quilting machine
09-29-2011, 10:27 AM
#1
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 9
My husband has offered many times to buy me a quilting machine but every time I start compairing them I get overwhelmed. Does anyone have any advise, suggestions, preferences & why? I only plan to use it for personal use & don't want to spend our retirement fund to purchaase it.
09-29-2011, 10:39 AM
#2
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: central, ca
Posts: 1,139
You have a wonderful husband! I would suggest test driving the brands you are intersted in. Get in touch with the dealer in your area to help set up where you can go to a previous customers house to test drive. True you can go to the shows and test drive but it's not the same. I love my LA.
09-29-2011, 11:26 AM
#3
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,029
if you are normally used to quilting on a domestic sewing machine, you ought to check out the Handiquilter Sweet 16 sitdown.
What's really nice about it is that the learning curve is much easier since you are doing the same thing you did on your DSM....just with a larger area/faster machine.
they aren't cheap, but are less than a long-arm. And the foot print is only about 3 feet by 3 feet!
What's really nice about it is that the learning curve is much easier since you are doing the same thing you did on your DSM....just with a larger area/faster machine.
they aren't cheap, but are less than a long-arm. And the foot print is only about 3 feet by 3 feet!
09-29-2011, 12:30 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: N.W. Missouri
Posts: 858
Originally Posted by dmyers
You have a wonderful husband! I would suggest test driving the brands you are intersted in. Get in touch with the dealer in your area to help set up where you can go to a previous customers house to test drive. True you can go to the shows and test drive but it's not the same. I love my LA.
09-29-2011, 12:51 PM
#5
Power Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 12,861
visit dealers and show and try them out- it's like buying a car- you should (test-drive) as many as you can find before making your choice- we are each different and like different machines - also keep in mind tech support and service- you don't want to have to drive 8 hours to get your machine serviced-
as expensive as they are you really don't want to just buy the machine i have because i like it- you need to try them out.
i have a friend who's hubby bought her a long arm which sat in her house for 5 years before she finally sold it out of frustration- in that 5 years she managed to quilt 1 quilt- and was so upset all the time over that machine- i used to go over and help her get everything set (tension, needles, bobbins ect) have her happily stitching - would leave- she would run out of bobbin thread...change the bobbin and have all kinds of problems again- it was a horrible situation for her- she never learned to use the machine and was so unhappy she completely quit making quilts- doing any sewing- i finally helped her get it sold-
don't let this happen to you- test drive them and find the machine that is right for you.
as expensive as they are you really don't want to just buy the machine i have because i like it- you need to try them out.
i have a friend who's hubby bought her a long arm which sat in her house for 5 years before she finally sold it out of frustration- in that 5 years she managed to quilt 1 quilt- and was so upset all the time over that machine- i used to go over and help her get everything set (tension, needles, bobbins ect) have her happily stitching - would leave- she would run out of bobbin thread...change the bobbin and have all kinds of problems again- it was a horrible situation for her- she never learned to use the machine and was so unhappy she completely quit making quilts- doing any sewing- i finally helped her get it sold-
don't let this happen to you- test drive them and find the machine that is right for you.
09-29-2011, 02:18 PM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Fort Worth, TX
Posts: 458
Originally Posted by luvspaper
if you are normally used to quilting on a domestic sewing machine, you ought to check out the Handiquilter Sweet 16 sitdown.
What's really nice about it is that the learning curve is much easier since you are doing the same thing you did on your DSM....just with a larger area/faster machine.
they aren't cheap, but are less than a long-arm. And the foot print is only about 3 feet by 3 feet!
What's really nice about it is that the learning curve is much easier since you are doing the same thing you did on your DSM....just with a larger area/faster machine.
they aren't cheap, but are less than a long-arm. And the foot print is only about 3 feet by 3 feet!
:D :D
09-29-2011, 02:45 PM
#7
Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Long Beach, CA
Posts: 29
It took me over 2 years of testing different machines at quilt shows but I got a Babylock Crown Jewel in March. I LOVE it! I agree with all the comments about testing before you buy. I did lots of online research and asked the show venders lots of questions.
09-30-2011, 06:01 AM
#9
Super Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: La Pine Oregon, USA
Posts: 5,907
Yes --- testing all the machines is important. What feels good to another may not feel good for you.
The amount of room you have for one is important. A Gammill is much bigger than a HQ Avante.
My biggest suggestion for everyone is to look for a LOCAL (or closest) dealer. I was babysitting a machine for a friend and the nearest repairman/tech support/trainer was a 400 mile round trip. And, of course, they wouldn't consider any training. My friend also had the same problem.....Regardless of how good the machine is ---- you WILL need help. Find out if the store will provide one-on-one training or have classes.
Good luck and HAVE FUN!
The amount of room you have for one is important. A Gammill is much bigger than a HQ Avante.
My biggest suggestion for everyone is to look for a LOCAL (or closest) dealer. I was babysitting a machine for a friend and the nearest repairman/tech support/trainer was a 400 mile round trip. And, of course, they wouldn't consider any training. My friend also had the same problem.....Regardless of how good the machine is ---- you WILL need help. Find out if the store will provide one-on-one training or have classes.
Good luck and HAVE FUN!
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