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Tadalis
Portable handheld sewing machine for quick repairs
Get it between Tuesday 10 November and Thursday 12 November
No card: you pay the courier in cash.
Sold by Extrapy · Pay on delivery · WhatsApp
By law: 14 days to return your order · 3-year legal guarantee
What it does
A handheld sewing machine the size of a stapler, for simple repairs at home. It sews with a single thread in chain stitch and runs on batteries or a mains adapter. It suits hems, curtains and split seams on light or medium fabrics, with nothing to set up.
Specifications
| Product type | Portable handheld sewing machine, single-thread chain stitch |
|---|---|
| Power supply | 4 AA batteries (not included) or 6 V mains adapter |
| Mains adapter | Sold separately |
| Recommended fabrics | Cotton, light linen, polyester and light or medium fabrics in one or two layers |
| Materials | ABS plastic body, steel needle |
| Size and weight | 21 x 4 x 7 cm; 250 g without batteries |
| Colour | White |
| Guarantee | 3-year legal guarantee |
What's in the box
- 1 handheld sewing machine
- 4 spools of coloured thread
- 1 needle threader
- 1 spare needle
- Instructions for use
Read the full description
Tadalis is a portable handheld sewing machine: a small, stapler-shaped device with a built-in needle and thread spool. You hold it in one hand, slip the edge of the fabric between the needle and the base and, as you squeeze, it makes stitches and feeds the fabric along. It is for anyone who has no sewing machine or does not want to get one out for a five-minute repair: a hem that has come down, a curtain that is too long or a seam that has split.
Mini handheld sewing machine: small and nothing to set up
There is no pedal, table or lower bobbin to prepare. You put the spool on its spindle, run the thread through the guides and the needle with the threader provided, and you are ready to sew. Because it sews with a single thread, getting started takes far less time than with a full-size machine.
When you finish, it fits in a drawer, in the sewing box or in a suitcase for a last-minute repair away from home.
A sewing machine for repairs: hems and curtains
It helps most with simple straight seams on light or medium fabrics: cotton, light linen, curtain polyester, sheets or cushion covers. Because you take it to the fabric rather than the other way round, you can take up the hem of a curtain while it is still hanging from the rail.
It is also handy for crafts, costumes or tacking something in place before finishing it by hand or on a regular machine.
A battery or mains powered sewing machine
It runs on batteries, so you can use it wherever you like, or plugged in with a mains adapter when you use it for longer at home. The battery type and whether the adapter is included are listed in the specifications.
How to use the portable sewing machine
Fit the batteries or connect the adapter
Make sure the switch is off before you thread it or touch the needle.
Thread it
Fit the spool, follow the thread guides and pass the end through the eye of the needle with the threader.
Test on an offcut
Sew a few centimetres on a scrap of the same fabric to see how it feeds and adjust the tension if needed.
Sew slowly and straight
Slip the edge of the fabric under the needle, squeeze gently and let the machine feed the fabric without pulling it.
Secure the seam
Chain stitch unravels if you pull the end: knot the ends of the thread or add a few stitches by hand.
Care and maintenance
Take the batteries out or unplug it when you are not using it. Remove lint from around the needle with a small brush and change the needle if it bends or skips stitches. Use ordinary sewing thread, not thick or elastic thread. Keep it in its box, somewhere dry and out of the reach of children.
Frequently asked questions
Can a mini handheld sewing machine sew jeans?
It is not advisable. It is made for light or medium fabrics, such as cotton, light linen or curtain polyester, in one or two layers. On denim, canvas or leather the needle struggles, may bend and the stitch does not hold firmly. For those fabrics you need a full-size machine or a repair by hand.
How do you thread a handheld sewing machine?
With the machine switched off, put the spool on its spindle, run the thread through the guides in the order shown in the instructions and take it to the needle. Use the threader to pass the end through the eye, leave a few centimetres loose and try it on an offcut before sewing the garment.
Why does the seam come undone when I pull the thread?
That is normal for single-thread chain stitch: each loop rests on the one before, so if you pull the final end the whole seam comes loose. So when you finish, knot both ends of the thread or secure it with a few stitches by hand. That way the seam stands up to everyday use without opening.
Does it work as a battery-powered sewing machine?
Yes, it runs on batteries, which lets you use it by the window or away from home. It can also be connected to a mains adapter if you use it for a long time. The battery type and whether the adapter is in the box are in the specifications. Take the batteries out if you are storing it for a long time.
Can you sew curtains without taking them down?
Yes, it is one of its most practical uses. Mark the length with pins, fold the hem and sew slowly along the fold, with your other hand holding the fabric taut and away from the needle. With very heavy or multi-layer curtains it is better to take them down and use an ordinary machine.
Is it suitable for learning to sew or for professional work?
It is good for simple repairs and for sewing a straight seam without fuss, but it has no choice of stitches, no reverse and not the strength of a full-size machine. If you want to learn to make garments or work with fabric often, a complete domestic sewing machine will suit you better.
