Sewing machine question
 

Go to your local dealer and test drive them.

I suggest a Janome. I have a friend that new nothing about sewing when we got her addicted at the Houston show. She ordered a Jem and it has been a good machine for her, easy to use, and reliable. Gina

For quilting you need a straight stitch and sometimes a zigzag is nice. The other decorative stitches will likely not be used.

In looking at a picture of the machine, the throat space looks tiny so stuffing a quilt through it to machine quilt would likely be frustrating. The measurement that counts is distance on the right from needle to machine - not the distance that the table affords you to the left of the needle.

I agree - if you can test drive multiple machines, you will likely find something that works for you.

Cheers, K

Well I understand that test driving would be good, but here in the sticks there is not a "local dealer". Maybe I can google and see where the nearest dealer is so I can try one out

I will look up the Janome machine and see how that looks

Thanks

If you can't go to several dealers to test out machines, buy a machine online that has a guarantee return if you don't like it. Check the return policy before ordering. Some want the machine to be shipped back in the original packaging.

I have used a Bernina for twenty years without any problems at all. Mine is a Bernina 1000 and is pretty basic but she is a work horse. It will sew through four layers of denim and keep on going. If I were going to buy on a budget, I would look on-line for a used Bernina. New ones are very expensive but used ones are quite affordable.

A little over 2 1/2 years ago Jim got me a Brother SQ9000 at Walmart. This machine has a lot of features for the price. Nice variety of stitches, light weight, needle threader. It was $199 before tax. I love this machine.

The Pfaff I bought when I was just starting to quilt is called a "Quilt Expression" machine. I can definitely piece a queen or king sized quilt on it but when it came to machine quilting, I had a bear of a time trying to wrestle the quilt through. I did a few large ones in it, but it was just too much of a challenge for me. If you are considering machine quilting look into machines with a large -9" or larger- throat space. I still love my Pfaff for piecing & sewing but I now do all of my machine quilting on my Janome 1600p.

What type of machine does your sister have? Are you happy sewing on it? If so you might see if you can find one like it.

Do you have second had places to look at. In UK we have gumtree, preloved etc or contact a dealer or search on site. I have purchased janome from direct sale type places which offer next day delivery servicing and some machines are those you try at shops. Do a good google.you could buy second hand better machine tha new age would be only proble.

I have the Janome 6600 and love her dearly. She has a lot of bells and whistles, some I use, some not.....and I do use the deco stitches as they can add a bit of pizzazz to most any quilted item.....I would hate to see you buy a machine without trying it out first, but I do understand your dilemma....do take some time and research all kinds of machines here on the board and using google....everyone will have a differing opinion, but make sure there aren't issues with your choice (i.e. parts breaking easily, tension problems, warranty issues).....it is great fun looking and comparing machines, but take your time!

Basically, when a domestic machine is advertised as a quilting machine, it has one or more of the following features:
Large harp area (area to the right of the needle), extended sewing base, comes with built in dual feed or walking foot, and has a setting or foot to achieve a 1/4" seam (which you will probably have to adjust anyway). These machines are not going to piece or quilt your quilt better than a machine without 'quilting' in the name, the features just make it easier. All these features can be used for regular sewing and many regular machines have some or all of these features.

I looked at the picture of the brother model you mention. Looks like a very small harp area. You are not going to easily get a big quilt in there to piece or quilt. I agree with the posters who mentioned going to a dealer and looking at what they have, or just getting an older straight stitch machine.

Do as much research online as you can. Decide what functions you really want and then start narrowing down your choices. Check the websites for dealers close to you. They will be more willing to work with you if you have issues. I'm sure any dealer would send a machine through the mail.

I would second this...or the other poster who mentioned a used machine. Craigslist usually has a ton of 'vintage' machines for very little money. A Singer 201 has a somewhat larger harp area. I think it's only straight stitch though, no fancy stitches. Or go with a slightly newer machine if the different type stitches are important to you. These machines are generally very easy to personally maintain as well since a local dealer is an issue for you. You can probably find older higher end machines, such as Bernina's or others, there as well.

I live in the sticks too. I had to drive an hour to the nearest dealer and I think any other dealer is even further away. If you want a machine like a Janome, they sell them online at brubaker sewing. They have great customer service too.

Most entry level brothers are good beginner machines. I love all mine. You can upgrade if you decide you really like machine sewing

I love the Brother machines. Walmart sells them. I have one in use for the past 8 years, has so many stitches that i've never used. I do have 3 other Brothers and swear by them. I also have 3 or 4 singers and 14 or 15 Japanese machines that only do straight and zig zag stitches. I use them all, but for a newbie, I do think the Brother would be a good machine to start with.

Thank you all so much for your input. There were some brand names mentioned that I had never heard of - so I will have to do some research. Good food for thought here

I have this machine and am very satisfied with it. I do like the decorative stitches and use them often on my quilts. It would be difficult to quilt a large quilt with it, but I have quilted large throws and baby quilts without much problem. Have only had mine a few months, so I don't know if it will last as long as my old kenmore (now 40 years old), but I have a Brother embroidery machine that is still going strong after 3 years.

I dont know anything about that Brother machine but I used a Brother SQ9000 for years. I made several quilts and lots of other projects and never had a problem. I still have it and use it as a back up when my other machine is in the shop.

I got a brother sq9050 for my birthday about a month ago and really love it, it's very user friendly. It does have a small harp though but think it would be ok for smaller quits.

