ALDI - Delta mini sewing machine

Sparkler · 08-09-2010, 02:56 PM

I just saw these at my local Aldi for £14.99. I've been looking for an inexpensive machine which I can use just for card and paper. My large machine won't work on paper and card

Does anyone have one of these and is it any good? I couldn't see what sort of stitches it will do, but I only really need to do a simple straight stitch.

welshwren · 08-09-2010, 05:10 PM

I haven't tried one but I have found Aldis to be excellent with any faulty electrical products, so I would buy it and take it back if you aren't happy with it.

supersara2001 · 15-09-2010, 12:04 PM

I'd be interested to hear if anyone did buy it, I saw it myself this morning and for only £15 I'm very tempted! I don't own a sewing machine yet, and would be learning so I'm hoping it would be suitable. It should be able to sew fabric surely?! I'm not planning on using many thick fabrics, and there's a sewing machine at my Mams I could use for that instead. I've had my eye on the John Lewis mini sewing machines for £50 up until now!

susanroscoe · 15-09-2010, 08:20 PM

Bought one yesterday to keep in the motorhome for simple repairs and at £15 with a 3 year warranty it is a steal!

I wasn't expecting much for £15 but have to say that it is very good. It has a mains adapter and can work off batteries (4 x AA's). It has a built in light and worked straight out of the box (which is more than could be said for my Brother Galaxy 3000) and even has a foot switch.

It sews a perfect straight single stich (that is all it does)and the tension is spot on. Comes with a couple of bobbins and a spare needle and threader.

I have tried it on thick paper and light card just to see if it would pierce and it does.

It's a cracking little machine and if you do not like it after trying it, take it back to Aldi within 30 days and get a refund.

I

pie-eater · 16-09-2010, 02:13 PM

I read this thread yesterday and mentioned it to DH in passing then forgot about it. He went shopping this morning and got me one! I'm off work at the moment with a foot injury and he thought it might cheer me up. It has too. I've got a big sewing machine but it's a faff to get it out and I've kept meaning to try stitching on paper but never got round to it. I got it out of the box and there was already thread in it so he got me some pp and I had a go. I'm really pleased, I just had it perched on my knee while I'm sat on the couch with my foot raised and I was stitching away! OK it just does running stitch and you can't alter the size of the stitch but for the price and portability it's great. It's small enough to leave out so it's easy to just pick it up and use it when you want to. That's a plus for me as I'm impatient (some would say lazy!) and get fed up rooting through drawers and boxes etc looking for stuff when I want to make something. So if you're thinking about getting one I would go for it.

caz890 · 16-09-2010, 02:55 PM

OOOhhhh going to Toys R Us on Saturday, our nearest Aldi isnt too far out of the way on that trip, so may just pop in and see if they have any left

CreativeLC · 16-09-2010, 04:29 PM

Its sounds good

my sewing machine has broken and i can't work out how to fix it so this might be a good solution.

CreativeLC · 17-09-2010, 04:21 PM

I popped in and picked one up today, just had a little go on it and it looks good

Thanks OP

Magdalene · 11-10-2011, 10:35 PM

Hi, I have just bought the Delta mini sewing machine. I never had any, just a decade ago I was trying something on my mums machine (with not much success, I know just basics). I need to learn how to sew so I wanted something cheap and simple. Now I am having a trouble with the stitch: it looks fine on the top but the bottom is losened. I read the manual and learned that if I increase the tension, the bottom line will tighten as well. But I tried to turn the tension dial both directions several times (from the highest tension to lowest) each time trying new row of stitches but they keep looking the same no matter of tension.
What am I doing wrong? Pls, help, if it does not work I will have to take the wee thing back, which I really dont want to do

genierose · 11-10-2011, 11:04 PM

Hi Magdalene, when you thread up the machine make sure you have the needle in the highest position and the presser foot up too. Once you are ready to thread the needle you can put the presser foot down as this sets the tension for the top thread. If you have the needle or foot down while you thread the top the tension won't be correct. Hope this helps.

Magdalene · 12-10-2011, 11:34 AM

I did it as you told me but there is still no difference in the stitch :-((( Tightened or not it still looks the same. The needle was on its highest and the tension wheel tightened on maximum. The stitch seems to hold, but I dont know if it also will after using the thing for a while.

wombat · 12-10-2011, 05:28 PM

you usually tighten the underneath stitch on most machines by tightening a little screw on the bobbin case. You should be able to hold the bobbin thread without the bobbin thread unwinding. The thread should unwind a bit if you jerk the thread. (All with the bobbin out of the machine!) Don't know if it's the same on this machine though.

Eileen C · 12-10-2011, 09:29 PM

And check the needle isn't (almost imperceptively) bent. I've spent forever trying to sort out tensions on machines, even paying for a service until I learnt to check the needle (by replacing it with a spare) before doing anything else. Usually (OK, not always) works like a dream ...

Magdalene · 15-10-2011, 10:02 PM

I tried to rethread again incl. the bottom thread and it seem better. Thanks all :-)