Frister and Rossmann QE681 sewing machine Review

So for a while now I have been thinking about taking up sewing, now my little one is getting bigger she can entertain herself long enough for me to get on with things. A sewing machine can be a great investment if you have the time to use it and best of all you don't really need any lessons to help get started you can pretty much learn on your own.

After much searching and weighing my options I decided to go for the Frister and Rossmann Quilters Edition QE681, for £229 I got an extension table 9 extra feet and a bundle of free extra's such as a set of 5 scissors and 36 rolls of different coloured thread. I originally wanted a Brother machine as they have a good reputation but compared to the Frister and Rossmann you can get so much more for the same price.

The sewing machine also comes with an automatic needle threader that the Brother machine did not have, also for the Brother Machine I would have had to pay £50 extra to get an extension table. With the Frister and Rossmann I get 225 stitches that include embroidery too, this was a plus but for the price I paid I would say I got a bargain.

I got my sewing machine at Sewing Machines Direct, I ordered online and paid via Payapl they deduct the money after 14 days so that gave me extra peace of mind. Well when my sewing machine came I read all the instructions and threaded it, got a piece of material, switched it on and started sewing. Unfortunately after only a few stitches it switched off and would not come back on again, I tried all different electrical points but still nothing, called them and they said to try different leads. Even after doing so it would not start, so I called them again and they arranged for a courier to come and take it away, they would either fix it or send out a replacement. Well it turns out an internal wire was loose and that's why it would not start. A few days later a new one was sent.

Using my new sewing machine
So it was back and I was very eager to give it a try so when I was out I came across a charity shop selling clothes for £1 so I bought two t-shirts and a jumper, this was just to practice on as I knew I would mess up. I cut up the t-shirt to make a skirt for my toddler and just needed to alter the tension a little bit.

What I like about this sewing machine is that when you choose the stitch you want it shows you a picture of the foot that you need to use, I think that they were all included with the machine too so that's a plus.

The machine does come with a manual but I find it pretty useless, the instructions are not clear enough and I have a hard time with the different attachments. I have tried most of the feet and feel pretty useless, the embroidery stitches just don't come out right, I have tried changing the tension, different feet, etc but they all come out bunched up. It's such a shame because they have some nice decorative stitches for doing borders.

*UPDATE

I have managed to figure out that I was using the wrong foot for monogramming and the decorative/embroidery stitches. Now I am very happy with the quality of the decorative stitches!

Overall I do like this machine as it comes with so much to get you started but I think I should have gone for a more basic model as it is a little overwhelming for a beginner.

If you are an experienced sewer then this machine is for you but if you are a beginner like myself then I think this machine will be a little too frustrating to start out with. There are so many complicated options that sometimes I just want to give up. I really wish I bought something a little more basic to start off with.

**UPDATE

So  I have used this sewing machine for a week now doing everything possible, I have made skirts, tops and altered a few pieces of clothing and I am very happy with the machine now but it did take a little time figuring everything out! 

Any questions? Please feel free to contact me or comment below.

Pin It