I think this question has been overlooked. Teresa, most people start machine quilting by using either stitch in the ditch (SITD) or straight line crosshatching. To be clear, SITD means to stitch along the blocks' seams in your quilt. Crosshatching is going diagonally in straight lines across your quilt. To quilt intricate designs with a machine, you will need to learn free motion quilting (FMQ).

If you're sewing full-sized quilts, you'll need a machine with a decent sized throat or harp. For STID and crosshatching, you'll want a walking foot. For FMQ, you'll need a hopping or darning foot.

I've never FMQed. Even though I mainly crosshatch, there are variations you can quilt with a walking foot. I've recently finished my first all-curves quilting with a walking foot and I'm very happy with it. It's very gentle curves, but hey, you walk before you run.

Tate

I quilt with my Pfaff 7570 and 2140 No problems with either.

I would go to a local sewing center and test drive what they have then see if you can find the one you like online. I did that and got my Brother a hundred dollars cheaper online than in the store.

I have a janome 6260. The feed dogs drop and I use the darning foot so I can machine quilt. It works like a dream.

Personally I would buy from a dealer. I sold Vikings for awhile and the best deal is to talk to someone who really knows the different machine models in your brand of choice. These people can guide you to the machine that best fits your needs. Classes on your machine are free also and if you have any problems they can be taken care of locally.

just my thoughts---good luck

If you have a Sewing Machine dealer in your area I would suggest going and taking the time to test drive different models. See what you like about different machines and ask about their service department. I have Bernina machines and love them, but you will have to see what fits your needs and what you are comfortable with. Good Luck..

For simple piecing, my recomendation is to go to a dealer and look at their used trade ins for something like a phaff, elna, I have an elna I bought before my second child was born - she is 42 and it is my favorite machine for piecing.
The electronic ones take an extra stitch when you try to get them to stop. I don't like that. I have 3 other machines. That are newer. Take the machines for a test drive. If you can get a good satin stitch and good straight stitch you got it made. I also have a Viking 1100 that I use for sewing leather. A D-1 for embroidery work and everyday stuff but my best piecing machine is the elna. A good used machine is better than a plastic new machine, in my opinion.

the machine I use came from Walmart and I love it. It sews really nice and it is light weight so if you go to a class there is no struggle to take it along. Brother 100-Stitch Computerized Sewing Machine with Alphabet Font-SQ9050.
I have used this machine for 2 years now and have never even skipped a stitch with it.

Husqvarna Viking machines are what I have and love them.

By all means, test drive and my advice if you are wanting to quilt on it, is to get one with at least a 9" throat, ability to lower feed dogs easily, needle down stopping position, adjustable foot pressure, a flat bed and single stitch needle plate.

If you want one for strictly piecing and quilting, I would like to suggest that you look for a Brother PQ 1500S. I bought mine from Amazon for somewhere around $500. No fancy stitches, no zig-zag, but great straight stitching and a good sized harp area for quilting. Has pin feed also to help the fabric along. Comes with the extension table to give a pretty nice area for quilting. Great machine for the money.

That is definitely one of their low end models. I would rather have a used Janome or an older Kenmore.

I have been sewing and making quilts for more than 40 years. Except for the charity quilts I make or ones for relatives or friends that know nothing about caring for quilts, I hand quilt. There is a satisfaction to handwork that can't be duplicated on any machine. I worked for almost two years for a Bernina dealer and feel in love with their machines. Since I usually produce at least 20 Linus quilts a month I do a lot of sewing. Those quilts I machine quilt but they are no larger than crib size. I also do very basic straight line quilting every four inches or so using a simple decorative stitch and variegated thread to add a little decoration. I will admit that just attaching the binding by machine to a larger bed size quilt is all I am willing to tackle on a sewing machine, even one as good as my Bernina. The physical effort it takes to constantly adjust the quilt and force it through the machine's throat takes all of the joy out of the task. If you have done handquilting in the past you realize that it also allows you to enjoy conversations, TV, music etc. while getting something accomplished. Just my two cents.

Worth having a Ladies Day out with some friends to travel to a Good Sewing machine Dealer or Quilt shop that has sewing machines.... Make a Day of it....Try all the machines.... For Regular Sewing machines I have Couple of Singers and Domestic, White and the one I have set up is my Husky 140 by Viking Basic sewing, zigzag, stretch stitches and button hole . not for Big quilt projects but does fine with smaller projects like potholders, tote bags etc... and the ever present stack of Mending... :) or several of you go together to buy a nicer machine....?

Where "in the sticks in Indiana" are you. There are a lot of quilt shops around, and I knowpretty much all of them?

Pleas consider looking for a machine with the needle up/down feature, saves a lot of headaches.

A brother is a good machine. But if there's anyway you can do it, get a machine at a dealer rather than amazon. They will provide you with the lessons and service you need, answer questions and probably will have stitched the machine out before selling it to make sure it is running well. And who knows, they may even have a better deal for you! I'm sure lots of people will tell you to buy online, but if we don't help support local brick and mortar dealers, they will soon be gone.

I am a Pfaff person all the way. That being said, you have to chose for yourself what is best for you. I would recomend that you visit several dealers to see what you would like. Each machine has features that you will like. A good dealer is important for learning to get the most from your machine and for routine maintainence and cleaning. Take your time to think about what you want and make a list of features you want ina machine. I love my Pfaff for the duel feed feature. I can sew anything with that machine.