Best place to buy a sewing machine? | ExpatWoman.com
 

Best place to buy a sewing machine?

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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 February 2011 - 13:28

Hi can anyone advise on the best place to buy an inexpensive basic sewing machine?

Thanks

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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 10 February 2011 - 11:15
Trade center road bus stop it is in front of the tourist road/water bus office.... Think it is 10 ..The number is on the bus stop sign... If I am going to Craftland I get off at the Mercarto or opposite Spinneys if I am going to Classic quilts.. If it isn't number 10 you will just have a mystery ride.lol edited by lesley65 on 09/02/2011 Thanks-done plenty of magical mystery tours here already! I assune the Craftland stop is opposite Mercato-or does the bus do a U-turn and enter the centre? Also is that the Spinneys down Umm Suquim way-sorry have never ventured to Jumeirah Plaza so am unsure which of the malls along bBeach Road it is-and DH has hidden the Explorer somewhere!!!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 February 2011 - 18:45
Thanks everyone! Highland lass would be very interested in your sewing machine what is the best way of getting in touch with you?
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 February 2011 - 18:05
Trade center road bus stop it is in front of the tourist road/water bus office.... Think it is 10 ..The number is on the bus stop sign... If I am going to Craftland I get off at the Mercarto or opposite Spinneys if I am going to Classic quilts.. If it isn't number 10 you will just have a mystery ride.lol <em>edited by lesley65 on 09/02/2011</em>
1996
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 09 February 2011 - 17:16
I catch the bus outside Bru Juman center number 10? it goes along Beach Road.. Thanks-does it leave from the front of the centre-or the side?
1996
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 09 February 2011 - 17:15
Wuffles All the Bernina's are compatible for both 120v and 240v. They have some converter thing in them(don't know exactly what). I have several friends who took theirs back to the States with no problems. Not sure about the plugs for Australia though-don't want to use an adaptor-besides I have a nice machine back home so BH might not be impressed if I buy a third one!
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EW GURU
Latest post on 09 February 2011 - 17:13
If anyone's still looking for a sewing machine I have one lurking in my dining room. Just bought a new one so have an old singer looking for a new home. Taught myself how to quilt on it. Think i still even have the instruction book kicking about :)
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 February 2011 - 16:35
I catch the bus outside Bru Juman center number 10? it goes along Beach Road..
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 February 2011 - 16:20
Wuffles All the Bernina's are compatible for both 120v and 240v. They have some converter thing in them(don't know exactly what). I have several friends who took theirs back to the States with no problems.
1996
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 09 February 2011 - 16:03
As far as I know they closed the Banks street shop after they renovated and enlarged the shop at Jumeirah Plaza. You can always phone them at 043497943 to make sure. It may save you some time. I'm sure it is a wild goose chase but I need an excuse for a walk!!!!! Have walked to Jumeirah from Bur Dubai too but it is a tad far............
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 09 February 2011 - 16:01
As far as I know they closed the Banks street shop after they renovated and enlarged the shop at Jumeirah Plaza. You can always phone them at 043497943 to make sure. It may save you some time.
1996
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 09 February 2011 - 15:55
The Classic Quilts shop is definitely now in Jumeirah Plaza. I go there quite often and was always helped immediately. I bought my latest machine there and must say I am very happy. As for Craftland, I must say the staff is not always very helpful and on the one occasion that someone helped me, I was given the wrong advice. On the other hand, they have supplies that are not easy to find somewhere else. When it comes to the sewing machine my advice is this: If you want to do very limited sewing, a cheap machine from Carrefour may be enough, but it is always better to rather go one step up in the choice of your machine to avoid being disappointed at a later stage. You may enjoy the sewing and want to try some other stuff and then is stuck with a machine with limits. Sewing should be a pleasure and if your machine is giving trouble it is stressful, not a pleasure. I personally have Berninas since 2004 and am very happy with it. I did sewing for a living for 17 years and ought to know! ;) I knew about the Jumeirah Branch-just thought they were keeping the other one open as well-will wander down tomorrow and double check just to be sure-Oh and I don't doubt the berninas are better but would rather get an expensive machine that is compatible with the power back home once I am home-only use the el-cheapo for basic piecing here <em>edited by wuffles on 09/02/2011</em>
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 09 February 2011 - 15:51
The Classic Quilts shop is definitely now in Jumeirah Plaza. I go there quite often and was always helped immediately. I bought my latest machine there and must say I am very happy. As for Craftland, I must say the staff is not always very helpful and on the one occasion that someone helped me, I was given the wrong advice. On the other hand, they have supplies that are not easy to find somewhere else. When it comes to the sewing machine my advice is this: If you want to do very limited sewing, a cheap machine from Carrefour may be enough, but it is always better to rather go one step up in the choice of your machine to avoid being disappointed at a later stage. You may enjoy the sewing and want to try some other stuff and then is stuck with a machine with limits. Sewing should be a pleasure and if your machine is giving trouble it is stressful, not a pleasure. I personally have Berninas since 2004 and am very happy with it. I did sewing for a living for 17 years and ought to know! ;)
