Moving to Australia
 

Would you advise me about any quilt shops in the Portland area? I am to get a new machine. I'm an inexperienced quilter. What kind would any one care to suggest and why? Thank you for any help you can give.

What type of machine, sewing or longarm? I usually tell people it is up to what you can afford. Its also what you can find locally so you have somewhere you can have it fix. Also test drive the machines and find which one is right for you. Then you can figure out what you like and don't like.

There are 2 Portlands in Australia that I know of, are you moving to New South Wales or to the Portland in Victoria? People will be able to give you more information if we know which one.
Test drive as many machines in your price range as you can, what suits some people might not feel right to you. I started with a pretty basic Brother that I learnt to FMQ on, and I found it was too much of a struggle to wrestle a large quilt through the small throat, so now I have a Janome Horizon. I don't think I could have justified buying such a machine 3 years ago when I started quilting, but I know I am hooked now LOL, so to me the expense was worth it.

Try the Brothers or Juki if you can spend 600.00 - 700.00, most have a large throat. Google them to see what they look like and the features.

Are you planning to buy a new machine here to take with you to Australia? Or are you planning to buy in Australia? If you want to buy here and take it with you, my first question is -- does Australia use the same kind of electrical current as the U.S.?

I think a Janome 6600P or 6500 would be a really good machine that would last you for many years. It's more than a beginner's machine, but a beginner can actually use it. What is really helpful for quilting is the large harp size, which makes machine quilting a large quilt much easier.

The 6600 has the built-in even-feed foot (similar to what Pfaff patented years ago) that makes piecing accurately easier. If it's too expensive, the 6500 is a great machine; same as the 6600 but without the built-in even-feed foot. (A built-in even-feed foot is not a necessary for piecing. My wonderful vintage Bernina does not have it, and I can piece just fine on it. This is an "extra" that is nice to have. With my Bernina, I have a separate even-feed foot that I can attach when I need it, but it bulky and not as nice as having the option built-in.)

The only thing is that these machines do not have a "free arm". If you want to sew clothing, you are not able to put a cuff around the bed of the machine to sew in a circle. Most of us rarely use the free arm (there are other ways to do cuffs), so I do not see this as a major drawback.

I am pretty sure Australia is like Europe and has different electrical plugs than us. I know when my friend from Australia visted she had an adaptor.
Additionally many of our Australian members have posted that the price of fabric is incredibly more expensive there than here and many who visit here bring an extra suitcase just for fabric purchases. So you may wish to bring a stash with you.

congratulations on an exciting move. I would love to visit Australia some day.

A machine will last longer and work better if it is the correct type for the electrical system. Adaptors are fine if you are travelling, but are not really good for long-term use as they can be hard on the machine.

Australia definately has the European electrical systems...We had to buy adapters for our stuff when we were there. You'd do better buying over there, I would think. We were in Adelaide and in Williamstown in 2001....LOVED IT there!

Are you moving here permanently? I would definitely buy a machine here. Our voltage is 240V and the plug tops will be different.

I have always had Janomes and always liked them. I now have the 7700 and love it but if you don't want to spend that amount of money there are lots to choose from that are less expensive. The 7700 does have the bigger harp though. Whatever you decide on, I would definitely suggest you get a machine through a dealer rather than the chain stores, so that you have a good backup service if needed. Besides, I do believe they may be a different line of machine to those sold through the chain stores, although I can't say for sure.

I can't help you with what quilt shops are available as I'm nowhere near either Portlands here. But if you google I'm sure you'll find some information. Try www.yellowpages.com.au and look up craft or fabric stores in the Portland area and see what comes up.

Good luck with your move and I do hope you like it here :)

Yes take note of what the Australians have said about the electrical system and buy here in Australia. And yes it is true that fabric is dearer here and to buy online from USA is fine but the shipping cost is rather high. But if you are moving here to live for some time then you will find that there are sales on at times and fabic can be much cheaper.
I hope you enjoy living here and contact us when you arrive through this board and we will do our best to make you feel welcome even if we can't meet you in person.
Drue you would have passed by our house while you were here, we live between Adelaide and Williamstown!

Think I would buy a machine there and sell it before I came hom or even buy a used one there. I have had several used machines and never had any problems especially if I bought them from a dealer.