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Brother RH127
by rufusdog
I do a lot of sewing, I make things for myself and family and also make things to sell online and at craft fairs so having a decent sewing machine is essential for me. Last year the sewing machine I had kept going wrong and I was having to keep sending it back for repair so in the end I decided to order a new one so I would always have ... two machines on the go.
I didn't have the cash to pay right out for a new machine so I looked online at some of the catalogue companies and found one on Isme.com which was the Brother RH127. It was on sale for £179.99 and you could have it on 6 months free credit. I thought this was quite a good price and as it was coming up to Christmas I could get the machine and not have to worry about starting to pay for it until after the holidays were out of the way.
The machine is very sturdy although it is light in weight, much lighter than my old machine, The insides are all metal so it should be long lasting and repairable. The machine has 27 stitches including some really pretty pattern ones which are different to the patterns I get on my Singer machine. The stitch length and width dials are on the top and easy to set. To set the stitch to what you want it to do you turn a dial on the front of the machine. It didn't take me long to get used to the settings. It is really easy to thread, it has a drop in bobbin which practically threads itself, you just put the thread through the groove in the bobbin holder then slot it into the hole in the machine and let the thread go through the channel next to it then when you give it a pull it cuts the end off. It is also easy to thread the needle as it has the needle threader on it which makes things really good if your eye sight is not as it used to be.
The machine is quite fast, you can control the speed quite easily with the foot pedal, it runs a lot faster than my Singer and I find it easier to control the fabric going through so getting a more even stitch line. The reverse button is in a handy place above the needle foot and it does it easy enough without tangling the thread at all.
You can do 1 step button holes on this machine and they are very easy to do with the attachment that you get with it.
I really like this new machine, it seems to be better designed than the Singer one I have which cost me £100 more when I bought it. There are still things I would use the Singer for but for most of my sewing now I am using the Brother.
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Brother FS-40 Sewing Machine
by princesschickpea
I work from home as a seamstress and have gone through more than my fair share of sewing machines. I bought the FS40 earlier this year when my much beloved Brother Innov-is died. It was slightly more expensive than my previous machine, costing me around £250, which I think is a fair price for this kind of computer controlled machine from ... a well known and trusted brand.
For those who don't know, a computer controlled sewing machine is one which sets the stitch length and style for you, rather than using control knobs to do it yourself, and this often results in more uniform stitching. As someone who uses a sewing machine a lot, a computerised machine is a must, and so the FS40 was perfect. It has 39 stitch settings, some of which are utility stitching, and others are decorative, which is ideal when top stitching a garment. It even has button hole settings, and the button hole foot for the machine is included. The machine method of creating buttonholes is quick and easy, and an absolute godsend for anyone who hates creating buttonholes, like me! Not every machine has this function. There are 5 different buttonhole styles to choose from on this machine. It also has setting for reinforced stitching, taking a lot of the work out of sewing. If you want to adjust the length or width of the pre-programmed stitches, there are two buttons on the light up display that allow you to do so easily.
The machine can be controlled by either a foot pedal (which is included) or by a button on the front. I prefer the foot pedal, but I know some people don't and it is great to have this choice. There is also a speed regulator on the front. It has three settings, low, medium and high, and basically contols how fast the machine sews. So, on the low setting, you can press the pedal right down and it still only stitches slowly. I usually use the medium setting, unless I'm using a slippery fabric, like silk or satin, in which case a set it to low. There is also a needle up/down button on the front, which allows you to lift or lower the needle without using the wheel on the end. The wheel is still useful, however, as I use it to check that the needle will fall in the right place, particularly when I'm inserting zippers.
The machine is cased in plastic, which may put some people off, however, all my sewing machines have been plastic cased, and I never had any problems with them. What's great about this is that it is lightweight enough that you can carry it around. So if you don't have a designated sewing room, you can easily lift it onto the kitchen table and then put it away again when you're finished. I would advise that you invest in a good case though, if you are going to be storing it, just to be on the safe side. Mine sits on my desk in my sewing room with a fabric cover on it to keep the dust off, and it seems quite happy!
It also has automatic bobbin winding on the top, and when full, the bobbin just pops into a compartment on the machine's table. The cover is clear plastic and comes off with minimum hassle. It comes with the usual range of extra feet - buttonhole foot, overcasting foot, monogramming foot, zipper foot, zigzag foot, blind stitch foot and button fitting foot. The feet simply clip on and off, meaning that switching between them is easy. It also came with extra needles, though in my opinion, they aren't very good, and I use slightly higher quality ones. The needles are inserted and removed with the help of a chunky screwdriver that is also included, and is simple to do. It also has the capacity to have a double needle.
The only downside of this machine is that there is no automatic needle threader, which is a bit of a pain. If you have trouble with your eyesight or trembling hands, you might find it next to impossible to thread the needle. I would advise trying this machine out in a shop to see how you get on threading it before you commit to buy. While I manage okay with threading it, I can't deny that it is a bit of a pain, especially if a sewing job isn't going well and I'm already grumpy and frustrated!
Overall though, this is a great all rounder for people who do even a moderate amount of sewing. It came with an instruction manual and a DVD so there is plenty of help getting aquainted with it. It is perfectly suited to sewing clothes, accessories and home furnishings, and would suit beginners and more experienced dressmakers. Unless you want loads of fancy embroidery stitches, you really can't do much better than the FS40.
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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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