins
Needle set
Twin needle
Darning plate (for free motion sewing).
All the extras come in a little white plastic bag which can be located in the removable tray at the front.
~ Using the sewing machine ~
After pulling the machine out of the box I had the tedious task of learning how to not only thread the machine but also how to wind a bobbin. This come with three empty clear plastic bobbins and I have to be honest and say at first I got really frustrated and couldn't figure out what I was meant to be doing. I read the instructions and they are the only bit of the book I just couldn't grasp, so I looked online and still couldn't manage it, so I then turned to You Tube and looked for a step by step instruction video which I found and when I followed that I found it very simple indeed and can now get it done without really thinking about it, I don't know why I couldn't get it at first I just couldn't do it!
To wind the bobbin you simply pop the reel of cotton onto the metal prong, pull the thread over the metal stand and then cross it back over before tying the end to the hole in the bobbin, you then push the clip into place which locks the bobbin into place and then push your foot down on the lever until your bobbin is filled with cotton.
Then came threading the machine, this was quite simple, you drag the cotton down the machine, over the metal stand and then down through the inside of the machine before inserting it into a holder at the back of the needle, taking it up the machine and through a little hook and then bringing it back down to thread it through the needle.
You also have to insert the bobbin into the bottom part of the machine, to do this you are required to remove a plastic box, this is also you sewing 'table', it simply clips off and then under another flap you will see a metal part of the machine, you lift the arm which releases the bobbin holder, obviously you need to put your filled bobbin into the holder and then insert it back into the machine before closing it all back up.
When you turn the machine on you will see that a bulb illuminates the sewing area, this cannot be turned off but it is quite important to have it on as you do need to see what you are doing when sewing!
On the front you will also find a little push operated lever and this is used for going back over what you have sewed in a backwards motion.
There are two dials on the front, one is for choosing what sewing method you require and the other changes the tension in the cotton.
I paid around £65 for this a few months back and have been impressed with it. I have made cushions for my sons bed out of event t-shirts, I also made some cool Halloween costumes for my children and myself. My two eldest children wanted to be werewolves complete with furry hands so I added faux grey fur to gloves by sewing it on around the edges, I made the trousers from an old black duvet cover and the end results looked really cool. My 5 year old wanted to be a devil so I made him a red smock type top and trousers and then it was topped off with shop bought items. My youngest was a pumpkin, I made him an orange waistcoat with big comedy type buttons, orange trousers to which I painted on a pinstripe with a fabric pen and then I made him a little pumpkin lid hat! Very cute!
I hadn't planned on going out for Halloween but I got talked into it by my cousins, it wasn't until 9 o'clock Halloween morning that we decided to go out so I had a few hours to get myself a costume, I had no money to spare to go and buy something so it would have to be made. I got a black dress and to the back of that I added a long trail which was once my table cloth, I pleated it and then sewed it onto the back of the dress. I did the same with a smaller table cloth as a veil and then borrowed facepaints! I was dead bride!
Without the machine I think hand sewing all these would have taken a fair amount of time, and what I also liked was that I knew the stitches were nice and secure.
I have taken in a pair of wide legged jeans and made them into skinnies with this machine and used it for other bits and bobs too.
For what I have used it for I have to say that I am very impressed, it seems to get through stuff with ease and it is something I like to get out when I am bored!
It isn't a very quiet machine but it isn't loud enough to wake a sleeping baby so it's not too bad although I cannot hear the TV when using it!
It is currently on offer in Argos for £79.99.
I am quite impressed with this machine. It's very easy and simple to sort out and chop and change cottons as you go. It's also easy to use and I am pleased that I went for this rather than a more fancier, expensive model as being new to using sewing machines, I didn't actually know what to expect.
Thanks for reading :o) x
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Russell Hobbs 15207 Steamglide Iron
by purplekimmy
This is the second one of these irons I have bought; the first one met its match when it fell off the ironing board and the back white handle area split, leaking water everywhere. Totally my fault and not a problem with the iron at all.
I am so impressed with this iron that I had to buy the same one again. Russell Hobbs is a ... good brand, I have used many of their products over the years and in general are pleased with the results. I will admit I was drawn to this iron because of its colour (yes, I am a purple addict!) The iron itself is quite basic, by that I mean it has three heat settings for temperature and two for steam. The three heat settings are straight forward, first setting is for delicates, the second setting is for slightly harder to get out creases, and the third setting is for cotton etc. I tend to use the second setting as I fear the third setting might be too hot.
The mist (which is level one) is a bit weak; I tend to use the steam option as the mist doesn't let out enough water to make it useful. There is a little hole to fill up the water reservoir at the front, the iron also comes with a little jug to help fill it. I do find the purple section quite difficult to read when it comes to the water level, maybe this should have been white and the rest purple, would have made it easier to see. The lead is nice and long, means you can manoeuvre round the ironing board with ease. The non stick plate glides over clothes without pulling, I don't know how much of the good work the iron does is down to me or down to the iron but I will take some credit for it as well.
Overall a very good buy, my second iron cost £14.99 from Argos, I would recommend this without reservation.
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Tesco IR06 Steam Iron
by kayleighmcharris
As I've had nothing but good experiences with the Tesco value range when it comes to household appliances I decided that I'd try out their iron when my previous one was no longer working. The Tesco value household appliances can usually be found in the superstores and it's very rare to find them in the metro or slightly smaller ... supermarkets.
I picked up my Iron for just under £5, this was great at the time as money was tight (like always) and I didn't have much more than that to spare anyway. Compared to other irons on the market the Tesco iron is just a fraction of the price and immediately reasonable value.
Don't expect anything too spectacular with this product, it has a simple design, simple functions and no new gimmicks and gadgets built in. Personally I didn't find the simplicity of the iron an issue at all, in fact it was quite refreshing to avoid all of the unneeded nonsense. That being said, you can get these irons with a coloured section creating a two toned design, I thought this was quite funky however if you like keeping to a strict colour scheme with your appliances you may find this as an issue.
The iron is of a reasonable size, great for taking on caravan holidays or when you're going on a short break somewhere due to its compact design. The cord also wraps around the iron well which makes it easier and tidier to store.
The iron is a cord iron which needs to be plugged into the mains; I found the cord to be fairly short so I had to find a socket which can have the ironing board very close to it. Other than the length I didn't have any major issues with the function of the cord.
The iron has two buttons on the top, one to let steam out and one to spray water on the garment being ironed, you won't need to read the instructions to get the hang of these, they're very much straight forward and fool proof. To get the water into the iron is pretty much like any other iron, there's a little hole where you can slowly pour water (ideally using a thin spout), be aware that this can be quite annoying as it has a tendency to overflow.
The iron works well, not amazingly, but it gets the creases out eventually, usually after gliding over the fabric a few times but it does get there. It's not an ideal product for those who are in a rush, however if you have the time and patience to work into the garments then you'll get along just fine.
This product is great value for money, it's not the best looking or best performing but it does everything you would expect from an iron and at just £5 you really can't complain!
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