1996
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 09 February 2011 - 15:19
Don't think Classic quilts are in Bank Street any more only upstairs in Jumeria Plaza... Drat-when did that happen? I was planning on walking down there tomorrow too
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 09 February 2011 - 14:37
I understand what you mean about the helpfulness etc of the staff in Craftland, however, I have done a number of sewing lessons there and the Russian lady who takes them is fantastic. She is also really good at advising about sewing machines and products generally.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 February 2011 - 14:29
Have done a search re lessons.. Put sewing in search Look for -moustique on the 30/1/2011 there is a email there that has a contact for lessons.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 February 2011 - 14:21
Don't think Classic quilts are in Bank Street any more only upstairs in Jumeria Plaza...
1996
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 09 February 2011 - 14:07
Same issues wuffles.. I went to look at an embroidery machine very little info given , they didn't offer to show me how it worked so they lost a sale ....Yes I could of asked for then to get it off the shelf but I did say to them that I wanted to purchase a machine.. Didn't say I was just looking... Only ever go there if I can't get what I want at Classic quilts.. I agree-at Classic Quilts in Bank Street they are happy to help-wasn't impressed with the others at Craftland and I do make a lot of quilts so they put off a potential good customer-caught a taxi specifically to go there too so I was not pleased
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EW GURU
Latest post on 09 February 2011 - 14:04
does anyone know where you can go for basic sewing lessons? Craftland have sewing courses. Google it and their website should come up. Nothing to do with the thread but I went in there the other night after some supplies and not one of the 3 salepeople in the shop spoke to me or offered to help-not impressed-left without buying a thing-which had not been my intention..... Oh how funny. I don't usually like to be bugged in shops but in a craft shop like this you kind of expect to be offered some help don't you? There is (or was, I haven't seen her for a while) a very surly, know it allish older lady who serves behind the counter whom I've found particularly standoffish but if the manager is there, she usually asks if you need anything. What a shame.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 February 2011 - 13:58
Re lessons - Have a look in search as someone had a friend who teaches the basics of sewing it was mentioned in the last 2/3 weeks ? I can't remember what the subject heading was about could of been sewing machines.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 February 2011 - 13:55
Same issues wuffles.. I went to look at an embroidery machine very little info given , they didn't offer to show me how it worked so they lost a sale ....Yes I could of asked for then to get it off the shelf but I did say to them that I wanted to purchase a machine.. Didn't say I was just looking... Only ever go there if I can't get what I want at Classic quilts..
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 February 2011 - 13:54
Classic Quilts in Jumeira Plaza stock Bernina machines and they were very helpful when I was there last week enquiring about a part for my machine. I think they may also run classes. Their website is classicquiltsdubai dot com
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EW GURU
Latest post on 09 February 2011 - 13:52
I bought my sewing machine in Jumbo at Mankhool. All the shops mentioned are good for machines, just depends if you have a particular make/model in mind and which shop sells it. Generally the machines here are cheaper than in the UK. :)
1996
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 09 February 2011 - 13:41
does anyone know where you can go for basic sewing lessons? Craftland have sewing courses. Google it and their website should come up. Nothing to do with the thread but I went in there the other night after some supplies and not one of the 3 salepeople in the shop spoke to me or offered to help-not impressed-left without buying a thing-which had not been my intention.....
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EW GURU
Latest post on 09 February 2011 - 13:38
does anyone know where you can go for basic sewing lessons? Craftland have sewing courses. Google it and their website should come up.
1996
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 09 February 2011 - 13:38
Bought a nice inexpensive quilter's sewing machine at Carrefour-does all I want and more-you can buy Berninas and such in the sewing centres but they are way more expensive
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 February 2011 - 13:36
thanks :)
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 February 2011 - 13:36
Sharaf also sell sewing machines.
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 09 February 2011 - 13:33
There was some pattern cutting classes at DLC - perhaps call their art centre (04 349 9922) - They may have something or give you the number of the lady who teaches the class.
202
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 February 2011 - 13:31
does anyone know where you can go for basic sewing lessons?
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EW GURU
Latest post on 09 February 2011 - 13:29
Somewhere like Carrefour sell basic models.
 
 

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