May has turned out to be a heavy-duty travel month Chez Noile. Some was planned, some not, and some is not yet finished. Whew! I’m just surfacing for a moment because of an unexpected discovery; otherwise, it will be the second week in June before I’m back to posting again.
We’ve been hearing for a long time that IKEA was going to offer a sewing machine in the USA, and a machine has finally arrived. The website says that it will only be around as long as supplies last — that’s kind of how IKEA works — but this cute little device is now in stock for only $59 (USD).
No one who shops at IKEA is likely to believe this is a precision machine, but there might be some valid uses for it, including teaching kids to sew, or as a basic travel machine, for example. A blogger called icatbag has a rather thorough review; scroll down, as the first part of the post has to do with what IKEA does to our brains when we walk in the door.
The machine is called Sy — actually, all IKEA’s sewing notions are called Sy, so that’s perhaps no surprise. Patient searching on the Internet will reveal a number of other comments by happy users; again, this is not a precision machine, but within its limits, it seems to be a perfectly adequate machine.
I’ve seen one in person, and can report that it seems surprisingly solid. The reverse lever is a perfect size for use by children, and has a positive spring return. (Adults will find it quite satisfactory, too.) Removing the sliding accessory box reveals a free-arm bed (pretty cool, no?), though removing the box requires some dexterity, and, as icatbag notes, you’ll need to keep the accessories in the plastic bag they came in, since otherwise they will spill when the box is removed.
In a departure from IKEA tradition, the manual is written — yes, words and pictures! Even more surprisingly, it seems to be quite complete, so operating this little machine shouldn’t prove at all mysterious.
Fantastic device and so cute! we got ours in Germany but the manual is of course… in German (or French or Dutch). If anyone would be so kind to advise where we can download the manual in English it would be great!
Have you tried the US or UK version of the IKEA website? Ican’t remember if the manuals at our local IKEA have an English translation or not. Also, you might try going to an online version in another language, and using Google Translate. If I recall, though, there was nothing exceptional about the instructions. The little machine seemed to function pretty much like any other.
This looks to be comparable to my little red JL Mini machine I use for travel (and at a similar price), except that this IKEA machine a) has a light, b) can do buttonholes, and c) has IMHO a much better side-access bobbin than the JL Mini’s drop-in one.
But yeah, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve used my little machine, it’s just so handy. I thoroughly recommend sewing up a carrying case for your machine, though, so everything’s nicely contained!
Ah, yes, your adorable red Mini, Melissa! Sooo cute! Another one on my “cutest ever” mini list is the Elna Grasshopper, though it’s probably door-stop weight. Sewing up a case is a good tip, especially for a plastic-bodied machine like the IKEA.
That machine is adorable!!!
And weirdly, Kyle, it also appears to work reasonably well! I keep reminding myself that I already have a cute, functional travel machine. Yep, I already have a cute, functional travel machine. I already . . .
What does it say about me that the minute I see something new in the sewing world I become a small child screaming I WANT ONE. I have absolutely no need for this and thank goodness the closest Ikea is 4 1/2 hours away. But they do have them in stock, damn them. BTW in Canada they are $69.
You and me both, Elle C. I have five sewing machines, a serger and a coverlock, and had to be forcibly restrained from buying the IKEA machine I saw in-store. I have no earthly use for another sewing machine, even if it is supremely affordable. And no place to store one. But it’s soooo cute . . . and what if there’s a machine famine one day??
And, sold out or not in stock in the two stores closest to me 🙁 I would totally get one of these to keep in the office. There is one in Tampa — but I can’t let my parents know I’ll have *another* sewing machine. I mean, I already have one at their house and four in mine!
I suppose the parents would be unimpressed to learn that your collection is positively moderate compared to some? Some people just don’t understand. Sigh.