Do I need an expensive machine?
#1
Do I need an expensive machine?
Hi, I have been quilter for 12 yrs I am finally at a skill level where I am able to win ribbons at quilt shows. However, I am worried my 12 year-old Viking Quilt Designer 2 is not "good" enough of a machine to allow me to improve my skills. Do I need a modern sewing machine (over $1,000+) to get a better quilt or is it all in the sewer's skills?
#2
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Jozefow, Poland
Posts: 4,474
I'm thinking the skill is what it is about, as long as your machine sews a good stitch and doesn't have tension problems. I found that having lots of room is helpful. My Janome 7700 has a lot of room.
#3
What would a new machine have that your current machine is lacking that would help you improve your skills? Variable speed, needle down, knee lift, larger harp/throat etc. Things like these are nice but would they improve your skills? After analyzing this I'd take some practice pieces of fabric and thread and go test drive some different machines. Take a sharpie and write on your test pieces what machine you used and then compare the different samples. Don't forget to make on using your current machine. Sometimes it's more a matter of wanting a new machine rather than needing one and that's OK too.
#5
Hi, I have been quilter for 12 yrs I am finally at a skill level where I am able to win ribbons at quilt shows. However, I am worried my 12 year-old Viking Quilt Designer 2 is not "good" enough of a machine to allow me to improve my skills. Do I need a modern sewing machine (over $1,000+) to get a better quilt or is it all in the sewer's skills?
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: North east
Posts: 360
The only reason I can think of to need or want a new machine to improve skills at quiltmaking is if the old one doesn't work and can't be fixed or if you do machine quilting and larger harp space makes it easier to do larger quilts. Otherwise a treadle machine does acceptable piecing.
#7
Power Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 12,861
Spending $$ does not improve your skills. People sewing on older than they are vintage machines are creating beautiful quilts. As long as your machine has a nice even straight stitch and you are comfortable with it I can think of no reason to replace it. When I bought my Viking designer one the guy in the shop told me I would never wear this machine out... I've sure tried :-) I can not imagine ever wanting to replace it, when I am gone I bet one of my granddaughters will continue to use it. Save your money for maybe skill building classes , patterns & of course fabric! ;-)
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Phenix City, Alabama
Posts: 881
One of my machines was made in the 40's and the other in the 70's. I had a "modern" machine, but did not replace it when it died. The older ones are great. Very quiet and powerful. Don't think you have to have a expensive machine with all the bells to do good work. All you need is a machine that works well.
#9
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: New Orleans, La
Posts: 1,768
The only machine I would want is a LA and since I know it's not in my budget. I'll stick to my DM and HQ for I'm not looking to put any quilt in a show. I love to quilt to see people happy and use and abuse them. But thats just me. Good luck on your choice for I see some many good opinions here in which I've taken to heart too.
#10
Power Poster
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Southern California
Posts: 19,127
I won a lot of ribbons even at bigger competition with my Bernina 1530 which I am still quilting on her. Not in competition any more because I am disable but I can still piece charity quilt tops. But you don't need laser light or automatic thread cutting to win unless you want to have one of those computerized long arm quilting machines that automatically quilts. I can understand in getting a larger throat. If you want to up your skills, I would suggest finding a class that will help you achieve that. They would most like be at major quilt shows. Good Luck !!
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carolaug
For Vintage & Antique Machine Enthusiasts
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01-25-2012 08:30 AM