Can I bring my sewing machine and serger to the UK?

Hi!
I noticed the quilting thread, so I thought I'd throw this out and see what you all thought. 

I am an avid sewer (seamstress would imply a skill level I'm not sure I have attained :-)).  I own a Viking #1, not the embroidery kind and a White 4 thread serger (do we say Overlock in the UK?). 

We will be on assignment for 18 months in the London area starting in January and I can't imagine being separated from my machines for so long.  But, will they even work if I bring them over?  I can't quite figure out the converter/transformer thing yet, and I wonder if I wouldn't be better off just buying a used machine while I'm over there and selling it before I return. 

What would you all recommend?  Thanks!

Mary

Either buying a transformer to run them, or your idea of buying used and selling would work. But  you might want to check your machines anyway. My last singer machine was actually dual voltage. All I had to do was turn a little button to be able to use it.

Rosie

There are two parameters of the UK electrical supply that are different to the US.

The domestic supply voltage is 230V in UK and generally 110V in USA
The supply frequency is 50 Hz in UK and 60 Hz in US.
You should check if your machine will work with both of those.
It should have a rating label to give that information.

If you want to post EVERYTHING on that label here I can give more specific advice. (BTW I am an electrical engineer)

Cascode notes the specifics, but just to add, I brought my sewing machine here five years ago (old cabinet type but they are all basically the same) and it works great....still does.....if I can find a belt to fit it

I noticed the quilting thread, so I thought I'd throw this out and see what you all thought. 

I was always looking for nice quilts and was discouraged that it didn't seem to have the same place in this culture as in the American culture.  Instead they like the fluffy duvets. 

But I found a craftswoman in (heaven help us) Omsk who makes customised quilts, and I used a special quilt design software to make the pattern.  It's at http://londonelegance.com/quilt/quiltpattern.jpg

It shows the name of my youngest son and has lots of googatz in the other blocks.  For some reason having to do with quilts, the stars can only be on a white square.  It was great fun!!!

That's really lovely Garry.

You know, at a lot of the Adult Education Colleges, there are quilting courses. Most of these people register for the course year, after year. At the end of the year, they have displays of the work at the college.

There were a lot of beautiful panels at the show last summer.

I brought both my machines and have not had any problems with using a 2000w step down transformer.  (I know a bit of overkill; but wanted to ensure the machines were working fine).  My sewing machine was the expensive type that also does embroidery thru the computer -- everything works great on it.

I was worried about burning out my motor (similar to a blow dryer due to the Hz difference), but when I contacted the sewing machine shop - they explained that a sewing machine was made to have multi-speed motors - it will just mean that it will not so as fast on the fastest setting. (hope that makes since).   

Definately bring them especially if they are your hobby.  There are so many things you will HAVE to leave behind (home, friends, etc...) it will be nice to have a special hobby.

I was worried about burning out my motor (similar to a blow dryer due to the Hz difference), but when I contacted the sewing machine shop - they explained that a sewing machine was made to have multi-speed motors - it will just mean that it will not so as fast on the fastest setting. (hope that makes since).   

Most sewing machines I have come across have continuously variable speed control. This is different to hair dryers which have just a few different set speeds. The motors are differet types.
My concern would be more about the control electronics and any transformers in that.