Hello from Ontario!
 

I am a beginner sewer (< year) and really love to create dog items. I am also a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel fancier. Yes Shelbie, I know Molly :-) I am currently creating unique crate pads and know that I need a more powerful machine that will handle the thickness I require (through thicker materials and layers of batting). I would love to quilt a dog bed as my first quilting project. Any suggestions welcome for my next sewing machine :-) I currently have a Babylock Elizabeth and love it but it cannot handle the crate pads. Currently in for service for 10 days :-(

Welcome from Wisconsin! No suggestions for a heavy duty machine other than trying to find an older all metal one, such as the 1959 Singer Slant-o-Matic I used to have. That thing could sew through anything.

Welcome, from Texas!

I've made pads for my dachshund's crate (it's her sleeping 'cave') and have found it works better (for our purposes) to make thinner pads, then fold them to fit. This makes it much easier to wash/dry the pads. I've also made removable covers, which can be more easily washed. If you want to use a regular sewing machine, you might want to give this a try. :)

Welcome from another newbie! We have several machine dealers and local quilting shops where I live and what I did (last year, I started sewing again too) was take my crochet pillow covers (they tend to be thick too) to the one with the best word of mouth in reviews and the fabrics I work with I took as well, and they will sew on it and demo the machines for you. They will show you everything if they are a decent dealer. :) I ended up deciding between a janome and a singer, came home with the on sale singer. They even opened them up and showed me the insides so I could see, don't be afraid to ask questions!

Now that I'm taking on quilting I'm not sure what will happen, my machine has several built in quilting features and stitches, but I sure wish it had a longer arm. lol

Welcome from OHIO!

Welcome from western NY and happy quilting :)

Thank you for everyone's suggestions! Somehow I know I will end up with at least 4-5 machines (and I used to laugh at the thought) LOL - my initial Babylock Elizabeth, a Juki 2010Q and a serger and embroidery machine (yet to be researched) LOL

Hey Guys me Jack.I am from Perth in Australia.I search this forum through Google.Well i am doing engineering and i think that's a brilliant forum helps me a lot about various machines maintenance.Thanks a lot!!

Welcome from Michigan!:)